August 2022 Newsletter

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

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

President’s Message

The end of summer is nearly upon us. Love the summer, hate the 100+ degree heat!

The Executive Board and Bylaws committee have been working new draft language for our bylaws, which addresses diversity, equity, inclusion and access issues. Once these are completed they will be shared with our members (at least 30 days before a vote, as required) and voted on at our next membership meeting, in November.

Speaking of membership meetings, please mark your calendar for November 10-13. These are the dates of the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) conference, where we will hold our next membership meeting. Members in good standing may participate in person or virtually. We are working out the day and time with NERFA, and will let you know as soon as it is set. We will include a Zoom link.

Another very cool Local 1000 activity at NERFA will be the rollout of our Fair Trade Music (FTM) campaign. Venues that sign on to FTM guarantee scale wages, pension contributions and decent working conditions to all musicians they employ—a win-win for artists, musicians and fans. Stay tuned for details. And remember to pick up your FTM campaign swag at https://local1000.org/local-1000-merechandise/

Important reminder: If you have not already edited your member profile on the new Local 1000 website, please do that ASAP. We want to see photos of our members instead of those general place-holder icons. To edit your profile, go to local1000.org and log in. If you have trouble logging in please contact Richard in the office.

Remember, this is YOUR union and we need you to be an active part of it. Join a committee; talk up Local 1000 from the stage; wear an FTM t-shirt, tell your friends about us. Most importantly, support your local by regularly paying work dues. As we all get back to work it is essential that each of us pay this 2.5% on all our gigs. These are the funds that enable us to fight for better pay and conditions for our members and the wider community of musicians. If you are not filing union contracts, estimated work dues payments are also an option; contact Richard to set these up on a recurring basis.

Together we are mighty!

Aaron Fowler, President

Fair Trade Music Update

Here is brother Mick Lane sporting the latest in Local 1000 fashion! The Fair Trade Music Committee has plenty of t-shirts available, plus lots of stickers and guitar picks. Sales of these items helps fund the Fair Trade Music Committee’s important work. Did we mention we have t-shirts? Have you got yours yet?

Check out the Store on the Local’s website. Send a picture of yourself in your shirt to Deb Cowan.

Price is $30 and includes shipping. We are still working on how to get shirts to Canada. Stay tuned!

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.

Emergency Relief Fund

Local 1000’s Emergency Relief Fund still has grants available to help with expenses during the pandemic.  Grants of up to $1000 are available to members in good standing while funds last. Please note, members who have previously received an ERF grant cannot apply for a second one at this time.

To apply for a grant or to donate to keep the fund healthy for members in need, visit our website or contact Richard at the office.

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

August Birthdays

Finally, we would like to wish the following members Happy Birthday! If your birthday falls in July 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