Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/422151
10 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2014 | SAGAFTRA.org A Letter from the Executive Vice President G A B R I E L L E C A R T E R I S "Taking steps to manage our careers is important — as is supporting policies that are beneficial to our industry and our work." Dear Member, C rafting my magazine message is always a pleasure because it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the work we are doing to prepare for our future and to consider all the things that make our union valuable to its members. While our primary emphasis is on strengthening our contracts and building a robust health, pension and retirement plan, often overlooked are the skill training, business and industry education, and career enhancement seminars the union offers members across the country. The SAG Foundation, industry partners and many of our locals offer seminars, panels and interviews with various experts. I recently joined the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab at the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. While the fundamentals of voiceover work have remained largely the same, the technologies have changed dramatically. Learning to work with that technology as I travel for work and our union is an incredible opportunity — one of many available to all of us as members. As entertainment and media production becomes more centered on digital technologies, enhancing our professional skillsets makes good sense. SAG-AFTRA and the foundation offer us the educational opportunities that can help direct our careers toward the future. Taking steps to manage our careers is important — as is supporting policies that are beneficial to our industry and our work. One important step is stopping the flood of pirated movies, television shows and music. The financial and creative toll this thievery takes on the industry and actors' pockets is daunting. We can help build a network of supporters — movie and TV fans, music lovers and thousands of others — by helping to educate the public about the value of creative product and suggesting steps to help stop digital theft. Be proud of your creative talents and make a real difference; join with allied organizations like CreativeFuture. Supporting creativity and expanded audience access to legal content in ways that reward creativity and hard work is a great way to combat piracy. Register at creativefuture.org/take-action. As we move toward a new year, I am struck, once again, by the cycle of loss and renewal. As you may know, the union recently lost two of its most active and dynamic elected leaders with the passing of Sumi Haru and Marcia Strassman. Sumi was a fighter who battled for diversity and equal employment opportunities for all members. Marcia was a longtime member and elected board member of both legacy unions and SAG-AFTRA. She could always be counted on to speak her truth and stand in solidarity. They will both be missed and, in their names — as with the names of many great members who have passed — may we continue to fight the good fight. Our unity is the one thing that allows us to have sustainable careers doing the work we love. I remain committed to collaboration and cooperation and the idea that we rise and fall together. I wish you a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season. In unity and solidarity, Gabrielle Carteris