MESSAGE
FROM
THE
CHAIR
Peering down nervously through the grid of the
catwalk beneath my feet, I silently wondered,
“how did I get here? … take a deep breath... this is
awesome!”
Since becoming Chair of Actsafe in 2018, I’ve had
many such opportunities to learn first hand a little
more about what you - the workers and employers in
the performing arts, live events, and motion picture
and television industries – do in your workplaces. I
am struck by the skill and passion you bring to your
work, and the compassion you have for one another
– whether as performers, directors, producers,
supervisors or technicians. I am pleased to be here at
Actsafe, and to have a small part to play in helping
to ensure your ongoing health, safety and success.
Celebrating our twentieth year in 2018, we reflected
back on Actsafe’s history. Created in 1998, by
a small group of people with a vision to provide
members with resources and leadership in safety,
Actsafe is proud to be one of the first health and
safety associations in BC. Twenty years on, through
the work of Actsafe’s dedicated staff, and volunteer
Standing Committees and Board of Directors, the
commitment to our members is as strong as ever.
This year Actsafe began implementing its 5-year
strategic plan. As an important part of that, we
identified and targeted the most critical health and
safety needs in your workplaces in order to develop
resources to help you meet those needs.
Recognizing that our resources should be as
engaging as possible, as befits the entertainment
industry, Actsafe continued to innovate. For
example, we redesigned our website to improve user
experience with our online resources. We enhanced
our STAR system to help employers and workers
better connect with one another. Plus, we saw the
talented staff at Actsafe don their writer, director
and performer hats to create a fun and interactive
3
approach to orientations. Be sure to check out the
new online Motion Picture Safety 101 - General
Safety Awareness Course here.
While 2018 was a celebratory year for Actsafe, it
was also one of great transition. This message would
not be complete without acknowledging some of
the many people who contributed to making the
year a success while facing much change.
The outgoing Chair, Jeff Christian, and former
Executive Director, Geoff Teoli, made significant
contributions to Actsafe over the past five years
in their respective leadership roles. Don Parman
stepped in as Interim Executive Director, and
together with the Actsafe team, ensured a
seamless transition into 2019. The members of the
Standing Committees, and the Board of Directors,
tirelessly volunteered to attend regular meetings
and participate on committees. Our WorkSafeBC
representatives were, as always, very collegial and
helpful. A special thanks to my fellow members
of the search committee, who enthusiastically
devoted their time to successfully recruiting our
new Executive Director - Manu Nellutla.
Finally, thanks to you, the members of Actsafe,
for your ongoing support. I hope you share in our
anticipation of Actsafe’s exciting next chapter
as, under new leadership, we continue to roll out
new and innovative services and resources to help
ensure everyone’s health and safety in our industry.
Nancy Harwood
Chair