The Chicago Activator - January 25, 2016

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

IN THIS ISSUE

January 25, 2016

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents

Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 5 Making More Union Work Have You Met Chris?

Making More Union Work

IL AFL-CIO's Legislative App

Monday, Feb. 22

Election Day Work Holiday Schedule

Details below.

SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 5 The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local is returning to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Join staff and members from 9 - 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5. The GCFD is at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place in Chicago. This is near Midway Airport. Free parking is available.

We never know exactly what we'll be doing, but volunteer opportunities include repacking bulk products to individual/family sizes, assembling boxes with assorted food, checking expiration dates, labeling products, sorting products, etc. Participants must be at least 14 years old. The GCFD is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people and striving to end hunger in our community. The GCFD distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year.

This event is open to everyone. Please ask family and friends to join you. To volunteer, please RSVP to Linda Swenson at linda.swenson@sagaftra.org.

Volunteers at the 2015 event.

SAG-AFTRA Conservatory Presents Making More Union Work Want to get more work in 2016? Discover the power you have to flip non-union jobs union. Learn ways to work with your agents and SAG-AFTRA staff to make more union opportunities in voiceover, commercials and corporate/educational, (formerly industrials).

Panelists include Chicago staff, agents and fellow members who have converted non-union jobs to union work.

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22 Where: KMRC, 1 E. Erie, Suite 660, Chicago Please RSVP to Kathy Byrne at kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org.

Park at 10 East Ontario. Enter on the north side of Ontario between Wabash and State, and then take a ticket. When you sign in, you may purchase a four-hour ticket for $13 cash, $14 Visa, MasterCard or American Express payment. You will need both tickets to exit the parking structure.

This meeting is only open to paid-up SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome.

SAG-AFTRA members, please bring your membership card (paid through April 30, 2016) for admittance.

Have You Met Chris?

Chris Garcia Peak is the new coordinator of the Kaufherr Members Resource Center (KMRC). In this newly created position, Chris is leading the upgrade of the center, expanding programming and development.

Chris is the former executive director of Theatre for Young Audiences USA, a national nonprofit membership organization. At TYA/USA, Chris was responsible for organizational management and served as the program director for One Theatre World national festivals. Before his work at TYA/USA, Chris was the marketing and development director at the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Illinois State University School of Fine Arts. Chris also is the producing artistic director of Cock and Bull Theatre, and volunteers on the grants review panel for the National Network of Ensemble Theatres.

"I look forward to meeting SAG-AFTRA members and seeing how the KMRC can better serve as a practical resource center and support its members," Chris said.

Contact Chris Garcia Peak at chris@kmrcchicago.org to say hello or to reserve time in the audio or video rooms.

More about the KMRC * The KMRC is free for all SAG-AFTRA and AEA members in good standing. It is located next door to the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office; * The KMRC has free Wi-Fi, computers, printing, fax, scanner, and a video and audio room; * Members may schedule a free one-on-one technical session to learn how to record audio and video self-submissions during the KMRC open hours, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Wednesday evening until 9 p.m.

Read more about the center and schedule a session at kmrcchicago.com. The newly designed website features a new resource page, donor page, online donation link and event listings.

Follow the KMRC on Facebook and Twitter.

IL AFL-CIO Introduces Legislative App The Illinois AFL-CIO has developed a Legislative Directory Application that can be downloaded to your smartphone. The directory allows you to contact Illinois legislators and members of Congress at the click of button. The app also includes addresses, district office and Springfield phone numbers, email addresses, along with Facebook and website pages for each individual legislator and statewide elected official.

To ensure you have the latest information on the Illinois congressional delegation and state legislature, the IL AFL-CIO will be continually updating the app with new information.

The cost of the app is $1.99 and can be easily downloaded from your app store for iOS or Android operating systems.

Serve the Community on Election Day. Do Good. Get Paid.

The Cook County Clerk's office is recruiting community members to serve as suburban poll workers for the March 15, 2016, presidential primary. Poll workers are an essential part of the democratic process, as they both assist voters in their community and ensure the polling place is running smoothly. Poll workers are paid $175 or $325, depending on the position they choose. Visit cookcountyclerk.com/judges to learn more and apply.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local office and the KMRC will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day. In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website: SAGAFTRA.org