MINUTES

AFTRA PITTSBURGH MEMBERSHIP MEETING

13 March 2006

USWA Building

 

 

Treasurer Mark Roberts opened the meeting at 7:05 PM with a moment of silence.

 

MINUTES: (See separate report) Minutes from the 14 November 2005 meeting were reviewed.  It was

MOVED, SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED to accept the minutes as submitted.

 

            Secretary Barbara Boylan reported that, at the Board meeting immediately before the Membership Meeting, the Board had:

Authorized the Treasurer and Executive Director to make the necessary budget cuts to comply with National’s mandated 2.4% spending cut.

Authorized changing the tax number on the Local’s main bank accounts to National’s tax number.  However an account with the Local’s tax number will be kept for the Scholarship Fund and other local projects.

Mark Roberts is chairing the Nominating Committee with Board members Chuck Aber and Jay Silvers.

 

            Three non-Board members volunteered to serve on the Nominating Committee: Larry Meyers, Ford Shankle and Dan Maha.

 

FINANCE: Mark Roberts

            National has asked the Locals to cut budgets by 2.4%, largely because the $50/member annual charge is going away.  Starting in May, National will take over bill-paying.  National will decide how much a Local gets but the Local decides how the money is spent.

Pittsburgh is close to hitting National’s target and expects to make enough cuts to reach the designated figure.

 

MOVED, SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED to accept the financial report as submitted.

 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT: John Haer

Haer says AFTRA won an arbitration involving a KDKA-TV anchor who was discharged.  There will be a significant severance payment.

Another case in radio was settled before arbitration and the DJ involved is getting unemployment.

AFTRA can’t protect jobs in this industry, but we can bargain for better notice and severance.

Haer and Lacey are working to develop a film/media incubator for the area.  AFTRA doesn’t intend to run it, just get it started.

 

FREELANCE: Chris Lacey

Freelance efforts continue.  A mentoring program is getting off the ground and the first Hot Pizza, Cold Readings session was held.

There is a lot of organizing occurring in town, most through members.

 

The Local office will be moving to a larger space next door on the same floor.  It will keep its current suite number, phone numbers and fax numbers.

 

CONSERVATORY: Gordon Spencer

            The first Hot Pizza, Cold Readings was held.  Any members with voice-over experience are urged to share their experience with the group.  He can be reached via email: gordon.spencer@verizon.net

 

BUSINESS:

            Haer says it’s too late to plan an awards dinner for the June Annual Membership Meeting.  However there will be entertainment and it should be a fun time.  He urged any members interested in helping plan the event to contact the AFTRA office.

 

PRESENTATION:

            Member and guest speaker Rick Applegate gave a presentation on Wealth Building Strategies for Performers and took questions.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 PM.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Barbara Boylan

                                                                                    Secretary