Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/508104
24 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org committee's small size is deliberate so that it can be nimble and react quickly. One of the first goals of the president's initiative is to educate members on the workings of the union and the many opportunities that SAG-AFTRA and the Screen Actors Guild Foundation have to offer. Member-to-member contact is the heart of this effort, so outreach will be conducted during set and station visits, at membership meetings and at union and industry events. The union will provide resources to assist members, including informational material such as the Working for You booklet, which presents a concise overview of how the union works, data on member benefits, a contact directory and other valuable information. Get a copy at your local, or view the PDF at sagaftra.org/workingforyou. To chart a course to increased member participation, SAG-AFTRA sent out a survey to elected member leaders and the general membership in late March to gauge the current level of engagement among members, the effectiveness of union communications and to examine ways to improve the organization's outreach. The results of that survey have helped determine how best to proceed. All of this is critical because, from time to time, major issues can arise that have a huge impact on members' lives — whether it's fighting for or against legislation or ensuring more work is being done under union contracts — as with SAG-AFTRA's commercials initiative (see page 34). When members' action is needed, they are better equipped to fight to protect their rights if they are up to speed on the issues. SAG-AFTRA will continue to keep members up to date through print and digital publications, social media and every other channel at the union's disposal. Another important element is outreach to pre-members, filmmakers and others who work in different capacities in the entertainment and media industries, and even the community at large. One of the most high-profile examples of the work on this front occurred on March 20, when Howard spoke at the White House. He was answering a call from President Barack Obama to SAG-AFTRA and the American Film Institute to help encourage mentorship (see story page 18). These goals aligned perfectly with those of the union. Additionally, the union seeks to enhance members' interaction with the industry by ensuring it has a presence at film festivals and other industry-related events. Through the creation of standardized material, it is simpler to, for example, send a union representative to give a presentation at a greatly reduced cost. This is just the beginning. In the months ahead, union business will intensify as the biennial national convention nears. Why wait? It's the perfect time to get involved. See page 11 for information on how to get involved as a delegate, or log on to SAGAFTRA.org to learn more about your union. Left, the SAG-AFTRA Working for You booklet, contains information on how the union functions, benefits available to members and who to call when you have a question. Below, from left, President Ken Howard, Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris and National Board member Ellen Crawford serve on the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement. "For our union to realize its true potential, we need to harness this enthusiasm and energy." — KEN HOWARD