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Fight for Your Rights to Freelance Write

This panel of independent writers and journalists dissect complicated and sensitive parts of their profession. Presented with the Freelance Solidarity Project and Canadian Freelance Guild, you’ll learn how freelance labour groups can help you navigate contract negotiations, conflicts, and advocate for yourself.
This event has passed. Replay available to registrants only.

Date

Thu., April 21, 4pm ET (1pm Pacific)

Department

Business

Speakers

Ann Friedman, Chris Randle, Don Genova, Omar Mouallem (host)

This event has passed. Get the Replay when you enroll.[/sr-button]

Behind a freelancer’s bylines is a world of tedious admin work. Taxes, contract negotiations, invoicing… re-re-invoicing … it’s natural to want to avoid these things when you’re fuelled by the adrenaline rush of crushing deadlines and pitching new projects. But these things are also vital to the longevity and sustainability of a freelance career.

Pandemic U is partnering with two North American advocacy groups to pump you up about running your business on your own terms. In this panel, freelance media mogul Ann Friedman joins labour organizers Chris Randle and Don Genova to help you navigate how to:

  • secure benefits through guilds and unions
  • understand how labour groups can help protect you in an unstable industry
  • find an accountant who understands your needs
  • negotiate contracts
  • Improve conflict resolution tactics

… plus anything else you’re not afraid to ask about during Q&A. Moderated by journalist, filmmaker, and PanU founder Omar Mouallem, this event is totally free!

Includes: Live 90-minute panel with Q&A; access to watch Replay anytime you want.

How it Works: RSVP through our sales page at no charge. After “checkout,” you’ll receive a receipt with a link and password for the live Zoom event. You’ll also receive an emailed reminder with the same information a few hours before the session. After the event you’ll get a password to access the Replay.

Accessibility: Close captioning is auto-generated and subject to error.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Ann Friedman is a journalist, essayist, and media entrepreneur. She co-authored the best-selling book Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close with her friend Aminatou Sow, and previously co-hosted the long-running podcast Call Your Girlfriend. You can read her work in New York magazine, The Los Angeles Times, California Sunday, The New York Times, Elle, and more. She is a contributing editor to The Gentlewoman. She is also a public speaker and consultant on the creative process and the future of media. She lives in Los Angeles. Annfriedman.com
Chris Randle is one of those Canadian writers living in New York. He has contributed to Hazlitt, the Guardian, Pitchfork, the New York Times Magazine, and other publications. He tweets at @randlechris.

Don Genova is a co-founder and organizer of the Canadian Freelance Guild, which represents independent and freelance communications workers across Canada. He has been a union activist for over 20 years, previously with NABET (National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians) and NRPA (the National Radio Producers Association). The main thrust of his work is to make sure freelance creatives know their rights, help them stand up for those rights along with fair pay and treatment in this era of ever-increasing precarious work. He specializes in contract interpretation and professional advice. dongenova.com
Omar Mouallem is a writer, journalist, editor, filmmaker, commentator, educator, and the Fake Dean of Pandemic university. He has worked for such outlets as The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, CBC TV, and The Guardian, and has appeared on Al Jazeera, WNYC, and other networks. Omar has edited several magazines, co-directed a documentary about men’s mental health, and coauthored the national bestseller Inside the Inferno. His upcoming film, The Last Baron, and new book, Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas, were released in the fall of 2021. omarmouallem.com
ABOUT THE EVENT PARTNERS

The Freelance Solidarity Project is a union of digital media workers raising labour standards across the industry. FSP’s mission is to improve the lives of freelance digital media workers by improving their working conditions. As the industry becomes increasingly unstable, we must build a community to protect each other, fight isolation and alienation, and experience the gains of collective bargaining. Freelancesolidarity.org

The Canadian Freelance Guild is a new form of unionism for freelance workers. It is creating a network where freelance workers can gain access to work opportunities and professional development, and connect with colleagues to transform freelancing into a more collaborative, balanced, sustainable livelihood. CFG’s founding members come from the former Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC) and the independent membership of the Freelance Branch of the Canadian Media Guild (CMG Freelance). CMG Freelance now solely represents people who perform freelance contracts for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CFG is affiliated with CWA-SCA Canada, Canada’s largest all-media union. canadianfreelanceguild.ca

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