Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/821178
S ince its launch in 2015, the mission of the President's Task Force on Education, Outreach and Engagement has been to foster collaborative relationships with members and pre-members. This has been done through everything from film festivals and academic outreach to member leadership training. Now, that mission has been enhanced by technology, and could be further improved with new innovations. The Task Force used digital streaming technology to host five leadership and educational webinars for members in 2016, and has more planned for 2017. It sponsored a video update for the National Board and a union mission and priorities video. The PTEOE has expanded union partnerships with key committees such as the Communications Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Website Subcommittee and NextGen Performers. Additionally, technology is being deployed in several other ways to help expand members' relationships with their union. The member app, which launched in February, is a powerful tool to help keep members updated on events, including webinars, local meetings and other union activities. SAG-AFTRA is also engaged in an enterprise-wide website redesign to enhance its digital service offerings. "One of SAG-AFTRA's core assets is its 160,000-strong membership," said President Gabrielle Carteris. "When these talented individuals are energized, engaged and informed about the issues impacting their careers, it's a powerful tool 34 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2017 | SAGAFTRA.org Above, Ric Reitz, Atlanta Local president and chair of the National Right-to-Work Committee, leads a PTEOE webinar on so-called "right-to- work" legislation alongside Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon and Director and Counsel, Government Affairs and Public Policy Sarah Howes in New York on April 10. Inset: President Gabrielle Carteris and National Board members Ellen Crawford and Abby Dylan participate in the webinar from Los Angeles. Above right, President Gabrielle Carteris, National Board member Joe Krebs and Washington-Mid Atlantic Local President Lance Lewman address members and exchange ideas in an open forum. Above far right, President Carteris joins members of the New England Local, including Local President Michelle Proude and National Board member Bill Mootos at the local's annual membership meeting on April 3. Task Force Driving Member Engagement for the union." National Executive Director David White noted that these are also components of the union's digital evolution. "Technology touches every aspect of our lives in 2017," White said. "Making sure the union is keeping pace with technological change will ensure that we can continue to be effective advocates for our members, no matter what area of the industry they work in." Additionally, the PTEOE commissioned a survey to measure members' thinking on digital technologies and how they impact their daily lives. The results helped inform the development of the member app, inspired the website redesign and could further enhance the union's digital communications going forward.