Screen Actors Guild | The Official E-Newsletter of the Hollywood Division

Screen Actors Guild The Official E-Newsletter of the Hollywood Division October 2009
A MESSAGE FROM THE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT By Anne-Marie Johnson It’s not often when members of the Hollywood Board come together on a single cause. On July 25, based on a unanimous recommendation that resulted from the June 28 Hollywood membership meeting and tours that I and other Hollywood Board members took at the Motion Picture Television Fund Long Term Care Facility, the Hollywood Board voted to publicly oppose the closure of the facility, located in Woodland Hills, Calif. For those of you who are not familiar with the facility, the sprawling care community was the ingenious idea of some of our greatest talents of a long gone era. Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and others believed it was our responsibility to look out for one another, and the motto “Taking Care Of Our Own” describes perfectly what their goals and dreams were. Land was purchased and a healthcare and aging community was born for members and family members of those who worked in the industry. From leading lady to gaffer, the Motion Picture Television Fund and its facilities became the crown jewel of care and compassion for talent union members. For the past 85 years, the MPTF has provided quality care for those who can no longer care for themselves. But the long-term care facility is closing and residents are being forced out, leaving families and friends and, most importantly, the residents themselves at a loss. Some have died since the announcement. Others have been transferred to substandard facilities. Few have been fortunate enough to find comparable care facilities. It’s a sad story all the way around. As a board member and a longtime caregiver, I could not remain silent and let this closure take place without some sort of protestation. Neither could the majority of the Hollywood Division Board. And most importantly neither could the ad hoc advocacy group Saving The Lives Of Our Own. With the leadership of Daniel Quinn and other family members of MPTF residents, SAG has taken the proactive step to be on board with the defense of the most defenseless. The battle continues and a formal notice to vacate has been recently presented to the remaining residents. There will be a lawsuit to put a hold to the evictions, but time is running out. I want to thank all of the Hollywood Board members who put political parties aside to join in fighting the good fight. If we don’t take care of and protect our own, who will? And let's not forget about the SAG Foundation, another fabulous resource to assist actors in need. If you aren’t familiar with the foundation and what it offers SAG members, please go to SAGFoundation.org. Member contributions are so important to the life of the foundation. If you haven’t donated before, please do so. If you are member who donates on a regular basis, thank you. The SAG Foundation is there to help all SAG actors in need. When making donation decisions, please do not forget the SAG Foundation. I’d like to congratulate the members of the Basic Cable Animation Negotiating Committee for holding firm and coming to a solid agreement. Approved by SAG’s National Executive Committee based on a unanimous recommendation from the Negotiating Committee, SAG now has a two-year deal with our employers in the area of animated programming. This particular negotiation is a perfect example of what can happen when SAG actors have complete participation in all stages of negotiations. Congratulations to all. For more information regarding the contract, please go to SAG.org. I hope you took the time to cast your vote on the Basic Cable Live Action referendum. Although a slim majority of the National Board did not think it was necessary to send this industry-wide contract to the members for ratification, it took patience and informative debate to gather enough votes to have the contract sent to SAG members. There is a lot happening for Hollywood members in the next coming weeks. Make sure you take a look at our calendar of upcoming events. I guarantee that you’ll find something that will intrigue your interest. I AM PWD ENDORSED AT 2009 AFL-CIO CONVENTION I AM PWD — the Inclusion in the Arts and Media for People with Disabilities campaign of Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild — was endorsed September 16 by the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention delegates through Convention Resolution 18, entitled “Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face.” “It’s the dawn of a new day for workers with disabilities,” said I AM PWD national chair and SAG/AFTRA/AEA member Robert David Hall, who appeared before the more than 700 convention delegates to urge the passage of Resolution 18. “We are overjoyed that our I AM PWD campaign has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO Convention delegates, but even more meaningful is this loud show of support and solidarity from our brothers and sisters in the national labor movement.” AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker said, “The AFL-CIO is proud of our progress toward diversity in our leadership, especially when it comes to race, gender and sexual orientation, but the fact is that workers with disabilities are not yet fully included in the life, work and leadership of our labor movement.  We took action today to begin to change that, and to work toward full equality for people with disabilities in American life.” Click here to read more about the resolution. SAG DIVERSITY MONTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS October is SAG Diversity Awareness Month, and you're invited to participate. With so many activities, we had to get started this month to fit them all in! Sunday, October 4 - Diamond in the RAW Awards SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity, SAG National Women’s Committee, and SAG National Stunt and Safety Committee sponsor the 2009 stuntwomen’s awards luncheon. Skirball Cultural Center, 11:30 a.m. For more information go to diamondintheraw.com Wednesday, October 7 - Out in Hollywood III: The Rise of the LGBT Actor In celebration of National Coming Out Day, SAG National LGBT Actors Committee and GLAAD present a panel of LGBT actors, director-producers and casting professionals to explore the challenges and opportunities of being out in entertainment. Featuring Mad Men’s Bryan Batt, Oscar-winner Dan Jinks, Emmy-winner Paris Barclay, and more. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 6:30 p.m. SAG members RSVP to LGBTactors@sag.org or (323) 549-6556.  Friday, October 9 - “Know Your Rights in the Workplace” Seminar for Members SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity presents its monthly seminar for new and existing members. This month’s topic: Homophobia & Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 2-4 p.m. No RSVP is necessary. Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11 - National Equality March in Washington. D.C. SAG National LGBT Actors Committee leads a group of members, staff and allies marching for full federal equality for LGBT people. Coming to D.C.? E-mail LGBTactors@sag.org. For more information, go to equalityacrossamerica.org. Thursday, October 15 - Girl’s Night and Movie Under the Stars at the Grove SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity hosts a tribute to a female celebrity filmmaker/actor along with a screening of her film in conjunction with La Femme Film Festival. The Grove, Los Angeles, 5 p.m. discount shopping; 7 p.m. celebrity filmmaker Q&A; 8 p.m. screening. Saturday, October 17 - Presentation of Casting Data Report 2007-08 SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity will present the highly anticipated Casting Data Report hiring statistics (based on ethnicity/race, age and gender) for 2007-08 at the SAG National Board Plenary, followed by an announcement and in-depth report available on SAG.org. Monday, October 19 - 18th Annual Access Awards The Tri-Union global civil rights campaign Inclusion in the Arts and Media of People with Disabilities (I AM PWD) will receive an Access Award for its “leadership, commitment and outstanding contribution for advancing equality and access for people with disabilities,” sponsored by the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.  Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens in Downtown Los Angeles. For more information, go to laccod.org. Wednesday, October 21 - “Know Your Rights in the Workplace” Seminar and Young Actors with Disabilities Roundtable In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity, along with Disability Rights Legal Center, presents a seminar for new and existing members on ADA/reasonable accommodations and disability discrimination. And to recognize Disability Mentoring Day, the seminar will be followed by a roundtable discussion between young working actors with disabilities and students with disabilities interested in pursuing a career in acting.  James Cagney Board Room, 10 a.m.-noon. No RSVP necessary. Saturday, October 24 - The Hollywood Disabilities Forum I AM PWD, in partnership with WGAW Writers with Disabilities and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, presents an executive industry conference on accuracy, inclusion and access of people with disabilities in entertainment.  UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, October 28 - Diversity Dinner and Labor Movie Night SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity hosts its Quarterly Diversity Meeting and dinner for members of SAG diversity committees to give committee updates and a review of diversity initiatives, as well an announcement of survey results from ethnic (African American, Asian Pacific Islander, Latino/a, Arab/Middle Easterner and American Indian) membership caucuses. Followed by SAG Labor Movie Night panel discussion and screening. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 4-6 p.m. quarterly meeting; 6 p.m. panel and screening. RSVP to diversity@sag.org. The above listings are subject to change. Check SAG.org for the most up-to-date information. For more information, contact diversity@sag.org. ILCA HONORS SAG COMMUNICATIONS Screen Actors Guild has been recognized for communications excellence by the International Labor Communications Association. The Guild won First Place in the International/ National Publications—Magazine category for issues of Screen Actor published last year, as well as Third Place in the Multimedia Campaigns category for the 75th anniversary multimedia campaign. The awards were presented in Pittsburgh in September. “This is a singular honor that places us at the very top of union communications and we are all quite proud of the achievement,” said SAG Communications Executive Director Pamela Greenwalt, who accepted the award on behalf of SAG. Credit for the 75th anniversary win in particular is due to the President’s Task Force on the 75th Anniversary, chaired by former SAG President Kathleen Nolan; task force liaison and staff lead Kathy Connell, who oversaw many aspects of the effort; and all of the division executives and members who developed local and regional programs for the anniversary year, including Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, who was instrumental in creating the Guild's signature event: the Hollywood Boulevard Award of Excellence Star ceremony. THE KINDNESS OF ACTORS By Marcia R. Smith Executive Director SAG Foundation  Generosity: nobility of behavior. A year ago the Screen Actors Guild Foundation in cooperation with the Screen Actors Guild Residuals Department began a campaign requesting that SAG members donate their small residuals to the SAG Foundation to support the many programs offered to members and their families. In these difficult economic times, the response to this campaign has been inspiring. The SAG Foundation has received checks from one cent to $150. The checks come with notations  like: “It’s not much, but here it is,” “Why didn’t you do this years ago,” “I still feel connected to the business,” and “I wish it were a million.” The checks come from members who have been acting for 50 years and those just starting their journey. There are names who are legends in the industry and those striving to become legends. The SAG Foundation receives residual donations from every state in the Union. All giving with the same purpose in mind. Actors have a long history of giving: talent, performances, time, sweat, tears and even blood. Actors are always on the front lines of support, caring and giving. And once again, actors have answered the call to help other actors in need of financial support, health care benefits, children’s literacy, community outreach and the simple gift of passing on their knowledge and experience to members beginning to establish their own careers in a highly competitive profession. The Screen Actors Guild Foundation is profoundly grateful to all the SAG members who have expressed their nobility of behavior by donating their residual checks. We would also like to acknowledge the Residuals Department and the Finance Department for their cooperation in making this program possible. You would be amazed at how the small (and not so small) amounts add up to the SAG Foundation being able to continue to provide assistance to SAG members and their families. With help from our friends, we continue to “pay it forward.”  Editor's Note: The SAG Foundation operates independently of Screen Actors Guild and relies solely on grants, donations and fund-raising efforts. SCREEN ACTORS GUILD MEMBER PERKS Being a member of Screen Actors Guild routinely qualifies you for deals and discounts that others don't receive. Log in, click on the member benefits tab of the Hollywood Division page and check back often for new perks. Here are links to some other great deals in Hollywood, or wherever you may travel: Beauty and Grooming Cars and Parking Clothing and Accessories Education and Career Builders Entertainment Food and Dining Health and Wellbeing Media Subscriptions Multi-Benefit Programs Professional Services Real Estate and Housing Travel DUES REMINDER If you haven’t done so already, please pay your dues today. If you are not an active, paid-up member in good standing, you may not be able to vote in Guild elections or contract referenda or be eligible to serve on the council or committees. You also must be paid to date to register on iActor, the Guild’s online casting program, which is now being used by casting directors nationwide. If you have any questions regarding your dues, please contact the Cashiers Department at (800) SAG-0767, prompt 2, or (323) 549-6752.		Ken Howard addresses press questions following the election results as Amy Aquino looks on. Howard Elected SAG President, Aquino New Secretary-Treasurer Guild Also Announces Results of National Board Elections Screen Actors Guild announced September 24 the results of elections for its top two elected positions. Ken Howard will serve as Screen Actors Guild president and Amy Aquino will serve as secretary-treasurer. Both will serve two-year terms beginning September 25. Ballots were mailed to 99,485 paid-up SAG members on August 25, and 27,295 were tabulated, for a return of 27.44 percent. Presidential candidates Ken Howard received 12,895 votes, with Anne-Marie Johnson coming in second with 8,906 votes, Seymour Cassel got 4,838 votes, and Asmar Muhammad received 402 votes.  “I’d like to be among the first to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our newly elected Screen Actors Guild national leadership. I look forward to working closely with our new president, Ken Howard, and new secretary-treasurer, Amy Aquino, as we focus on the wide range of critical issues facing our members in the coming year,” said SAG Interim National Executive Director David White. “I also extend my thanks, and the gratitude of SAG members and staff to Alan Rosenberg and Connie Stevens for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our union.” “I am deeply honored to be chosen by the membership to lead the Screen Actors Guild,” said Ken Howard. “I campaigned on the promise that I’d do everything in my power to strengthen our position at the bargaining table by building a greater unity with AFTRA and the other entertainment unions, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Despite the sharp differences that those of us active in Guild affairs sometimes have over strategy and tactics, we need to continually remind ourselves that we’re all on the same team, fighting for the same thing—and by pulling together, we’ll only grow stronger.” “I am truly honored that the members have entrusted me with this responsibility,” said Amy Aquino. “Progress has already been made toward strengthening SAG’s finances and I want to make sure it continues. Only by fortifying SAG in this way can we hope to ensure the protections that performers need in these challenging times.” NATIONAL BOARD AND DIVISION RESULTS Screen Actors Guild also announced election results for the National Board of Directors. Twenty-two of the 69 national board seats were open for election this year, representing Screen Actors Guild’s Hollywood, New York and Regional Branch divisions. “It is my privilege to welcome and congratulate our newly elected Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors for 2009-2010,” said White. “Along with our staff nationwide, I look forward to working with them to pursue a robust agenda as we navigate the Guild through these changing times.” The National Board members elected will assume office on September 25 for terms of three years. SAG’s Hollywood Division elected 11 National Board members; the New York Division elected four National Board members; and seven National Board members were elected from the union’s branches in Chicago, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Portland and San Diego. National Board members elected from the Hollywood Division: Martin Sheen, Ed Harris, Elliott Gould, Ed Asner, Anne-Marie Johnson, Connie Stevens, Diane Ladd, Dulé Hill, Hill Harper, Nancy Travis, and Marcia Wallace (all three-year terms).  The following were elected to serve as National Board alternates and to the Hollywood Division Board of Directors (all one-year terms). Gabrielle Carteris, Jenny O’Hara, Michael O’Keefe, Clyde Kusatsu, Dawnn Lewis, Doug Savant, Michelle Allsopp, Alan Rosenberg, D. W. Moffett, Joe Bologna, Robert Hays, Jason George, L. Scott Caldwell, Clark Gregg, Patrick Fabian, Bill Smitrovich, Ellen Crawford, Stacey Travis, Mandy Steckelberg, Renee Taylor, Bernie Casey and John Carroll Lynch. National Board members elected from the New York Division: Sharon Washington, Monica Trombetta, Sam Freed and Liz Zazzi (all three-year terms). Additionally, New York Division members elected Mike Hodge as New York Division president. The following were elected to serve as National Board alternates and to the New York Division Board of Directors (all one-year terms.) Manny Alfaro, Sheila Head, Marc Baron, Joe Narciso, Jay Potter, Dave Bachman, John Rothman, Kevin Scullin and Justin Barrett. National Board members elected from the Regional Branch Division: John Carter Brown (Chicago – three-year term), David Hartley-Margolin (Colorado – three-year term), Dave Corey (Florida – three-year term), Scott Rogers (Hawaii – three-year term), Helen McNutt (Philadelphia – three-year term), Mary McDonald-Lewis (Portland – three-year term), Don Ahles (San Diego – three-year term).  Ballots for all eligible SAG members in Hollywood and New York were mailed on August 25 with a September 24 return deadline and were tabulated by the independent election company Integrity Voting Systems. A total of 13,718 ballots were tabulated in the Hollywood Division (representing 25.25 percent of ballots mailed in the Hollywood Division) and 5,997 ballots were tabulated in the New York Division (representing 26.11 percent of ballots mailed in the New York Division). The number of ballots returned in the Regional Branch elections varied by region.  For complete results, visit SAG.org. California Legislative Update By Pamm Fair Deputy National Executive Director You might see more SAG jobs coming your way. Our long-awaited California film incentive is up and running and July 1, 2009, marked the first day that companies could file applications to reap the benefits of our state’s new film incentive. By late July, 25 motion pictures and television series qualified for a total of $67.5 million in credits. The program, passed by the California Legislature and signed into law in February 2009 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, provides tax credits of 20 percent or 25 percent of all in-state spending for below-the-line employees (including background actors).   With California’s film production declining a whopping 60 percent since 2003, this incentive is the start of real progress toward getting productions back in to the U.S., and our state. Screen Actors Guild is committed to improving and extending this incentive, and we believe it’s critical to include commercials. We are continuing are work educating lawmakers on the importance of jobs critical to SAG members. Thank you to the Governor and the California legislators who worked so hard on our behalf to promote filmmaking and jobs in California. Advance Fee Legislation Pending Assembly Bill 1319 has made its way through the California Legislature and awaits the Governor's signature. A.B. 1319 will prohibit talent services from offering to provide employment, auditions or an “acting career” in exchange for a pre-paid fee. SAG is working closely with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Assembly Member Paul Krekorian (D-Glendale) and other stakeholders in this effort to protect unsuspecting families from offers of "acting careers for a price."  Thank you to State Assemblymember Krekorian (D-Glendale), SAG parent Anne Henry, SAG General Counsel/DNED Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG National Director/Senior Counsel of Agency Relations Zino Macaluso, Assistant General Counsel David Gregoire and SAG’s Sacramento lobbyist Tim Lynch for their amazing work on this legislation. Watch for an update soon. We welcome your questions and comments. Please e-mail advocacy@sag.org. Members Approve Basic Cable Live Action Contract Screen Actors Guild announced August 26 that members approved a two-year successor contract to its Basic Cable Live Action agreement by a vote of 93.71 percent to 6.29 percent. The agreement is effective retroactive to June 10, 2009, and will expire concurrently with the Guild's Theatrical Motion Picture and Television agreements on June 30, 2011. With this vote, representing a 25.83 percent return, the Guild has now ratified its sixth contract this year. Integrity Voting Systems of Everett, Wash., provided election services and certified the final vote tally upon completion of the tabulation. The terms of the agreement include a 3 percent wage increase retroactive to June 10, 2009, a .5 percent increase in pension contributions also retroactive to June 10, 2009, and a 3.5 percent wage increase on June 10, 2010. "The members have spoken, and I am pleased that they had an opportunity to have their voices heard," said then-Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg. "We are pleased to have this negotiation concluded so that our members can enjoy the enhanced benefits guaranteed under the new agreement," said Screen Actors Guild Interim National Executive Director David White. "Cable is a burgeoning marketplace for our members and will continue to be an area of focused attention for SAG." SAG Chief Negotiator and Senior Advisor John McGuire said the new agreement "delivers growth in wages while providing the additional peace of mind of improved pension and health contributions, which is important to the wellbeing of both our individual members and the Guild as a whole." At its July 25 meeting, the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors voted 95 percent to 5 percent to recommend that the membership approve the proposed successor to the Basic Cable Live Action agreement. Ballots were mailed August 5 with a return date of August 26. TV and Basic Cable Animation Ratified Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached an agreement August 18 for the terms of new, two-year contracts covering Screen Actors Guild members working in Television Animation and Basic Cable Animation. The agreements are effective retroactive to June 10, 2009, and will expire concurrently with the TV/Theatrical Agreement on June 30, 2011, and include: • Effective annual wage increases of 3 percent retroactive to June 10, 2009 and 3.5 percent one year later. • A .5 percent increase in pension contributions, also retroactive to June 10, 2009. • New media terms reflect those negotiated under the TV/Theatrical Agreement ratified in June 2009.   Other terms match those in the recently ratified TV/Theatrical Agreement. The agreement was ratified without the need for a referendum. Support Employee Free Choice As a proud Screen Actors Guild member and a part of the labor movement, take a few minutes to urge Califonria Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein to support the Employee Free Choice Act. Screen Actors Guild believes that all Americans are entitled to join a union and to have fair wages and safe working conditions. The Employee Free Choice Act will allow workers to unionize without fear of retribution. Former AFL-CIO President John Sweeney with SAG Manager of Policy and Planning Jenn Heater and SAG members. Carwash Workers Rally Draws Wide Union Support Screen Actors Guild members and staff returned to the Los Feliz community of Los Angeles on August 19 to keep up pressure on Vermont Hand Wash, which has been accused of numerous worker abuses. Over time, the business has become a rallying point for the national movement to organize carwash workers. SAG's Hollywood members have been an active part of the picketing for the past six months. This time, more than a thousand workers, representing about a dozen unions, turned out to be seen and heard. Among the distinguished speakers was John Sweeney, former president of the AFL-CIO, which leads the national labor movement and includes Screen Actors Guild among its affiliates. Sweeney detailed sweeping allegations of safety and wage abuses, along with reports of worker intimidation. "This is an example of why we need the Employee Free Choice Act," he said. "No one should face that kind of treatment in this country we all share." Board Opposes Home's Closure On July 25 the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors formally opposed the closure of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Long Term Care Facility in Woodland Hills. (The health care and assisted living facilities are not closing.) The full text of the motion follows: It was moved and seconded to approve that the SAG National Board publicly state the Guild’s opposition to the closing of the Motion Picture and Television Fund Long Term Care Facility. Approved 51.74% – 48.26% Prior to the vote, the board received presentations from representatives of both the Motion Picture & Television Fund and the resident-family coalition Saving the Lives of Our Own. For more about the board action, click here. LifeRaft Live Stream Pilot Program The Screen Actors Guild Foundation has successfully completed the LifeRaft Live Stream Pilot Program. The foundation’s LifeRaft program offered four “business of acting” events to Guild members across the nation at no charge, via live video stream on the Internet. The LifeRaft pilot program presented “Overcoming Career Sabotage,” “The Journey of the Working Actor,” “Plan Z: Steps to Surviving the Current Economy,” and “An Evening with Casting Directors” in July. Members can view the video archives of these panels by visiting the SAG Foundation LifeRaft Live Stream Archive Gallery here. The SAG Foundation’s LifeRaft program provides innovative, implementable business knowledge to actors by way of panel discussions with seasoned industry professionals on a weekly basis. To take advantage of these free programs, members are encouraged to register with the SAG Foundation at SAGFoundation.org. (Members experiencing difficulty logging in to the new website can find assistance by viewing a brief video tutorial here.) Fair Fares Fed up with the high costs and environmental impact associated with driving your car? Consider going Metro! Note that great reduced fares may apply if you are a senior citizen, a person with disability or a student. Members Give from the Heart More than 100 Screen Actors Guild members and staff  turned out to give blood July 23 at SAG Headquarters in a drive co-sponsored by the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center. Thanks to all who donated! Mark Your Calendar OCTOBER Monday, October 5 – Hollywood Division Open Board Meeting, James Cagney Board Room, 6 p.m. A snack will be provided. Reservation is required.   Wednesday, October 7 – "Getting and Keeping Health Insurance," The Actors Fund, 1:30–3 p.m. Monthly seminar for the entertainment industry and performing arts and visual arts community members who want to know their options for obtaining affordable health insurance and healthcare in the Los Angeles area. Participants will learn to use the Actors Fund’s Access to Health Insurance/Resources for Care website (www.ahirc.org). Registration is encouraged. The Actors Fund, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 400. For more information, please contact Aaron King at (323) 933-9244, ext. 38, or aking@actorsfund.org. Thursday, October 8 - Low budget contract signatory workshops, James Cagney Board Room. 6-8 p.m. Reservation is required by visiting SAGIndie.org or calling (323) 549-6064. (Please be sure to include name and e-mail address.) Friday, October 9 – SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity Department presents… “Know your Rights! What EVERY Member Should Know to Empower and Protect Yourself in the Workplace and Entertainment Industry." James Cagney Boardroom, 10 a.m.-noon. In honor of National Coming Out Day, the topic of discussion will be "Homophobia & Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Discrimination." To RSVP or for more information, please call (323) 549-6644, or e-mail diversity@sag.org.  Monday, October 12 – Guild offices closed in observance of Columbus Day holiday. Wednesday, October 14 - New member orientation, James Cagney Board Room. 1 p.m. New member orientations are not just for new members! Whether you joined yesterday or have been a long-time member, come upgrade and refresh your niche in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Learn what you have to know about self-promotion, agents, casting, residuals, what actually happens on set, and much more. Get helpful hints and cold hard facts about juggling your three hats (The Artist, The Businessperson, and The Union Member) to achieve a meaningful and rewarding livelihood. For veteran members, the new resources that the Guild continually provides should be reviewed, renewed explored. No RSVP necessary. Parking will be validated. Sunday, October 18 – Come be heard at the 2009 National Membership Meeting. Mixer from 2-3 p.m.with National Board members, staff and members. Visit committee tables and sign up on the speakers’ list for an opportunity to speak at the microphone during the open forum portion of the meeting. Meeting 3- 6 p.m. The Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90021 For more information on the location, go to beverlyhilton.com. Tuesday, October 20 – Performing Artists’ Medical Clinic, 6-9 p.m.. Offers free medical services to low-income musicians, dancers, actors and other performing artists. Please call The Actors Fund (intake line) for eligibility criteria and appointments. For more information call (323) 933-9244, ext. 32, or www.actorsfund.org. Wednesday, October 21 – SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity Department presents… “Know your Rights! What EVERY Member Should Know to Empower and Protect Yourself in the Workplace and Entertainment Industry," James Cagney Boardroom, 10 a.m.-noon. Topic of discussion: "ADA/Reasonable Accommodations & Disability Discrimination." To RSVP or for more information, call (323) 549-6644 or e-mail diversity@sag.org.  Thursday, October 22 – iActor “Upload and Personal,” hands-on training, Bella Bruck Room, 10-30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Come let our experts help you create your iActor profile. RSVP to iactorrsvp@sag.org. Wednesday, October 28– New member orientation, James Cagney Board Room. 10 a.m. New member orientations are not just for new members! Whether you joined yesterday or have been a long-time member, come upgrade and refresh your niche in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Learn what you have to know about self-promotion, agents, casting, residuals, what actually happens on set, and much more. Get helpful hints and cold hard facts about juggling your three hats (The Artist, The Businessperson, and The Union Member) to achieve a meaningful and rewarding livelihood. For veteran members, the new resources that the Guild continually provides should be reviewed, renewed explored. No RSVP necessary. Parking will be validated. The above listings are subject to change. Check SAG.org for the most up-to-date information. If you’d like more information on an event and there is no contact information listed above or on the website, call the Hollywood Executive Office at (323) 549-6459.
SAVE THE DATE! The Screen Actors Guild Healthcare Safetynet Committee’s 2nd Annual Alternative Health Fair When: Wednesday, November 4 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: James Cagney Board Room  Come learn about alternative healthcare choices, such as Alexander Technique, Tai Chi, Ayurvedic medicine and many more! Parking will be validated.
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