About Us

Our Mission

NEAT is a non-profit community-based media center committed to media democracy and citizen involvement. Its mission is to strengthen the fabric of community life by using locally produced media to promote public dialogue, greater understanding, and citizen involvement. NEAT provides the tools, the training, and the airwaves, enabling community members of all ages to produce and share media that matters.

Our Board

Steve Jarvis, Chair
Gary Urich, Treasurer
Alice Leeds, Vice-Chair
Mary Arbuckle, Secretary

Community Bulletin Board

To submit an item to the Community Bulletin Board please email event information to: neatbristol@gmail.com or mail to: NEAT, PO Box 262, Bristol. Include location, date, time, and contact information.

Bylaws

NAME

The name of the corporation shall be “NorthEast Addison Television” (Also known as NEAT) and shall be incorporated as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Vermont.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of NEAT shall be:

To work with the Comcast Cable Television Company or companies that serve the Bristol area and to ensure that they meet their obligations to the community regarding public access, educational access and governmental access to the cable television system.

  1. To support and promote programs of local interest produced by members of public, educational, charitable, and social service organizations, and by independent producers within the community.
  2. To distribute these programs on community or public telecommunications facilities, including but not limited to cable television, closed circuit, or broadcast television.
  3. To provide for the care and custody of equipment and studio facilities and programs owned or used by NEAT and to organize and offer training to the membership of NEAT, and to establish criteria for use of the equipment and facilities.
  4. To exercise any other rights or responsibilities incidental to or associated with the aforesaid purposes in accordance with applicable law.

OFFICERS

The officers of NEAT shall be a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and other such officers as the Board may from time to time determine. Should a vacancy occur, the Board may elect another eligible person to serve as an officer. The officers shall serve for a term of two years.

CHANNEL TIME

NEAT Channel time is available to the pubic free of charge on a first-come first-serve basis for the cablecast of non-commercial programs produced through the facilities of NEAT or acquired programs requested by the community and within the station guidelines for programs.

  • Public Access – Our community bulletin board (channel 16) will carry public interest messages free of charge. You may chose to produce a video program.
  • Educational and Governmental – You may videotape an event, meeting or activity for the County News or as a program.

NEAT offers community and civic support in addition to technical assistance for those wishing to use our services.

NEAT depends on volunteers to provide video coverage of community events, activities and meetings. Volunteers may use their own camera or check out NEAT equipment if they are a member and trained on the equipment by the Station Director.

  1. You must have a valid drivers license to sign out equipment. Individuals under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian’s signature for equipment use.
  2. User will be responsible for the proper handling and care of the equipment. User will be held responsible for any damage to the equipment.
  3. All videos are the property of the producer and must be left with a completed release form. Be sure to identify your program or project, the date and the camera person. ANECAC retains airing rights and privileges of such tapes.

POTENTIALLY OBJECTIONABLE PROGRAMMING

NEAT is supported by the community and wishes to provide households with a means of controlling the viewing of potentially objectionable programming by children. For the purpose of these guidelines, potentially objectionable material is defined as programming containing, but not limited, to the following:

  • Vulgar Language
  • Nudity

While NEAT cannot refuse to air potentially objectionable programming, the schedule placement rests solely with NEAT and therefore: all potentially objectionable programming will be cablecast between the hours of 2-4am. NEAT will consult with independent program producers to decide if a program falls under the classification of “potentially objectionable”, however, the final decision rests with NEAT.

PROGRAM PROHIBITIONS

If a program contains illegal material the tape will be returned to the producer without being shown. Production equipment, facilities, and channel time are not available for programming containing the following:

  • Obscene material as defined by all relevant laws or defined by community standards.
  • Invasion of privacy
  • Any material that is slanderous, libelous or made unlawful by any law instituted by a governmental body.
  • Treasonous material advocating the overthrow of the government of the United States of America.
  • Any material containing unauthorized use of trademark or copyright.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES AND STAFF

Special Committees of NEAT may be elected by the membership or appointed by the Board of Directors to carry out activities in furtherance of NEAT purposes and objectives. The Board may provide for the employment and compensation of persons and employees to perform the activities of NEAT. The Board shall oversee all affairs or any committees or staff.

INDEMNIFICATION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Users of the access channel shall indemnify Addison NorthEast Community Access Channel and it’s employees against any and all liabilities arising out of breach of these Policies. Each NEAT member understands that he or she is responsible and agrees to hold harmless its directors and employees (and their successors) from any liability, loss, claim, cost, or damage of any nature whatsoever which may arise by reason of any claim that any material cablecast or disseminated by that member infringes on or violates any rights of any person or organization.