Fairness Aim of Reinstatement Committee

By Rik Deskin, Local Board member
and Allison Calvert, Seattle Local Membership Coordinator

Each month for a little more than a year, a selected committee of volunteer board members has been meeting to examine requests for reinstatement to SAG-AFTRA. Performers whose membership has been terminated because of non-payment of dues are able to bring their membership current by paying their set rejoin amount or they may submit a request for reinstatement to be reviewed and evaluated by the Reinstatement Obligation Review Committee.

As a board member at large, I know how tough it is to be current on dues. I nearly became a victim of not paying dues on time back in 2010, and that would have cost me more than the dues. It would have made me ineligible to serve on SAG-AFTRA committees, both local and national.

So, each month our committee reviews each request and asks Allison Calvert, our SAG-AFTRA membership coordinator, questions about the applicant.

The applicants are anonymous to the committee, known only to staff. We have had all sorts of applicants, from members who forgot to update their address and fell behind in their dues to members just having financial difficulties.

The committee considers each case individually and recognizes that everyone has a unique set of circumstances. We work hard to come to decisions that are fair to both applicants and SAG-AFTRA. Most importantly, the Reinstatement Obligation Review Committee is interested in anyone who uses this method to show the courage and solidarity to apply for reinstatement and enjoy the many perks and benefits of membership.

If you know someone who is currently terminated or if you have a friend or colleague that let their dues lapse and might be interested in reinstatement, please have them contact Allison Calvert at the SAG-AFTRA Seattle Local, (206) 282-2506.

This item was originally featured in the January 2015 local newsletter.