A Message from the Nevada Local President

By Arttours Weeden

As president of the SAG-AFTRA Nevada Local, I want to assure you your local board works very diligently to make sure we’re always representing the voice of the members. It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to serve our members at the local level.

When taking meetings to talk about what’s required to make it better for the actors coming into the business, I always make sure to provide a better understanding of what it takes to obtain their SAG-AFTRA membership. I take pride in being hands-on with the young and young at heart. You are never too young or too old for this business.  

Thanks to all of you who were able to join us for the spring membership meeting on May 1 at Teamsters Local 631. We were fortunate to hear from two of the union’s leaders, Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin and National Board member Abby Dylan. It was a great opportunity for Nevada members to ask questions and learn more about their union.

Jane provided an update on various issues of national concern and spent time talking with those in attendance about the challenges they face living in a right-to-work (for less) state. 

Abby spoke passionately on behalf of the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement (PTEOE) and delivered a powerful message: Just by being here, you are already leaders.

I had the good fortune to personally attend the Las Vegas Black Film Festival, which took place April 28 - May 1. The event took place at the beautiful Sun Coast Hotel & Casino, surrounded by 81 fabulous holes of championship golfing. I had the opportunity to sit on a panel with other judges for the actor’s showdown event. I met a host of new people and was able to give them information about SAG-AFTRA Nevada that they may not have known, including that with the right guidance and diligence it’s possible to accomplish your dreams and make it in this business.

Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin, National Board member Abby Dylan and the board. 

This item was originally featured in the June 2016 local newsletter.