Experience Section:

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The Buske Group was retained by these local governments to conduct extensive needs assessments as a part of the overall franchise renewal process. Our duties included the following tasks:

1. Design overall needs assessment process and identify tasks to be undertaken;

2. Conduct a statistically valid telephone survey of subscribers and non-subscribers;

3. Conduct focus group meetings;

4. Review all aspects of PEG access operations and channel management;

5. Collect and analyze technology, strategic, long range, and communication plans prepared by various community organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions;

6. Interview representatives of various community agencies and organizations; and

7. Prepare reports documenting key findings and recommendations regarding community cable related needs and interests.

Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Cambridge Community TV and Somerville Community Access Television

The Buske Group was retained by these access organizations to conduct extensive needs assessments as a part of the overall franchise renewal process. Our duties included the following tasks:

1. Review cable franchise (license) agreement, any franchise amendments, and contracts between access organizations and cities and/or cable operators;

2. Establish good working relationships with City representatives and franchise renewal consultants as well as the staff and Board of Directors of the local access organization;

3. Tour the local access organization's facilities and review its day-to-day operations;

4. Determine the level to which the cable operator fulfilled its access-related obligations;

5. Plan and conduct focus group workshops and distribute questionnaires at those workshops;

6. Prepare reports documenting key findings and recommendations regarding the community-indicated needs of the local access organization;

7. Present report to the Board of Directors of the local access organization and meet with City staff and consultants to discuss findings and recommendations; and

8. Provide assistance and advice to the local access organization as needed throughout the cable franchise renewal process.

The Buske Group
 3001 J Street, Suite 201 - Sacramento, CA, 95816-4400
Phone: (916) 441-6277 - Fax: (916) 441-7670