Letter from the President

Dear Colorado Local Members,

This is the first newsletter to go out since the new board was elected and there is much news to share!

It’s an incredible honor and privilege for me to be writing to you as the first elected SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local president. Having served on both the council and board of SAG and AFTRA for the past 20 years in this market, I’m very aware of the responsibilities I assume with this office.

I am excited to be working with the elected board, you — our members — and any and all individuals and organizations within the entertainment industry, toward the common goal of creating a viable market in our region. The Colorado Local also includes Wyoming and western Nebraska.

We have entered a new era where legacy gives way to a united future filled with promise, where anything is possible should we dare to look beyond what was to all that can be! This was never truer than now, as we head into the first major negotiations of our TV/Theatrical-Exhibit A Contracts since merger.

As active members, you have a direct say in what goes on in your union; you are the union. You have the ability to make a difference in the culture of this industry. Your voice matters and can help to shape the very environment you aspire to work in. 

I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved with your local. Make an effort to attend meetings and events, join committees, meet other professionals with similar aspirations and learn how we can create a thriving entertainment community together.

At present, we are in the process of re-forming the following committees:

• Agency Relations 
• Diversity
• Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP)
• Organizing/Events
• SAG-AFTRA/AEA Relations

If you think you would like to serve your union membership as a local board or committee member, please contact colorado@sagaftra.org and let us know of your interest. We would love to have you as a contributing member on the team.

I hope you’ll take the time to read on, to learn more about the direction the local is headed. Whether you plan to stay in this local or move beyond our borders to distant shores, your knowledge of your union and how it is here to serve you can only benefit your career as a professional artist.

I’m dedicated to you — our membership — and I look forward to meeting you at auditions, on the set and at the various SAG-AFTRA-sponsored events and industry happenings about town. If you see me out and about and you don’t already know me, please take a moment to introduce yourself; I’m interested in hearing about what is important to you.

I stand with you, my feet firmly planted in the present and my gaze toward a future bright with possibility. It is in our power to build what we can dream … let’s do it together!

Sheila Ivy Traister
SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local President