AFM President Ray Hair's $1000 Challenge for TEMPO

Election season is coming into the home stretch, and this is a good time to think about donating to TEMPO, which stands for Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization. TEMPO is the AFM’s Political Action Committee.  The TEMPO Fund pays for the AFM’s lobbying efforts.  The AFM’s Legislative Director, Alfonso Pollard, is a very active and effective lobbyist in Washington.  The AFM has engaged members of Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, on issues that are important to musicians, such as funding for the arts, pension reform, continuing copyright payments, unemployment payments, tax reform, COBRA support, and the promise of workplace safety when theaters can reopen.

Your union needs to influence the votes of members of Congress who, along with governors and health care professionals, will call the shots on these issues and control our working environment. That’s why International President Hair has offered this new TEMPO challenge.  He has personally given $1000 to TEMPO in hopes of inspiring members to give what they can.  Alfonso Pollard has followed this up with a $400 donation of his own. They ask that you join them and donate what you are able to in these trying times for everyone.

The easiest way is to join the TEMPO Signature Club, which involves a $52 annual donation, which represents just $1 a week.  President Williams, Vice President Schnackenberg, and I each recently renewed our Signature Club memberships, and we would like you to consider joining. If you are not able to give at that amount, even a $5 contribution from each member would go a long way towards replenishing the Fund.

TEMPO can only accept contributions from AFM members and their immediate families living in the same household, and that are US citizens or lawful permanent residents. Contributions are NOT tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Donations must be made from a personal check, personal credit card, or money order. Corporation or company cards or checks are prohibited. If you want to donate by credit card, click the TEMPO link here and make your contribution through the portal, which will generate a receipt. If you want to donate by check or money order, make it out to TEMPO and mail it to Michelle Ledgister, Comptroller, American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, 1501 Broadway, Ninth Floor, New York, NY 10036-5501. If you need to pay your dues, you can send us a separate check made out to TEMPO and we can forward it on for you. It cannot be on the same check as your dues, it must be separate. Please let us know if you make a donation – federal law requires the AFM to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.

We hope that you can respond to President Hair’s challenge.  Musicians helping each other to improve their condition are what the AFM is all about.  Sincerely and Fraternally, Aaron Pino Secretary-Treasurer AFM Local 72-147