Greetings Fellow ACTRA Manitoba Members

I write this as I think about the notion of “change”.   It means to transform.  To alter.  To become different.

The idea of change is one that is often met with an uncanny mix of excitement and anticipation, but also some trepidation as what we once knew becomes less familiar than it once was.

The past months have certainly been ones of change at ACTRA Manitoba, and I find myself writing this with eagerness and anticipation for what is in store for our membership, but also with a bittersweet sentiment as we say farewell to some long-serving members of our Council. 

This message is more of a thank you than anything, and a “trailer” of sorts for the years to come.  It is an introduction to who we are and how ACTRA MB is here for you every step of the way.

The End of an Era

Alan Wong, a trailblazer, the calm voice in the storm, and one of the truest leaders I have personally ever met, passed the torch.  Accepting that torch is something I don’t take lightly, and that I am honoured to do.  I am grateful to follow in Alan’s footsteps and to continue growing and leading ACTRA Manitoba as its President and National Councillor.  Alan’s shoes are big ones to fill, but I intend to do so with every ounce of grace, diplomacy and integrity that Alan has bestowed upon our membership over the years.  With the greatest of respect, thank you Alan for your leadership, guidance, and service to our community.

We are also saying farewell to a number of Councillors who have been the backbone of ACTRA Manitoba for years, each of whom has fundamentally defined the face of the work that we do.  Each of whom deserve recognition and applause.

Paul Essiembre, our fearless advocate and IPA Bargaining Team representative, faced weeks – months – of grueling online and in-person training, meetings, and negotiations.  He took on this task with enthusiasm and fierce commitment to our members.  He also was a strong proponent for much needed member engagement, and single-handedly, broke barriers to communication and bringing our members together to make sure they were informed about the unfolding negotiations

Our celebrations, our gatherings, our members coming together to honour the work that we do, have grown and evolved to Nationally recognized proportions, thanks to Shannon Guile.  Shannon single-handedly gave everything in herself to grow our Gala events and coordinate our MIPs so that they are opportunities that our members are excited and proud to attend.  She was the driving force behind seeking more inclusivity in awards categories, which set the precedent for other ACTRA Galas across the country.  Shannon’s heart and passion for our Union is inescapable, and we have been so fortunate to have her wisdom, skill, and sheer dedication shape ACTRA Manitoba for so many years.

Krystle Snow, Lorraine James, Diane Isfield and Turk Scatliff have also been driving forces that keep our membership strong and our union going.  Whether it be keeping meeting minutes and driving our communications and social media presence to unprecedented levels (Krystle), fearlessly advocating for DEIB and Indigenous members (Lorraine and Diane), or navigating the complexity of our finances and making them easy-to-understand (Turk), your contributions have made all the difference in the world.  Your work is important, it is seen, and it matters.

Alan, Paul, Shannon, Krystle, Lorraine, Diane and Turk – thank you for everything.  I truly wish you the very best in your next chapter and hope you know you are always a part of ACTRA Manitoba and always will be welcomed with open arms.

A New Chapter

It has been my honour to serve this community for the past 6 years, and as Secretary (2 years), Vice President (4 years), and Chair of the Training Committee and the Women’s Committees. 

In Manitoba we have something special, something you don’t find in other film centres.  In addition to a brilliantly talented group of artists and storytellers, what we have is a family.  We support each other, we build each other up, and we cheer each other on.  That is rare.  We are lucky to be here, in Manitoba.

In my time with ACTRA Manitoba, I am proud to have been able to help grow and bring recognition to our membership, whether it be in founding our Age Inclusion Committee, having our artists highlighted in the ACTRA National Magazine, or more recently, expanding our training through bringing new and fresh programming, ranging from voiceover workshops, to accent workshops, and the inauguration of our Mentorship Program, which is now in its third year.

I was overwhelmed this year when the ACTRA National Women’s Committee heard our voices and embraced our advocacy, in voting unanimously to honour our community and have one of our members celebrated with the National Woman of the Year Award – The Visionary Award.  This honour recognized the profound and evolutionary presence one of our members has had in the changing National landscape.  We brought it home, folks – to little Manitoba.

There is still much work to be done, however.  Manitoba has a fierce and powerful presence at the National table, one that needs to continue growing and continue being heard.

Having attended several National Meetings over the years, I am acutely aware that as a union, our solidarity doesn’t end at Provincial borders.  Our membership is nationwide and our voice in bargaining with producers, fighting lockouts, working with ACTRA PRS-RACS, advocating for the Canadian Screen Awards to be reserved exclusively for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and collectively speaking in unison for the sustainability of the livelihoods of members nation-wide, is a voice that matters.  This work is not for the faint of heart, but it is work to be proud to do.  Manitoba Matters – and I am honoured to be your voice in these discussions.

In the midst of this dialogue, there is a continued need for other dialogue to be at the forefront at the National level.  The voices of Indigenous, BIPOC, 55+, LGBTQIA2s+ members and members living with disabilities need a stronger presence at the National table.  We cannot understate the dedication of National Council in advocating tirelessly to bring about change for members nation-wide, and there is strong recognition that now is the critical time to ensure that all voices become and remain a part of this very important dialogue.  All matters and all voices are of profound importance, and I intend to advocate collectively to ensure that these voices remain a priority.

Locally, we have eleven committees:

1. Training Committee
2. Women’s Committee
3. Indigenous Committee
4. DEIB Committee
5. Age Inclusion (55+) Committee
6. Social Committee
7. Member Communications Committee
8. Labour and Political Action Committee
9. Young Emerging Actors Assembly (YEAA)
10. Disciplinary Committee
11. Governance Committee

I am excited to work with all of our committees to see them grow, evolve and have a presence within our membership.  I want to see more inclusivity and bring more messaging that there are no barriers in the work that we do and that participation is open to all.  I encourage you to contact myself or our Branch Representative, Rea Kavanagh, to learn more about how you can be a part of our initiatives and committees.

There is so much work to be done, but I have absolute faith in our new Council to serve you all with integrity and candid humanity.

Marsha Knight, having seen you speak at National Council and your fierce advocacy at the local level for Indigenous members, I have witnessed the strength in your words and in your commitment to our Union as a whole.  You will be a tremendous Vice President and I can’t express how much I look forward to working with you and seeing your voice move mountains.

Rob Macklin, welcome back!  As a living, breathing encyclopedia of ACTRA knowledge, wisdom, and experience, as well as being an institution in our Union, we are lucky to have you on the executive as our Treasurer and as a strong voice on all matters to be discussed.  Rob is an enigma and a friend to us all.  I am thrilled that you will be a part of Council!

Nazariy Demkowicz, our new Secretary.  Naz has been a part of our community for years, and has done so much to bring our younger members to the forefront.  He has been a dedicated Councillor and he is so deserving of now stepping into an executive position on Council.  Your diligence and genuine love for what we do will bring grace and even more integrity to our work.

And now, welcome to our new Council members, our Members at Large: Gabriel Daniels, Suzanne Pringle, Sydney Sabiston, Cherrel Bergen, Jim Dao, and Andrea del Campo.  For any of you who know these amazing members, you can surely identify how each and every one of them represents us all as a whole.  They are strong advocates, fiercely committed, and genuine human beings.  We are all so lucky that they have jumped into this feet first, without looking back.  Our community can only expect to see incredible things from these incredible leaders.

I would be remiss to not emphasize the importance of our massively dedicated and incredible staff. 

ACTRA Manitoba’s Branch Representative, Rea Kavanagh, our Business Representatives, Shauntana Holmes and Ellie Macpherson, and our Membership and Administrative Assistant, Julie Penner, are the true heroes in this Branch.

As Alan Wong alluded to in his final remarks at the AGM, these individuals manage the business of ACTRA Manitoba, they take your calls, they go to set for you, they negotiate for you, they deal with membership concerns, they send out everything that comes to your inboxes.  The list goes on.

ACTRA Manitoba Staff are dedicated to you, the membership.  Their work is hard, there are late nights, there are difficult phone calls, there are endless task lists.  The work they do is the backbone that drives our Branch.  They deserve the utmost respect, and anything less than that will not be tolerated by Council.  Please be kind. 

The Road Ahead – Carry On… (some of you may get this reference from a Canadian-filmed TV Series)

There is much work to be done – as is always the case. 

I intend to provide regular updates about what is happening at National through these messages, so stay tuned!  I will also keep you apprised of everything that is happening at the local level and how you can get involved.

And finally, ask your Council questions.  We are ACTRA members, just like you.  We are here so you don’t have to feel in the dark about anything.  So you know who to reach out to when you are navigating your professional careers.

Whether it be about what is happening on the National scale, or what is happening here at home, or if you have ideas, or initiatives, or matters you want raised, ask any of us.  Your Council and Branch Staff are here for you.

I love and cherish this community.  I have faith in our strength as a union.  It is my honour to bring everything in me to lead our community into this next chapter.  I am excited for what is to come.

Kalyn Bomback
President and National Councillor
ACTRA Manitoba