Poll your average Equity Actor or Stage Manager on how their union runs its business and those that have an opinion at all will usually answer in adjectives: lousy, clueless, out-of-touch, and other such. Is your elected leadership really so incompetent?
It seems that the only time most members even think about what Equity's Council does is when they run up against some ruling or policy that seems to impede their progress. And the story that they hear is usually from the producer side. They don't know what went into a decision we made from our end. I will not venture to say that everything we do in Council is perfectly realized. We get a lot of things right, but we have some notable misfires over the years. But most members have no idea what goes on in the Council room.
Of course member apathy is a factor, but who can blame rank and file members for not feeling more connected to their union's leadership? This divide between the membership and Council is a recurring topic with us. We are often stymied as to what to do, though.
We need your help. Consider the daunting responsibility that you have entrusted us with. We are responsible for managing millions of dollars of your money. We make policies that directly affect you and your way of doing business. We negotiate the contracts that set the conditions under which you work and the minimum salaries. You should take an interest. After all, you're the boss. Officers and Council serve at your pleasure.
Do you know that any AEA member, in good standing and without interest conflicts (i.e. you're not also a producer) can come and observe Council meetings and Board meetings? (Each member of Council automatically serves not only nationally, but also as a member of his or her regional board) We have a meeting of each of these bodies at least once a month. All you have to do is call your regional office in advance of the meeting and show up.
We always notice when The Boss is in the room. I encourage you to become more involved. Any member can run for Council. Of course, Council service is not for everyone. It takes up quite a bit of time, for which one is not paid. Aside from Council service, we have dozens of committees affecting Equity's dealings on policy on many issues. I invite you to join one or more. If you have an Equity-related issue, there is probably a committee which deals with that issue. You do not need any special knowledge to join a committee - just a willingness to show up. The time commitment is not overly burdensome and work always takes precedence over committee work. It is usually satisfying. Sometimes it is even fun.
If committee work is not for you, please attend the membership meetings in your region, if you can. Membership meeting are exactly that - meetings for and about the Members. Council members are not even allowed to speak during the member discussion period of these meetings - we have to listen.
Stay informed. Read Equity News. You can get it in the mail or online. Register for the Member Portal of the AEA website so that Equity can stay in contact with you. Write letters to Council. According to our by-laws, all member letters must be read out loud to us.
Learn our names. And when you see us at an audition or at rehearsal, tell us what you think, Boss.
