The next Listen To The Music party will be Sunday, December 28 at the American Alehouse from 1:00 - 5:00.Find out more at www.afm660.org

I didn't think it was possible, but it finally happened:  AFM 660 membership approved new bylaws AND a wage scale!  It only took a year and a half...

November will be a busy month for AFM 660. 

We start off on Sunday the 2nd with the annual Nominations Meeting for President, Vice-President, and two Executive Board members.  Once all nominations have been accepted and an Elections Board appointed, we will then hold a General Membership Meeting to discuss and vote on the proposed Bylaws and Wage Scale.  All 660 members should do their best to attend.

The following Sunday, November 9th, we'll be back at the American Alehouse for our monthly "Listen To The Music" event.  These are becoming more and more popular, and the turnout gets better each time.  Hope to see you there!

We had a great time and a great turnout at the American Alehouse yesterday - thanks to TW and hs staff for providing the venue, BB, CL, JT, and AJ for providing gear for folks to play on, and thanks to all the musicians who showed up a performed for a greatly appreciative crowd.

President Bush has declared June 2008 as Black Music month.  To help commemorate, AFM Local 660 will be sponsoring a concert and open jam session on from 6:00 - 9:00 pm on Friday June 13 at Tony's Big Easy on Pugh Street in downtown State College.

AFM 660 Board Member Andrew Jackson will be hosting the event, and all musicians, union and non-union members alike are invited to attend.

The results of the AFM Local 660 Musicians' Survey are in.  Please visit www.afm660.org for a summary and to request more information.

Thanks to John Vincente for doing May's Newsletter - everyone should have one in their inbox by tomorrow.  The Bylaws Committee is finishing up the latest draft, the Executive Board is scheduled to meet May 11, and Spring is Sprung. 

At the Executive Board Meeting on February 18, 2008, the following leadership changes occurred:

John Kovalchik resigned from the Board to spend more time with his family, students and music.  He will remain as administrator for the Olin Butt Scholarship Fund.
 
Chris Byrne resigned as President and took John Kovalchick's position on the Board where he feels he can be a more effective advocate for local musicians.
 
Vice-President Chris Lee became President; the Vice-President's position remains open.

January 28, 2008:

Sunday's General Membership Meeting at South Hills Business School was nicely attended with a mix of old and new members.  The atmosphere was genial and business-like as members discussed the current state of the Local, dues increases, prospective revisions of the By-Laws, establishment of a Wage Scale, and preliminary results of a survey of central Pennsylvania musicians. 

Concerning the main points of business, the membership voted unanimously to increase dues for 2008.  They also voted to refer further discussion and revision of the By-Laws to committee, and directed the Board to establish a new Wage Scale Committee that is not in violation of Conflict-Of-Interest rules.  The members also recognized that there is an open position on the Board, but no one present would accept a nomination.

Complete minutes of the meeting will be available at www.afm660.org.

The next executive Board meeting will be held Wednesday, January 9, 7:00 pm, at 121 Willow Circle in Houserville.  (Chris Byrne's house).  See you there!