New and veteran Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates received valuable information about the workings of their Guild when the AD/SM/PA Council East held a Navigating the DGA orientation on September 8. Held in the seventh floor boardroom of the Guild’s New York offices, the event provided these members with an opportunity to hear informative discussions about a variety of issues that affect their categories, delivered by Council members and DGA staff.
The orientation began with an introduction and welcome from DGA Associate National Board Member Dennis W. Mazzocco.
Next, DGA Assistant Executive Director Michael Berger spoke about the operations, organization and procedures of the Guild; introduced the Field Reps and explained how they and the DGA’s Contracts Department work together protect the membership.
Then Mazzocco presented a brief tutorial on the governance of the Guild with information about its Constitution, National Board and the other Councils and Committees.
Council members Jennifer Blood, Keith Greer, Bruce Martin, Esperanza “Candy” Martinez and Eulogio Ortiz spoke about the privileges and responsibilities of DGA membership, covering information such as: how to check the signatory status of a prospective employer, why it’s important to report your work, how to become more involved with the Council, and the perks that come with a DGA card.
2014 Franklin J. Schaffner Award recipient Vince DeDario reported on the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans, explained how the Plans function and how members can employ these benefits.
Council Secretary-Treasurer Terry Benson discussed the importance of supporting the DGA PAC in its ongoing mission to fight for the rights of DGA membership through legislative efforts and revealed how the PAC has worked to maintain relationships with officials who have demonstrated their concern for issues facing the DGA membership.
In the final report, Council member Glenna Meeks discussed the many services available online via the DGA website such as how members can report dues online, what’s available on the Visual History Collection, and how to make use of the forms available in the contracts section.
The orientation ended with a Q&A session, moderated by Mazzocco, where new members could ask questions of the Council members and DGA staff, and all attendees were invited to attend the Council meeting that took place immediately afterwards.