Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1401622
more than a year, national and local board meetings and membership meetings have been successfully held via Zoom. While there won't be a physical meeting place, there is no less preparation for the event. Organizing a virtual convention with hundreds of attendees is an enor- mous undertaking, and the union is trying to make sure that the experience for attendees is as close to the "real thing" as possible. Since the convention helps set the union's priorities for the next two years and impassioned debate is critical to that process, delegates and union leaders need to be able to speak candidly. Just as at a physical convention, the proceedings must be confidential so that anti-union forces can't simply tune in to learn about our behind-the-scenes discussions. That means the convention will be limited to elected leaders and delegates, just as it would in any year. However, due to the online medium, more delegates will be able to participate, since travel costs and logistics won't be considerations. And, during this time of pandemic recovery, without a physical venue, the virtual convention will also save union resources. While the remote aspect will be new, the purpose of the convention remains the same. On the first day, delegates and officers elect the executive vice president and the seven other regional and category vice presidents. The bulk of convention business will be focused on considering resolutions that were submitted by members, as well as proposed amendments to the SAG-AFTRA Constitution, if there are any. Also on the agenda are the usual awards and honors. The American Scene Awards ® recognizes SAG-AFTRA employers whose projects exemplify the very best of diverse and inclusive entertainment, music and news. A select few deeply committed unionists will receive the George Heller Memorial Award, which takes the form of a golden SAG-AFTRA card. These honorees, who can be either member leaders or staff, are people who have gone above and beyond in their service to the union, fighting tirelessly throughout the years for the betterment of members. Past convention attendees will recognize some returning amenities and features that this year will be taking a new form. The resource expo, which in past years was a room of booths staffed by partner organizations, will instead be online. Representatives will be available to answer questions in real time, and with the option to directly download the information attendees want, it may turn out to be even more convenient than in years past. One of the popular aspects of the convention is the opportunity for attendees to mingle. The convention will offer a virtual lounge where members from different work categories can come together to share stories and network, and maybe learn a thing or two. And it wouldn't be a SAG-AFTRA convention without some keepsakes, fun memories and other engagement activities. The past year has been an unusual one with a lot of changes, but the history of the media industry is defined by change, and members have shown a remarkable ability to adapt. So while the 2021 national convention may be a departure from the norm, the heart, commitment and passion of SAG-AFTRA members persists. Whether they are doing so in person or from their home offices, member leaders and delegates will have all the tools they need to do their best work for the union. At the first SAG-AFTRA convention in 2013, delegates were shown a message that was specially recorded for the event by then-Vice President Joe Biden. The President's Award was introduced at the 2017 convention, and it was given posthumously to New York Local President Mike Hodge. The number of George Heller Memorial gold card honorees varies. The fewest was two during the first convention, while the 2015 and 2017 conventions had the highest number, at four each. sagaftra.org | Summer 2021 | SAG-AFTRA 53 VALERIE MACON Convention delegates look forward to hearing from industry insiders like Oscar-nominated producer Jason Blum, here in 2019. A highlight of convention is the American Scene Awards, hosted in 2019 by actor Sydelle Noell (GLOW, Black Panther, Arrow). MAURY PHILLIPS