…GAWD Elizabeth, when will you just go make some comics???

I am, actually, and STILL getting the last bolt off that toilet I’m repairing, but anyway–

The FREELANCERS UNION (which I joined!  Because it’s Free.  You still have access to all member benefits and there are NO DUES, unlike guilds in town that are wonderful *only if there’s Actual Work*), ok, what was I talking about…The FREELANCERS UNION has a workshop on Social Media as well.  ‘Bout half what I paid for, I doubt it’s seven hours, you definitely don’t get lunch or the ability to network with peers, look at a human face and humourous slides.  But it’s still Relevant:

http://www.freelancersunion.org/events/2010/winter/making-social-media-work-for-you.html

Read the particulars, because it’s an online seminar and requires installing some software and having access to a phone (a land line?).

Since I haven’t taken a seminar yet with the Freelancers Union I can’t say what their quality is like, but I’ve found that pretty much anything related professionally to your…profession (ha ha, I’m so articulate), is really of Benefit.  If you look on their events page you can find some more informative wkshops–I’m curious about the one called ‘Pricing Strategies for Graphic Designers’.  Looks innnnteresting… *rubs hands*

With regards to the Freelancers Union itself, it’s hardly a ‘union’ because of the no-dues thing, but it is politically involved to protect and benefit Independant Pros and its main goal is to provide Insurance.  This Union originated in New York, so the actual coverage plans offered are of benefit to qualified professionals there (you do have to prove *for those plans* that you have made a certain amt of $ as a Pro, but after that one qualifier you are In).  Outside of that, in CA for instance (no need to prove qualifications), the plans are–in my opinion–not that great (but compared to Motion Picture Health & Welfare, no plan looks that great).  I don’t think 30/70 (you pay 30% of medical until the 70% kicks in from the coverage), is something to cheer about, but it is an option.

The 401k they offer as well, from what I’ve read, has quite a few fees attached that may not make the investment as worthy as other alternatives, so I would weigh and compare that with lots of research and discretion.

Otherwise, I think this Union is a great resource.  I would recommend the Freelancers and their Free membership over a similiar guild for Independant Professionals that requires significant membership dues and a high qualifier (2 yrs as a pro, for instance, making 14K or more a yr).  It’s bad enough that you have to buy the coverage.  AND work all by your lonesome.

*waves to all you office dwellers out there*

~~~miss eeee (not quite footloose, but still quite fancy free)

PS:  If anyone has personal experience with the Freelancers Union and their local coverage, please add your two cents.  I’m certainly not an expert and am only pushing the seminars, which Look Good.