Monday, September 26, 2011

Politics are not just in Washington DC




Nevada SAG moving forward (with your help and support)

It does not make friends, but within the limits of confidentiality I am know for telling the truth as I see it.

Your union is a union, not a club, conservatory or social networking group.

And we have a very dedicated board of officers and members looking after the business of the Guild in Nevada. This election showcased how the system works, once the membership has a voice.

There are politics underway that I feel need to be addressed. I thank the membership for their votes in this election, selecting candidates who were not nominated by the nominating committee among their choices.

Those who are doing the job, who have the connections and who have the experience, can be heard at the national level. For the first time that anyone can remember incumbents who were working hard and getting their jobs done were not nominated by the nominating committee, the president last year and myself this year, along with two sitting council members, one of whom choose not to run by petition. Local officers endorsed not voting incumbents back into office.

I am not the type to blow my own horn, campaign or ask for help. This year I had to do all three, and I did not enjoy it. I thank all of you who made calls, sent e-mails, donated to the campaign and supported by reelection. I did gather endorsements, but only after knowing the politics behind my not being nominated.

It would hope that our top local officers, as well as Rick Rockne, take the time to allow me to represent the branch on the national level. The local level has always been in the hands of the officers and council. I have one vote and other than advising from experience and the perspective of my office, I carry no more voice or vote than any other member of your elected council. Except for my one year as president, I never have, regardless of the rumors that circulated during the past two campaigns.

As I shared in today's membership meeting, it is my hope that, whether we merge or not, members continue to step forward and run for office, volunteer for committees and do all they can to turn potential work union in Nevada. We are the union.

It is also my hope that the type of backdoor politics I have seen over the past two years comes to an end and that we move forward as a branch proudly into a new union or as the Screen Actors Guild, continuing to put membership first.

I feel that you have a strong council, working on many projects for our branch. We have a strong executive in Steve Clinton, and strong support from many key players in the community.

Solidarity.


Art Lynch
(as a private citizen and member of SAG, not an official correspondence).

In part to support what I indicated above about the nominating committee and the need to keep experience I present the folowing excerpt from the Hollywood Reporter:


"In Nevada, Art Lynch won a contested national board seat. Six other national board seats from the Regional Branch Division were uncontested, and the winners were previously announced: Boston – Bill Mootos; Dallas – Suzanne Burkhead; Detroit – Ed Kelly; Houston – Robert Nelson; Nashville – Cece DuBois; Washington, D.C./Baltimore –Stephen F. Schmidt. All of those are three-year positions, and all of the regional winners are believed to favor merger."

Wednesday, September 7, 2011


Why I serve.


























Art Lynch is an actor
and educator who serves
on the National Board of Directors
of the Screen Actors Guild
representing Nevada.

In his over 20 years of Nevada
based Guild service
he has chaired committees,
served on the elected council,
served as Nevada Vice President
and President. He co-chairs
the New Technology Committee
and has long been active
in other national committees,
including the Young Performers
Committee, dedicated to
helping young talent and
their parents to prepare
for and deal with the needs
and demands of the industry.

The guild does not
compensate members
who serve in offices or on committees.
His work is voluntary and for the benefit
of all talent and future talent.

A veteran of Chicago theatre and both film
and commercial acting,
his belief is that all those who find enjoyment i
n the crafts and take
the time to train and pursue work,
should call themselves actors,
has been at the center of his over
a decade of coaching acting full-time.

Lynch is an instructor at the
College of Southern Nevada,
where his focus is communication
and helping students
to achieve their personal goals.

His voice can be heard on Sundays
over Nevada Public Radio
(based through KNPR 88.9 FM)
statewide as the state voice
of Weekend Edition Sundays and
as on-hair local host from
5 AM to midnight on Sundays.

After two decades living
in the heart of Las Vegas,
he and his wife Laura,
relocated to historic Boulder City
seven years ago,
where he works with the Park and
Recreation District serves on the board
of the Dam Short Film Festival,
31ers. He and with his wife are establishing
a social services life counseling opportunity.

Lynch is currently completing a
PhD in Education
through Capella University.

Art Lynch writes and edits this blog,
along with sagactor and others.

You may e-mail Art Lynch at
art.lynch@artlynch.org

Thursday, May 12, 2011

May, 2011 Nevada Actor SAG National Board Report



SAG National Board Report, April 2011





“The message from SAG and AFTRA members across the country has been clear — they want this done as soon as possible. If our boards approve the merger plan in January, our members will make the final decision through a referendum vote less than a year from now. I’m proud that we’ve taken a major step today, and I’m extremely grateful for the unanimous support of the SAG National Board. I also want to thank AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon, whose remarkable leadership has been essential in bringing us to this point.” — SAG President Ken Howard




National Board ReportBy Art Lynch


Being on the National Board of Screen Actors Guild is an exercise in marketing, legal issues, both the macro and the micro scale of the industry, political manipulations and much more.


The day-to-day work of a National Board member involves phone calls, email, instant messaging, chat lines, PowerPoint presentations and lots of reading and research.


The workload involves statistics, spreadsheets, conferences, debates and relationships with other nationally elected officers and national staff, patience, action when needed, strong listening skills, and persuasive skills. The work requires knowledge of a wide range of areas within the industry, of the differences in geography, and of differences in contract use for the regions and Branches. Board members must focus on anticipating change and keeping local, regional and national members in mind, as well as performers who will become a part of the union and an asset to SAG in the future.


Board meetings are long, sometimes exciting, often tedious and always essential. While the heavy and hateful politics of recent years are behind us, there remain disagreements and differences in priorities in use of contract, amount of work under contract, geography, skill level and membership representation priorities.


The board duties and activities are not just a question of attending meetings. They include keeping the Branch president and councils informed and allowing them the opportunity to represent Nevada on national committees and at national meetings, as those opportunities arise.


The work starts locally and expands to national, with committees, work groups, research, sidebar conversations, email chains, Skype and Go to Meeting sessions, and much more.


One Union


The most vital issue of the past few years, and in the year ahead, is movement toward one union. I am active on several work groups to make sure Nevada and small Branches are a key part of what will be the highest profile and most powerful entertainment union in the world.


If the members approve it “and the creek don’t rise,” we will be one union a year from now, with board consideration in January 2012.


Merger


“The message from SAG and AFTRA members across the country has been clear — they want this done as soon as possible. If our boards approve the merger plan in January, our members will make the final decision through a referendum vote less than a year from now. I’m proud that we’ve taken a major step today, and I’m extremely grateful for the unanimous support of the SAG National Board. I also want to thank AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon, whose remarkable leadership has been essential in bringing us to this point.” — SAG President Ken Howard


On April 30, The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors unanimously approved the creation of a Merger Task Force to work with their AFTRA counterparts in developing a formal plan to unite SAG and AFTRA members in one union.


You may be asked to vote on the creation of a new union early next year.


There will be sacrifices to profit from the benefits of a single union. Dues for single-card holders (most of our Nevada membership) may go to finance organizing that will result in greater work opportunities.


Competition between AFTRA and SAG is growing in the television and new media areas, both of which are growing in size and dollars as film (theatrical) remains stable and the future of commercials remains technologically uncertain. With one union, you have a unified effort instead of two competing unions fighting for income and survival.


The growth is in the lower-budget areas of television and film production, areas where a unified performers’ union will be in a position to organize, increasing work for our membership.


“The entertainment industry is undergoing a transformation, and the only way for middle-class performers to remain strong is to have one union fighting for them with a unified strategy. I’m excited to be a part of making that happen.” — SAG 1st Vice President Ned Vaughn. 


Your help and comments are needed


The presidents of both national unions have been on a “listening tour” across the country. They are now requesting feedback and ideas through your elected National Board representatives.


I am interested in your feedback and ideas, questions and observations.


We are seeking your direct feedback to several questions:
1. How are you working differently than five years ago? How has the work changed?
2. What do you want to see in a merged union?
3. How have non-union qualified performers impacted your work opportunities? What can be done to create more union work and minimize use of non-union talent?
4. How have your employers changed from five years ago?
5. What could a merged union do for you? What are your ideas on how to accomplish this?
Please submit your comments to me, trough the SAG office, at Steven.Clinton@sag.org.


This is a time for union pride


The National Legislative Committee’s focus is on battling anti-union movements and legislation in many areas, including right-to-work expansion and attempts to erode union security; working to expand and counter repeals of location-based film incentives; strengthening the protection of our young performers; and protecting members rights wherever and whenever required. Celebrity and rank-and-file members have made a difference in Wisconsin, Michigan and many other states, including advancement of film incentive legislation in the Nevada Legislature.


A Wired World: We need your help


Working actors know that being connected on the Internet is essential to being a performer in this new age of entertainment. Submissions are often by computer, with auditions on Web cameras. Scripts and notices come over email or Facebook. Talent showcases their work on websites and in social media.


The Screen Actors Guild is aware of this, and of the opportunity it provides to save dues money and increase immediacy in all communications. The amount of print materials you receive will continue to decrease, while online increases in importance.


We have a commitment to online rapid communications with members and the community using email broadcasts, Facebook, Twitter and other media and social media.
You can help your fellow actors by encouraging them to have email, to keep their email information up to date with the Guild, to check the SAG website and keep in touch electronically with our SAG office. Nevada Executive Steve Clinton and the Nevada Organizing Committee are ready to help anyone who needs assistance in converting to the Internet age of communication. By offering your help or passing names and emails of members on to the SAG office, you can help ensure that as close as possible to 100 percent of Nevada members are informed and active.


Organizing


SAG is organizing work in all areas, with a focus on new media, low budget and localized work for Nevada and other markets. I am active on several national committees in this area. Much of the work remains confidential for reasons that I am willing to explain one on one, or our executive can address it as an organizing and contract professional.


The Guild is making the most of our dues by doing more for less, using automation, shifting how services are delivered and renewing focus on essentials needed to allow the Guild to improve member services, including contract enforcement, on an ever-tightening budget.


Residuals and other programs are being automated and computerized whenever possible, speeding the process and minimizing human error.


An online signatory process for producers is becoming a reality, making it easier to access information, fill out paperwork and file it with the Guild. Of particular interest is that all filmmakers, at all budget levels, including students, can now have access to SAG talent. Nevada has already picked up ultra-low budget productions using the online application process.


As co-chair of the national New Media and Web Committees, and an active member of the National Communications Committee, I can report on improvements, upgrades and increased use of SAG on the Web. It is there for you to use and to pass on to anyone interested in our industry. We are working on improvements in navigation of the website, growth of recently launched sites to help young performers, and potential upgrades for iActor.


We have overseen improvements in SAG TV and the resources it offers for talent at all levels of the industry. SAG TV and our relationships with the SAG Foundation provide a wealth of information about the industry, contracts and how to navigate life as a professional performer. There are archiveshere and here.


I also encourage you to stay on top of the increased benefits for SAG members though Union Plus (AFL-CIO) and SAG-generated cooperative ventures with businesses. For updates, click here


Thank you

Join me in wishing the best and a rapid recovery for President Barbara Grant.


We all should thank Vice President Arttours Weeden, the officers and the Nevada Branch Council for their aggressive work on behalf of the membership. We are, thanks to them, a very active Branch in every way, including organizing, legislative, our conservatory, keeping our executive informed and continuing our more than 35 years as an activist SAG-only Branch of the Screen Actors Guild.


And a special thank you to Nevada Executive Steve Clinton for his work on our legislative initiatives, in organizing work, in protecting our wages and working conditions and membership services.


Have a great summer…hopefully with both work and relaxation.


Art Lynch

Friday, May 6, 2011

This Web Site: Policies and Referral

Only posts approved by SAG Communications in LA will be made on this unofficial web site, with occasional breaking news which will be removed upon request from SAG staff. 





For official Nevada Branch posts go to http://www.sag.org/branches/nevada





To contact Nevada SAG Executive Director Steve Clinton and the Nevada office, e-mail Steven.Clinton@SAG.org





For unofficial posts on film, television, theater, material for students (including those who are pre-union) and on SAG, as selected and edited by myself, check SAG Actor (updated daily) at http://sagactor.blogspot.com





For my personal blog, which also serves communication, journalism, education and other students, go to http://art-lynch.blogspot.com





-Art Lynch

NevadaSAG@me.com



Tuesday, March 15, 2011



35 years of union in Nevada, Happy Birthday SAG





We are Union
By Art Lynch

National Board Director, Nevada



Wages and working conditions are the foundation of any union. They keep us safe and pay a fair wage. Collective bargaining is how we negotiate to secure the foundation our members need (union wages are a floor, not a set rate or ceiling). Right now the collective bargaining rights of many of our brothers and sisters are under attack in Wisconsin and at least two other states. Quite simply, we cannot afford for the recession and resulting budget deficits to be used as an excuse to weaken union protections and our ability to represent each other as brothers and sisters to negotiate for safety, security and a fair wage. I urge Nevada SAG members to do all we can to support our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Do not for a moment think that this is not your fight. We also have a target painted on our backs by the same forces behind any attempt to weaken our fellow unions in the public sector.



More Than 35 Years of Union Activism



Working conditions also led to the birth of the Nevada Branch. While on the set of the 1971 James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever, SAG members from Nevada were exposed to conditions they considered abusive. With the help of National, they stood up and changes were made. That passion led to the organic growth of the Nevada Branch, officially added to the Guild’s branch system 35 years ago.



I urge you to attend the March 27 Nevada SAG membership meeting to celebrate our birthday!



More Than 20 Years of Guild Service



At our membership meeting, we will also honor the longest-serving president in Nevada SAG history, Steve Dressler. As most of you know, I worked with Steve on the council when I was Branch president and as your elected representative on the National Board of Directors. While he modestly does not advertise it, Steve pulled no punches in talking with staff, officers and National Board members as he worked effectively to represent Nevada’s membership.



Together, we helped bring an office and local executives to Nevada to expand our background zone, to raise national recognition of the needs of all Branches operating under the federally mandated limitations of “right-to-work” laws, and to keep Nevada high on the radar of board members from Los Angeles, New York and other Branches. Most of the work of a Branch president is done in committees, in sidebar conversations and in more paperwork than most of us can appreciate.



Our Birthday Celebration



Please join me in thanking Steve Dressler, President Barbara Grant, your Nevada Branch officers and council, and all those who have served the Nevada membership as we celebrate our official birthday.



Merger



Many members have asked if we are closer to a merger with AFTRA. Yes, but that does not mean it will be a done deal.



The national presidents and the boards of both unions are committed to the need to join together as the power wielded by management increases, technology blurs the lines and opposition to, or a misunderstanding of, unions spreads in geography and numbers.



In truth, when change comes, it will most likely take the form of a new union with its roots and history in both Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.



But When?



As soon as possible is the best answer, but that could, for legal, logistical and political reasons, be a year or years away. The unions need to continue in the best interests of their membership as we focus on joint negotiations, organizing in a difficult marketplace and providing for the needs of our members. And as occurred the last two times the unions worked to join together, the will of the membership as ballots hit the mailboxes will leave any future uncertain up until the final moments.



What Can I Do?



For now, focus on helping President Grant, our Executive Director Steve Clinton and your council build the Nevada Branch and continue to keep us active and strong.



Support Local Employment



Support – within the limits of the SAG rules we are bound to as members of a union, such as Rule One, which states that you may not work non-union – all Nevada-based production and talent industry-based companies. Show them SAG is on their side. Encourage them to use SAG talent and sign SAG contracts. This includes working only through SAG franchised agents. Every dime a non-union agent (or manager working incorrectly as an agent) earns is a dime that discourages our growing union agent pool from following the rules and supporting our union.



Encourage SAG Signatory Status



You have the power to nudge employers toward becoming signatory to our contracts. When we had a physical office, there were seven local signatories. Today we have none. True, in many cases those companies used primarily out-of-town talent, but then so do films, industrials and commercials coming to town. The opportunity for locals can only grow if we are ready and willing to work, and if the work opportunities are there in the first place. A first step is to increase the amount of union work on the plate.



Be Prepared and Professional on the Set



Do the job you are hired to do and do it to the best of your professional training, ability and desire.



Encourage Others to Join the Nevada Branch



The reality is that there is strength, financing and political voice in numbers. Qualified professional talent, particularly those in the younger age groups and needed ethnic representation, must be encouraged to join our Branch as union actors. If they do not, the non-union talent pool will remain strong enough to discourage the use of union actors. As always, the members of other branches who live in Nevada need to be encouraged to join the Branch. Whether their manager or agent handles money in another city, or they still identify with where they used to live, we need their support and membership to strengthen the state in which they live! It is that simple…we need them.



Become Active in a Committee



As members, you can take the lead on all of these actions and more, in the name of strengthening our union, thanking our union for what it has done, giving back to our union and in the drive for more union work in Nevada. Individual actions are strong and require no cooperation. Groups and active committees can combine talents and drive into a sum greater than the individual parts. I encourage such a committee to be considered by the membership, and come from the membership level up.



I am looking forward to seeing you at our March 27 membership meeting.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Nevada SAG Membership Meeting to honor Steve Dressler and Branch's 35th Birthday



The Nevada SAG Branch Spring Membership meeting 

will be held at Teamsters Hall Local 631 on 

Sunday, March 27. Only dues current members 

of the Nevada Branch may attend. 



We will celebrate the branch's official 35th birthday, 

and honor long time Branch President Steve Dressler.