News » Board of Director Candidates

Board of Director Candidates

Posted March 22nd, 2008 by vikkid in News, Front Page, About Us, Board of Directors

Meet the candidates, watch their videos and read their statements.

The 2008 Access Tucson Board of Director Candidates are J Lisa Jones, Karla Ronquillo, and Keith Smith.

Ballots were mailed out to all active members on March 21st. If you do not receive a ballot by March 31st, please let us know so we can be sure to get one out to you.

In order for your votes to be counted, the accounting firm DeVries CPAs of Arizona must receive your ballot either through the mail or in person by 5pm on April 8th.

The results will be announced at the Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Event at Access Tucson on April 10th.

J. Lisa Jones

Occupation: Retired Pottery Teacher; disabled
Employer: City of Tucson Parks & Recreation

Membership in Professional Organizations:

Involvement with Community Organizations:

For many years I have volunteered each month on the Access Tucson’s program, Local Matters, which gives not-for-profit organizations the opportunity to get their mission/message out into the Tucson community. By running camera on Local Matters, in a very real way, I’m putting in my own volunteer contributions to each of these various community organizations: That is, by doing Local Matters I’m able to be involved, albeit in a limited way, with a many, many community organizations.

In addition, over the last several years I have also volunteered for the Tucson Parks & Recreation Pottery Department, including contributing to Empty Bowls projects.

More recently I have been a participant in the Jefferson Park Neighborhood planning process and the Park Avenue Enhancement Project.

In the last three years, I have become active in the Pima County Democratic Party as a Voter Registrar, a Poll Watcher and an elected Precinct Committeeperson for the Pima County Democratic Party, PCT 42 of Legislative District 28.

In the early/mid-1980s I was an active volunteer with three local animal organizations, The Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Handi-Dogs & T.R.O.T. (Therapeutic Riding of Tucson) but had to stop for health reasons, although I still do animal “rescues” as I’m able….

Why do you wish to serve as a Director of Access Tucson?

I believe passionately in the philosophy of public access: affording electronic media to all, truly equal opportunity; providing a forum for free speech and creativity; encouraging diversity; bending over backwards to be fair; supporting people’s finding their own voice through electronic media – the essence of Access Tucson. I love this place. I love being here, using the facility myself, experiencing its amazing dynamic. And I have an enormous appreciation for other people who are a part of Access Tucson too.

I have served as a Director on the Access Tucson Board since the spring of 1991. During that time there have been innumerable ups and downs in Access Tucson’s existence – real threats and a multitude of successes. As a Board Director, I believe I have contributed substantially to Access Tucson’s surviving those threats, as well as attaining some of its accomplishments. At the risk of bragging, I do believe I have made a real difference, and I would very much like the opportunity to continue to do so by continuing to serve on Access Tucson’s Board.

Finally, I’ve lived in Tucson since January, 1977. I believe I have an in-depth appreciation for the unique needs of Access Tucson’s producers and members, as well as the needs of the broader Tucson & Pima County community – and how Access Tucson’s mission can meet those needs in a New World in which communications technology is developing exponentially. In this time of change and challenge, it is imperative to Access Tucson’s survival that it always be relevant, finding new ways to serve the breadth of its constituency, as well as the greater Tucson community. If we can do so, we will not only survive, we can take flight with cyberspace wings!

What expertise or special qualifications do you possess which you feel would be important to Access Tucson?

COMMITTMENT & WILLINGNESS TO SERVE; TRAINING; EXPERIENCE:

Have served as Chair of the Access Tucson Board of Directors since May, 2004. As such, I’m currently serving on all AT Board committees:

• Executive Committee, Chair
• Board Affairs Committee, seated
• Grants & Scholarship Committee, ex-officio
• Fiscal Affairs Committee, ex-officio
• Preparedness Task Force Committee, seated
• Member Relations Ad Hoc Committee, ex-officio
• Programming & Public Relations Ad Hoc Committee, seated
• People for Access Tucson Task Force (founding committee)
• Strategic Planning Committee, seated
• Facilities Subcommittee (Strategic Planning Committee), seated
• Programming Subcommittee (Strategic Planning Comm), seated

I am a founding Board member of the recently formed People for Access Tucson – an independent, 501C3 organization founded “to support Access Tucson, a community resource which promotes participatory democracy by providing citizen access to TV and other electronic media”.

Other relevant experience:

• Strategic Planning Retreats, Tucson, AZ, Nov., ’07 & Feb., ‘08
• Community Media Center Feasibility Presentation,
Access Tucson’s Studio A, Oct. ‘07
• Alliance for Community Media National Conference,
Minneapolis, MN, July, ‘07
• Alliance for Community Media Western Regional Conference,
San Jose, CA, Oct ‘06
• Alliance for Community Media National Conference,
Monterey, CA, July, ‘05
• Alliance for Community Media National Conference,
Tampa, FL, Summer, ‘04
• Alliance for Community Media Western Region Conference,
Santa Rosa, CA, Fall, ‘02
• Alliance for Community Media National Conference,
Houston, TX, Summer, ‘02
• Alliance for Community Media National Conference,
Tucson, AZ, Summer, 2000
• PEG (Public, Education & Government Access) Forum mandated by
the Mayor to advise the City Council & Mayor on
telecommunications issues as related to PEG, after
the 1997 Cable License renewal with the City of Tucson.
• National Foundation of Local Cable Programmers (NFLCP)
Conference, Los Alamos & Santa Fe, NM, 1984

Director on the Access Tucson Board of Directors since Spring, 1991, serving in the past on the following Board committees:

• Executive Committee, office of Member-at-Large
• Board Affairs Committee, Chair
• Grants & Scholarship Committee
• Public Policy Committee
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Relations & Collaborative Program Initiatives Committee, Chair
• Local Origination Committee
• Ad Hoc Committee on Board Governance

Member of Access Tucson since May, 1984, and, as such, have first-hand knowledge of video production processes;

• Have produced several of my own productions over the years, including: Animals’ Assistance; From AIDS to Eternal Peace; Living with Integrity I; Living with Integrity II; AIDS and Entitlements; Los Beneficios Y EL SIDA; Living with AIDS: the Nuts and Bolts of Survival; I Buckle-Up, I Helmet-Up, I’m Head-Smart!; The Tom Volgy Campaign; Young Democrats National Convention; Democratic Perspectives; Political Perspectives Special: Mrs. Edwards Talks with Tucsonans; and, currently, continuing with the series, Political Perspectives.
• Have crewed on other member’s productions over the years too, including Home Ownership American Dream, Northwest Neighborhood Center Board Meeting, Tucson Remembered, Toastmasters, Let’s Talk About It, Democrats and the Issues, Valley of the Moon & My Commentary.
• Have also crewed & volunteered on several Access Tucson produced shows over the years, some of which include: Local Matters since its beginning, Aug ’94, to present; MLK Celebration; City of Hope Awards Show; Call City Hall; Recovery Expo; Rolling Thunder Down Home Democracy Tour; 4-H Club Youth Candidate Forum; CD Primary Forum; Tucson Vision; Wingspan Annual Benefit Dinner and Awards Ceremony; Democracy NOW!; Amy Goodman from Centennial Hall; Family Arts Festival and occasionally subbing on Government Connections.

Education & Training:

• Community Foundation of So. AZ & Cox Communications
“Lunch & Learn Series”
• Digital Storytelling, Tucson, AZ, Dec. ‘07
• Foolproof Webplanning, Tucson, AZ, Oct. ‘07
• Community Media: Web 2.0, Kari Peterson, Presenter,
   Tucson, AZ, Oct. ‘07
• “Discover Your Digital Destiny” presentation at Access Tucson,
   June, ‘07
• Multicultural Leadership Development Program three-day workshop,
   training Directors (and “would be Directors”) of not-for-profit
   organizations to maximize effective Board functioning with
   appropriate diversity in community representation,
   Tucson, AZ, April, ‘06
• Multicultural Leadership Development Program one-day workshop,
   “How to Be a Better Board Member,” Tucson, AZ, Sept. ‘05
• Grants Workshop, Tucson-Pima Public Library, Aug. ‘06
• Community Foundation of So. AZ & Cox Communications
   “Lunch & Learn Series”
• Podcasting/Webcasting: Tips for Production & Marketing for
      Non-Profits, Tucson, AZ, July ‘07
• Blogging & the Internet: Marketing Tactics for Non-Profits,
      Tucson, AZ, July, ‘06
• Internet Basics, Non-Profit Use of the Internet & Websites,
      Tucson, AZ, June, ‘06
• Cable License Renewal Workshop with Sue Buske, Presenter,
      Tucson, AZ, Nov. ‘04
• Several class Certifications from Access Tucson (TCCC) over the
   years, namely, Orientation, Studio, Control Room,
   Field Production, CG, Editing & Advanced Audio,
   truck camera, DVC Pro camcorder, Amiga CG,
   Compix CG, Digital Field Production
• B.A. Radio-Television, The University of Arizona, 1984;
• M.F.A., Drama (Directing emphasis), The University of Arizona,
   1980;
• B.A. Theatre Arts, The Ohio State University, 1970;

Other Qualifications:

• Director, Arizona Head Injury Foundation, Board of Directors,
   1993-95
• KUAT Public Advisory Board, Radio Committee, Chair, 1984/85;
• Served on the KUAT Public Radio & Television Advisory Board,
   1984/85
• Visiting Lecturer in the Radio-Television Dept. at the U. of A.,
   1984/85;
• Worked on the KUAT-TV Production Crew, 1981-84;
• Intern with Fran Darnton, Arts Producer, KUAT’s Arizona Illustrated,
   1981/82

Karla Ronquillo

Occupation: News Producer
Employer: KOLD NEWS 13

Membership in Professional Organizations: N/A

Involvement with Community Organizations: N/A

Why do you wish to serve as a Director of Access Tucson?

My interest to continue to serve on the Access Tucson Board of Directors stems from my long-time involvement with the organization. The mission that Access Tucson stands for is a crucial and powerful medium in this day and age. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues can easily connect to a larger audience through Access Tucson.

My motivation is driven by the ability and knowledge to help others, who want to express themselves. Whether their freedom of speech is through art, music, dance, etc.

What expertise or special qualifications do you possess which you feel would be important to Access Tucson?

I bring three years of experience already having served on the Access Tucson Board of Directors. My participation thus far has been beneficial to both members and the organization.

By serving on the Grants and Scholarships committee, it has made a positive impact to those members trying to start up their own shows or to those wanting to help other producers.

My understanding of the policies and procedures comes from working on my own projects. In addition, I have two years of knowledge and skills as part of the Access Tucson staff. This gives me the familiarity of how the group runs from the inside - out.

One of the current goals of the board is to save Access Tucson in a Web 2.0 era. Community Media Television is a platform for sites, such as youtube.com and myspace.com. I would like nothing more than to continue to help the board in this objective.

Keith Smith

Occupation: Social Worker
Employer: Department of Economic Security

Membership in Professional Organizations:

Involvement with Community Organizations:

• Flowing Wells Neighborhood and Community Coalition,
Vice President 2007 – to present
• Meth Free Alliance, Faith Based Task Force, 2006 to present

Why do you wish to serve as a Director of Access Tucson?

In this last year, Access Tucson has taught me the skills and provided me the support and opportunity to produce shows on Access Tucson that I hope will impacted people’s view of the world. This remarkable opportunity came to me because of Access Tucson’s capacity to provide the technology and pathway to broadcast my message and because of their helpful staff efforts to ensure the quality of my effort. I want to give back to the organization and support others in having this same opportunity.

What expertise or special qualifications do you possess which you feel would be important to Access Tucson?

I am aware of issues that face individuals, families and our community both as a community leader and in my work with the Department of Economic Security. Besides being an active producer I am involved as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee.