Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/879767
SAGAFTRA.org | Summer/Fall 2017 | SAG-AFTRA 43 MAKING MEMORIES AT THE MEMBERSHIP MEETING O ver 50 Ohio-Pittsburgh Local members gathered in Pittsburgh on the night of May 22 for the local's annual membership meeting, an occasion lled with lots of food and fellowship. Erin Hiatt, a guest from The Actors Fund, opened the night's presentations by teaching the members about the services the organization offers. Members also heard informative reports on work performed within the local, the local's activities of the past year and its priorities for the year to come. Members left energied and well informed — many stated that this was the best annual meeting yet. Ohio-Pittsburgh Local members show o their membership cards at the annual membership meeting. Ohio- Pittsburgh MINGLING AT MIXERS AND LEARNING ABOUT AUDIOBOOKS T win Cities members, pre-members and industry friends continue to enjoy Second Monday Mixers each month at Bar Louie in Minneapolis. Local Board leaders are on hand to greet, mingle and help members connect with "member-curious" performers at these casual happy hour events. Award-winning audiobook pros Susan Ericksen and David Collaci held a well-attended workshop in April — despite a surprise snowstorm — to teach members the basics about how to get started in audiobook work. They briefed members on what it takes to pursue audiobook work professionally, and included many helpful tips on training and skills, home studio setup and professional resources. Members who attended were enthusiastic about getting started in this growing area of SAG-AFTRA work. Twin Cities Twin Cities members enjoy mingling at a recent mixer. LET'S GET SOCIAL T he Chicago Local hosted a social media discussion with Chicago news veteran Charlie Meyerson on May 13 at the Kaufherr Center. The event included a dynamic Q&A panel with Mary Ann Ahern of WMAQ-TV, Monica Eng of WBEZ- FM and the Chewing the Fat podcast, and James VanOsdol of WLUP-FM, WKQX-FM and the Yak Channel Podcast Network. Broadcast members learned effective ways to boost their social media presence, tips on balancing personal and professional personas, and strategies on posting swiftly while being in the center of newsworthy action. Members were also provided several social media consolidation apps to help with account management for their erratic work schedules. Chicago From left, broadcasters James VanOsdol, Monica Eng and Mary Ann Ahern PROACT ENCOURAGES PRODUCTION F resh off the success and excitement of the Script2Screen series of short live reads on May 7, the ProACT Conservatory hosted a lm-funding workshop with entertainment and securities attorney John Cones on May 20 in Dallas. Producers, members and other industry players were eager to learn from Cones about the details of investor nancing, crowdfunding, new media and distribution. Attorney John Cones addresses attendees at a discussion of lm funding. Dallas-Fort Worth SANDRA THOMAS