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Home » Officer Columns » Convention Delegates Smash TEMPO Record


Convention Delegates Smash TEMPO Record

August 15, 2019

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During the 101st AFM Convention in Las Vegas, delegates rallied around our legislative-political efforts in Washington, DC, to show their support for the TEMPO (Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization) fund, which has long played a critical role expanding our voice in Congress. Based on the number of critical issues the president’s office and the AFM Government Relations Office handles weekly, as well as on recent successes in copyright and arts funding areas, delegates recognized the importance of helping our friends on Capitol Hill remain in office. With a view toward the future, many more issues will require our constant attention requiring face-to-face discussions with any number of members of Congress. 

Alfonso Pollard, AFM Legislative, Political, and Diversity Director (left) thanks Local 9-535 (Boston, MA) President Patrick Hollenbeck at the AFM Convention for his personal $1,100 donation to TEMPO. Photo: Chiemi McGhie

As we review the modest fund increase from the beginning of 2019, the AFM Convention has long been the gathering where union leadership shines. However, after an overview by President Hair of past and future issues, delegates took it upon themselves to renew their commitment by contributing over $10,000 to the fund through TEMPO merchandise sales, which were led by Local 400 President and TEMPO Committee Chair Candace Lammers. Delegates also made an extraordinary commitment to our AFM Leadership Program Signature Fund, which gained more than 30 new members.

However, one of the most telling shows of support for the TEMPO Program came about with the donation of a personal check for $1,100 from Local 9-535 (Boston, MA) President Patrick Hollenbeck, who challenged convention delegates to take up the cause for the sake of our pension lobbying efforts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and for a performance right in terrestrial radio. President Hair, in fact, immediately took up that challenge and donated $1,000 himself.

These issues, along with others such as cross-border immigration, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) international travel issues, and more, sounded the political clarion and the delegates’ rush to the union’s support. Our success at the convention was unprecedented, and I want to thank all the delegates for their support of our political program.

Members of the TEMPO Committee at the TEMPO merchandise table, which raised over $10,000 during the 101st convention. Pictured from left: Back row—Candace Lammers, Chair, Local 400; David Gibbs, Local 25; Chris School, Local 25; Paul Wesley Lott, Local 447-704; Deborah Dansby Wells, Local 389; Alan Rickmeier, Local 325. Front Row—Carol Dunevant, Local 1; Bonnie Janofsky, Local 47; Lois Pfister, Local 380; Laurence Hofmann, AFM staff. Sandra Grier, TEMPO coordinator, not pictured. Photo: Chiemi McGhie





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