February 2023 Newsletter

Dear Union Family,

This is our regular monthly email newsletter. It includes reminders, member news and important announcements from the Executive Board and the office.

News from the Executive Board

URGENT ACTION!! Oppose Proposed Increases To Performing Visa Fees

The US Customs and Immigration Service is proposing a HUGE increase to fees for P and O visas. This is unfair to our Canadian members and will have a severe negative impact on our entire music eco-system since the international folk scene thrives on cross-border pollination.

You can help stop these proposed changes by taking action now.

US citizens:

• Comment on the proposed changes on the federal register: tinyurl.com/visafeecomments
  (commenting open until March 6^th)
• Write or phone your federal representatives: tinyurl.com/whosincongress
  (phone calls are FAR more effective)
• Include this call to action in your next newsletter.
• Speak out about this at your concerts.
• Share this call to action with your friends, family, and music industry contacts

Canadian citizens:

• Canadians have no say over US government policy. But your US friends and industry contacts do!!
• Share this call to action with your friends, family, and music industry contacts in the US.

More info here: tinyurl.com/nofeeincrease

Please take action now!

Local 1000 Women’s Coffee & Caucus

Annie Patterson, Aileen Vance, Bev Grant, Deborah Van Kleef and Susan Lewis invite all Local 1000 women to attend the inaugural meeting of an exploratory “Women’s Coffee & Caucus,” on Wednesday, February 22nd.  Join us for support, sharing experiences, truth, action, planning future events, and amplifying women’s voices in our union.      

Topic: AFM Local 1000 Women’s Coffee & Caucus 2023
Time: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 @ 12pm Pacific/1pmMTN/2pm Central/3pm Eastern

This is a recurring meeting; stay tuned for future dates.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82276196970?pwd=RFpiQWdmQXRxQ1hhL2FERVd0VnNuZz09

Meeting ID: 822 7619 6970
Passcode: 288278
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,82276196970#,,,,*288278# US
+16699009128,,82276196970#,,,,*288278# US (San Jose)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kyKnWZcFI

Fair Trade Music

The Fair Trade Music (FTM) Committee has been busier than busy this fall/winter.  We’ve undertaken an organizer training process (which we opened up to the Executive Board and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Working Group) prepping for a campaign to bring the FTM gospel to our entire music community, far and wide: musicians, promoters, and audience members alike. It’s going to take all of us to make this campaign successful.  And that means you.  So, what can you do to help out?

• Have you worked for a promoter who you know treats musicians fairly, pays at least our scales, and is interested in helping folks like you get access to the Pension?  Contact us at: [email protected]
• If you cannot do anything else, please help us fund our work.  Buy a cool FTM T-shirt! 

This is a campaign that will change our community in ways that’ll benefit ALL musicians, union and not.  And that’s what solidarity is all about.

Thanks in advance for the work you do, your interest, and your support.

Communications Committee (Comm Comm)

The Comm Comm is reviewing the website to determine what needs to be updated and/or changed. If you have any feedback on the website, please contact Susan Lewis, your Western Rep on the Executive Board at [email protected]

Please update your profile! If you are not sure how, there is a video that walks you through the process. You must be logged in to complete your profile. If you don’t know your log-in credentials, contact the office: [email protected]

AFM Hurricane Fund Relief Application

Were you affected by Hurricane Fiona or Hurricane Ian? There may be some limited emergency relief funding available to you through the AFM Emergency Relief Fund. More information is available here, or contact Richard in the Local 1000 office.

Emergency Relief Fund

The Local 1000 Emergency Relief Fund has $500 no-interest loans available to members in need. To apply, go to: https://www.local1000.org/resources/emergency-relief-fund/

Social Media Handles

Are you connected to Local 1000’s Social Media accounts? If not, make sure you like or follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afmlocal1000

Twitter: https://twitter.com/local1000afm

Facebook Public Page: https://www.facebook.com/local1000afm

We also have a private member page, which is to facilitate communication between members of Local 1000 and to promote discussion of Local 1000 issues amongst our members. Please ask to join this page to connect with your fellow members (note: this page is for current Local 1000 members only — friends of the Local are encouraged to like our public page instead.)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AFM.Local1000

Work Dues Equivalency/Solidarity Pledge

Are you signed up for monthly Estimated Work Dues or Solidarity Pledge payments?

Learn more here. 
 

Music Performance Trust Fund Grants Available

You can get up to 50% funding for a live or streaming concert through the Music Performance Trust Fund of the AFM. You will need a co-sponsoring organization, and applications must be submitted 30 days in advance of the performance. Please contact Richard in the office for more information (with email/phone number).

MusicianFest Grants Available

MusicianFest is a specific project of the Music Performance Trust Fund that supports performances in seniors residences. Local 1000 has been allocated 5 grants for members through the MusicFest program. Please contact Richard in the office for more info.

Member News

Tell us your news! Have you released an album, won an award, been involved in an interesting initiative that you’d like to let people know about?

If you have exciting news to share with Local 1000 members, we want to know. Submit Your News Here!

Submissions should relate to significant career events, Please do not submit individual gig or tour announcements. Thank you!

We’ll include your news in an upcoming Local 1000 e-newsletter, and we’ll post it on our public Local 1000 page at https://www.facebook.com/local1000afm

February Birthdays

Finally, we would like to wish the following members Happy Birthday! If your birthday falls in February and you don’t see it listed below, or if the date is incorrect, please send an email to Deborah Van Kleef with your birthdate, current phone number and email address. Thanks to Deborah and fellow Birthday Bunnies, Lydia Adams Davis, Arthur McGregor and Tim Van Egmond.

In Solidarity,

AFM Local 1000