2023 Meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals
Westgate Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Day One, June 24, 2023
The meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals was called to order at
10:05 am by President Jessica Kunttu. As the minutes had not been
distributed, President Kunttu moved that approval of the minutes be
postponed until the next day, and there were no objections. There was a
motion to approve the agenda, which was adopted. President Kunttu
appointed Richard Sparrow as Sergeant at Arms. President Kunttu gave
her opening remarks, including a reading of the AFM mission statement.
Secretary-Treasurer Lovie Smith-Wright assumed the chair. She
recognized IR Begnoche and IEB member Pomeroy and read the committee
assignments. President Kunttu assumed the chair and assigned delegates
to small groups, which then met separately to discuss MPTF, recording
contracts, diversity, freelance services, and community building. The
morning session recessed for a lunch break.
The meeting resumed in the afternoon for a joint session with the
Eastern Conferenceof Locals. President Kunttu recognised AFM President
Hair, who gave a report. President Kunttu recognised AFM
Secretary-Treasurer Blumenthal, who gave a report. President Kunttu
recognised AFM Legislative Director Pollard, who gave a report.
President Kunttu recognised Symphonic Services Director Skolnick, who
gave a report. The meeting recessed at 3:05 pm for a break. The meeting
resumed at 3:15 pm at which time President Kunttu recognised Tracey
Whitney and Edmund Velasco, who gave a presentation on race and
diversity. Day one of the conference was adjourned at 5 pm.
Day Two, Sunday, June 25, 2023
The Second day of the 2023 meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals
was called to order at 10:11 am by President Jessica Kunttu, who then
thanked delegates for their work on the previous day. She noted that
she neglected to call for the Pledge of Allegiance on the previous day
and recognized Vice President Aaron Lack, who led the Conference in the
Pledge.
President Kunttu recognized TEMPO committee chair Stewart Williams
(L72-147), who encouraged delegates to make donations to TEMPO and gave
them instructions on how to do so.
Delegate Williams made an announcement about the time and location of the Texas Conference meeting.
President Kunttu recognized EMSD Director John Painting, who gave an
overview of locally administered recording agreements, including the
Joint Venture Agreement, the Single Song Overdub Agreement, and the
Limited Pressing Agreement, during which time International
Representative Steve Begnoche commented on licensing issues and
Executive Officer Dave Pomeroy commented on the origins of the Single
Song Overdub Agreement. Painting also answered questions about covered
work for Americans recording overseas and internationals recording in
the U.S.
At 10:58 AM President Kunttu called for a break.
The session resumed at 11:15 AM, at which time President Kunttu
recognized TEMPO committee chair Stewart Williams (L72-147), who again
encouraged delegates to make donations.
President Kunttu asked new delegates to introduce themselves, and the
Conference was introduced to Gus Weaver (L375-703), Blair Robbins
(L433), Joe Carrasquillo (L555), Stephanie Magnus (L444), Amy Conley
(L362-691), and Tihda Vongkoth (L427-721).
President Kunttu recognized Delegate Stewart Williams (L72-147), who gave the MPTF small group report.
President Kunttu recognized Delegate Jeffrey Apana (L655), who gave the
recording small group report. The group made a recommendation that the
AFM create a recording educational pamphlet for musicians, that SOCO
delegates promote said pamphlet to its musicians, and that the AFM
study recording industry compliance. Executive Officer Pomeroy
commented that the AFM is working on a toolkit. International Vice
President Bruce Fife commented that musicians have a responsibility to
make wise choices.
President Kunttu recognized IR Begnoche, who gave the making space for diversity small group report.
President Kunttu recognized Delegate Sharon Montgomery (L65-699), who
gave the community building small group report. Montgomery reported to
the Conference on internal community building and group member and
conference guest Hannah Kuhn (L6) reported on external community
building.
President Kunttu thanked the small groups for their reports and asked if the reports could be put in writing.
President Kunttu recognized Secretary Smith-Wright, who presented the
minutes for the 2022 meeting of the Conference. Corrections were
offered by Smith-Wright, Peter de Boor (L161-710), Patty Hurd
(L161-710), Michael Bradt (L256-733), and IR Begnoche. A motion was
made and adopted to approve the minutes.
Secretary Smith-Wright assumed the chair and called for committee reports.
Delegate Jeffrey Apana (L655) presented the report of the finance committee and moved its adoption. The motion carried.
Delegate Bruce Schultz (L94) reported that there was no report from the Bylaw Committee as no amendments had been proposed.
Delegate Laura Ross (L257) reported for the resolutions committee and moved the following resolution:
Resolved, to recommend creation of an AFM educational one-sheet
pamphlet to publicize examples of revenue streams and protections
provided by working on the card by using Federation agreements that can
be disseminated to Locals and members, and
be it further resolved that the AFM study label compliance and musician awareness of the various agreements available.
The motion carried.
President Kunttu recognized Delegate Patty Hurd (L161-710), who gave
the report of the diversity committee and moved its acceptance. The
motion carried.
President Kunttu recognized Delegates Sharon Montgomery (L65-699) and
Sam Zambito (L389), who presented the report of the appreciations
committee and moved its acceptance. The motion carried.
President Kunttu recognized Delegate Stewart Williams (L72-147), who
reported that delegates had collectively donated $1,116 to TEMPO during
the Conference and moved acceptance of the report. The motion carried.
VP Lack assumed the chair.
VP Lack called for nominations for the position of Secretary for the
2023-2025 term of office. Delegate Aaron Pino (L72-147) nominated
Delegate Jeffrey Apana (L655). Given no other nominations, VP Lack
declared Apana elected by acclamation.
VP Lack called for nominations for the position of Vice President for
the 2023-2025 term of office. Delegate Stewart Williams (L72-147)
nominated Delegate Jessica Kunttu (L500). Given no other nominations,
VP Lack declared Kunttu elected by acclamation.
President Kunttu assumed the chair and recognized Secretary
Smith-Wright on a point of personal privilege. Smith-Wright announced
her retirement from the Southern Conference. Smith-Wright presented
President Kunttu with a plaque for her service as president.
In response to a question, President Kunttu noted that our Bylaws state
that the VP shall “automatically become the next President at the
conclusion of his/her term of office and shall serve a two-year term as
President.”
International VP Fife swore in the newly elected officers.
President Lack assumed the chair and gave thanks and closing statements.
The Conference was adjourned at 12:36 PM.
approved
Jeffrey Apana,
Secretary