The Convention: its purpose and how it works.
Click here for the official SAG-AFTRA Convention Delegate Guide from 2019 (17 pages)
SAG-AFTRA holds local and national elections every two years, where all leadership positions are up for election, with the exception of some 4-year term national board seats. This includes Convention Delegates who serve a 2 year term.
One month after the elections are over, the convention delegates from all 25 Locals are invited to gather in Los Angeles for a Convention. The number of delegates from each Local is based on their member population.
PURPOSE:
At Convention, the gathered delegates vote for the Executive Vice President and 7 National Vice Presidents, and have the unique opportunity to write, submit, and vote on resolutions for the body’s consideration. Resolutions can be any proposed actions or statements for the union to take or make. Passed resolutions are not binding upon the union, but become recommendations to the National Board. The National Board may decide whether to enact any or all of them.
Resolutions can be submitted for Pre-Review by union legal staff for help with the proper formatting of the resolution and a staff opinion on its viability. The President also selects members for a Constitutional Amendments and Resolutions Committee (CARC) which reviews every resolution and makes a recommendation to the body to vote for or against it.
By bringing all our national leadership together in one place, Convention also presents an opportunity for those present to meet and discuss issues, and attend workshops and staff presentations on industry and union topics.