Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
In June, President Carteris visited performers on a number of sets in New York to hear more about their working conditions and industry experiences. Clockwise from left, Carteris joins J.W. Cortés, Donal Logue and Ed Heavy on the set of Gotham; Carteris chats with the stunt team of the new Netflix show Iron Fist during a production break; Carteris with stunt coordinator Victor Paguia and two stunt performers on the set of the Hulu series The Path. Ready, SET, Go! SAGAFTRA.org | Summer 2016 | SAG-AFTRA 29 What motivated you to want to become involved in your union? I was invited to an AFTRA convention in Los Angeles and had concerns about the construct of a contract I was working. When I stood up in the room and asked how this contract came into existence, I was directed to the head of contracts at that time. I found the reasoning to be compelling and enlightening. I wanted to help build a stronger union and find ways to continue bettering what we had. Later, I was invited to replace a board member and I began to participate in the conversations and learn about how our unions worked. When I was asked to run for the board, I did so because I wanted to pay it forward. I had and have had a blessed career, and because of the union and the contracts that have been built through time and on the backs of other members, I felt it was my turn. I love what we stand for as a union; I believe in the collective voice. I know that building strength and power is a process with many challenges, and we have a membership that can and is doing the work to keep us strong. How would you describe your leadership style? I see leadership as a process of growth. I am here for the membership and to help give them a voice. I believe in inclusion and communication. I work on expanding leadership and involving many members, not just a few. We have amazing leaders and leadership in this union and a large number of untapped members who I am inviting to become active. You have served the union for quite a while; what's your proudest accomplishment to this point? There have been several proud moments I have experienced in my time of service for both legacy unions and SAG-AFTRA. Being a part of the team that helped to merge our unions is perhaps one of my proudest achievements, and seeing our health plans merge is another. I have been honored to work almost every contract our union has. The merging of the health plans is one more step toward making member participants whole and ending the frustration of split earnings for the same work under different contracts. We are seeing members who are doing everything from producing to directing and starring in their work, on traditional platforms and emerging ones. I believe SAG-AFTRA is the union to help them grow their vision while giving them the contracts that will help protect them and allow them to work with dignity. What are your interests outside of the union? I have so many interests: spending time with my family and building memories is the most important. I love acting. Outside of these primary things, I love yoga, river rafting, camping and celebrating life!