Bruce Bagnoli Candidate Statement
Name any Boards or Advisory groups on which you have served in the past:
Marin Media Access Advisory Board, Agricultural Cooperative, Living History Center.
Please list other Non-Profit/Board Experience:
TMR Agricultural Cooperative, Living History Center, San Rafael Planning ad hoc committee, Media Access Advisory Committee (Marin MTA).
As a board member, what areas below could you contribute expertise:
Marketing, Fund Raising/Development, Non-profit Administration, Strategic Planning
Why do you want to serve on the CMCM Board of Directors?
As a founding member of CMCM, I want to continue to serve the organization as CMCM works out new modes of operation as the Pandemic brings change. I believe that my expertise in the public access arena will continue to be valuable to the organization as it grows, and I want to continue to help the Community Media Center of Marin to implement its vision and expand its relationship with the community. While CMCM has become a valuable ally of the public bringing government meetings to the public, helping convey messages to the community, the public access and educational aspects of the Media Center need further development as the pandemic has created challenges for those we serve in these sectors. I hope to continue stewardship of the financial health of the organization and to explore ways that CMCM can better serve our community.
What relevant experience do you bring to this board position?
As a founding member of the CMCM Board of Directors, I have a deep knowledge of the mission of the organization, it’s contracts with the sponsor agency ( now MGSA), our organization’s bylaws, State law relating to public access, and the history of public access in Marin County.
I also have worked with the Marin Cities and County to bring transparency to government operations through the telecast of government meetings. This is now a major part of the CMCM service to the public and now includes Marin Clean Energy, Novato City Council meetings as well as cities in the served by CMCM through Marin General Services sponsorship and oversight. I’m an active member working with Public Access to grow the community.
I have over 30 years of experience in film, video, and multimedia production, as well as in web and social media. My management experience qualifies me to provide budgeting, human resources, government relations, public process, and other relevant support to the organization. I’ve been working with public process in government for decades and know many of the present and former elected representatives who serve Marin communities as well as some of the non-profit organizations that use CMCM services and facilities.
My background in video and TV production and my active participation as a volunteer on many of the field and studio productions at the Media Center give me a unique perspective as to the strengths and needs of the organization. I’ve worked on dozens of productions as director, camera operator, and TD, editor, grip, and have also produced over 90 programs that have aired on public access in Marin.
What is your vision for CMCM and how will you achieve it?
CMCM provides a forum, provides educational tools and equipment to create content conveying messages, ideas, events and much more for community groups with a cohesive effect on the community. CMCM provides a portal to the human treasures of Marin County. CMCM gives voice to points of view that otherwise would never be heard and opens a window into the operations of our local government: a vital function in our society.
CMCM has some good educational programming but could do much more in this area, and I hope to help the organization grow in service in this important area. During the pandemic, CMCM has assisted government to use video conferencing tools such as “ZOOM” to maintain the connection between citizens and their local City Councils, etc.
Likewise, the potential for CMCM to connect area residents with each other and to help groups communicate with others with similar interests was tested during these recent shutdowns. New challenges emerge, and the organization must adapt.
Public access is a passion of mine, and while the programming and the groups of folks who produce for broadcast on the station are vibrant and expansive, there are serious financial challenges that must be addressed. I look forward to applying my skills and knowledge to help keep the Community Media Center of Marin strong and growing.
If I am elected to a new term on the CMCM Board, I will work to keep CMCM viable, as well as actively participating in member events and as a producer.