The Chicago Activator - February 10, 2016

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

IN THIS ISSUE

February 10, 2016

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents

Making More Union Work Congratulations, Richard Steele!

Election Workers Needed Labor Notes Conference

Making More Union Work

KMRC Tech Night Scholarships

Monday, Feb. 22

SAG Awards Party Holiday Schedule

Details below.

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents Making More Union Work Want to get more work in 2016? Discover the power you have to turn non-union jobs union. Learn ways to work with your agents and SAG-AFTRA staff to make more union opportunities in voiceover, commercials and corporate/educational (formerly industrials).

Moderated by Sean Hennessy, manager, Commercials & Corporate/Educational Contracts, Chicago Local, the panel includes: Casey Janney, agent - Stewart Talent Agency SAG-AFTRA members Lorrisa Julianus and Michael Issac When: 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 Where: KMRC, 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago Please RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Park at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure.

This meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome.

SAG-AFTRA members, please bring your membership card (paid through April 30, 2016) for admittance.

Congratulations, Richard Steele!

Chicago SAG-AFTRA member Richard Steele is one of this year's winners of the Studs Terkel Community Media Awards.

Heard on Chicago radio since the early 1970s, Steele officially retired in October after 27 years with Chicago Public Radio WBEZ-FM. Fortunately, retirement doesn't mean Richard is stopping.

He continues to be a community voice, hosting The Barber Shop Show, WBEZ's weekly talk show taped at Carter's Barbershop in the North Lawndale neighborhood.

Presented by Public Narrative, the nonprofit organization formerly called Community Media Workshop, the prestigious awards honor excellence in covering Chicago's diverse communities.

They're named for Studs Terkel, the late author and broadcaster who was the group's guiding spirit.

Also honored this year are: * Lolly Bowean (Chicago Tribune) * Sarah Karp (Better Government Association) * Cecilia Vaisman (NPR, Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism). * Aurie Pennick (The Field Foundation of Illinois) "Studs would have loved this group," said Susy Schultz, president of Public Narrative. "These five winners have added in special ways to the discussion of such important issues as race, housing, education, culture and heritage. All have truly enhanced Chicago storytelling."

The awards will be presented at a fundraiser April 7 at the National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted St. Tickets to the event are available online.

March 15 Primary Election Poll Workers Needed. Do Good. Get paid.

The Cook County Clerk's office is in need of poll workers to serve voters in suburban Cook County for the March 15 presidential primary. Having a broad spectrum of community members working together to serve voters in local polling places is a critical part of the democratic process.

There are two positions available: election judge or equipment manager. Both assist voters and ensure the polling place is running smoothly. Equipment managers have greater responsibility for setting up and maintaining the voting equipment. Due to the additional responsibility, equipment managers receive more training and higher pay. Election judges earn $175. Equipment managers earn $325. This video describes both jobs. There is a particular need for people to serve in the northern suburbs of Cook County. Bilingual judges are always needed.

To learn more or submit an application, please contact mark.mesle@cookcountyil.gov.

2016 Labor Notes Conference, April 1-3 in Chicago Labor Notes Conferences are the biggest gatherings of grassroots union activists and worker center leaders. Don't miss a weekend of inspiration and education.

Join thousands of union members, officers and labor activists who are on the front lines in our workplaces and our communities, organizing new workers and advancing together. The more than 100 meetings and workshops cover topics such as creative organizing tactics, beating apathy, running for local union office, winning contract campaigns, bargaining over technology, understanding the economy, life after "right to work" and reviving the strike.

When: April 1-3, 2016 Where: Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, IL Early bird registration savings: $105 ($45 off) until Feb. 15.

More information and registration is available online.

KMRC Tech Night 7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25 This workshop includes an overview of basic computer knowledge (both Mac and PC), email and Internet tips, how to personalize your Actors Access and Casting Networks accounts, along with creating social media accounts like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. You will learn computer shortcuts, tips and tricks on using the Web, and about the options available to you when creating an online presence.

Register online or email Chris Peak at chris@kmrcchicago.org.

It is your generosity that allows us to keep the KMRC free for members of SAG-AFTRA. Every donation helps! Thank you.

Applications for Scholarships Now Available The SAG-AFTRA Foundation has three types of scholarships available for eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents:   

The John L. Dales Standard Scholarship is awarded to eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents for study at accredited institutions of higher education; The John L. Dales Transitional Scholarship is awarded to eligible SAG-AFTRA members to pursue related professions within the entertainment industry or change their career paths; The George Heller Memorial Scholarship is awarded to eligible SAG-AFTRA members and their dependents for study at accredited institutions of higher education.

There is a single online application that must be filled out to apply for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation scholarships. The Foundation staff determines which scholarship criteria (Dales or Heller) the applicant meets. An applicant may qualify for only one scholarship per year.

Application deadline is March 31. For more information and to apply, please visit sagaftra.foundation.

CFL Applications for the Chicago Federation of Labor's 2016 William A. Lee Memorial Scholarship are available on the CFL website. Five academic-based scholarships and five random-drawing scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each will be awarded to high school seniors who will be graduating in the spring of 2016.

More information and the application is available online. Application deadline is Tuesday, March 1.

The applicant or his/her parent must be a member in good standing of a union affiliated with the Chicago Federation of Labor. SAG-AFTRA is an affiliate. All applications must be signed by one of the top officers of the member's local union.

Union Plus Scholarship Program The Union Plus Scholarship program, now in its 24th year, has awarded more than $3.7 million in educational funding to more than 2,500 union family members.

The 2016 Union Plus Scholarship application is now available online.

These programs are being produced and administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider.

2016 SAG Awards Party Held at Rockit Bar & Grill, the Chicago Local's SAG Awards Viewing Party was a resounding success. A total of 180 SAG-AFTRA members and guests attended. Special thanks to members Kelly Demaret, Duke Czlonka and Ilyssa Fradin for planning this event. It's always a social highlight of the year for our members!

This year we collected socks for the Woolgathering Project and, in an old-fashioned pass-the-hat, raised $400 for the KMRC. Winners of the evening's "Guess the Winners" contest were Fred Stone, Valerie Banks and Kara Leigh - congratulations! Their prizes included tickets to Red Orchid and Timeline theaters, gift certificates for George's Salon and Acting Studio Chicago, coffee Kelly Demaret, event co-chair.

Photo by Ed Smaron boxes from Passion House, Old Town School of Folk Music tickets and sweatshirts, life coach training with Courtney Rioux, and annual membership to Midwest Independent Film Festival. Forty-five other members received goodie bags when Actor award winners matched the name they received when they arrived at the party.

The show was greeted with a lot of cheers from Chicago throughout the evening. Congratulations to all of the winners. We are already looking forward to next year!

Photo by Ashley Dearborn.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office and the KMRC will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day. In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website: SAGAFTRA.org