Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1054784
sagaftra.org | Fall 2018 | SAG-AFTRA 41 Broadcast News S AG-AFTRA had a presence at numerous journalism conferences this summer. Across the United States, SAG-AFTRA members and staff attended to reach out to union and pre-union journalists to provide a deeper understanding of the union's role in representing broadcasters and offer help with contracts. BROADCAST CONFERENCES COAST TO COAST National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Native American Journalists Association T he National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Native American Journalists Association jointly held their annual conventions July 18–21 in Miami. SAG-AFTRA sponsored a booth presence on the expo floor and hosted a coffee hour for convention attendees where staff from the News & Broadcast, EEO & Diversity and Organizing departments met with members and pre-members to answer questions and provide career navigation support. National Association of Black Journalists T he National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention & Career Fair in Detroit was an opportunity to honor two accomplished SAG-AFTRA members. National Association of Black Journalists Detroit Chapter President, SAG-AFTRA member and reporter Vickie Thomas received the President's Award, while Beverly White, a SAG-AFTRA shop steward from KNBC-Los Angeles, received the Chuck Stone Lifetime Achievement Award. Other highlights of the conference, which took place Aug. 1–5, were SAG-AFTRA panels discussing broadcast contracts and diversity. SAG-AFTRA was a sponsor of the event. National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association A t the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association convention in Palm Springs on Sept. 6–9, San Francisco-Northern California Local Executive Director Sean Taylor gave a presentation for broadcast journalists on how to negotiate personal services contracts. SAG-AFTRA staff also provided information to attendees and was available throughout the four days to answer questions for pre-union journalists and to connect with the many SAG-AFTRA members who attended. Excellence in Journalism T he Excellence in Journalism conference took place in Baltimore Sept. 27–29 and offered resources for aspiring reporters and veteran journalists. Panels and seminars explored topics such as censorship, the #MeToo movement, podcasting and social media, as well as examinations of the state of the industry. SAG-AFTRA's panel, held the first day of the conference, examined workplace culture and outlined the basics of employment contracts. Asian American Journalists Association T he Asian American Journalists Association's annual convention took place in Houston, Texas, Aug. 8 – 11. SAG-AFTRA returned as a convention sponsor and once again held individual "office hours" appointments for dozens of attendees, hosted the Small Market Broadcasters + Student Journalists networking mixer and, for the second year, was the title sponsor for their marquee event, the AAJA Story Slam.