Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
August 31, 2024
IM -After a rigorous discernment process, the AFM International Executive Board has entered into an agreement with HUB International as its new US group membership insurance program administrator, replacing AMBA, effective September 1. HUB (www.hubinternational.com) is the world’s largest privately-owned insurance broker, with revenues topping $4 billion and 19,000 associates in over 600 offices throughout North America.
“We see tremendous opportunity to take our legacy insurance programming to a new level, enabling AFM’s 60,000 members and 165 locals to secure state-of-the-art asset protection at preferential terms through the power of group purchasing,” says AFM President Tino Gagliardi. “HUB is an insurance powerhouse with insurance and benefit capabilities for individuals and locals alike.” AFM Secretary-Treasurer Ken Shirk observes that “HUB’s combination of an online purchasing platform and real-time guidance from live customer service agents will bring members’ insurance experience into the 21st century.”
HUB’s product array will range from traditional legacy offerings, such as musical equipment and band liability insurance, to individual home, auto, medical, disability, and life insurance, and commercial products such as cyber and management liability, among others. Placing over $40 billion of premiums into the global marketplace, HUB enjoys preferred trading relationships with the world’s leading insurers.
“For me, this partnership brings a personal connection full circle,” quips Scott Konrad, HUB’s North American Nonprofit practice leader and the face of the HUB relationship. “My great-great uncle, Joseph Weber, emigrated from Europe as a musician in the late 1800s and was the AFM’s longest-serving president, from 1900 to 1940—so you might say the AFM is in my blood.” Konrad is a jazz musician outside of his “day job” in insurance.
A completely revamped AFM insurance portal will be available on the AFM.org website in the coming weeks.