AFM Southern Conference of Locals Minutes

2024 Meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals
Holiday Inn Towne Lake, Austin TX

Day One, June 22, 2024

The meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals was called to order at 10:03 am by President Aaron Lack. VP Kunttu called for a recitation of the pledge of allegiance. VP Kunttu gave as the invocation a reading of the Federation mission statement.

President Lack called for a moment of silence to remember former Conference Secretary-Treasurer and International Representative Cass Acosta.

Secretary-Treasurer Apana asked delegates to state their name and Local number prior to speaking.
President Lack read the rules of order. A motion was made by Pino (72-147) and seconded to adopt the Rules; the motion carried.

A motion was made by Hawley (655) and seconded to approve the agenda; the motion carried.

A motion was made by Montgomery (65-699) and seconded to approve the minutes of the 2023 meeting. Corrections were offered. The minutes were adopted as corrected.

President Lack introduced dignitaries and guests, including Federation President Gagliardi, SSD Director Skolnick, EMSD Director Painting, Communications Director Follett, Federation VP Pomeroy, Organizing Director Kristal, Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Aguilar, Federation Secretary-Treasurer Shirk, IEB member Malaga, former Conference President McGrew, and International Representative Begnoche.

Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Aguilar welcomed delegates, guests, and dignitaries to Austin. He noted that “union” is no longer a dirty word, that we share in our labor despite our differences, and that dignity and respect must be earned.

President Lack called for new delegates and Local guests to introduce themselves, and the Conference was introduced to Hawley (655), Johnston (148-462), Turner (618), Cain (375-703), White (125), Barrow (257), Powell (427-721), Roche (23), Price (174-496), Hampden (500), Ford (23), Plunk (161-710), Tarazona (342), Olson (433), Jarmon (433), Mayfield (148-462), Rouse (433), and Shew (80).

President Lack reported on attendance at the LCC-PCC meeting, on proposed LCC quarterly meetings, and on the pre-conference officer training.

Federation President Gagliardi noted the passing of Federation officer Willaert and past officer Fuentealba. He reported on Federation staffing, the Change the Culture Committee, Artificial Intelligence concerns, and the need to speak with one voice when representing musicians to Congress.

EMSD Director Painting addressed the delegates to report on recent and upcoming media negotiations and to announce the imminent launching of an EMSD resource center on the Federation website.

A break was called at 11:15 AM and the session resumed at 11:30 AM.

TEMPO committee chair Tuckwiller requested that those present make donations to the TEMPO fund.

SSD Director Skolnick addressed the delegates to announce updates to the wage charts and to report on recent festival organizing, concerns about tenure language in contracts, and outreach to educational institutions. She noted the need for diverse leadership.

Communications Director Follett gave a presentation on best communications practices, which was followed by a lengthy question-and-answer session.

Resolutions Committee chair Stewart Williams asked those present to submit any resolutions to the committee.

The meeting was adjourned for a lunch break at 12:34 PM and the session resumed at 2:03 PM.

Federation President Gagliardi shared a message from former Federation President Hair.

Federation Secretary-Treasurer Shirk reported on the status of the Federation-endorsed insurance products, the need for funding for organizing, the need to better promote the TEMPO fund, and the search for a new venue for the next Federation Convention.

Organizing Director Kristal gave a presentation on organizing.

A break was called at 3:10 PM and the session resumed at 3:21 PM.

After break a panel moderated by Navarro (65-699) and including Cain (375-703), Hampden (500), Mayfield (148-462), Wolfolk (161-710), and Montemayor (Texas AFL-CIO) led the Conference in a discussion of building Locals.

A break was called at 4:40 PM and the session resumed at 4:46 PM.

By-laws committee chair Apana reported on proposal 5:

ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the Conference shall be a President, a Vice President, ~~and~~ a

Secretary/Treasurer, and two Directors, all of whom shall constitute an Executive Board.

NEW SECTION. The Executive Board shall meet at least quarterly.

NEW SECTION. The Executive Board shall be authorized to conduct the business of the Conference between Annual Meetings of the Conference.

NEW SECTION. The Executive Board shall conduct a quarterly review of the financial records of the Conference.

Should this proposal be adopted, nominations and elections for two Directors, for a one-year term, will immediately follow.

The proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on proposal 6:

ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS

Section 3. The Vice President shall:

~~(4) automatically become the next President at the conclusion of his/her term of office and~~

~~shall serve a two-year term as President.~~ This deletion shall take effect at the beginning of the term of office commencing in 2025.

ARTICLE IX ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

Section 1. The President, Vice President, ~~and~~ Secretary/Treasurer, and two Directors shall be nominated and elected for a ~~two~~ three year term. Three year terms shall commence with the 2025 election for the Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and one Director, and with the 2027 election for President and one Director. ~~at each Annual Meeting of the Conference taking place in odd-numbered years~~. The Secretary/Treasurer shall send notice of nominations and elections to delegates at least thirty days before election day. Newly elected officers shall be installed upon taking the Obligation of Office as the final item of business prior to adjournment of that meeting. All officers shall hold office for the term to which they have been elected or until their successors are duly elected and installed.

Section 2. A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled until the next election by the Vice

President. A vacancy in the office of Vice President or Director shall be filled until the next election by an appointee of the President. A vacancy in the office of Secretary/Treasurer shall be filled by an

appointee of the President until the next meeting of the Conference, at which time the Conference

shall confirm the appointee or elect a new Secretary/Treasurer to complete the expired term.

Discussed by Ross (257), Weaver (375-703), Kenney (148-462), and Hawley (655). A motion was made by Ross (257) and seconded to amend by inserting “for a three-year term and the other Director of a two-year term” on line 3 after the word “Director”; the motion was withdrawn with the consent of those present. A motion was made by Bruck (444) and seconded to amend by inserting “and a two-year term for the other Director” on line 3 after the word “Director”; the amendment carried. The proposal was adopted as amended.

President Lack called for nominations for the position of Director (two positions). Magnus (444) was nominated by Bruck (444). Vongkoth (427-721) was nominated by Sparrow (427-721). Ross (257) was nominated by Kirk (94). Nominations were closed, and President Lack appointed Weaver (375-703), Olson (433), Tarazona (342), Hawley (655), and Turner (618) to the Election Committee.

Announcements were made by Orientation Committee chair Kirk, Appreciations Committee chair Gary Williams, and Finance Committee chair Zambito.

Day one of the conference was adjourned at 5:20 PM.

Day Two, Sunday, June 23, 2024

The Second day of the 2023 meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals was called to order at 9:02 am by President Lack.

By-laws chair Apana reported on Proposal 11:

NEW ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

The fiscal year for the Conference shall be June 1 to May 31.

These By-Laws are subject and subordinate to the By-Laws and amendments thereto of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, and wherever conflict or discrepancy appears between the By-Laws of this Conference and the By-Laws and amendments thereto of the AFM, the latter shall prevail.

Apana noted a correction; the proposal was adopted as corrected.

Apana reported on Proposal 3:

ARTICLE IV DUES AND FEES

NEW SECTION: Dues shall be payable by April 30 of each year.

Discussion by Hawley (655), Montgomery (65-699), Hampden (500). A motion was made by Carroll (23) and seconded to amend by changing the date to May 31; discussed by Ross (257), Moore (148-462); the motion was withdrawn with consent. A motion was made by Montgomery (65-699) to amend by changing the date to May 15; the amendment carried. The proposal was adopted as amended.

Apana reported on Proposal 4:

ARTICLE V DELEGATES

Each affiliated Local shall be entitled to the greater of two delegates or ~~have~~ the same number of delegates ~~to the Conference~~ as it is entitled to have at the Federation Convention. In addition, each Local may send any number of observers. The latter may be allowed to speak at the discretion of the Chair, but shall not be allowed to vote or otherwise act in an official capacity.

Discussed by Moore (148-462, Shirk (Federation), Hampden (500), Tuckwiller (123); the proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on Proposal 9:

ARTICLE X COMMITTEES

Section 1. An Agenda Committee ~~of not less than three members~~ chaired by the Vice President

shall meet prior to the opening session of each Annual Meeting to propose an agenda for that

meeting. The proposed agenda shall be presented to the Conference for approval or amendment at

the beginning of the opening session.

Section 2. In addition to the Agenda Committee, the President shall appoint ~~an Appreciations~~

~~Committee,~~ a Credentials Committee, ~~a Resolutions Committee, and~~ a Diversity Committee ~~of not~~

~~less than three members each~~, ~~and~~ a By‐Laws Committee, ~~a Finance~~ an Audit Committee, and a TEMPO Committee ~~an Election Committee of not less than 5 members each~~. The ~~Finance~~ Audit Committee shall audit the books and financial records of the Secretary/Treasurer and report its findings to the Annual Meeting. The President may also appoint an Appreciations Committee, a Resolutions Committee, an Election Committee, and other Committees, as necessary.

Section 3. Resolutions to be considered by either the Resolutions Committee or the By-Laws

Committee must be submitted to the Secretary/Treasurer no later than April 1st. The

Secretary/Treasurer shall then mail, within 30 days, a copy of the resolution(s) to each member

Local.

NEW SECTION In the event of an emergency, a Resolution may be introduced to the Conference by a vote of two-thirds of the Delegates present.

Discussed by Bruck (444); the proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on Proposal 2:

ARTICLE IV DUES AND FEES

Section 2. Each delegate, guest, AFM officer, AFM staff member, or observer shall pay a registration fee of $100.00 at each Annual Conference with these fees to be turned over to the host Local for non-convention year meetings. In addition, the Secretary-Treasurer may transfer to the host Local an amount up to $1500.00 to pay for Conference expenses in non convention years.

ARTICLE VII MEETINGS

NEW SECTION The host Local shall be responsible for providing live music at the reception of the Annual Meeting in non-Convention years. All other costs of the annual meeting shall be borne by the Conference.

The proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on Proposal 10:

ARTICLE VII Meetings

NEW SECTION Special Meetings and meetings of the Executive Board and Committees may be held in person, or via remote electronic technology, or a hybrid of both, at the discretion of the Executive Board, provided that:

(a) The technology utilized permits simultaneous aural communication among all the participants,

(b) All delegates have reasonable access to the technology utilized,

1. How participants are recognized and obtain the floor,

2. How motions are handled,

3. Rules for debating pending motions,

4. Rules for discussing subjects,

5. How voting will be conducted.

(d) If it is necessary to hold a secret ballot vote during a hybrid or virtual meeting, voting shall be done by an electronic balloting method (e.g. online, telephone) of the delegates present at the meeting (physically and virtually), using an independent organization to conduct the voting. In all cases, the method of voting must:

1. ensure that the delegate casting the vote is eligible to do so,

2. ensure that the delegate casting the vote cannot be identified with the vote cast, and

3. afford sufficient safeguards to protect the integrity and security of the voting system. Further, in the case of electronic balloting, an appropriate accommodation must be made for a voter who lacks the technology or equipment necessary to cast his or her vote

Discussed by Hawley (655), Weaver (375-703); the proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on Proposal 1:

ARTICLE I NAME

This organization, hereinafter referred to as the “Conference”, shall be known as the AFM Southern

Conference of Locals. It shall be an official conference of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, hereinafter referred to as the “Federation”.

The proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on Proposal 7:

ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS

Section 4. The Secretary/Treasurer shall:

(4) ~~attest all bills or orders;~~ collect all dues, fees and other moneys owed to the Conference and

disburse all moneys as authorized by the Conference;

The proposal was adopted.

Apana reported on Proposal 8:

ARTICLE IX ELECTIONS AND VACANCIES

NEW SECTION A candidate who is unopposed for any office shall be declared elected by acclamation.

The proposal was adopted.

Credentials Committee chair Montgomery gave the committee report, noting that 22 of the 31 Locals attended and 24 have paid their dues and fees. Of the 31 delegates present, 14 are new delegates and there were also 4 new guests from Locals.

Diversity Committee chair Navarro gave the committee report.

Finance Committee chair Zambito gave the committee report; a motion was made by Hawley (655), seconded, and adopted to accept the report.

Lorraine Montemayor of the Texas AFL-CIO gave a presentation on Race and the Economy.

A break was called at 11:26 AM, at which time the election was conducted. The session resumed at 11:46 AM.

Election Committee chair Weaver reported that Magnus (444) and Ross (257) were elected Directors for a one-year term.
Resolution Committee chair Stewart Williams moved to direct the Secretary-Treasurer to update the Conference Bylaws to reflect nongender language throughout; the motion carried.

Appreciations Committee chair Gary Williams suggested that the future purpose of the committee should be to recognize and appreciate things done at the Locals of the Conference.

Agenda Committee chair Kunttu reported that there will be a post-conference survey.

TEMPO Committee chair Tuckwiller reported that $1036 had been raised for the Fund.

The newly elected Directors were sworn in by Federation President Gagliardi.

Apana announced that those present could recycle their badges, that updated Local reports would be available on the website, that there is new material for officers on the AFM website, and asked committee chairs to send him written copies of their reports.

Orientations Committee chair Kirk announced that the committee will meet virtually soon.

The Conference was adjourned at 12:04 PM.

approved Jeffrey Apana, Secretary