Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/422151
44 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2014 | SAGAFTRA.org are then led through the Pledge of Allegiance and receive a board replacement report, which includes the names of designated alternates who will be serving in place of National Board members who are unable to attend the meeting. Agenda items are then reviewed in order, unless otherwise approved by the National Board. As business is discussed, motions are made from the floor and presented to the body for consideration. Motions are formal proposals made by members to take certain action on items and require that at least one other member of the body agrees that it should be considered. Once there is agreement that the matter should be considered, the floor is open for discussion and debate. Members may debate the issue until two-thirds of the votes of its members believe that debate should be closed or until the time allotted for that agenda item elapses. Voting on the issue may then be conducted by voice vote or through electronic voting devices, which also allow for roll call and secret ballot voting. The appropriate method of voting is at the discretion of the National Board. Each member of the National Board is entitled to at least one vote on any matter, which comes before it. However, certain members are entitled to a weighted vote to ensure that the votes of National Board members in each local are proportional to the percentage of the membership that the National Board members in those locals represent. This assures an equitable governance structure and the most appropriate representation of members. Weighted votes are recalculated every two years to reflect any percent changes to the membership based on a membership census. Most actions approved throughout the course of a meeting are policy-related or directives of the board. Occasionally, the board will enter into executive session or the presiding officer may invoke the rule of confidentiality. This is a process whereby the board may discuss certain matters of a sensitive nature, such as financial matters, personnel issues, issues regarding negotiations or information that is attorney-client privileged. When this occurs, any observers are excused. Typically, staff members are excused as well, although the board often requests that key staff remain when needed for purposes of the discussion or for administrative purposes. During the rest of the year, National Board members may attend local board meetings if they were also elected to serve on a local board, in addition to participating in committees and other union-related activities. The union is grateful for the tireless efforts and meaningful contributions of its elected leadership to better the lives of working performers. Every member can make a difference. Get involved! The foregoing is a summary of key elements of the governing documents and is not meant to take the place of, nor fully describe or define, the governance structure as approved by the members in the constitution, merger agreement and other governing policies and documents as adopted by the National Board.