In an evening that featuring the theme “eat, drink and speak freely,” attendees will enjoy an artistic array of fine foods while being entertained by the Arizona Daily Star’s editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons and famed local comic Robert Mac. There will also be a silent art auction and a raffle for valuable prizes.

“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the first amendment and the value we place on free speech than to invite Tucson to enjoy an evening of laughter and fun,” says Access Tucson Executive Director Lisa Horner. “’Fitz,’ Robert and Max are not only home-grown, but exemplify important freedoms in our country.”

Robert Mac

Access Tucson Community Media has a 28-year history of promoting freedom of speech through all forms of media. Its classes, productions and coverage of local events have received nationwide recognition.

“Laughter and free speech are inextricably entwined,” says AT Board President Bob Kovitz. From the earliest writings of Jonathan Swift to the “truthiness” of Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, the media have been used to share ideas and to galvanize public opinion.

This is a chance for the community to honor the rights of citizens to speak freely in an era when civil speech seems to be at a premium, this is an ideal way for Tucson to support public discourse.

Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple. Entry includes food, entertainment, a complimentary serving of beer or wine and entry into the raffle. For tickets, go to www.accesstucson.org or call 520-624-9833 Fri. & Sat. 2-10pm.

$30 Single Ticket

$50 a Couple

Access Tucson
Board of Directors

Thursday, February 9, 2012
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:15 p.m.

2. Roll call 5:15 p.m.

3. Call to the audience 5:20 p.m.

4. Approval of minutes – December 1, 2011 5:30 p.m.

5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:35 p.m.

6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:40 p.m.

7. Comcast – report/update 5:45 p.m.

8. Executive Director – report/update 5:50 p.m.

9. Development Update – report/discussion/action 6:00 p.m.

10. Executive Committee – report/recommendation/action 6:25 p.m.

11. Action Plan – discussion/action 6:30 p.m.

12. Removal of TUSD representative from Board – discussion/action 6:50 p.m.

13. Executive Session* to discuss employee compensation 7:00 p.m.

14. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:15 p.m.

15. Adjournment 7:15 p.m.

*Executive session held pursuant to A.R.S. 38-431.03

Access Tucson
Development Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 9, 2011
3:00 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to Order
2. Review current Development activities – discussion/action
3. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting
4. Adjournment

Monday February 6, 2012
12:30 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Report from Executive Director – report/discussion
3. Bylaws/Director Composition – discussion/action/recommendation
4. Creating an Access Tucson Advisory Board – discussion/action/recommendation
5. Agenda for 1/12/12 Board Meeting – report/discussion/action
6. Adjournment

We posted the video on our website because we don’t want anyone to miss this wonderful tribute to Tucson’s thriving community spirit. Janet Marcotte, Executive Director of the YWCA Tucson, shares her evocative book with stunning photos of the January 8th, 2011 memorials along with the words from President Obama’s McKale Center speech on January 12, 2011.

Access Tucson Community Media brings this wonderful book to you as a documentary with local children reading the words of President Obama. Access Tucson Video Production Specialist and Instructor, Tim O’Grady is the editor.

Encores for the month of January starting 1/11
Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm
Sundays at 2pm

All times play on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox) and simultaneously streaming at www.accesstucson.org.

TWT is a joint venture between the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding and YWCA Tucson. Arizona Lithographers printed the book for cost and the layout was done by TBRich Design. Of the $20 price, $17 goes to support the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding’s anti-bullying programs.

Visit FundForCivility and YWCATucson.org to find information about purchasing the book.

Thursday, January 12, 2012
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:15 p.m.
2. Roll call 5:15 p.m.
3. Call to the audience 5:20 p.m.
4. Approval of minutes – December 1, 2011 5:30 p.m.
5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:35 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:40 p.m.
7. Comcast – report/update 5:45 p.m.
8. Executive Director – report/update 5:50 p.m.
9. Development Update – report/discussion/action 6:05 p.m.
10. Executive Committee – report/recommendation/action 6:25 p.m.
11. Action Plan – discussion/action 6:45 p.m.
12. Annual Meeting timeline – discussion/action 7:10 p.m.
13. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:15 p.m.
14. Adjournment 7:15 p.m.

“Together We Thrive” Television Premiere—Only on Access Tucson Community Media.

You will not want to miss this wonderful tribute to Tucson’s thriving community spirit. Janet Marcotte, Executive Director of the YWCA Tucson, shares her evocative book with stunning photos of the January 8th, 2011 memorials along with the words from President Obama’s McKale Center speech on January 12, 2011.

Access Tucson Community Media brings this wonderful book to you as a documentary with local children reading the words of President Obama. Access Tucson Video Production Specialist and Instructor, Tim O’Grady is the editor.

“Together We Thrive” Television Premiere:
January 8, 2012 at 2pm
Repeats at 5:30 and 10:30 pm

Encores for the month of January starting 1/11
Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm
Sundays at 2pm

All times play on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox) and simultaneously streaming at www.accesstucson.org.

TWT is a joint venture between the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding and YWCA Tucson. Arizona Lithographers printed the book for cost and the layout was done by TBRich Design. Of the $20 price, $17 goes to support the Fund for Civility, Respect and Understanding’s anti-bullying programs.

Visit FundForCivility and YWCATucson.org to find information about purchasing the book.

It was a great night celebrating four of KXCI’s long-time deejays Milo Solujic, Carol “Ruby” Anderson, Kidd Squidd and Marty Kool, with 14 roasters taking to the stage to skewer and joke. The audience also enjoyed live music by Stefan George & Tom Walbank, Way Out West, Los Hombres and the Titan Valley Warheads trio.

Read the LIVE review in the Tucson Weekly by Jim Lipson.

Catch the encores during the month of January starting 1/8:
Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm
Sundays at 7pm
All on Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)

Friday, January 6, 2012
12:00 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Report from Executive Director – report/discussion
3. On-line auction postmortem – report/discussion/action
4. Strategic plan – review/discussion/action
5. Agenda for 1/12/12 Board Meeting – report/discussion/action
6. Adjournment

Access Tucson
Board of Directors

Thursday, December 1, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:15 p.m.
2. Roll call 5:15 p.m.
3. Call to the audience 5:20 p.m.
4. Approval of minutes –November 10, 2011 5:30 p.m.
5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:35 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:40 p.m.
7. Comcast – report/update 5:45 p.m.
8. Executive Director – report/update 5:50 p.m.
9. Executive Committee – recommendation/action 6:10 p.m.
a. Amendment and dissolution of the 401(k)
employee savings plan – discussion/action
10. Strategic Development – discussion/action 6:20 p.m.
11. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.
12. Adjournment 7:00 p.m

Thursday, December 1, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:15 p.m.
2. Roll call 5:15 p.m.
3. Call to the audience 5:20 p.m.
4. Approval of minutes –November 10, 2011 5:30 p.m.
5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:35 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:40 p.m.
7. Comcast – report/update 5:45 p.m.
8. Executive Director – report/update 5:50 p.m.
9. Executive Committee – report/action 6:10 p.m.
10. Strategic Development – discussion/action 6:15 p.m.
11. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.
12. Adjournment 7:00 p.m

Thursday, November 10, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:15 p.m.
2. Roll call 5:15 p.m.
3. Call to the audience 5:20 p.m.
4. Approval of minutes –October 13, 2011 5:30 p.m.
5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:35 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:40 p.m.
7. Comcast – report/update 5:45 p.m.
8. Executive Director – report/update 5:50 p.m.
9. Tax Exempt Filing– discussion/action 6:10 p.m.
10. Rebranding – discussion/action 6:15 p.m.
11. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.
12. Adjournment 7:00 p.m

Access Tucson
Board of Directors

Thursday, October 13, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:00 p.m.

2. Roll call 5:00 p.m.

3. Call to the audience 5:10 p.m.

4. Approval of minutes –September 15, 2011 5:20 p.m.

5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:25 p.m.

6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:35 p.m.

7. Comcast – report/update 5:40 p.m.

8. Executive Director – report/update 5:45 p.m.

9. Transition Committee Report – discussion/action 6:00 p.m.

10. Development Committee Report – discussion/action 6:20 p.m.

11. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.

12. Adjournment 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 6, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Report from Executive Director – report/discussion
3. Agenda for regular Board meeting, 5pm, Thursday, October 13, 2011 – discussion/action
4. Adjournment

Access Tucson
Transition Committee Meeting

Wednesday, October 5, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order
2. Name change – discussion
3. Adjournment

Tuesday, October 4, 2011
12:30 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to Order

2. Review key aspects of developing a fundraising plan

3. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting

4. Adjournment

Access Tucson
Board of Directors

Thursday, September 15, 2011
5:00 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:00 p.m.

2. Roll call 5:00 p.m.

3. Call to the audience 5:10 p.m.

4. Approval of minutes –August 11, 2011 5:20 p.m.

5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:25 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:35 p.m.

7. Comcast – report/update 5:40 p.m.

8. Executive Director – report/update 5:45 p.m.

9. Audit – discussion/action 6:05 p.m.

10. Executive Committee Report – discussion/action 6:25 p.m.

11. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.

12. Adjournment 7:00 p.m.

Thank you to all of the Access Tucson supporters, speakers, videographers and faithful for a very important turnout last night. There were numerous speakers on behalf of Access Tucson and Cox. Lisa Horner says, “It was a solid draw on the outcome but there was much more impassioned and genuine delivery from our crowd. Even so, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of the license agreement with Cox.”

The motion, made by Council Member Karin Uhlich included the designation of channel locations as well as a directive for PEG partners and City staff to work together on channel sharing by all entities. Council Member Romero added a friendly amendment to add origination points for live cable feeds and EOD (Entertainment on Demand) for inclusion in the discussion.

The following text is taken from Council Member Steve Kozachik’s September 8th newsletter.

Some of the deal points that the Mayor & Council approved:

a) License agreement good for ten years – The existing agreement is for only five years. Cox will use the additional time in the new agreement to demonstrate to investors that they have a long term commitment from the City. That will enable them to more easily expand and improve infrastructure throughout the valley. A ten year deal is at the short end of what is the norm around the State.

b) Public, Educational, Government channels – A new State statute limits the City’s ability to compel Cox to negotiate any more than two PEG channels on their basic package and two PEG channels on their premium package. The decision as to which programming would be assigned to the various channels is completely up to the City to decide. The Council agreed to keep Tucson 12, the City channel on 12, and then place Access Tucson on 20 (both on the basic tier), and TUSD on 120 (on the premium tier). Channel 875 is currently assigned to TFD for safety and training purposes. The Council then told Tucson 12, Access Tucson and TUSD representatives at the meeting to work together and decide on how to share, split, or co-program the air time on the three channels. It is important that they work together to maximize content on the limited channel space we have to offer to the PEG audience.

c) While the current agreement doesn’t expire until May 2012, the Council felt it was important to come to terms at this time to avoid having to enter into a Federally mandated formal negotiation process that would kick in as we neared the end of the existing contract. That process could have conceivably cost the City in the $1/2 million range to conduct a Community Needs Assessment and the net return would have more than likely been a negligible change in what was adopted. There was wisdom in acting early on in the process.

d) We will negotiate outside of the license agreement other terms that deal with Entertainment On-Demand, origination points and other similar items that are not mandated at certain levels by State statute.

Thursday, September 8, 2011
5:15 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Report from Executive Director – report/discussion
3. Agenda for 9/15/11 Board Meeting – report/discussion/action
4. Adjournment

Access Tucson
Board of Directors

Thursday, August 11, 2011
5:00 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:00 p.m.

2. Roll call 5:00 p.m.

3. Call to the audience 5:10 p.m.

4. Approval of minutes –July 21, 2011 5:20 p.m.

5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:25 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:35 p.m.

7. Comcast – report/update 5:40 p.m.

8. Executive Director – report/update 5:45 p.m.

9. Board attendance – discussion/action 6:00 p.m.

10. ACM Conference Report – discussion/action 6:15 p.m.

11. Executive Committee Report – discussion/action 6:30 p.m.

12. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.

13. Adjournment 7:00 p.m.

Monday, August 8, 2011
5:00 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Report from Executive Director – report/discussion
3. Objectives and strategies for 2011-12 – report/discussion/action
4. Adjournment

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Report from Executive Director – report/discussion
3. Objectives and strategies for 2011-12 – report/discussion/action
4. Agenda for regular Board meeting, 5pm, Thursday, August 11, 2011 – discussion/action
5. Adjournment

Thursday, July 21, 2011
5:00 p.m.

Access Tucson
124 E. Broadway

1. Call to order 5:00 p.m.
2. Roll call 5:00 p.m.
3. Call to the audience 5:10 p.m.
4. Approval of minutes –June 9, 2011 5:20 p.m.
5. City of Tucson – report/update 5:25 p.m.
6. Cox Communications – report/update 5:35 p.m.
7. Comcast – report/update 5:40 p.m.
8. Executive Director – report/update 5:45 p.m.
9. Board seat vacancies – discussion/action 6:00 p.m.
10. Election of Officers – discussion/action 6:15 p.m.
11. Executive Committee Report – discussion/action 6:20 p.m.
12. Membership Fees – discussion/action 6:30 p.m.
13. Access Tucson strategic planning – discussion/action 6:45 p.m.
14. Date, time and agenda items for the next meeting 7:00 p.m.
15. Adjournment 7:00 p.m