Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1280987
sagaftra.org | Summer 2020 | SAG-AFTRA 63 Gilda James T wenty-two years ago, with the encouragement of my brother, Harry Thomas, my husband Chris and I joined the union. Union membership has provided better pay, benefits and opportunity. Initially, I paid my dues, sought work and voted. Over time, I was seeing many of the same people making friends and networking. A few years ago, I moved from southeastern Connecticut to north of Boston. More opportunities have presented themselves and I became more involved in my community and the union. In my new role as a New England Local board member and delegate, I attended the 2019 SAG-AFTRA convention in Los Angeles last October. What an extraordinary experience! Meeting the SAG-AFTRA leadership along with many celebrities highlighted the trip. There is so much more to union membership than filing claims. You need to get involved. ● New England Dan Stearns A t a Mississippi member meetup in the winter of 2019, I became acquainted with some of the folks hoping to reinvigorate the leadership of the New Orleans Local. I also met our outstanding staff member, Lisha Brock. Eighteen months earlier, I had moved from Chicago to accommodate my wife's career and hoped that getting involved would allow me to meet members in my new local and get to know the scene. I agreed to run for delegate because I was — and am — really interested in governance. I wanted to see how the convention worked. I wanted to get into the weeds on policy. I wanted to contribute. I participated in the drafting of a proposed resolution. I read every other proposed resolution, gave each thoughtful consideration, and formed an opinion. At the convention, I voted my conscience on every one of them. I learned a great deal and feel that I served my union. I also caught up with friends in the industry in Los Angeles and even renewed a couple of friendships among delegates with whom I had worked in the past. ● New Orleans Beatrice De Borg A s a young actress from Switzerland, I immigrated to New York City, became an Equity member, then got cast in a major studio motion picture and joined SAG. This was a pure blessing, because in my native country there is no union that protects actors. Since then, I have enjoyed being a member of SAG-AFTRA, with all its benefits and protections for us entertainers. A few years ago, I moved to Las Vegas. There is not much filming going on in this beautiful state, and principal roles are very scarce. I ran for office to help change this unfortunate situation and help my fellow local actors to get more principal work. Being on the board of a SAG-AFTRA local gives me a voice, allowing me to work with my fellow board members on a plan to attract more film and TV productions to Nevada. Last year, I was invited to the SAG-AFTRA National Convention in Los Angeles as a delegate. It was an absolutely amazing event! I enjoyed exchanging ideas and experiences with the leadership, the president and all the delegates. Making a difference by discussing and voting on significant legislation for this important national union and its membership was the highlight! ● Nevada