SAG-AFTRA Annual Meeting Recap

Rob Gati, WBZ-TV producer, accepts an award for his 37 years of extraordinary contributions to broadcasting excellence from Local Vice President Vic Ramos during the April 4 annual meeting.

More than 75 SAG-AFTRA members weathered the spring snow for our annual meeting on April 4 at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Local President Michele Proude opened the meeting with brief remarks and introductions, followed by a presentation honoring WBZ-TV Producer Rob Gati for his 37 years of service to the SAG-AFTRA Local and the New England membership as an elected leader, committee member, shop steward and hardworking broadcast professional. National Board member Bill Mootos provided a report on the National Board and Vice President Tom Kemp honored SAG-AFTRA’s late President Ken Howard. Director of Contracts & Member Services Jessica Maher and National Director, News & Broadcast Tom Higgins offered a production report and broadcast report respectively. Local Executive Director Susan Nelson explained the core functions of the union and recapped the past year, noting the election of a new board, the annual convention in Los Angeles, a new member orientation, a broadcast shop leadership training, the SAG Awards viewing party, the conservatory program, audition critiques, Studio 822 and a SAG-AFTRA Foundation-sponsored program with casting directors from New York. 

In addition to these presentations, the annual meeting featured a panel discussion moderated by Nelson on saving Massachusetts film jobs with coalition partners Joe Giannino, principal of Government Relations Group; David Hartman, director of the Massachusetts Production Coalition; Chris O’Donnell, business manager of IATSE Local 481; and Charlie Stefanini, principal of Charles Stefanini Consulting.

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