Membership

MediaNet was founded in 1981 to “promote creative collaboration and mutual support among independent media producers, through networking and the provision of a resource pool of information, contacts, equipment and skills.” (Penelope Joy, founding Director). The purpose of MediaNet is to support and facilitate the creative use of the medium of independent video/film as a form of communication and personal expression. MediaNet provides low cost access to video production and post-production equipment for MediaNet members, helping them create “independent”, artistic work in video. (MediaNet defines an “independent” media art work as one where the artist/creator retains creative control, and a significant portion of the copyright.) MediaNet offers a regular menu of technical workshops such as Basic Lighting, Sound Recording, editing with Final Cut Pro, Grant writing, and so on. MediaNet's curatorial vision aims to present artists who express their personal visions, exploring and expanding the limits of the media art form. MediaNet is committed to encouraging artists from diverse cultural communities, First Nations and other under-served groups to use our services and to ensuring that we facilitate voices from a variety of perspectives.

- Provide fair access to a resource pool of equipment, skills, expertise and information on video/film.
- Facilitate opportunities for individuals to develop media skills in a co-operative environment so that they may contribute their diverse perspectives in video/film.
- Promote media literacy and critical appreciation of video/film.
- Research issues of concern to the video/film community.
- Educate the public on the value of independent video/film

Basic membership costs $30 a year and offers Members discounts on workshops and presentations and access to information on MediaNet events. Producer membership costs $150, or $75 and five hours of volunteer contribution, and Members receive all of the above plus access to digital video production equipment and editing and post-production facilities ($50 for youth under 19). Memebers must sign a membership contract and be ratified by the Board of Directors.

Applicants for membership must fill out and sign an application form, giving two references, and pay the annual fee. The staff will check the references, and then the new member must attend an orientation meeting, and if necessary do 5 volunteer hours, and finally be ratified by the Board.

MediaNet is a community based on principles of mutual respect and cooperation. Privileges of membership are contingent on observance of these principles. If a person contravenes these principles by becoming verbally or physically intimidating or abusive to another member or staff member, staff is authorized by the Board to ask any person to leave the premises. Then the Board will investigate the complaint and interview all concerned parties. If the Board finds the complaint to be valid, the Board will take appropriate action, which may include return of the keys and all MediaNet property, and suspension of membership.

MediaNet's structure is based on a Board of Directors of 9 people, 4 executive members and 5 members at large, elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting. Any member is eligible to run for election to the Board. The Board meets 4- 6 times a year, establishing policies that they mandate the employees to enact. As a non-profit Society, MediaNet follows the BC Society Act. The directors are empowered to manage, or supervise the management of, the affairs of the society, and may exercise all of the powers of the society. The Board forms Committees to research and make recommendations to the full Board on specific areas. Committees are responsible to the Board.

MediaNet Board of Directors, 2009:
President, Grace Salez; Vice President, Pamela Millar; Secretary, Betsy Nuse; Treasurer, Christin Keeler; Members at Large: Trudy Pauluth-Penner, Richard Boyce, Rick Searle, Cyrus Block, Diane Searle