The Performers Association

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="15ffd5a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Johnny Pace</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Johnny Pace"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Me"><U>About Me</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shows"><U>Shows</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corporate"><U>Corporate</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acting"><U>Acting</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Credits"><U>Credits</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Testimonials"><U>Testimonials</U></A>   |   <B>The Performers Association</B>   |   <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="160d2043.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Proposal"><U>Proposal</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aims Objectives"><U>Aims & Objectives</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inaugural Minutes"><U>Inaugural Minutes</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Constitution"><U>Constitution</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>The Performers Association</I></div> <div> <B>Pace Dynamics Pty Ltd</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ACV 067 812 024</div> <bR> <div> P.O. Box 854                              Phone:   (61 2)  9542 4876</div> <div> Sutherland                                  Fax:        (61 2)  9545 0925</div> <div> NSW 1499                                 Mob:       0414 894 876</div> <bR> <div> email:  jpace@fl.net.au                              Web:  www.johnny-pace.com</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> 26 November 2003</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Dear colleague,</div> <bR> <div> I urge you to read the enclosed document carefully and consider it objectively and seriously, putting any personal feelings aside. Believe me when I say I would not have put so much time, effort and money into this proposal if I did not sincerely believe it to be vitally important.</div> <bR> <div> The current conflict between ClubsNSW and the Government, in which some of us have been heavily engaged in support of the clubs, is underlining the fact that entertainment is, or should be, an important and integral part of club life and the efforts we have been making has been noted and appreciated.  Already there has been some talk of how we can increase entertainment in the clubs.</div> <bR> <div> To achieve this we need a properly constituted forum in the form of a Joint Industry Council to discuss the ways and means and to arbitrate areas of discontent and contention but this cannot be securely achieved if we, as entertainers, do not have an organisation to represent.  Our representatives would merely be individuals loosely representing their colleagues and lacking any strength that an Association would provide.</div> <bR> <div> So please give this proposal your attention and support and respond as soon as you are able so we can get moving on a brighter future for ourselves and the talented youngsters coming up behind us.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sincerely,</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Johnny Pace</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> We Are Professionals</div> <bR> <div> BACKGROUND</div> <bR> <div> If there was one thing that came out of the recent meeting with ClubsNSW at Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL it was the urgent need for all entertainers to get properly organised.</div> <bR> <div> Because we are so individualistic and fiercely independent, this is problematical; it is also very possible and absolutely necessary.</div> <bR> <div> It is this lack of an umbrella organisation that is making it difficult to engineer the proposed Joint Industry Council which, under legal advice, is currently being undertaken by the Ace Awards.  Using the Ace Awards in this way is not the ideal method but it is the only way open to us as the Ace awards are the sole viable organisation, exclusively concerned with club entertainment, to handle such a matter because we are simply not organised.</div> <bR> <div> Every profession has a professional association that marks them as professionals.  Accountants belong to either the CPA's or Chartered Accountants, Doctors to the AMA or Royal College of Surgeons, architects to the Chartered Architects, Club Managers to the CMA, agents to the Agents' Association and clubs to ClubsNSW</div> <div> etc.</div> <bR> <div> What do we belong to? The MEAA?   </div> <bR> <div> Apart from those who seek acting jobs, few entertainers belong to the MEAA because the MEAA is totally irrelevant to the entertainment profession.  We are fee earning, self-employed professionals who are sole traders, partnerships or Pty Ltd companies and have no place in a Union for <I>employed</I> actors and journalists.</div> <bR> <div> The biggest problem with such organisations is that they continually try to apply political solutions to professional problems as was evidenced by the inappropriate and unhelpful contribution they made at the recent meeting. While we were all trying to consult, learn and co-operate against a serious threat to our very livelihoods the MEAA used the opportunity in an attempt to drive a wedge between the clubs and us.  The tired old "all bosses are bastards" attitude, showing no acknowledgment of the commercial realities which most of us, as professionals, understand.</div> <bR> <div> The club industry of NSW is unique.  Up until the late 80's it was proud to be the second largest employer of entertainers in the world; second only to Las Vegas.  Our lack of organisation and unity is partly to blame for the decline of the entertainment profession but this can be addressed.   By getting organised behind a professional association and by applying the maxim that there are twelve letters in the word "Showbusiness" and eight of them are "business" and by working in concert and consultation with other organisations within the industry, I am confident we can regain lost ground and prepare the way for a more prosperous future.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> PROPOSAL</div> <bR> <div> To form the Professional Performers Association of Australia to act on behalf of  professional entertainers with its mission being to foster relationships with other organisations within the industry with the aim of improving all aspects of entertainment and to explore ways of increasing work opportunities.</div> <bR> <div> The Board of Management of the PPAA would be elected by the membership for three-year terms in order to provide continuity of service and policy.</div> <bR> <div> PPAA would be properly constituted with a recognised Code of Conduct and qualification for membership would be clearly indicated and strictly applied.  This is to avoid the problems of the past whereby organisations such as the Variety Artistes Golfing Society (VAGS) had as little as 25% of the membership who were entertainers; similarly with the Echidnas, which was originally intended to be an exclusive club for comedians.  Only recognised and professional performers would be admitted to membership.  Those performers who also act as agents or bookers would be Associate Members only which means they may not stand for office. Also, they may not sit on a committee or sub-committee without special approval of the membership.</div> <bR> <div> PPAA would address the problems of Workcover, Public Liability, cost of illness insurance and other insurance matters and seek discounts for members based on the principle of bulk billing.</div> <bR> <div> PPAA would offer professional and legal advice and appoint a legal firm to attend to the interests of members.</div> <bR> <div>  PPAA would offer an arbitration and dispute resolution service to members.</div> <bR> <div> PPAA would urgently address the problem of product awareness.  Agents, who work office hours all week, cannot be expected to surrender every weekend trying to sight the many shows available.  As a result, we have the only industry in Australia where the sales force have only a limited idea of what the product is beyond word of mouth reportage.  To remedy this, it is proposed to present a monthly showcase of production shows each performing a 45 minute highlight of their show or solo performers offering twenty minute spots, to which all agents, entertainment managers and house bookers would be invited.  Members would be encouraged to attend to support their peers as well as to learn from their creative efforts. </div> <bR> <div> Despite the valiant and excellent efforts of Dave Burke, Calvin Weintroub and Lindsay Fisher-King, it has been proven that the entertainment industry is too small to sustain a published magazine; meaning that we have no outlet to express our views, air our grievances or share ideas.  To alleviate that problem the PPAA will publish regular Newsletters including letters and submissions from members as well as news of the state of the industry and the Association's initiatives on behalf of the members.</div> <bR> <div> PPAA would hold regular seminars offering business and professional advice as well as General Meetings to discuss the current concerns of the membership and to examine any submissions presented by the members.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> CONCLUSION</div> <bR> <div> Such an organisation as the PPAA is essential if we are to survive and progress.</div> <bR> <div> As was stated at the recent CHP meeting, it is tragic that it took a crisis to get the industry together as a whole rather than as a series of disparate groups acting in an aura of mistrust and all trying to negotiate and overcome difficulties individually, mostly with unsatisfactory results.  Small wonder our profession is declining!   Individually we are impotent and complaints and issues aired in dressing rooms will stay there and no progress in addressing them can be made without such an organisation to consult with other associations on our behalf and try to resolve points of difference or concern in a professional manner.</div> <bR> <div> No other industry in the world operates in such an isolated and conflicted manner; to do so would be commercial suicide - as we are proving.  Pat Rogan, President of ClubsNSW,  pointed out that sensible consultation is an essential ingredient of progress.  Without such an organisation, true consultation is not possible.</div> <bR> <div> Imagine a car factory where the car body workers had no contact with the engine fitters who didn't talk to the electricians who knew nothing about the upholsterers and none of whom had any contact with the management plus a sales force that had little idea of the design, colour or performance of the vehicles produced.  Can you imagine what a poor quality car would be produced?  Can you see how fewer and fewer people would buy the product?  I submit that this analogy is fairly close to the condition of the entertainment industry as it stands today.  As the independent people that we are, we may not like the idea of being organised in such a professional manner but it is essential that we put skepticism and apathy aside and form the PPAA.</div> <bR> <div> Let us become a truly integrated industry and be proud professionals, working together with ClubsNSW, CMA, Musicians Union and the Agents Association and build an industry based on trust and mutual respect, all working together for mutual benefit and a secure and more prosperous future.</div> <bR> <div> Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this proposal.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Johnny Pace</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> EXPRESSION OF INTEREST</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> I support the formation of the Professional Performers Association. of Australia.</div> <bR> <div>  I understand that signing this form places me under no obligation whatsoever.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Name ……………………………………………………………..</div> <bR> <div> Name of act ……………………………………………….</div> <bR> <div> Postal Address …………………………………………….</div> <bR> <div>             …………………………………………….</div> <bR> <div>             ……………………………………………..</div> <bR> <div> Tel:            ……………………………….</div> <bR> <div> Mobile:       ………………………………..</div> <bR> <div> e mail:             ……………………………….</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> SIGNED          ………………………………………  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Print name          …………………………</div> <bR> <div> If a duo, multiple act or group, then please photocopy this and have each member sign.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>              Please mail to:</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>                                               Johnny Pace</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>P.O. Box 854</B></div> <div> <I>                                                Sutherland</I></div> <div> <B>                                                NSW  2232</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>