Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1188718
THE END OF THE YEAR IS A NATURAL TIME FOR REFLECTION ON THE CYCLES THAT SURROUND US. WE REVIEW THE MONTHS PAST AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE YEAR AHEAD. Here at The Animation Guild, we have just wrapped up our triennial elections, and in December, our current Executive Board will complete their term of service and the new Executive Board's three-year term will begin. That sounds really dry on the surface, doesn't it? But wow, what a journey it has been over these past three years, and the next three look to be no less profound. We are all here in this difficult, challenging, gorgeous, wonderful industry chasing our individual American Dreams. Maybe yours is to own a home and have financial security; or to get a good education and pursue your ideal career goals; or to have a family and give your kids a better life; or simply be able to take a vacation; and when you're all done, retire with dignity; or all of the above. The story has been if we work hard in a good job and play by the rules, we all share in the gains produced by our collective productivity. If instead, the global corporations that employ us keep all the earnings only for shareholders and CEO's, the social contract breaks. Pushing back against this injustice takes an enormous amount of time, effort, energy, and heart. Our exiting board knows this challenge intimately, and on behalf of the membership, I thank them all for their dedicated service to the craft. Our new board will take the oath of office and pledge their word of honor to be worthy of the trust reposed in them. They will join our Committee Chairs and Delegates in leading the charge in the upcoming contract cycle. And they are not alone. Here you are, an engaged Guild member; I tell you that you have more power than you know. When we stand together we are a formidable force. As we step forward into the new year and the next go around the sun, I invite you to expand your presence and increase your participation in your union. Then at the end of this cycle, you'll look back and know that you were part of the rising tide that lifts all boats. On my side, my time as President draws to a close and I pass on the gavel and the pen into good hands. Being the President of The Animation Guild has been an incredible and humbling honor. I look forward to continuing my service to the membership as a Trustee over the next three years. I wish you a healthy and joyous holiday season and the happiest of New Years. In Solidarity, K.C. Johnson | President ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS ON THE COVER from left: Becky Bresee, Sylvia Lee, Jennifer Lee, Brittney Lee, Amy Pfaffinger and Joyce Tong. Photo by Martin Cohen. L E T T E R