New York Local Holds Virtual Membership Meeting

The SAG-AFTRA New York Local held its annual membership meeting virtually via Zoom on Monday, May 16, 2022. 

The meeting featured remarks and presentations from SAG-AFTRA New York Local President Ezra Knight, National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon.

Topics covered included the newly ratified Commercials Contracts, an update on the Return to Work Agreement and an overview of the many new innovations that improve services for both members and producers. Local updates included a review of state legislative efforts, including an extension of the New York state film and TV tax credit, and an expansion of the New York state COBRA subsidies. SAG-AFTRA Chief Economist David Viviano gave a report on the current state of the industry in New York, including information about recent trends in the number of productions. 

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2022 Joseph C. Riley Awards. The Joseph C. Riley Award is bestowed at the recommendation of the New York Local Committee chairs and is given to deserving individuals who have demonstrated excellent service and made exemplary contributions to SAG-AFTRA, its members, and the community of entertainment and media professionals through local committee service. New York Local Honors and Tributes Committee Vice Chair Janette Gautier presided over the awards.

Maureen Donnelly is a fierce advocate for performers’ rights and was Screen Actors Guild New York Division President from 1985–91 and served as a national and local board member, as well as a convention delegate for decades. Her service includes the Government Review Committee - for which she received this award, the New York and national Executive Committees, the Finance committee, and chair of the SAG-AFTRA Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund. She was a leading voice in the merger of SAG and AFTRA. Donnelly is currently treasurer of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation of which she is a founding board member. 

Tom Ligon receives this award for his work on the Seniors Committee, which he chaired before AFTRA’s merger with the Screen Actors Guild, and afterward continued with Elaine LeGaro as co-chair. In his role as co-chair Ligon was indispensable in running meetings and organizing conferences and workshops, particularly for seniors. His is a constant rallying cry for members to get involved and work with one another, as well as to learn new skills via classes at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Passionate about the need for merging SAG and AFTRA, Ligon also served on the Screen Actors Guild New York Division Board.

Ray DeForest has been an active member of the LGBTQ Committee for the past decade. DeForest is a talented performer and a staunch advocate for LGBTQ actors, performers and broadcasters — and for any member who has experienced sexual harassment on the job. He worked with the Williams Institute Study on union LGBTQ issues, and his leadership in organizing the SAG-AFTRA parade float featured in the 2019 50th anniversary commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Riots was indispensable.

New York Local President Ezra Knight celebrated the award winners. “My congratulations and great thanks to Maureen, Ray and Tom,” Knight said. “Their contributions epitomize the invaluable service that member volunteers provide to our community. They are the backbone of our Union. I'm so happy to have this opportunity to show them some well deserved appreciation. Flowers well earned!”

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session with the membership.

Photo: The 2022 Joseph C. Riley Award recipients, from left, Ray DeForest/Doris Dear, Maureen Donnelly and Tom Ligon.