2026 Meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals

Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, CA


Day One, Thursday, June 18, 2026

The meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals was called to order at 10:01 am by President Sharon Montgomery (65-699).

A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda; the motion carried.

A joint session with the Eastern Conference was convened.

President Montgomery led in the singing of the American national anthem.

Debbie Sander Walker led in the singing of the Canadian national anthem.

Eastern Conference President Elliott Ratliff (60-471) assumed the chair and introduced dignitaries and guests including AFM President Gagliardi, Acosta (IEB), Malaga (IEB), Skolnick (AFM), Argott (AFM), and Sheldon (AFM).

AFM Education Services Director Sheldon led the Conferences in a discussion on external organizing.

SOCO VP Harding (389) made an announcement regarding the collection of TEMPO donations.

A break was called at 11:03 AM and the session resumed at 11:16 AM.

The joint conference broke into small groups to conduct a Secretary-Treasurers’ roundtable led by Apana (655); to discuss Internal Organizing, led by Southern International Representative Lack; and to discuss AFL-CIO connections and local political relationships, led by Antonacci (77-274).

The joint session was adjourned for a lunch break at 12:01 PM and the Southern Conference session resumed at 1:28 PM with Montgomery assuming the chair.

A motion was made by Hawley (655) and seconded to approve the minutes of the 2025 meeting; the motion carried.

President Montgomery called for new delegates and Local guests to introduce themselves, and the Conference was introduced to Obal (94) and Tamisiea (500).

SOCO Secretary-Treasurer Apana (655) encouraged delegates to submit Local reports after the annual meeting, and encouraged them to submit the reports by the deadline in the future.

Montgomery solicited pictures for the SOCO website.

VP Harding reminded delegates about TEMPO donations.

Montgomery introduced dignitary Kessler (AFM).

Montgomery encouraged delegates to engage with each other and share their successes and concerns and noted that experienced officers are available to assist those that are newer to office.

Bruck (444) reported on a poetry contest winner’s submission being set to music and recorded.
Montgomery directed the Conference to stand at ease.

The joint session with Eastern Conference resumed at 1:52 PM with Montgomery as chair.

MPTF Director Linn gave a report to the conferences, noting the retirement of Blackburn and reporting on a record industry revenue of $11.5 billion and a distribution of $2.5 million in funding to 70 Locals. He informed the delegates about MPTF projects including The People’s Cup in Atlanta and a performance at the airport for the Kentucky Derby. He also reported on Womens’ History Month, Black History Month, Jazz Appreciation Month, and Junteenth events.

AFM Legislative Director Kessler reported to the delegates on concerns over Artificial Intelligence. He reported on an AI Fair Use executive order, the defeat of an AI moratorium, pathways to AI licensing, the TRAIN Act, the CLEAR Act, the Protect Working Musicians Act, the No Fakes Act, the need for artists to have  seat at the table, and that the right of publicity is needed at the Federal level. He informed delegates about a copyright office webinar scheduled for July 9. Discussion was held by Johnson (148-462), Sciallaba (389), Navarro (65-699), Bruck (444), and Ross (257).

AFM SSD Director Skolnick reported to the Conferences. She asked for a show of hands regarding Local use of SSD offerings. She stressed the importance of internal organizing. She reported that the state of the industry is healthy, and that the League of American Orchestras has been discussing concerns over scheduling conflicts for “driving for dollars” orchestras. Comments were made by Apana (655), Fisher (802), and Plaine (40-543).

A break was called at 3:07 PM and the session resumed at 3:31 PM with Ratliff (60-471) assuming the chair.

The conferences broke into small groups to discuss new member orientations, led by Navarro (65-699) and internal organizing, led by IR Lack.

After a short break, the conferences broke into small groups to discuss recording session dark dates, led by Pomeroy (AFM/257); harassment issues, led by Skolnick (AFM); and newsletter and social media best practices, led by Follett (AFM) and Argott (AFM).

Day one of the conference was adjourned at 5:05 PM.

Day Two, Friday, June 19, 2026

The Second day of the 2026 meeting of the Southern Conference of Locals was called to order in joint session with Eastern Conference at 9:03 AM by Eastern President Ratliff.

AFM Freelance Director Argott gave a presentation on the Freelance Services Department. He gave an overview of the department. He reported on the Freelance Musicians Association gaining conference status, and on their Discord server and their Zoom meetings. He reported that the AFM is exploring self-funding instrument insurance; theat Fair Trade Music is a key strategy moving forward; and that additional resources will be allocated to Venuology, which now has the ability for batch uploads. He reported on Play Your Part rights training. He noted that the AFM is discussing establishing a payroll service. He reported that 25 initiatives for co-funding were submitted last year; that AFM Quartet is now free for Locals, and will be used to unify the AFM brand. He reported on the AFM convention/trade show booth.
Ratliff (60-471) reported that FMA representatives will be available at the Convention.
Harding (389) encouraged delegates to donate to TEMPO.

The joint session ended at 10:15 AM. A break was taken at that time and Southern Conference resumed its session at 10:38 AM, with Montgomery as chair.

The Conference was introduced to new delegates Naillon (297) and Funchess (777).

The Conference was introduced to AFM organizer for the south Paul Bissember, who made a few remarks to the delegates. He informed the delegates that he has ten years’ experience working for teachers unions and the UAW, and he is a former teacher. He reported on working with Locals 71, 555, 375, 65-699, and 174-496. He noted that we need to build and grow freelancers by thinking outside the box; that we can strategically plan around MPTF funding; and that musicians are creative workers.

Montgomery called for committee reports.

Credentials Committee chair Turner (618) reported that 22 Locals were in attendance and that 8 were absent.

Diversity Committee chair Cordero (555) reported on the AFM’s strong DEI foundation but noted concerns regarding contractors’ lack of transparency; language access and immigration issues; and disparity in ownership. The committee recommended establishing DEI and mentorship programs at the Local level; sharing best practices; mentorship; multilingual documents; leadership pipelines for the underrepresented; demographic surveys; and publishing of annual reports.

Bylaws Committee chair Cain (375-703) reported that there was nothing to report.

Resolutions Committee chair Williams (72-147) reported that there was nothing to report.

Finance Committee chair de Boor (161-710) reported that the conference had a net income of about $1,800 last fiscal year and that the statis bank balance is about $18,000. He reported on last year’s recommendations and that the committee no longer recommends establishing late fees or considering a reduction of dues at this time.

Orientations Committee chair Navarro (65-699) reported on the necessity to welcome new members and communicate our core principles and expectations.

Appreciations Committee chair Zambito (389) expressed appreciation for IR Lack, Secretary-Treasurer Apana, VP Harding, President Montgomery, and the knowledge base of SOCO delegates.

TEMPO committee chair Harding (389) reported that $2,447 has been raised for TEMPO.

A motion was made by Montgomery, seconded, and approved to pay Apana’s travel expenses for attending the 2026 SOCO annual meeting.

Apana (655) thanked delegates for their support and encouraged them to share social media posts and newsletters so that we may all learn from the activities of our colleagues.

Vongkoth (427-721) asked delegates to create a brief video in support of the musicians of the Dayton Philharmonic, and the delegates complied.

The Conference was adjourned at 12:24 PM.

                                                   
approved                        Jeffrey Apana, Secretary