Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/716514
44 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org Task Force continues from page 13 BSC continues from page 16 sessions to hear about specific issues and concerns. Much of the task force's focus has been on creating and distributing educational materials to teach members about SAG-AFTRA's mission, structure, governance and its contracts and member protections. They include the task force-sponsored video The SAG-AFTRA Story, which can be used in limited member and community meetings, and the Working for You brochure, which provides a concise overview of how the union works, what contracts are in place, data on member benefits and other valuable information. Members received the brochure in the mail last year and can view it online. Moreover, the PTEOE has held more than half a dozen national webinars for elected leaders and community volunteers from all 25 locals, along with seminars on governance and leadership. The task force is also responsible for pre-union outreach, and is working with local presidents and outreach committees to raise awareness about the value SAG-AFTRA has for the next generation of performers. Some of the task force's most consistently exciting activity has been participating in the White House's A Call to Arts initiative. In response to President Obama's national call to service and mentoring, SAG-AFTRA and the American Film Institute are collaborating to mentor aspiring storytellers and creative and performing artists interested in pursuing careers in the cinematic arts. So far, more than 700,000 mentoring hours have been logged towards meeting the union's goal of 1 million hours by 2018. Looking for the best way to get involved? You can join the conversation about your union by connecting with SAG-AFTRA on social media, including on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, attending local events or helping to shape your contracts through the wages and working conditions process (see story on page 13). It all starts at SAGAFTRA.org. employment at a higher salary. Member leaders were encouraged to talk to their bargaining units to discuss making proposals to limit the enforcement of such provisions in their shops. The BSC continued its work on the union's safety initiative, receiving reports from various locals conducting safety seminars and summits and explored bargaining proposal concepts related to safety concerns. These bargaining concepts were developed out of the BSC's Safety Panel at its March meeting in Los Angeles. Member leaders also participated in breakout sessions to address concerns related to social media platforms, which are presenting numerous challenges and opportunities for SAG-AFTRA members working in the News & Broadcast jurisdiction. The meeting was chaired by National Board member Joe Krebs and attended by SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin and Vice President, Broadcasters Catherine Brown. Members of the BSC dedicated the meeting to the memory of David Gilkey, the NPR photojournalist and SAG-AFTRA member who was killed on June 5 in Afghanistan, along with his Afghan interpreter and fellow journalist Zabihullah Tamanna. BSC member and NPR News anchor Jack Speer gave a moving tribute to his colleague to open the meeting. Houston-Austin Board member Travis De Luca, left, and film producer Michelle Mower speak to the University of Houston graduate class at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication during the Intro to Media Production Professionals presentation on April 21. Other guests included Alfred Cervantes of the Houston Film Commission, Cindi Davis-Andress from the Pastorini-Bosby Agency and Steve Belsky from IATSE Local 484. This panel of experts acknowledged the benefits and challenges in the world of entertainment. Panelists expressed the need for industry professional standards and expressed support for the A Call to Arts campaign and mentoring the next generation. The event is now in its fifth year, hosted by Randy Polk, a University of Houston professor and SAG-AFTRA Houston-Austin Local member. RANDY POLK Houston-Austin EDUCATING AGENTS ON CONTRACTS T he New York Local hosted a meeting in March for more than 60 agents from the Association of Talent Agents (ATA) and the National Association of Talent Representatives. Led by National Director of TV Contracts Beth Millman and Director of TV Contracts Steve Meicke, the meeting was an opportunity to educate agents about SAG-AFTRA New Media contracts and discuss how rapid changes in content and distribution are affecting their clients. Attendees recognized the importance of exchanging ideas and developing mutually beneficial strategies. Some ATA agents traveled from as far away as Atlanta to attend, with several commenting on how informative the meeting was. "As new media becomes a larger and larger part of our members' employment, it is critical for agents to understand these contracts so that both SAG-AFTRA members and their representatives are compensated fairly," commented Meicke. New York