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NEW MEDIA WORK GROUP
AFTRA Names New Media Work Group to Ensure Union Standards for Jobs in New Media Platforms
AFTRA has named a team of senior AFTRA executives to serve on the union's New Media Work Group, established to ensure that employment opportunities in new media platforms provide union wages, benefits, working conditions, and protections for professional performers. Click here to read the press release>>

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AFTRA FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
New Planned Giving Program Provides More Ways to Support the AFTRA Foundation
The AFTRA Foundation—which supports special programs and initiatives benefiting the professions of actors, broadcasters, and recording artists and the industries in which these professionals work—is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year with the introduction of a new planned giving program, which allows AFTRA members to support the Foundation while also furthering your own tax, financial, and estate planning goals. Contributions can be in any amount you choose, in cash or a variety of other assets, immediate or deferred, during your lifetime or posthumously, through trusts, annuities, wills, or pooled funds. Find out more about the AFTRA Foundation and Planned Giving here>>

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DIVERSITY IN ACTION
AFTRA Celebrates the “American Scene” Call for Entries for Productions that Depict True Diversity
AFTRA has issued a Call for Entries for its biennial American Scene Awards®, a national competition that recognizes excellence in the employment and portrayal of women, ethnic minorities, seniors and people with disabilities in a positive, balanced, and realistic manner. Celebrating its 14th year, the awards, presented by AFTRA’s National Equal Employment Opportunities Committee, will take place at the union’s National Convention in Philadelphia, July 19-22, 2007. Click here to read the press release>>

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month—May 2007
In recognition of our many Asian Pacific American members, AFTRA celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Our Asian Pacific American Media Task Force’s mission is to enlighten the entertainment and news industries, as well as the general public, as to the exclusion, under-representation, and inaccurate portrayals of Asian Pacific Americans, and to produce meaningful initiatives to ensure equal rights and access for Asian Pacific Americans in the entertainment and news media. Click here to read the full story>>

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NATIONAL BOARD REPORT
AFTRA National Board Extends Network Television Code to January 31
A short term extension to the expiration of the AFTRA Network Television Code—which covers all television programming except network dramatic primetime programming—from November 15, 2007, to January 31, 2008, was approved April 28 by the National Board of AFTRA at its meeting by videoconference between New York and Los Angeles. Click here to read the press release>>

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SOUND RECORDING NOTES
AFTRA Applauds Decision Upholding Royalty Rates for Recording Artists
AFTRA members praise the decision by the Copyright Royalty Board denying webcasters' request for a rehearing on the ruling that set payments to artists for use of sound recordings on the Internet. Click here to read the press release>>

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AFTRA IN ACTION
AFTRA Members Help Stamp Out Hunger™
Join with AFTRA members and millions of Americans on May 12 in the fight to end hunger. The AFL-CIO, the United States Postal Service, and Campbell Soup Company are partnering to once again sponsor Stamp Out Hunger, the nation’s largest single-day food drive. The event, created by the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO in conjunction with America’s Second Harvest delivered over 70 million pounds of food in 2006. Click here for more information>>

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AFTRA H&R UPDATE
Look for Your AFTRA H&R Premium Notice
Have you received your AFTRA Health Plan Premium invoice? Remember, premiums for the July 1, 2007, quarter are due no later than June 15. If you have not received your premium invoice by now, call the AFTRA Health Fund immediately at 1.800.562.4690. The AFTRA Health Fund has a very strict deadline for receipt of premiums—so make sure that your premium invoice and payment are sent to the AFTRA Health Fund in a timely fashion. For more information, click here to visit the AFTRA H&R website>>

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LOCAL BRIEFS
Chicago
Chicago's AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players present "Broadway's My Beat" and "The Odyssey of Runyon Jones"
Wednesday, May 9, the AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players will present "Broadway's My Beat" and "The Odyssey of Runyon Jones." Everyone is invited to join the fun and enjoy classic radio scripts performed by voice actors and sound effects artists employing as many manual devices as possible. The Radio Players stay faithful to the original model by having to get it right the first time—no retakes permitted.

7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Claudia Cassidy Theatre at the Chicago Cultural Center
77 W. Randolph (at Michigan Avenue)

Admission is free, however seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Join the KMRC Committee, Next Meeting is May 17
Would you like to be a part of the ongoing effort to plan and support the KMRC? The KMRC Committee’s focus is to fund the Center and to update the KMRC with the latest technology, programs, and training to assist members.

Put your ideas and energy to work. Join the Kaufherr Members Resource Center Committee. Current committee work is primarily in two areas: Operations and Fundraising. Operations include day to day planning, the scheduling of activities, and teaching of classes. The target of Fundraising is financial donations.

There is always much work to do. We need more volunteers in both areas. Think about how you can help. Attend the next KMRC committee meeting at Noon, Thursday May 17 in the KMRC, One East Erie, Suite 660. Lunch will be served so please RSVP, 312.573.8081, but it’s OK to just show up!

Casting ACCESS Welcomes TPR Casting (Tenner-Paskal-Rudnicke)
Our guest for the May Casting Access event is TPR.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 5:00 p.m. May 15

EVENT: Tuesday May 22, KMRC, One East Erie, Suite 660

You must be an AFTRA or SAG member in good standing with the Chicago office to be eligible to participate. Complete program details-including how to submit-are posted at kmrcchicago and AFTRA Chicago's page . We will not contact you via an agent or manager. PLEASE, include a legible personal contact phone number.

Members may submit only one headshot/resume (or voice demo) per agent annually. Materials may be mailed or hand-delivered to: AFTRA/SAG Chicago, One East Erie, Suite 650, Chicago IL 60611. Please place your materials in a standard-sized envelope and print only the following information very clearly on the outside front:

· Your name - as it is listed with the union(s)

· Your AFTRA and/or SAG member number(s)

· The name of the casting director

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Cleveland
FITZ AWARD Presented
Congratulations to former Cleveland Local Executive Director Ken Bichl! At the recent annual membership meeting held on March 26th at the Cleveland Play House Club, the Cleveland Local presented the FITZ AWARD to Ken, recognizing his outstanding dedication, service and loyalty to the union. Click here to read the story>>

AFTRA Cleveland Goes Bowling—May 17
Finally—a get together with nothing but fun on the menu! Keep Thursday, May 17, open 'cause AFTRA Cleveland is going bowling! The Conservatory is sponsoring an end-of-the-year bowling party for all Cleveland AFTRAns! Click for details and to RSVP>>

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Dallas/Fort Worth
New ProACT Workshop—June 11
Mark your calendars for Monday, June 11, when busy Texas casting director, Toni Cobb Brock, will be our special workshop guest. Click here for details>>

Third Thursdays ProACT Mixer—May17
"The "ORGANIZER" (our specialty drink) has become a sensation! TxMPA applications will be available! Click here for details>>

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Houston
Back in the Game Day—May 12
Have you let yourself go professionally? Are your pictures up to date? How about your resume? Are you up to date on all the latest technology being used for casting? Do you have audio and video demo reels? If you answered NO to any of these questions, join us for the BACK IN THE GAME DAY workshop. Click here for details>>

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Los Angeles
Improv Class Begins—June 20
AFTRA Los Angeles is pleased to welcome back Joe Reich, graduate of Carnegie Mellon, long-time teacher and lecturer, to lead another session of his very popular Improv class over eight Wednesday evenings beginning June 20 through August 8. Class size is limited, and the instructor will select participants. Click here for details including information on how to submit>>

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Upcoming Conservatory Events
Saturday, May 26, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.—The Conservatory presents "Independent Filmmaking—An Actor's Perspective"—your chance to learn about what goes on behind the camera at the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking, including a tour of the facility. RSVP required

Saturday, June 2, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.—The Conservatory presents a Young Performer Program. This event is intended for young performers and their parents/guardians. A distinguished panel will include an agent, casting director, studio teacher and a representative of the AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit Union to discuss Coogan accounts. RSVP required

Save the date: The Conservatory presents a voiceover workshop on Saturday, June 30.

Email to the membership is forthcoming on all events. Click here for current details on all three events>>

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PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
Protect yourself from the growing problem of identity theft. Avoid using your Social Security number on any public document. Use your AFTRA Performer ID Number (that's the number on your AFTRA Membership Card, not the number on your AFTRA Health & Retirement Card) whenever you fill out audition sign-in sheets, member reports, or send correspondence to the union. Do not put your Social Security number on resumes or headshots. If you can't find your AFTRA Membership Card, call your AFTRA Local.

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UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
Please remember to keep your contact information-including email-current with your AFTRA Local and AFTRA H&R. You can update your information by requesting a multi-use change of address form from your Local office. You can also update your information online at www.aftra.com, click on the "Members Only" button, fill out your information, and check a box to automatically forward your address change to AFTRA H&R!

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CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY WITH UNION PLUS FLOWER SERVICE
Show Mom how much you love her with fabulous flowers this Mother’s Day. Save 20% on beautiful flower arrangements, plants, and other gift ideas with the Union Plus Flower Service>>

Discover more Mother’s Day gift ideas here>>

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