ANGELA WEISS
Winter 2015 / 16
SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local delegates and elected leaders gather on the final day of the SAG-AFTRA 2015 National Convention.
SAG-AFTRA 2015 National Convention Recap
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nion leaders, board members and delegates came together for the second biennial SAG-AFTRA National Convention at the Sheraton Universal Hotel on Oct. 1–4. Delegates from the 25 locals from across the nation convened at the welcome reception held on the evening of Oct. 1 in the hotel’s Starview Room. This year’s convention theme was all about educating, engaging and empowering the members, as SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard encouraged delegates to collaboratively address the challenges facing members on all fronts. “Educate, engage and empower isn’t simply the theme for this convention — it’s the mantra for our future,” said President Howard. “Everything we have achieved throughout our history as SAG-AFTRA — or as SAG or AFTRA before it — has been because of collective action. That is our culture. Progress is made through collective action, collaboration and hard work.” On Oct. 2, delegates elected Gabrielle Carteris as executive vice president; Clyde Kusatsu as national vice president, Los Angeles; Ilyssa Fradin as national vice
president, mid-sized locals; and Samantha Mathis as national vice president, actors/ performers. The following candidates ran unopposed: Mike Hodge, national vice president, New York; David Hartley-Margolin, national vice president, small locals; Catherine Brown, national vice president, broadcasters; and Dan Navarro, national vice president, recording artists/singers.
After business concluded on the first day of convention, Friday night welcomed the union’s Gala Under the Stars event at the Warner Bros. studio lot. Howard, Miami Local member Dave Corey, National Executive Director David White and Associate National Executive Director Mathis Dunn were all recipients of George Heller Memorial Award gold cards in RECAP continues on page 6 v
A Letter From L.A. President Jane Austin
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Looking Ahead
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ur second biennial convention was a great success! Our theme — educate, engage and empower — was embraced by all 400 delegates in attendance. I was able to get to know not only our 165-plus Los Angeles delegates, but also visit and speak with delegates from all over the country. It was invigorating and energizing to meet so many enthusiastic and engaged members. I hope to continue these conversations over my next two years in office to continue learning about issues that impact our members. AUSTIN continues on page 6
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