2016 note from SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local Board Member "Diane Villegas"

"Educate. Engage. Empower"

By Diane Villegas / SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local Board Member

"Just over a year ago, I (finally!) earned my SAG-AFTRA card and, like many actors in New Mexico, I felt like I had achieved a special actor status or somehow had been invited to be a part of the “cool kids’” club. It was almost like I had been legitimized in pursuing my passion for acting. It was a great feeling and I am sure that most of you had a similar feeling when you became members."

"There seems to be this myth that when you become a SAG-AFTRA member, you suddenly have tons more auditions and bookings and much larger paychecks. If that happened for you, fantastic! For the majority of us, this isn’t the case. So, it really struck me that so many New Mexico actors are focused on getting their card and I wonder if they really know what it means to be a union member?"

"Honestly, I fell into this group as well, so I felt compelled to learn more. I decided to attend a local SAG-AFTRA meeting and through a series of being-at-the-right-place-at-the-right-time events, I was fortunate enough to attend the SAG-AFTRA National Convention in Los Angeles this past October. In one word, it was awesome!"

"Imagine spending three days with a few hundred people that share the same passion as you; people from all areas of the industry, some who have built lifelong careers in acting; people that are driven to make the profession better for all actors; people that are really working to make a difference in this industry. Yeah, I found my tribe — it was that amazing. Not only did I leave LA with great new friendships, a ton of information and a deep sense of pride in being a SAG-AFTRA member, I left with a deep desire to bring the passion and drive I felt at that convention back to New Mexico."

"My original intention in going to the convention was to learn more and share all my new knowledge with other New Mexico actors. Now, I think what I learned was how much I need to learn. The theme of the convention was “Educate, Engage, Empower” and it could not have been more appropriate. Not just for newbies like me, but with the merger of SAG and AFTRA and the changes associated with that, the theme applies to the veterans as well."

"Needless to say, attending the convention was a massive eye-opener and game-changer for me. My personal goal for 2016 is right in line with the convention theme. I will strive to educate myself on the issues our union is dealing with for us and share the information as widely as possible. I will become more engaged in becoming part of the movement and working toward solutions."

"Our New Mexico local has a fantastic group of people on the board and I hope to contribute to all of their efforts. But above all, I ask you to join me in my 2016 efforts to become more educated and engaged, for through these efforts, we all become more empowered. Attend a meeting, join a committee or simply share your thoughts with the board members. This union is for you and together we have the power to make the changes that really matter. - Have a great 2016!"