FAQ's

VME’S SERVICE/OPERATIONS

VME, a 501c3 non-profit, is led by an appointed and volunteer Board of Directors with Volunteers who act in support of the Board of Directors.

Additionally, VME has a volunteer Board of Advisors that provides feedback and guidance to VME's infrastructure, policies, partnerships and future events and projects. Additionally, the Board of Advisors provides another way for members to give ideas and feedback to the General Managers and the Board of Directors.

Volunteers are at the core of VME success. We simply could not exist without help from our volunteers when they are available.

If you're interested in volunteering for VME please click here. Here are some areas we could always use help in:

• event volunteers (parking, catering, photography, site preparation and clean-up)

• members to help edit event videos for the website

• picking up items for events

• social media

Veterans in Media & Entertainment, more commonly known as "VME," provides a place for the entertainment industry and the veteran community that works in entertainment to connect. VME also provides a place for veterans working or aspiring to work in entertainment a place to network with and learn from one another. VMEConnect is an online platform where veterans can network with one another, check out the job board, groups, events in their local areas, and meet industry professionals.

Yes, in order to get approved to have a profile on this website each veteran has to have produced proper documentation verifying their service. After their documentation has been verified they are able to create their profile.

VME wants to make it as easy as possible for veterans to get hired in the entertainment industry. There is a $25 application fee that helps off set the cost of the membership committee and events. The application fee allows you to join, create, and update your VMEConnect profile. It is free for you to search the member database and contact members.

How do I join VME Connect and where can I find my VME Membership ID to join?

• Go to VMEConnect located at this link.

• Click "Get Started" or "Join" 

• Use your email or, for fastest sign up, sign up using your Linkedin user name and password. 

• Fill out the application

• Cut and paste your VME membership ID when prompted.

  • Your membership ID number can be found by logging in here and clicking on the VMEConnect Tab. 

• ANY QUESTIONS OR ISSUES PLEASE EMAIL: join@vmeconnect.org

INDUSTRY QUESTIONS

Joining VME does not guarantee any work or job although opportunities for members are announced through VME from time to time. VME only guarantees access to VME social media groups and events in which you can build relationships and potentially create your own opportunities through VME's resources. The film and television industry is a competitive place and to succeed requires perseverance, dedication to your craft, a good sense of humor, patience, and a bit of luck.

No, but once you are approved as a member you will have access to VME Connect and events in which you will be able to connect with the over 5,600 VME members who are willing to offer support, guidance, and mentorship. VME also regularly offers educational and networking events where you can learn from speakers as well as career opportunities from time to time. We encourage you to update and subscribe to VME's email, and to keep up to date on events and opportunities.. Monitor your emails closely and be sure to attend as many applicable events as possible, doing so will help you learn quickly and build your industry network.

Yes, every profile allows you to write a full bio in which you can state your level of experience in detail. It’s important to have a completed profile and current resume as well.

Click the "Veteran Directory" tab at the top of this website and customize search for veterans in the field you would like to consider them for. Then click on the profiles of the veterans you want to consider. If you want to get in touch with them click on the "Contact" link on each veterans profile to send them a message that goes directly to that veteran.
You can also scroll over the "Veteran Directory" tab and click the "Post A Notice" tab. You can then fill out the form detailing the opportunity you have for veterans and it will be sent to our VME members!

Please scroll to the bottom of this website, click on the "Join the VME Mailing List" link, and fill out the appropriate information. You will then be on the VME mailing list and receive VME news and updates.

Click the "Contact" form at the top of the website and fill out the appropriate information. Each message will go to VME staff. We appreciate any and all feedback and we encourage you to let us know about your experience with VME and/or it’s members by clicking the “Contact” form at the top of the website and fill out the appropriate information. Each message is confidential and will go to VME leadership. When interacting with members, VME only guarantees that members have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Click on our "Resources" tab to find contact information to each U.S. military branch of service as well as a link to the Department of Defense website that will provide you with that same information.

FINANCIAL INQUIRIES

First, VME has not charged membership dues since inception. Second, VME's networking events average around 150 to 200 veterans, plus VIP's, for you to meet and network with. Comparing this value to other entertainment industry networking and educational events, the most common reaction is why are these events ONLY this amount? After consulting with professionals in the industry, it’s common for VME to be advised to raise the price of admission to the events but VME wants to make it as easy as possible for veterans and the industry to connect which is why there is a bare minimum charge to cover operating expenses which are as follows.

150 members x $5.00 = $750 per event

EventBrite charges .99 per ticket plus 2.5% price of $5.00 for a total of $1.76
(therefore, at 150 members maximum x $5.00 charge, $486 is generated through ticket sales which goes toward the below costs)

less other event costs":

• Parking Charges at an American Legion $25 per hour per event for their required parking attendants (average $80)

• Overflow Parking $5 flat per car (max 75 cars = $375, average 40 cars = $200)

• VIPs / Guests free of charge

• Bartender

Less the monthly operational costs of (just listing a few):

• Monthly website $30 per month

• Insurances: $350 per month

• Mail Chimp $250 per month

• Microsoft Office Suites $100 per month

• Bookkeeping $240 per month

• Office Storage $400 per month

• VME Connect Online Platform $2000 per month

• Survey Monkey $200 per month

• …and so on (plus legal, taxes, admin, domains, etc.).

If there is any additional funds from an event, it is added to VME's account to be used for future events including holiday parties and screenings. To that end, VME is a non-profit that currently has no membership fees. VME relies on the good will of the industry and veteran partners to host events and provide free or discounted venues. VME relies heavily on volunteers to take time out of their schedule to properly plan, coordinate, and successfully execute events.

There is a cost to produce and ship VME merchandise, we charge in order to either break even, or to raise a few bucks toward building our programs, events, and classes. Every dime is put back into VME. We also support veteran-owned businesses on this site. You can shop at our VME store here. 

YES! Now, thanks to VME Connect, VME will allow you to post your crowdfunding campaigns on VMEConnect in the Crowdfunding group. Your crowdfunding campaign will reach al 5,600 of our members!  However, we do not post or promote on social media.

PARTNERSHIPS

Wonderful! Please write us at info@vmeconnect.org.

VME is a nationally recognized organization, it's primarily based in Los Angeles with chapters in NYC, Chicago, Atlanta / Savannah, Austin, Nashville, Washington DC and more. Please login to VMEConnect to check out the events taking place near you.

VME FACEBOOK FORUM

Your post or comment was deleted by one of VME's appointed group administrators because it was a double/multiple post or did not abide by the post-guidelines. Please see the "About" section of each group for guideline criteria.

Below are the guidelines for posting on social media and VMEConnect

------Do's------

1) Please DO post casting/crew calls on the appropriate page ("VME: Actors & Casting" for actors, "VME: Crew & Production" for crew, etc.) for your projects or projects that you think would be of particular interest to the members of VME.

2) Please DO showcase a recent work of yours (video link, "Watch for me on..." etc.).

3) Please DO share news/items that pertains specifically to the ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY (especially if dealing with veterans in the industry).

4) Please DO share news/items that are related to VME as a whole and its members/operations/events/etc.

5) Please DO, as a new member to the group, introduce yourself (briefly) and explain what it is you do, are looking to do, etc.

6) Please keep all posts/comments supportive and positive in nature. There is zero tolerance for hostile, negative and aggressive comments. If a post is not for you, please ignore it, it might be helpful to someone else. Keep comments constructive and positive. Admin and VME leadership have the right to delete and ban members who are acting unprofessional or negative.

------Do Not's------

7) Please DO NOT post duplicate / multiple posts in the various VME Facebook groups; choose the most appropriate group and post once.

8) Please DO NOT post crowdfunding campaigns (INGIEGOGO, KICKSTARTER, SEED and SPARK, etc.) to this group. Everyone needs to raise money, please do not do it here.

9) Please DO NOT share news that does not pertain to 1 - 6 above (i.e. general posts about military/veteran issues, events, orgs are NOT allowed).

10) Please DO NOT ask for members to "Like" something on Facebook, imdB, etc.

11) If your post disappears, please DO NOT repost it. Your post was removed by the moderators for a reason. Please re-read the rules. Afterwards, if you cannot understand why your post was deleted, please email Info@vmeconnect.org for clarification. The more you all observe these guidelines, the more likely that all members of this group will look at every single post - that's over 4,000 Vets like you!

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

The number 1 reason why members do not receive emails is because the emails are redirected to their spam or junk folder. Please always check there first.
If you don't find it there, next, login to your VME account here, to make sure you are signed up for the specific mailing list you are looking for.  Ensure spelling and email host is accurate.
Once you've done all the above and have found no errors, please send an email to info@vmeconnect.org and one of our membership volunteers will investigate the issue to solve it.

MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES

Active duty and veteran service members of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to join if they are working in or aspiring to work in film, television, media, music, broadcasting, news, sports, or any other field that falls within the Media & Entertainment Industry. 

New memberships can take between 48 hours to 30 days days to process. 

The most effective bios have a small description of military service with the majority of the bio encompassing training, experience and accolades in the film and television industry.

Yes! When you fill out the information on the "Join" tab please email either a current evaluation, fitness report, PCS or Travel order to: join@vmeconnect.org (REDACT Sensitive information)

Any veteran can acquire a copy of their DD214 for free through this website:http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

The DD214 is required to create a profile and will never be made public or shown to anyone. We ask for REDACTED DD214, (blacked out SSN, DOB, and any information that is sensitive).

VME POLICIES

VME asks that members do not solicit special guests or industry representatives at VME events and meetings to ask for work, funds or personal contact information. It is also forbidden to give unsolicited material (head shots, resumes, business cards, etc.) to speakers and guests unless it has been announced it is ok prior to the event. Each event invitation will have detailed rules and protocol for members attending. Failure to abide these rules can potentially result in removal from the event, future events, and potentially the organization.

Statement of Principles on Sexual Harassment 

The VME Board has identified the following principles as our starting point toward treatment of sexual harassment and discrimination.

• Sexual harassment is a form of employment discrimination, which is illegal under federal and state law. 

• It is the legal and moral responsibility of our members and volunteers to adhere to both the letter and the spirit of these laws.

• VME supports a zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination, including sexual harassment. 

• Zero tolerance means that every claim of harassment or discrimination is taken seriously, and the investigation of every claim is thorough and transparent. 

• Zero tolerance does not mean the absence of due process, or that there is a one-size-fits-all punishment for every incident. 

• VME supports a fair process that is consistently and transparently applied.

• VME is not a union, nor is it a judge or jury, and any cases of harassment and discrimination should be adjudicated in a court of law.

In addition to the action items above, we will seek every opportunity to be better — including surveying our membership, creating awareness and training programs that are actually effective, working to correct the toxic culture of discrimination within the industry and the veteran community.

FAQ’s on Sexual Harassment

1. What is VME’s position on sexual harassment?

The Board and Officers issued the above Statement of Principles on Sexual Harassment

2. Can VME help me if I have questions about sexual harassment or wish to file a complaint?

Yes. If you wish to make a complaint, or if you merely wish to have a confidential discussion with a VME representative about your situation, please email: adjudication@vmeconnect.org

3. What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment has a legal definition narrower than how the term is used in the broader societal conversation.

• What laws prohibit harassment? Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) is the federal law that prohibits sexual harassment. In California, harassment is also prohibited under the state discrimination statute, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Each statute creates an administrative agency with investigative and enforcement authority. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Title VII. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) administers FEHA.

• Who is covered? California law prohibits harassment of a broad range of individuals in the workplace, including employees, job applicants, unpaid interns or non-employees providing services under a contract. These provisions apply to all employers regardless of size, as well as to labor unions and talent agencies.
  The coverage of Title VII is somewhat narrower, applying generally to employees and job applicants of employers having 15 or more employees.

• What types of conduct are prohibited? While most harassment cases involve sex discrimination, it is illegal to harass or discriminate against an individual on the basis of membership in any protected class: gender, race or ethnicity, color, creed, national, origin, alien or citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
  There are two types of sexual harassment claims:

  • Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when someone demands sexual favors in exchange for favorable employment conditions or opportunities, or to avoid adverse employment actions.

  • Hostile work environment sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome comments or conduct based on sex unreasonably interfere with an employee’s work performance, or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

• Are there time limits for filing claims? The statute of limitations under California law is one year from the last act of harassment. The statute of limitations under Title VII is 180 days, which in California is extended to 300 days. The statute of limitations stops running when the employee files a complaint with the relevant administrative agency—either the EEOC or the DFEH. The filing of an administrative complaint is a relatively simple task that can be accomplished online or by phone, without the assistance of an attorney.