Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/184869
A Letter from the President K E N H OWA RD "That tells me you believe, as I do, that there is important work ahead as we continue to build on the strong foundation we created through merger." Dear Member, I was on the set of a movie I was filming in Boston on Aug. 15 when I got word of our most recent national election results. I was touched and grateful to learn you had returned me to the top leadership office as the first elected president of SAG-AFTRA. That tells me you believe, as I do, that there is important work ahead as we continue to build on the strong foundation we created through merger nearly a year and a half ago. I want to offer my congratulations to Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and all the national and local board members and local officers elected across the country. I look forward to assembling the new leadership team at our upcoming convention and moving forward to address the significant business at hand. With our recent elections, we now have an 80-member national board of directors rather than the 141-member initial board appointed during merger. I hope you will join me in sending a hearty "thank you" to those who have concluded their terms of service and will not be returning to office. Their contributions over the last 18 months have been substantial and historic. Occasionally, the choice to volunteer for union service grows into a commitment that transcends its usual bounds. That was the case for Ned Vaughn, who ran for office to make a difference. And, boy, did he ever make a difference. He was first elected to the Screen Actors Guild Hollywood Division Board in 2008 and became SAG 1st national vice president in 2010. He was a key architect of the 2012 merger of SAG and AFTRA and was the first leader to serve as executive vice president of the union. Ned recently resigned as executive vice president to run for public office. He remains a dedicated member and may be active in the future, but for now, his volunteer leadership in our union has come to an end. Ned's numerous achievements, first at Screen Actors Guild and later with SAG-AFTRA, are truly impressive — yet he would be the first to acknowledge them as team efforts. He was a driving force behind some of our greatest successes, in particular the years-long effort to merge our two unions. There would not be a united SAG-AFTRA without Ned's strategic vision and his exceptional ability to bring people together. Union service is like that. It may start small but often grows to be an ever more meaningful contribution of time and energy. It can be challenging, as it was planning and passing the merger, but it can also be extremely rewarding. It is an honor to go forward with your vote of confidence and a privilege to help improve the lives of performers now and into the future. I encourage all members to join in our collective effort to strengthen SAG-AFTRA. With our current team of elected leaders and the expert staff leadership of David White and his team, we continue to make great strides. With your help, we will take additional steps on that important journey. On another note, SAG-AFTRA is holding its first national convention in Los Angeles Sept. 26–29. While the convention business sessions are open only to the elected delegates, the results will be felt throughout the union. Hundreds of elected leaders, national board members and delegates will be discussing and deciding important questions, including: • The nomination and election of the next executive vice president and all national vice presidents; • Resolutions submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to convention; and • Proposed amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution. Thank you again for your faith in our leadership team. We will be out there every day, fighting the good fight on your behalf. In unity and with gratitude, Ken Howard SAGAFTRA.org 05_preslttr_v2.indd 5 | Summer 2013 | SAG-AFTRA 5 9/3/13 1:54 PM