SVFA: Membership Links

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Active
Membership

Your Executive
Board Members

Calling All
SVFA Alumni!

Frequently Asked Questions About Membership

What does it mean to become a member of SVFA?
Who is eligible for membership?
Do I have to be a Communication or Journalism major to join?
Do I have to have any technical experience to join?
Wow, SVFA sounds cool! How do I join?
Wait a minute . . . do I have to pay any money to become a member?

Q: What does it mean to become a member of SVFA?: The experience afforded by joining SVFA is truly what you make of it. Membership in SVFA is just a vehicle providing students with an avenue in which to learn, grow, express ideas, and network with others.; By becoming an active member, you may choose to become certified to use SVFA's production equipment by enrolling in one of the training classes offered to produce segments for air on UH Magazine. In addition, you may choose to take advantage of SVFA sponsored workshops, guest speakers and off-campus production facility tours.; Then again, maybe you're the type of person who just wants to hang out with some really cool people (*stop laughing*) and talk about movies you've seen, movies you want to see, movies you love to hate, SVFA does that too. SVFA is constantly looking for input suggesting new activities and other innovative opportunities so that its members gain a meaningful experience.
Q: Who is eligible for membership?: Membership is open to all fee-paying, registered students of the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. Unfortunately, due to current stipulations outlined by the Broadcast Communication Authority (BCA), SVFA is unable to extend membership to students outside the Manoa campus.
Q: Do I have to be a Communication or Journalism major to join?: Although many Communication and Journalism majors do join SVFA, you do NOT need to be a certain major to gain membership. SVFA is open to ALL majors and areas of academic study. Whether you are majoring in marine biology, engineering, art, Asian history, or business, all of SVFA's opportunities are available to you.
Q: Do I have to have any technical experience to join?: No, not at all. SVFA provides a variety of opportunities, some of which involve having technical skills, others of which do not. If you would like to gain technical experience, SVFA provides hands-on training courses that will teach you the basics. On the other hand, there are also a number of other opportunities for you to express your ideas, to build leadership skills, to learn about production management, and to gain new friends. It's really what you make of it.
Q: Wow, SVFA sounds cool! How do I join?: Just simply fill out an SVFA membership application form and provide either a pink registration slip or validated UH identification for the current semester and you're in! It's that easy.; Something to remember . . . the term of membership is only for one semester (Fall, Spring and Summer) and must be renewed each term. Grace periods are extended through the summer and winter breaks to returning students. Complete withdrawal from the University system during the semester will also invalidate membership until re-registration is verified.
Q: Wait a minute . . . do I have to pay any money to become a member?: No, with payment of student fees, membership in SVFA is free (but donations are graciously accepted -- *grin*).

Join SVFA Today!

If you are a registered student at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, don't hesitate to get an application for SVFA membership in one of the following ways:

Stop by the SVFA office in Campus Center #312 on Monday - Friday between 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Download the application in Microsoft Word RTF (Rich Text Format).
Download and print out the application as a web form. (Sorry, no electronic submission of application forms available.)

Active Membership

To be considered as an "active member," one must be involved in any 3 productions or activities including workshops, meetings, training classes, guest speakers, tours, or office help. Other members will be considered under an "inactive" status. Inactive members may attend any SVFA function, but are not allowed to check out equipment.

Only active certified members earn the privlege to check out SVFA equipment. Members cannot lend equipment to be used by uncertified persons, perform unauthorized loans, and abides by all city, state, federal and University of Hawai‘i statutes and regulations while functioning as a representative of SVFA (this includes productions that utilize SVFA equipment). Members cannot use SVFA equipment for personal financial gain. Any violation of these requirements can result in membership termination.

Your Executive Board Members

The Executive Board Members are here to help you make the most out of your experience with SVFA and to facilitate the smooth operation of the organization. All Executive Board positions (except the GM who is appointed by the BCA) are recommended by a selection committee comprised of current Executive members based upon an open application and interview process.

General Manager (GM): Solomon Marchessault

The GM is selected by the BCA annually and is responsible for all aspects of the organization including:
Enforcing SVFA Policies and Procedures providing goals and purposes for SVFA in the form of 1 and 5 year plans providing guidance, counsel, motivation and direction for the efforts of the executive and general memberships overseeing the fiscal operations of SVFA familiarity with copyright rules for ‘Olelo: The Corporation for Community Programming internal and external marketing of SVFA including advertising, membership drives, establishing and maintaining connections with people and organizations that could help SVFA

Executive Assistant (EA): Miriam Neuman (2002 - Present)

The EA is responsible for office management which includes recording and posting General Membership and Executive Board meeting minutes, maintaining status reports of all project/activities, managing all SVFA files, and performing secretarial duties. The EA also maintains a record of active and inactive members. In the event that the GM is unable to perform his/her duties, the EA shall serve in the GM's place.

Executive Producer (EP): Jules Nathan (2001 - Present)

The EP will manage all video and media productions that SVFA undertakes which includes keeping records of costs, time, personnel, and/or subject. The EP approves all SVFA productions and is authorized (along with the GM and ETC) to check out equipment. The EP also maintains a video tape library of productions.

Public Relations Director (PRD): Matthew Lum (1999 - Present)

The PRD assists the GM with the coordination of SVFA's marketing, community outreach efforts, and creating SVFA's image. This includes working with alumni, maintaining SVFA's website, overseeing the production of the organization's newsletter, and handling press releases.

Equipment and Training Coordinator (ETC): Michael Ogasawara (2002 - Present)

The ETC conducts the training classes, certifies members and is responsible for check-in and check-out of SVFA equipment. The ETC is also responsible for the repair and maintenance of SVFA equipment. The ETC is the primary person authorized to sign-out equipment. The ETC will keep a record of certified members.

Producer(s): Joshua McDermott (2002 - Present), Clark Cuadro (2002 - Present),
Justin Young (2002 - Present), and Shane Curtis (2002 - Present)

The Producer manages the production of UH Magazine including:
Coordinating cast and crew for hosting segments insures that the director of UH Magazine meets all shooting deadlines organize the episode's lineup oversee the post-production of UH Magazine

Calling All SVFA Alumni!

If you are an alumnus of SVFA, please send us e-mail at svfa@hawaii.edu so we might be able to include you on our distribution list for upcoming special events.