Colorado’s Own Brings Home Gold

This past fall, SAG-AFTRA held its first convention as a merged union with one voice. Representing the Colorado Local at the inaugural convention were me, David Hartley-Margolin, Nancy Flanagan and Denis Berkfeldt. Inspiring speakers, important resolutions, informative panels and intense networking among brothers and sisters more than filled our time.

A highlight for Colorado attendees was the awarding of the George Heller Memorial Award to David. This prestigious honor was established by AFTRA to acknowledge those members who were leaders amongst their peers and have a history of exemplary service. It is one of the highest honors bestowed on a member of the union. SAG-AFTRA is continuing this tradition and awarded its first gold card to David for his years of unwavering and exemplary service.

Key in the selection for this prestigious award were his efforts with both legacy unions in support of merger. He was pivotal in the march toward one union and gave us all the gift of his time and vision.

David Hartley-Margolin receives first SAG-AFTRA George Heller Memorial Award gold card.

Since 1987, David has served as a local and/or national board member with SAG and AFTRA and on dozens of committees. He continues to serve on both the local and national fronts today and strongly believes in mentoring the next generation of leaders so the union may continue to provide protections to the members.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have served with David are acutely aware of the degree to which he deserves this honor, and we congratulate him on this most prestigious recognition. The Colorado Local Board and members thank him for his years of sage guidance and mentorship. David has done Colorado proud!

David was elected as the national vice president of small locals at the SAG-AFTRA National Convention and also serves as a board member on the Colorado Local Board.

Occasionally, staff has been awarded a gold card, and this year Washington-Mid Atlantic Local Executive Director Pat O’Donnell was the co-honoree.

Who is George Heller?

In the mid 1930s, George Heller was an actor, dancer, composer and musician who was a staunch advocate for the working class. He was a driving force in the formation of AFRA, the American Federation of Radio Artists. He worked on Broadway under an Equity contract and soon recognized that there was a need to provide the protections he received as an actor in the theater to actors in a new frontier at the time, radio broadcasting. One of his greatest accomplishments came when he established the AFTRA Pension and Welfare plan (AFTRA H&R), which is believed to be the first of its kind to provide benefits for workers in the labor union with multiple employers. Despite his success as an actor, he soon dedicated the majority of his time in service to the union and its members. It is in gratitude of his legacy that the George Heller Memorial Award was created.