North and West Yorks Variety Branch

Equity has a vital network of branches throughout the UK which give members a voice in the union and much more. Branches hold regular meetings in their local area and all members and student members are invited to attend these to share views and experiences, discuss issues that are of importance to them and put proposals to Equity's ruling body - the Equity Council. Branches also organise a programme of social events and raise money for local charities.

If you are an Equity member or student member based in the area you are able to join the branch (no charge) so please get in touch with the Branch Secretary. If you are a member or student member visiting the area you are very welcome to drop into the next branch meeting and get to know some of your fellow members.

Come to Our Variety Show

Equity North and West Yorkshire Variety Branch is organising a Variety Show on Wednesday 11 July. Featuring Dene Michael from  Black Lace, Swing Singer Gary Grace, Comedian Mike Kelly and Female Vocalist Kim Le Mar, the show will be commèred by singer June Martell. The show takes place at Manningham Ward Labour Club in Bullroyd Lane, Bradford and tickets are £5. 

If you can help to publicise the show, an A5 poster can be downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/equitynwyva5 and an A4 poster can downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/equitynwyva4

Final Agenda for the 2012 Equity Annual Representative Conference now available

The Agenda for the 2012 Equity Annual Representative Conference is now available at:

 https://www.equity.org.uk/documents/arc-2012-final-agenda/

Note: you will need to log in to the Members Area of the Equity web site with your membership number and your password to download this document.

Revised Proposals for Equity Reorganisation

Equity's National Council agreed to further consultation on a revised set of proposals for Reorganisation at its meeting in March. To see the full News item dated 22 March 2012, click here:

http://www.equity.org.uk/news-and-events/equity-news/equity-council-looks-at-democratic-overhaul/

The revised reorganisation proposals can be downloaded here (note: you will need to log in to the Members Area of the Equity web site with your membership number and your password to download this document):

https://www.equity.org.uk/documents/fswp-second-report-to-council/

To submit  your comment on the revised proposals e-mail:         fswpconsultation@equity.org.uk

BRANCH SECRETARY’S REPORT

EQUITY NORTH & WEST YORKSHIRE VARIETY  BRANCH

Valerie Jean Mann         TEL:  0113 285 3848        e.mail  val@mrstipsy.co.uk 

VARIETY BRANCH  MEETING  date: Wednesday 15th February 2012

IN REPLY TO :

THE FINANCIAL STABILITY WORKING PARTY  ( FSWP )

Equity is a Member led Union and the remit to reorganise the Union's structure was never given by its members. The FSWP was  formed about nine months ago, just after last years A.R.C. at which representatives voted overwhelmingly to reject the amalgamation of the General and Variety Branches. We, the Variety Branch Members have only been given a very short time to respond before the whole reorganisation is approved and implemented. Surely this is not acceptable. After reading the report it seems to our members that the FSWP wants to reduce the amount of money spent on the Variety side of the Union by cutting down on the different committees that are needed for Variety Members to have their say, and to be heard. This will certainly diminish the working powers that both the Variety Branches and all the Councillors need to fully represent the needs of the Variety Members.

We the Variety Members are approximately one quarter of Equity's Membership and therefore should be represented accordingly. The Variety side of the Union does not cost anything like one quarter of the running cost of the whole of the Union so we are sure cuts can be made in other areas. Everyone knows that times are hard and belts have to be pulled in  but not to the extent of the Variety Members losing their Voice. So therefore due to the lack of time given and the lack of consultation, the North & West Yorkshire Variety Branch believes that the status quo should remain until all possible financial savings are explored.


If you would like to read the report go to:    www.equity.org.uk/documents/fswp-report

And to leave your comment please e-mail:         fswpconsultation@equity.org.uk

Branch Motion to 2012 Annual Representative Conference

Equity North and West Yorkshire Variety Branch agreed to submit a motion to the 2012 ARC at its February meeting. The issue of how new media platforms such as live relays would affect Equity members was originally raised by Branch Committee member Bob Charles and Kim Le Mar seconded the motion. The text of the resolution is as follows:

"This ARC calls on Council to explore the potential dangers and benefits to Equity members, especially those working in Variety, afforded to us by new media platforms and especially live relays."

We feel with this being an important issue to all Equity Members an early inclusion would be appreciated.

This motion co-incides with an article in the Stage Feb 16th 2012 that the Royal Shakespeare Company will broadcast “as live“ this summer into as many as 3,000 Secondary Schools using broadband technology. The members at this Branch need to know how this will affect Variety Artistes if this presents itself in our venues.

Jackie Provis Remembered

Equity North and West Yorkshire Variety Branch has created a web page in memory of Jackie Provis. Jackie, who was Honorary Secretary of Equity North and West Yorkshire Variety Branch for 19 years, died on Saturday 21 May.

The page in Jackie's memory is at:

http://www.equity.org.uk/branches/north-and-west-yorks-variety-branch/jackie-provis-remembered

New Venue and Day for Meetings

From December onwards, Branch Meetings will take place at Low Moor Club, 161 Huddersfield Road, Low Moor, Bradford, BD12 0TQ. Buses 363, 625, 627.

There will be no meeting in January, but from February onwards the Branch will return to meeting once a month and the regular meeting day will be the third Wednesday of every month.

Branch Committee meetings start at 7.30pm and the Branch Meeting starts at 8pm. The Open Mic night will start at the conclusion of the meeting at approximately 9pm. 

February Branch Newsletter

To read the February 2012 Newsletter   click here

To download the February Newsletter as a PDF document   click here

For Links to 2011 Newsletters   click here

To download Large Print Versions of Branch Newsletters as PDF documents, click on the links below:

February 2012 November 2011 September 2011

The next Branch Newsletter will be published in early June 2012. Contributions from members welcome. Contact: petekeal@bigfoot.com

Web page updated 14 May 2012