Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1525111
sagaftra.org | Summer 2024 | SAG-AFTRA 65 VITA Volunteers Celebrate Successful Tax Season SAG-AFTRA New York Local President Ezra Knight and Chief Labor Policy Officer and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon joined the New York Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Tax Director and New York Local Board member Sandra Karas, VITA Site Coordinator Gordon Stanley and the program volunteers on May 9 for dinner at Chef Yu in Manhattan to celebrate another successful tax season. The New York VITA program is the largest IRS-sponsored tax assistance program in the country specializing in performers' tax returns and has helped prepare thousands of complex federal, state and local tax returns for SAG-AFTRA members for over 45 years. Actors' Equity Association Executive Director Al Vincent Jr., Internal Revenue Service Senior Stakeholder Liaison Brenda Luke-Stuart and IRS NYC Taxpayer Advocate Betzaida Bailey were also in attendance. ● New York A Night With N.Y. Local NextGen Performers SAG-AFTRA New York Local members strike a pose on the red carpet at the Local's NextGen Performers Committee meet-and-greet held on April 12 at the SAG-AFTRA New York office. Executive Vice President and New York Local Vice President Linda Powell, back row, center, and New York NextGen Performers Committee Co-Chair Sarah Seeds, front row, center, were among those who enjoyed craft mocktails and tasty hors d'oeuvres and networked with one another. Attendees were also invited to tour the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Voiceover Lab and On-Camera Lab, both of which are free services for members. ● Local Hosts 2024 Membership Meeting SAG-AFTRA New York Local President Ezra Knight welcomes members to the 2024 New York Local membership meeting, held on May 13 at the DGA Theater in Manhattan. Union leaders gave reports on the many achievements and events of the last year, including the historic TV/Theatrical/ Streaming strike and the resulting groundbreaking contract. Following the reports, the prestigious Joseph C. Riley Award was presented to New York Communications Committee member Jeffrey Spurgeon for his outstanding contribution to SAG-AFTRA through local committee service. ●