Council Connect *Special Edition*
Dues Billing November 2020
Hello!
Hello everyone, Council President Scott Bellis here.

My colleague Ryan G. Hinds is on a personal leave at the moment so I am sending this Council Connect in his stead.

Exciting news! The membership's National Annual General Meeting was held on Monday night and attended by over 150 members. For those of you who missed the event, both my Council President and Executive Director Arden R. Ryshpan's reports (video and transcription), are now available on www.caea.com. 

Council Committee video updates are also posted online and will give you insight into our work over the last year.
The financial report for fiscal year 2019-2020, delivered by Director of Finance and Administration Maz Magoris, showed Equity in a great position. But... the current financial update since April 1 was not nearly so positive. The pandemic has hit all corners of our community hard, including our Association; Equity's financial picture is not strong at present. We have done all we can to reduce expenses but we need to increase our revenue in order to continue to provide services to members at a reasonable level.

That is why Equity's Council is asking that members who are able to
pay their basic dues, please do so on November 2.
Financial support by paying basic dues (members on dues remission and Life Members excluded), will ensure that Equity is able to continue to serve members during the pandemic. Basic dues payments provides the Association with an essential base funding to keep member services going. Our plan is to emerge ready to serve the needs of working members when the pandemic ends and live performance returns to the stage.
Find information on the new green online basic dues billing process
and available preferences at www.caea.com.
If Payment of Basic Dues is Not Possible at Present

We understand that the payment of basic dues may be financially challenging for some members at this time. Requesting a temporary withdrawal from regular membership may be an option for you. If relief from payment of basic dues is helpful for you, please contact Souha Chaar, Membership Coordinator, at membership@caea.com to discuss your specific situation.

Please note: members on withdrawal may not work under contract, vote in ratifications, elections, or attend any Equity meetings.

To simplify the usual application process, members may email Equity and request temporary withdrawal from regular membership. Please include this sentence in your email "I understand and agree that while on withdrawal from regular membership I will continue to abide by the Association's Constitution and Bylaws." Use the text "COVID Withdrawal" in the subject line of your email. You will receive notification of temporary withdrawal status within one week.
If you find yourself in a position to pay your dues, then I urge you to "due it if you can,'' and know that your national Council is extremely grateful. It's important that we stay together during this challenging time so that Equity will be here for us when the COVID storm passes and skies are clear again.

Until then, stay well and be safe,
#EquityStrong