Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/216003
For Members S AG-AFTRA's News and Broadcast Department covered the map this summer at several professional journalism conferences and conventions, from its booth presence at several expos to panel discussions — and one broadcaster member was elected a national president. In July at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Florida, SAG-AFTRA National Board member Bob Butler was elected national president of NABJ. In California at the Excellence in Journalism Conference, a joint "super journalism" conference for the Society of Professional Journalists, the Radio Television Digital News Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, SAG-AFTRA hosted two panel discussions, one covering stress on the job and the other discussing the "new media newsroom." Staff and members were also on hand to congratulate Chris Wallace on his receiving the Paul White Award and legendary broadcaster and member Belva Davis for receiving the John F. Hogan Award from RTDNA. SAG-AFTRA also attended the Asian American Journalist Association convention in New York City, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association convention in Boston, and the Native American Journalists Association conference in Tempe, Ariz. "These conferences are the perfect setting for meeting our SAG-AFTRA broadcast members from across the country, educating the journalism community about the union and hosting some high-caliber discussions pertaining to the industry," said Mary Cavallaro, assistant national executive director for news and broadcast. In addition, the National Broadcast Steering Committee will meet Dec. 7 in Baltimore. The committee reviews and makes recommendations to the national board on all matters regarding broadcast jurisdiction. SAG-AFTRA member broadcaster Mike Walter moderates a discussion on stress at the Excellence in Journalism conference. Joining him on the panel were Sid Garcia (ABC7 Los Angeles), Vikki Vargas (NBC4 Orange County), trauma expert and psychotherapist Gina Ross, SAG-AFTRA Associate National Executive Director News and Broadcast Mary Cavallaro and Los Angeles Broadcast Director Anna Calderon. 25A SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2013 | SAGAFTRA.org CELEBRATING THE EMMYS AND DIVERSITY On Sept. 17, leading up to the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, SAG-AFTRA and its Diversity Advisory Committee partnered with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences to host the first-ever Emmy celebration of its diverse nominees. The gala, Dynamic and Diverse: A 65th Emmy Nominee Celebration, took place at the Academy's North Hollywood headquarters and drew more than 200 attendees. Kerry Washington, one of only two African-American females to earn an Emmy nomination for Leading Actress in a Drama Series in nearly two decades, walked the red carpet, along with Scandal co-stars Joe Morton and out performer Dan Bucatinsky, who won an Emmy for his guest performance on the series. SAG-AFTRA Diversity Advisory Chair Jason George addressed the crowd and expressed the union's commitment to reflecting and embracing the unique differences of all individual groups in the entertainment industry. He explained the importance of children seeing images of themselves represented on television, which he said provides inspiration and aspirations for their future. He also expressed that SAG-AFTRA, with its own American Scene Awards celebration, has been committed to ensuring the industry mirrors American culture. Kerry Washington and Jason George at the North Hollywood diversity gala. FRANK MICELOTTA/INVISION FOR ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES /AP IMAGES SAG-AFTRA BROADCASTERS ARE EVERYWHERE