SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors Meets via Videoconference

Los Angeles and New York, (July 27, 2013) – The SAG-AFTRA national board of directors met today in a one-day videoconference plenary and reviewed several administrative, finance and governance matters.
 
The National Board received reports including:
 
National Co-President's Report
National Co-President Roberta Reardon reported on recent meetings of the International Federation of Actors (FIA) and the AFL-CIO Executive Council. Reardon commended the board for its extraordinary service in the first year of the merged union.
 
National Co-Secretary-Treasurers' Report
National Co-Secretary-Treasurers Amy Aquino and Matt Kimbrough reported on the union’s 2013 Year End financials noting that the integration of the prior organizations’ finances has been completed. The board also received an unqualified opinion with respect to the audit conducted by the union’s accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
 
The board recognized Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto and her finance team for their efforts in integrating the predecessor unions’ financial operations.
 
National Executive Director’s Report
National Executive Director David White noted that that this was the final meeting before the election of the new board of directors.  White commended the board members and staff for their hard work in accomplishing the merger, working through myriad issues related to the transition period, and congratulated the body on their service as the founding board of the new union.
 
White updated the board on administrative and operations matters highlighting the level of activity in SAG-AFTRA’s four major contract areas (Entertainment, Broadcast News, Commercials and Sound Recordings), including activity related to contract negotiations and enforcement, and to several successful organizing campaigns.  White drew particular notice to the effective collaboration of SAG-AFTRA’s leadership, committee members and staff throughout the last year.
 
White said, “As the final meeting of the transitional National Board, today was an important marker in the life of this newly merged union.  The elected leadership who led the way over this past year has done extraordinary work and leaves a tremendous legacy for the elected leaders who will follow.  We’re all very grateful for their diligence and perseverance through this significant time.“
 
Legal and Governance Report
Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland reported that the foreign royalties program has distributed more than $17.5 million to performers since inception.
 
Crabtree-Ireland presented an update regarding convention planning and scheduling along with expected delegate registration timing.  In addition, the board reviewed recommended proposed rules for the conduct of business at the upcoming inaugural SAG-AFTRA convention scheduled for Sept. 26 –29, 2013, at the J. W. Marriott at L. A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.  The board approved the recommended rules, which are being finalized for publication in advance of the convention.
 
The board also reviewed proposed constitutional amendments submitted to the union per its submissions process. The board acted on two of the amendments, which move forward to the convention.  The proposed amendments approved today will be published in advance of the convention, along with any additional proposed amendments submitted by the required number of local boards.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 p.m. PT