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05/30/2023 12:28 PMKeeping a camera eye on the community and building upon new and old relationships was celebrated as East Haven Public Television (ETV) was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) with the Non-Profit Award.
The station was honored at the CoC’s Annual Members Meeting and Awards Dinner on May 17 for being “a wonderful group who keep the communication for East Haven going,” said chamber president Jennifer A. Higham.
ETV Board Chair Jay Miles said of the honor, “I think it means a lot personally. I feel like I’ve been given an opportunity to take something that’s always been important to me personally - video, TV, being involved with different folks across the city - and sort of shepherding it into a new phase.”
Miles acknowledged the support of the station’s board and volunteers that have helped ETV “rise to the challenge” to realize their rechristened position in the community since its re-opening last fall and lead to the chamber’s recognition.
“I’ve thrown all kinds of things at them in the last year and a half. [I’ve said] ‘We’ve got to figure this out, we’ve got to get this done, we’ve got to paint all these walls, we’ve got to rewire the studio...Those folks on the board, on our staff, and our body of volunteers have really heeded the call. It’s been awesome to watch,” Miles said.
Miles said that ETV’s revamped presence in East Haven fosters a new kind of “connectedness” between community members. Some of them are reconnections, and some are new; either way, putting the station “in touch will great people” wherever it turns.
“It’s been a little bit of a rebirth for us. It’s sort of strengthening the relationships we had and forming new ones on all kinds of levels: educationally, civically, socially, economically, intellectually, culturally.”
Miles said that part of that “rebirth” and the CoC’s recognition of that comes from a hunger from East Haven residents, small businesses, and nonprofits looking to work with ETV to become content creators in their own right. In a new digital landscape with social media platforms like TikTok and a desire to rekindle relationships post-pandemic, Miles says the station sees everyday community members looking to become involved with them and present new opportunities for content. That is where ETV’s training programs and equipment have helped them achieve that.
“I think getting this award acknowledges something in the ether out there. People want to tell stories, and they want to connect, and they want to form communities,” said Miles. “I think there’s been a shift in the way and in the volume of content that people are trying to manage [that content]. Realtors are coming in and using our facilities because they need little reels for TikTok and Instagram, and they need a green screen, or they need a better microphone. I think you’re seeing applications of it ripple in ways that we anticipated.”
Looking ahead from their recognition by the chamber, Miles said ETV is “kicking ideas around all the time” for new content to produce.
He said the station is currently having “lots of really good conversations” regarding a collaborative “business spotlight” video with Town Hall to spotlight East Haven businesses.
“It’s another opportunity for connectedness, to showcase things that are positive and working,” said Miles
Reflecting on small businesses and the relationships established between town departments, Miles said he would like to see a series of informational programming at ETV centered around municipal codes for fire and building safety for local business owners. The inspiration stemmed from the excitement of learning about fire and building codes and procedures at ETV’s Main Street base at the Community Media Center from those respective town departments.
“It’s leading back to ETV in a way,” he said.
Miles said he would also like to see the station “partner with the right sponsors to launch several kinds of ongoing programs that are educational and entertaining.” These may range from a series featuring local singer-songwriters to panels on challenges facing homeowners, small businesses, and community health.
“We’ve got a few pretty major health care providers in this region. I’d love to partner with them to look at a way to get in an era where we’re bombarded with all kinds of crazy information... proper factual, informed information,” said Miles.
For ETV overall, Miles said there are “a lot of things kind of coming around the corner,” and those opportunities will continue the spirit of “connectedness” and help the station discover “where we can be really successful.”