IN THE POCKET Secretary-Treasurer Vince Santoro talks

Pulling together

AFM Local 257 is soldiering on through this pandemic with our doors closed to the public. At one point earlier in the year we had some staff members who’d either come in contact with the virus or their family members were diagnosed, so we are vigilant in mask-wearing and social distancing. During this time, we constantly look for ways to get back to normal without endangering anyone — our staff or our members. That’s the main idea behind how we’re distributing checks at this time. We ask members and nonmembers alike to call in advance to pick up a check and when they arrive our receptionists will meet them outside with the necessary paperwork and their checks. Still operating at all during the coronavirus is remarkable but Local 257 has had to put on ice one of the most popular benefits of membership in our organization. The rehearsal hall we offer to our members, with backline and P.A. system, has not been used since early in 2020, before it became clear what types of services would not be in the best interest of our membership, concerning health. We’ve tried to come up with ways we might be able to resume letting folks back into the room at Cooper Hall. There are several issues that crop up in trying to envision that scenario, and these issues have left us stymied in realizing that it is still quite problematic. We’ll be taking steps toward this part of reopening for certain but I simply want our members to understand that any moves toward that reopening are not taken lightly. We are acutely aware that the months ahead are certain to be touch-and-go due to the fact that cold weather will undoubtably force much of our community’s activities indoors as opposed to open air. I also know that our rehearsal hall’s HVAC system is “ventless” and that means even less fresh air replacement in case the virus was to make an appearance. Knowing that this contagion is aerosol — suspended in air — a closed space is a perfect stage for its incubation. We will be very careful on that front. If you’ve seen recent emails of mine from here you may already be aware of the Musicians Mission of Mercy free food distribution at SoundCheck Nashville. I attended one of the volunteer packaging days there and found what’s happening to be very impressive. Catherine Steele has spearheaded a partnership with Ben Jumper of SoundCheck Nashville, Music Health Alliance, Crew One Productions and the Saluda Shoals Band to put Musicians Mission of Mercy on the map big time!

We ask members and nonmembers alike to call in advance to pick up a check and when they arrive our receptionists will meet them outside.

The plan is for this aid to be a monthly effort and 100 percent of all financial support goes to the expenses incurred, i.e., the food itself, the tractor trailer deliveries of the food and supplies like boxes, tape, etc. Every volunteer receives five boxes they can then give to people they know in the music industry who cannot be at distribution PLUS $100 vouchers which are redeemable at the nearby farmers market and select grocery stores. These $100 vouchers are also given to anyone attending the distribution days! The first day of volunteer work was an overwhelming success with 30 volunteers (many AFM Local 257 members) filling up 500 boxes with food that will help out

BY VINCE SANTORO

music industry folks who are in need. The process ran as smooth as duck down and should make the continuing practice more and more efficient. If you need more information you can email Steele at catherine@ MusiciansMissionOfMercy.org Stay tuned to learn about the monthly Mission events as they will need volunteer help to provide the preliminary preparation for each distribution day. Partnerships like Musicians Mission of Mercy and the selfless folks who make them work are what give our community hope and the wherewithal to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Local 257 has a history of similar cooperation and seeing how many of our members have joined the effort makes me proud. Not everyone has been affected to the same degree as others in this pandemic, but we do have the ability to lift up those worst hit and provide the essential edge necessary to get us all through times like these. Members of Local 257 and nonmembers alike who are fortunate enough to be working can demonstrate their compassion for those not so lucky by staying current on their work dues. The session cards that are turned in now not only get folks paid, but the associated work dues they generate are what fund our work here at Local 257. Every value we provide to our members is based on relationships that must be kept intact even when times are tough. These relationships and their benefits to membership must be nurtured — and that takes partnership. Let’s pull together! TNM