What Do Local Committees Do?

SAG-AFTRA local committees are the backbone of our Los Angeles Local. They’re a great way to dip your toes into volunteering, since it provides opportunities to focus on the issues that matter most to you, while also giving you the opportunity to learn the inner workings of the local, policies and protocols.

Most committees fall into one of these areas:

• Categorical committees address issues for specific types of work under the collective bargaining agreement, such as stunts, background or voiceover.
• Demographic committees advocate for specific classification types, based on age, gender or those who are underrepresented.
• Special interest committees work to identify issues and recommend courses of action. 
• Programming committees create events to educate and engage members. 
• Operational committees work with staff to manage specific needs of the local by recommending actions that support or improve areas such as governance, communication, public policy and reinstatement review.

Here are some examples of local committee work that originated in Los Angeles:

• The L.A. Local Government Review Committee recommended changes to the Los Angeles Local’s replacement policy for its board so that it would mirror the process utilized by the other 24 locals. After it was overwhelmingly approved by the L.A. Local Board, it was then presented to the National Government Review Committee and National Board for final approval. The National Committee then made recommendations for revisions, which were eventually accepted by the L.A. Local Board and then approved by the National Board.
• The L.A. Local Background Committee suggested an updated background actors digest, which was approved by the L.A. Local Board and later came into effect.
• The Los Angeles Local Sexual Harassment Harasment Prevention Committee recommended the extension of the current six-month statute of limitations for reporting “workplace harassment, quid pro quo, retaliation, conduct unbecoming or any form of sexual harassment.” The National Sexual Harassment Work Group and National Board then voted to extend the statute to 10 years.

There are 50 national committees and 33 L.A. Local committees. Members serve for a period of two years or until the local committee is reconstituted. 

National Committees

The SAG-AFTRA president, in consultation with the appropriate national vice presidents and/or local presidents, appoints the chairs and members of all national committees, subject to approval of the National Board. 

L.A. Local Committees

The L.A. Local president appoints the chairs of their local committees. Each committee chair then populates the members of his or her committee, guided by the list of members who completed a form requesting to serve, and always with the approval of the local president.

The invitation to serve on committees went out in October of 2021. Over 600 L.A. Local members answered the call, but due to limited space, L.A. local chairs were not able to find committee seats for everyone. However, many committees will eventually create subcommittees to provide additional opportunities for members to take part and will seek out those who submitted interest and were not selected.

If you have any questions about committee service, please email la@sagaftra.org.