Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1504875
PARTY OF FIVE: Emma DuPell, left, Bill Elias with wife Phyllis, Molly Shock, and A.J. Catoline. Each local has a number of electoral votes relative to the size of their membership. While this technically applies to all votes at conventions, the floor voice count has traditionally been utilized. For District 2, Local 700 currently has a roster of 76 votes, and that many elected delegates could be eligible to attend an IATSE convention. Those deligates would represent the total number of members who reside in California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Arizona. The Guild's board of directors determines the actual number of delegates to send to conventions, and therefore some deligates are allotted extra votes. Editors Guild delegates at this year's convention represented anywhere from 2-5 votes each, whereas other delegates may only have a single vote if their local has a smaller membership. Since most votes on the convention floor are done by voice — a call for "yay" or "nay" — it is not immediately apparent how many electoral votes are being represented. The resolution proposed by Local 728 Lighting Technicians asked the District to "investigate the use of alternate voting procedures for future conventions in order to ensure fair representation of all of its delegates." The resolution initially failed to be rec- ommended by the Resolutions Committee, where opposition said it favored the voting power of larger locals at the expense of locals with fewer members. Co-Chair Miller informed the convention that there were 231 accredited delegates in attendance who represented a total of 551 electoral votes across the district, with the top five locals controlling at least two-thirds of the votes. Nonetheless, several delegates persist- ed to speak up for the resolution on the floor. "My badge here says five votes," said picture editor and Local 700 board mem- ber Shiran Carolyn Amir, referring to the delegate credential lanyard. "I represent 500 people, so when I say 'yay' or 'nay' with my one voice, 400 people are not getting representation. Between all delegates here, thousands of members lose their fair rep- resentation. An inaccurate voting system erodes confidence… in the core concept of a democratic process." Picture editor Wilbur DiTullio advo- cated that smaller locals "without deep pockets" are already under-represented with fewer delegates than their allotment in the room. They added that some classifica- tions fighting for pay equity may not be able to front the costs of attending with their full slate of delegates. The resolution failed on a voice vote. A motion was made for a division of the house (in parliamentary procedure, a method of taking a vote that physically counts mem- bers voting), and more delegates stood opposed than in favor. A roll call vote was moved, which would have counted actual electoral votes, and the motion again failed on both a voice and division vote. At the close of convention business, Co-Chair Miller implored the delegates that despite passionate debate and disagree- ment, they must leave the hall united in their common goals. On Saturday night, the traditional luau celebration brought the full convention together in the spirit of "aloha and mahalo" on the lawn of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel with local-themed food and cocktails. It was sponsored by the host locals, including Locals 600 and 700, and Hawaii production Local 665. It was a festive end to a long convention day as Editors Guild delegates were seen being lively on the grass dance floor fronting Waikiki Beach. Board Member Molly Shock shared some photos on social media. "I could post a photo of how we have been spending MOST of our time, sitting in a large room listen- ing to IATSE proposals or discussing the important issues we are facing as a union," Shock wrote. "OR I can post this picture of me leading a conga line with some of our wonderful MPEG 700 leaders, who I am lucky enough to call friends." Other members of the Local 700 dele- gation included Shiran Carolyn Amir, Erik Andersen, Lillian Benson, A.J. Catoline, Eli- sa Cohen, Frank Delgado, Wilbur DiTullio, Jesse Dodd, Emma DuPell, Sergeant-at- Arms Bill Elias, Nancy Frazen, Leah Gunter, National Executive Director Emeritus Ron Kutak, Stephanie Lowry, Vice President F. Hudson Miller, Nancy Morrison, Paul Overacker, Kevin Ross, Molly Shock, Isabel Yanes, and Michael Zurer. ■ A.J. Catoline, ACE, is a picture editor whose credits include "Ted Lasso." He serves on the Guild board of directors and is Chair of the Publications Committee. 12 C I N E M O N T A G E D I S T R I C T 2