That’s a Wrap! Parting Thoughts From Board Members Stepping Down

Last year, we bid a fond farewell to three Portland Local Board members who decided not to run for reelection. We want to offer a sincere thank-you to Elizabeth Zimmerman, Brady Romberg and Todd Robinson for two years of service to our membership. Fortunately for us, all three will still be positive forces for our industry by continuing to serve on local committees and volunteer for our local.

Elizabeth served on the Education Committee and was the Board’s representative on the Portland Theatrical Federation and Northwest Oregon Labor Council. While on the Board, she used, in her words, her “tendency towards over-verbalization to put forward the advantages of using union actors at every event and premiere opportunity I could. Most filmmakers are unaware that even if they have a small budget, they can use SAG-AFTRA actors.” 

Elizabeth was especially impressed by the way that “each Local Board member brought their specific skills together to generate the best board we could. I’m honored to have served on the Portland Local board,” she said.

One accomplishment that makes Todd especially proud is that he and the Board were able to create ways to regularly keep our members engaged and up to date with remote events, and of his participation in the creation of the Robert Blanche Service Award. Todd plans to continue serving on the Organizing Committee, the Awards Committee and the Film Festival Committee. 

He strongly encourages any member to join a committee or two because that’s where the work of the union is done. One of his biggest takeaways from his Local Board service is that “we really need to stay proactive in keeping the membership engaged and active.”

To Todd’s point, Elizabeth has some wise words for our members about volunteering to serve on a committee:

“See what needs doing, examine their abilities, then do it! Are you internet savvy? Be on the Communications Committee. Love film festivals? Be on the Film Festival Committee. Do you have organizational skills or are you a young, next-generation actor? Share those aptitudes with your union. It’s just that easy!”

Great advice, Elizabeth. We appreciate your, Todd’s and Brady’s stellar service to our Portland Local membership, and we’re looking forward to your continued work with our membership in our local committees.

Photo: From left, Brady Romberg, Elizabeth Zimmerman and Todd Robinson.