President's Report

By Kathryn Howell

It is with great appreciation that we thank elected Local and National Board members who have served us so well for many years (or decades!), and have chosen to step aside: Belva Davis (35-plus years), Denny Delk (30-plus years), Charlie Holiday (15-plus years), Jerry Gough (nine-plus years) and Matt Cates (six-plus years). These dedicated members have provided outstanding leadership, advice and advocacy for the membership. Also, of course, a most warm welcome to the newly elected officers and board members. I look forward to working with all of them!

Your elected leaders, staff and volunteers have been very busy with outreach. Our local either sponsored or was involved in the following events: membership meetings in San Francisco and Sacramento, the SAG Awards party (thanks so much to the more than 100 members who attended, you all looked fabulous!); a holiday open house for industry partners; a Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast honoring our own Belva Davis; and a fabulous speech by Carl Lumbly for the Shakespeare Theatre Association Convention.
 
We’re also stepping up our profile at film festivals. In May, we were a sponsor of the Sacramento International Film Festival. During a spirited panel discussion aboard the riverboat Delta King, TV/Theatrical Business Rep Frank Simeone and I fielded questions from the large audience about SAG-AFTRA and its contracts. It was a powerful and productive conversation and a wonderful way to connect with filmmakers and actors alike.
 
Other festival sponsorships have included the Mill Valley Film Festival, Cinequest in San Jose and the SF International Film Festival. These festivals offer excellent opportunities to have a strong presence in the production community and to share information about our membership and our contracts.
 
Thanks to the many people who have been active in promotion and outreach activity for the San Francisco-Northern California Local. I’d especially like to thank the wonderful members of the Communications Committee for their help with all of these events. It’s members who volunteer that help make our local vital!

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