Time Flies

Local Staff Expanded

Reprinted from AFTRA/SAG newsletter Segue - 1982

Armed with the concept of "being very helpful to the members," Shelley Figures joined the Philadelphia AFTRA/SAG staff last spring as executive assistant. She’s a native Philadelphian and an alumna of West Chester State College. Shelley taught school in the city for six years and has experience with two local ad agencies.

Our newest staff member was attracted to this job by its "diversity and potential." Her expectations are being fulfilled. In just half a year, she has become heavily involved with the arrangements for August’s special SAG membership meeting featuring National SAG President Ed Asner as well as in a variety of AFTRA duties that include assisting Local Executive Glenn Goldstein. Shelley serves as editor of this new AFTRA/SAG newsletter and she’ll be acting as SAG field rep on selected future films shot within this area’s jurisdiction. (She accompanied Background Players to Scranton this past summer for "That Championship Season.")

Shelley is excited by the growth that she has already witnessed in our ranks in Philadelphia and would like to see a "closer relationship between the area’s ad agencies and AFTRA and SAG." A belated welcome to the newest — and already vitally involved — member of Philadelphia’s capable AFTRA/SAG staff!

— Bill Burgin

Did 35 years really pass since then-SAG Philadelphia Branch President Bill Burgin’s article above appeared in the first issue of the Philadelphia Local’s newsletter?

Over 100 newsletters later, I write to say goodbye after a long and fulfilling career working for AFTRA, SAG and SAG-AFTRA. I won’t highlight the ups, there are just too many. I won’t mention the disappointments, thankfully few. But I do want to say thank you to all the wonderful members, board and staff I had the opportunity to work with and learn from. I always felt the best part of my job was that every day was different. There was always something new to learn and interesting and fun people to meet. I was never bored!

Saying goodbye to very special co-workers Lynn Koenigsberg (32 years) and Michele Dooley (29 years) is bittersweet. I will always feel blessed to have had their constant support, good humor, incredible ability to solve problems and their always-amazing service to the membership. Executive Director Stephen Leshinski is a gifted and insightful leader, known for his delightful humor and wit. Stephen’s unique ability to motivate members and staff has brought real positive change to our local. I will miss them all a great deal.

As I now join the ranks of the “retired,” I’m looking forward to pursuing old and new passions, and the opportunity to make it up as I go.

Wherever that takes me is where I’m headed!

Peace,

Shelley