PAL CANADA

PAL CANADA

PAL Canada® is the national umbrella organization, linking the six (at present) PAL Chapters in Halifax, Toronto, Stratford, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. Membership in PAL implies a commitment to PAL’s mandate, which is to provide assistance to older, disabled or needy members and associates of Canada’s Performing Arts Community, in the areas of health, well-being and affordable accommodation.

Each Chapter is independent and is represented on the Board of PAL Canada®. Membership in a  Chapter automatically includes membership in PAL Canada®.

At the national level, PAL Canada® promotes the goals of the whole organization by:

• providing resources and networks for communication between the Chapters:
• representing PAL members and Chapters to other national organizations and on issues of broad national concern.
• offering a national identity to the Chapters through the provision of trademarked/registered symbols and phrases.
• encouraging the maintenance of high standards for the provision of affordable housing
• for its members through award winning residences in Toronto and Vancouver.
• assisting in the development of new Chapters.
• providing access to national sources of funding which can be of benefit to the Chapters and their membership.

PAL CANADA led the way in planning and developing affordable housing for our unique community. It has, over the last twenty years,  garnered credibility and established a national reputation. It pioneered a volunteer assistance program called Supporting Cast (“PAL’s Angels” in Vancouver) which provides companionship,  personal care and health assistance to individual colleagues. Establishing a “Supporting Cast” type of organization is usually the first step in founding a PAL Chapter and exemplifies, in practical terms, the PAL motto: “Caring for our Own”..

MEMBERSHIP AND ITS BENEFITS

Membership in PAL Canada® indicates support for the philosophy underlying the PAL ideals.

There are five categories of Membership.

Individual Members are those who have a connection to the professional and performing arts community or who simply wish to support and further PAL’s aims and who pay the Membership Fee.

The benefits/privileges of  Individual Membership include:

• participation in the Annual Meeting which reviews the activities of the organization;
• the opportunity to stand for election to the Board of Directors;
• receipt of  Palingenesis, the quarterly newsletter of PAL Canada®, which carries Chapter news as well as up-dates on national issues.
• access to the PAL Canada® web site: a vehicle for Chapters and members to share information and learn from the others' experiences.

Ex-officio Members are the four founding members of PAL: The American Federation of Musicians Canada Branch, (AFofM), The Association of Canadian Radio and Television Actors (ACTRA), Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) and the Actors’ Fund of Canada. Each founding organization appoints a representative to the Board of Directors.

Life Members are members who have been recognised and so honoured by the Board

Honorary Members are those so designated by the Board in recognition of distinguished service to PAL Canada.

Corporate Members are Canadian-owned corporations approved for membership by the Board of Directors.

While membership dues for Individual Members are minimal, they represent a tangible commitment to PAL’s work at the Chapter and national levels and reflect  the Member’s desire to be part of this special group. Supporting the PAL motto, “Caring For Our Own”, provides the satisfaction in knowing colleagues are being helped in important ways.

Memberships in PAL Canada® and a Chapter are available by contacting the National Office of PAL Canada®.