CONTACT:
Annie Niehaus
Midpeninsula Community Media Center
650 494-8686 X 10
aniehaus@pacbell.net
Palo Alto, California, - September 26, 2001 - The Boards of Directors of Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation (MPAC) and Silicon Valley Community Communications (SVCC) announced today that they are merging to create a joint organization called the Midpeninsula Community Media Center. The two organizations are coming together to take advantage of emerging technologies and build a state-of-the-art Community Media Center to meet the growing needs of the midpeninsula. The new organization will be headed by Board President, Seth Fearey, and newly appointed Executive Director, Annie Niehaus.
The Midpeninsula Community Media Center's goal is to create a new kind of community center that capitalizes on the convergence of community, media and technology. The center will be a place where people can learn new tools for communication and create material that supports what makes the midpeninsula community unique. Both SVCC and MPAC bring award-winning talent to this opportunity. Both have a history of creating programming that makes a difference in the community. Staff productions will showcase the region's civic and non-profit sectors, helping people stay informed about their community and take advantage of its services.
The new organization is being directed by a board made up of nine members principally drawn from the boards of SVCC and MPAC and is in the process of recruiting an expanded board. Ultimately, the Midpeninsula Community Media Center Board will be made up of nine to fifteen members, with six positions reserved for persons nominated by the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) jurisdictions in the cable service area -- Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton and the unincorporated sections of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
The current board members are:Since 1990, MPAC, a non-profit public benefit corporation, has operated the public access channels on the cable system serving the midpeninsula cable service area and has provided live coverage of government meetings for four cities and counties on the government access channel. SVCC was created as a separate non-profit public benefit corporation in the year 2000 in connection with AT&T's acquisition of the cable system from Cable Co-op. SVCC continues to provide local origination programming, and facilities and equipment to MPAC through a $17 million charitable contribution from AT&T. The new Midpeninsula Community Media Center combines SVCC and MPAC to optimize communications resources and services to the community.
The Midpeninsula Community Media Center has a full-time staff of eight and an extensive network of part-time workers, contractors and volunteers. The board and staff will focus on defining the new facility, identifying a suitable location, and outlining the services to be offered. The new organization will continue to provide existing MPAC and SVCC services, including outreach, hands-on training and production assistance to individuals and community groups in both field and studio video production, and staff produced venues for local issues, sports, policymakers and artists.
In addition, the new merged entity is exploring ways to help non-profit organizations with web site development, providing staff to develop and facilitate city department programming and schools programming, and new opportunities to the community through the availability of technologies such as streaming media via the internet, and distance learning and teleconferencing through the I-Net. Additional details about the organization's plans and offerings will be made available over the coming months.
The Midpeninsula Community Media Center was created in September of 2001 through the merger of the Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation (MPAC) and Silicon Valley Community Communications (SVCC). The non-profit organization produces programs of community interest and supports an on-line community discussion forum. In fulfilling its mission, the Midpeninsula Community Media Center facilitates learning, fosters civic engagement, increases diversity awareness and provides a stage for individual expression. Located in Palo Alto California, the Midpeninsula Community Media Center can be reached by calling (650) 494-8686.
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