A Message from the Kaufherr Members Resource Center

Dear SAG-AFTRA Member,

As another great year for the SAG-AFTRA Chicago office comes to an end, we wanted once again to give you the opportunity to participate in enhancing the outstanding services the Kaufherr Members Resource Center provides to union performers. Since it opened in June 2001, the KMRC has logged thousands of visits by local and regional actors and filmmakers who have taken advantage of the many resources the KMRC offers. The KMRC’s mission is to support SAG-AFTRA and AEA members in marketing their talent, honing their skills, and sustaining their resolve to earn a living at their craft. 

The Endowment Campaign continues, but we have had to spend some of the money raised for the endowment to cover ongoing expenses. We still are committed to reaching our endowment goal of $1.5 million. We are in the process of opening an investment account in the amount of $450,000 with Integrated Wealth Management, the investment advisor to the SAG Foundation and AFTRA Foundation, among many others. We want to ensure that the money that we have raised is preserved and will continue to grow, and we are confident that will be the case.

In the meantime, though, we must rely on ongoing fundraising efforts to keep the doors open and services free to union performers in good standing. The wonderful cabaret event at Mayne Stage last April netted over $7,800 for the KMRC. We are all very grateful to the union performers who presented such an enjoyable evening for an enthusiastic audience. The evening was so successful that we hope to have another cabaret in 2014 – watch for an announcement!

This year the KMRC Committee has been able to take on new initiatives, enhance programs and update equipment. In 2013 the SAG-AFTRA Conservatory presented seminars on dialects, social media, commercial auditions, voice-over resources as well as Speed Dating with Agents. The KMRC has hosted over 30 student, short and ultra-low budget feature film auditions in 2013. Our part-time staff offers technical assistance in the computer lab, as well as the audio and video studios. A priority has always been to update the equipment and editing software in the video and audio studios. This past year has seen an upgrade in computer equipment to Mac computers complete with iMovie and Final Cut Pro.

As a non-profit resource center, we depend on the generosity of individuals such as you to continually provide new opportunities for union performers. We hope you will continue to be part of our family of contributors, or become a new member of that significant group. Your donation, whatever the amount, will help build on our success in promoting the careers of thousands of union actors in Chicago and the Midwest.

It takes all kinds of people to make a strong and vibrant performance community like ours. Your contribution is a powerful declaration of your desire to make the KMRC an even better place for all union actors, singers and broadcasters to enhance their skills. On behalf of the KMRC Committee, the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local Board , and all SAG-AFTRA members who benefit from the KMRC, thank you for your thoughtful consideration and support of the KMRC Annual Fund campaign.

Sincerely,

Eileen M. Willenborg		Eric Chaudron
President, KMRC, Inc.		SAG-AFTRA Chicago Executive Director
		KMRC, Inc. Board of Directors

P.S. Please participate by returning your tax-deductible contribution with the below Donor/Pledge form today or you can download it here. Remember, your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted. The KMRC is a 501(c)3.