Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/48976
FOR MEMBERS Additionally, Ned Vaughn was re-elected 1st vice president Elections continued from page 18 representing the Hollywood Division, Mike Hodge as 2nd vice president representing the New York Division and David Hartley-Margolin as 3rd vice president representing the Regional Branch Division. Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director David White welcomed new members, as well as those who were re-elected. "I would like to extend my congratulations to President Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Aquino and all of the new and returning members of the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors," he said. "I look forward to working with the officers and board members during such an exciting period in the Guild's life. We have a lot of terrific work ahead of us." Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte Rallies Youth at Union Conference N ineteen-year-old RJ Mitte, the actor who plays Walter White Jr. on AMC's Breaking Bad, joined labor leaders and young people from across the country at the 2011 Next Up Summit in Minneapolis. The AFL- CIO-hosted event, which took place September 29 – October 2, focused on organizing, the recent legislative attacks on workers' rights and the economic crisis, which has had a disproportionate impact on younger workers. Mitte rallied the assembled crowd, encouraging them to harness the positive energy of the conference and transform it into action in fighting for workers' rights. "I am grateful to SAG for what it has done for me and proud to be a union member," Mitte said. "I may be an actor, but my experience is not so different from union workers in other fields. Whether you work in construction, transportation, medicine, law enforcement or entertainment, your working conditions are better because of unions: Your pay is higher, your workplace is safer and your quality of life is better." Mitte is also SAG's national spokesperson for the Tri-Union I AM PWD — Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities — campaign, that seeks employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the entertainment and news media, and he uses his high-profile status to draw attention to the need for diversity in casting. He is an ardent supporter of workers' rights, and recently participated in a Labor Day Tweet-a-Thon, along with dozens of other actors, sports stars and musicians (see page 24). Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab Advisory Board members, from left, Bill Ratner, Scott Rummell, Randy Thomas, Sylvia Villagran, Paul Pape and Vanessa Gilbert. Lab on September 24 at Joe and Ann Cipriano's home in Bel Air. Many poker-playing celebrities, top voiceover artists, T and industry leaders joined the SAG Foundation for this first annual event. Sponsors Broadcast Supply Worldwide, SBV Talent, Red Wall Productions, TGMD Talent Agency, Integrated Wealth Management, Atlas Talent Agency, Entertainment Tonight/The Insider, VOSS and Patron helped raise funds for the lab. The Poker Classic Host Committee, Dave Hutton, Stew Herrera, Paul Pape, David Marc, Randy Thomas, Joe Cipriano, Vanessa Gilbert and SAG Foundation President JoBeth Williams assisted in creating a special evening that not only helps sustain the lab but also helped deepen the connection of the voiceover community. "We are happy to celebrate the first anniversary of the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab with our inaugural Poker Classic," said Williams. "The SAG Foundation is proud of this innovative space where we continue to build our valuable partnership with the voiceover community." The Don Lafontaine Voice-Over Lab has been a positive force within the voiceover community, helping to fuel creative development. Visit sagfoundation.org to learn more. SEND SOME LOVE: If you're represented by a fantastic, franchised agent who you believe deserves some recognition, he or she could be the next SAG Agent of the Month! Send an email of approximately 100 words telling us why to agentquestion@sag.org. 30 SCREEN ACTOR - Fall 2011 SAG.org he Screen Actors Guild Foundation hosted its inaugural Poker Classic to benefit the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Voice-Over Community Antes Up at the SAG Foundation Inaugural Poker Classic Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio