Our Union is made up of active members who want to make it stronger, and the more people who contribute and volunteer, the more powerful we grow! Volunteering strengthens your ties not just to our animation community, but also to our union kin and to our larger community as a whole. We recognize that not everyone can devote hours to Guild activities, or volunteer on a regular basis, but there are plenty of ways to volunteer that can meet you at your commitment level, whether it’s once a week or once a year.
Following are a few ongoing volunteer opportunities. To be contacted about additional opportunities as they arise, please fill out our volunteer interest form.
For TAG Members Only
Become a Shop Steward
A Shop Steward is a TAG member and employee of a studio who helps to represent and defend the interests of their fellow TAG employees at that studio. They answer questions from new TAG members regarding their specific studios’ policies and report new developments or issues to Union leadership. (A list of current Shop Stewards can be found on the bottom right of our About Us page.)
Contact TAG’s Field Representatives at fieldrep@tag839.org to become a Shop Steward.
Join a TAG Committee or Group
Committees and groups are an excellent way to get involved and meet fellow members. Volunteer-run committees are focused on particular areas within the union, ranging from specific crafts to industry issues. Groups are less formal than committees, but they are similar in that they are made up of volunteer members working together for a common goal.
Check out our list of groups and committees to see what might be a good fit for you.
Educate others about TAG
The Animation Guild frequently receives requests for members to speak with students about the Union, the industry, and animation jobs. Exposure is one the best ways to help diversify our industry. If you are interested in helping with this kind of educational outreach, fill out the volunteer interest form to be contacted about speaking opportunities.
Mentoring, creating graphics, and community projects
From mentoring fellow TAG members to creating artwork for TAG’s social media to helping clean up local parks, TAG seeks help from members for a variety of Union projects and outside charitable activities. If you would like to be notified when these opportunities arise, please fill out our volunteer interest form.
Blood Drives
Statistics show that about 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, but only about 3% donate. The American Red Cross must collect enough blood every day to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease. In partnership with The American Red Cross, TAG holds two to three blood drives a year at the Guild offices. Dates are announced via email and This Week at TAG. Signing up can help save lives.
Toy Drives
During the holiday season, TAG partners with outside organizations to host a toy drive. Announcements are made through member emails and This Week at TAG. By giving a toy you join a TAG tradition of providing cheer for kids and families in need.
Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF)
MPTF supports working and retired members of the entertainment community with a safety net of health and social services, including temporary financial assistance, case management, and residential living. TAG regularly works with MPTF on activities like drawing illustrations for seniors’ projects and drawing holiday cards for seniors. TAG also co-sponsors and promotes their annual Day at the Ranch event.
For TAG Members & the Public
Help Unionize a Studio
Unions promote economic equality and build worker power. The Animation Guild’s goals are to raise the standard for all animation workers in the U.S. by helping increase wages, improving healthcare and retirement benefits, and implementing workplace protections. It only takes one person to start unionizing a studio. So help spread the word about union benefits to non-unionized workers and ask them to reach out to our organizers to start a conversation!
Strike Support
Strikes embody the power of collective action and worker power, but strikes come at a cost. When strikes happen, members on the picket line need additional support. From donating to local community funds, joining a strike line, or even dropping off water or food supplies to picketers, every little bit helps.
Labor Community Services
Labor Community Services is part of the AFL-CIO. They run a food pantry out of the LA Fed. Your donations can help support families in need all year around. In addition, they sometimes request volunteers to help distribute food. Calls for volunteers are announced in This Week at TAG.
The Necessities of Life Program
APLA’s Health Vance North The Necessities of Life Program (NOLP) is always seeking volunteers. Whether it’s in-person volunteering at their Food Distribution Warehouse (North Hollywood) or donating to their employee-driven personal hygiene products drives for items such as toothbrushes, shampoo, and deodorant, these opportunities are available throughout the year.