Board Meeting June 19, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on June 19,2017 at 10:09AM.

All members were present.

The minutes of the June 9,2017 meeting were approved. M/S:LL/G

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

Joseph William Rebman, Harp, 6/1/17

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

ERASED:

 

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • President Frankenfeld will be speaking with the Cincinnati Visitor and Convention Bureau regarding August 2018 for information regarding Local 1 hosting the ICSOM conference.
  • Monies from MPTF for retirement community performances will accept requests for funding up to the end of August 2017.

II. CSO

  • Jonathan Martin has been hired as the next President of the CSO. Hi start date will be September 1.
  • There has been a change in the seating configuration for the opera Frida. There is an extensive and difficult accordion part. Parties are working to resolve changes and who will be hired for the accordion part.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Transportation
  • Significant discussion occurred regarding the amount paid for transportation. A motion was made by Joe Gaudio to increase the amount to $15, across the board, for the next three years. This would take effect September 1, 2017. Don Hurd provided the second. The motion passed.

2.  President Frankenfeld requested that the next meeting be focused on the current price list and going rate for pension contributions.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID: M/S:L/H

See attached B 25969 – 25978

Next meeting scheduled for July 10 at 5:30PM. The Quarterly General Membership Meeting will follow at 7:00PM

Meeting adjourned at 11:40M.

/by

Board Meeting June 9, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on June 9,2017 at 10:04AM.

All members were present.

The minutes of the May 22,2017 meeting were approved.

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

ERASED:

 

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • The price list is expiring soon
  • Vice-President Barb Lambert and Secretary Carol Dunevant provided a summary of the COPE Dinner.
  • President Frankenfeld summarized the recent Media Agreement discussions, which took place in Chicago. The eventual outcome will be the successor agreement to the IMA. This meeting was to develop proposals from the Labor side to present to Management. Two members of the Pension Committee were present and have suggested the current 12% in the Media Agreement be raised to 17%. The difference of 5% could be called “Non-Allocated Funds” and be used to bolster the Pension Fund. The first face-to-face meeting with Management will occur in early July 2017.
  • Meredith Snow has approached President Frankenfeld regarding an ICSOM conference. President Frankenfeld has asked the Board to consider this opportunity.

II. CSO

  • Former CSO Director of Personnel, Walt Zeschin, failed to submit the ‘B’ Forms to the Local. President Frankenfeld will work with new Director of Personnel, Paul Pietrowski, to get them submitted.
  • Anna Reider will be in a trial week for the position of Associate Principal Violin.
  • An offer has been made and accepted for the position of President with the CSO. An announcement will be made very soon.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Don Hurd presented a motion to pay a bonus equal to 2 weeks pay to Office Manager Rhonda Gillum as compensation in preparing for the annual audit. There is no structure for overtime pay. Mike Andres provided the second. The motion was approved.
  2. The Board needs to consider purchasing a new desktop computer for Lynne Scott.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID:

See attached B25951-25968

Next meeting scheduled for June 19, 2017 at 10:00AM

Meeting adjourned at 11:01AM.

/by

Board Meeting May 22, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on May 22,2017 at 4:31PM.

All members were present. Guest: Patrick Dugan

The minutes of the May 8,2017 meeting were approved.

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

ERASED:

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I.  Guest Patrick Dugan opened the meeting. He introduced himself as a Sousa scholar, carrying on the work of Paul Bierley. He is interested in assembling an ensemble that could perform across the country in at least 24 different locations. Performances would be for veterans. After a lengthy exchange of information Joe Gaudio asked how Local 1 could be of assistance. After a short Q & A members of the Board said they would be happy to help with contracting but that Maj. Dugan (Ret.) would have to come up with funding.

II. President’s Report

  • President Frankenfeld reported that news of the Pension Fund from Ray Hair indicates that the status of the fund is stated as “critical” but not “critical and declining”.
  • The final concert at the Taft was Saturday. The season was very successful.
  • The MPTF has assisted President Frankenfeld in obtaining some monies for the Chamber Orchestra.

II. CSO

  • New Director of Personnel, Paul Petrowski, will be meeting with President Frankenfeld to go over the sick leave policy in the CBA.
  • President Frankenfeld will be leaving June 4 for the first meeting of the media agreement negotiations.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Field Representative Barbara Owens has decided to leave the AFM. She has been a real anchor for Locals    in the Midwest. May 31 will be her last day.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID:

See attached B 25938 – 25950

Next meeting scheduled for June 9 at 10:00 AM

Meeting adjourned at 5:41PM.

/by

Board Meeting April 24, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on April 24,2017 at 3:37PM.

All members were present except for Carol Dunevant.

The minutes of the March 29,2017 meeting were amended with the addition of “AFM-EPF” for the purposes of clarity. M/S : Gaudio/Scott

NEW MEMBERS:

Richie Hawley – Clarinet – 03/07/2017

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED GOOD STANDING:

Richie Hawley – Clarinet – 03/31/2017

ERASED:

 

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • The President reported on a telephone call with AFM-EP Fund Manager Vinni Lo Presti regarding the current state of the Fund. Ms. Lo Presti emphasized the need for facts to be reported, rather than “doomsday” predicitions or wild speculation concerning the future financial viability of the Fund. She reinforced the fact that nothing will be known about the status of the Fund until the completition of annual Federal and State audit reports in late June or July at the earliest.
  • The latest Taft Museum Concert was performed by member Dan Grantham and his brass quintet to an overflow crowd on April 9, 2017. Dan also spoke to the CM President about a quote for hiring a union ensemble to perform for commencement exercises at Xavier University.
  • The President also spoke of the need to provide extra transportation money for the Dayton musicians who performed in the January woodwind concert at the Taft, and indicated that the travel overages could be folded into the final bill to be sent at the close of the season, with tax-exempt compensation provided to the affected players at that time.

II. CSO

  • The President reported that following a trial week, Detroit Symphony Principal Clarinet Ralph Skiano has been offered the Principal Clarinet position with the CSO.
  • Former Principal Trumpet, Robert Sullivan, was offered the Principal Trumpet position following an audition held on April 28, 2017. The original audition was extended because Music Director, Louis Langree, had not named a winning candidate. Two other previously, unheard trumpet candidates were invited to the audition but declined.
  • The President met with CSO Director of Personnel Paul Petrowski for nearly two hours on April 24, 2017, to explain CSO Master Contract matters. The two will continue to work closely so that Mr. Pietrowski can fully understand the agreement and to seek Union input on personnel matters.
  • The President reported that there were tributes to departing CSO President Trey Devey at the Conductor’s Circle dinner and for outgoing Personnel Director Walt Zeschin at an event held at the Taft Theatre. Both departing staff members were presented with gifts. The gift for Walt Zeschin was paid utilizing the CMA credit card, but it was reimbursed from CSO Committee funds.

NEW BUSINESS:

  • The President continues to revise an article for the membership regarding the status of the AFM-EP Fund.
  • The Music Performance Trust Fund has invited the CMA to participate in concerts in retirement homes as took place in 2015.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID:

See attached B

Next meeting scheduled for Monday, May 8 at 4:00PM

Meeting adjourned.

/by

Board Meeting March 13, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on March 13,2017 at 4:01PM.

All members were present.

The minutes of the February 27,2017 meeting were approved. M/S Scott/Lambert

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

ERASED:

 

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

Pension Fund

  • The general membership meeting had been cancelled pending a report from Local #47 and the MAC meeting in Chicago. The report from Local #47 was that the majority of time was spent on the history of the pension fund.
  • President Frankenfeld was able to speak with Marty Hodapp on Friday evening and Marty shared that there was not enough new information.
  • An FAQ section on the AFM website has been taken down.
  • President Frankenfeld reminded everyone that the letter was to make sure that no one was blindsided should something happen. The fund currently sits at 2.1 billion. Should the fund reach a point considered “critical and declining” there might be cuts.
  • The pension fund has a fiscal year of April 1 to March 31 and we will need to wait and see what the audit declares. It may be June or July before any news can be shared.

 

General Information

  • Taft museum concert still needs to be filled. President Frankenfeld is waiting to hear from Dan Grantham

II. CSO

  • Trumpet and clarinet auditions were completed. A winner and an alternate were declared for the principal clarinet position and someone has been offered a trial week for the principal trumpet position.

NEW BUSINESS:

NONE

 

The Board went into Executive Session at 4:47

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID:

See attached B 25849 – 25869

Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 29 at 3:45PM

Meeting adjourned at 4:47PM.

/by

Board Meeting February 27, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on February 27,2017 at 3:56PM.

All members were present.

The minutes of the February 13,2017 meeting were approved. M/S Gaudio/Lambert

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

ERASED:

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • Rob Evan, contact for Rocktopia, has agreed to hire a reduced orchestra of 14 members of the Local. Laura Proffit will be the contractor.
  • US Bank Arena has agreed to hire musicians of Local 1 for an August 3 event.

II. CSO update

  • President Frankenfeld updated the Board on the tour to Asia. The orchestra leaves on March 14. There will be a number of subs filling in for musicians who are unable to travel due to health or other reasons.
  • Next Monday are the clarinet auditions and trumpet auditions are in progress.
  • There was no musician offered the violin position although there were 3 finalists.
  • The search for Personnel Manager continues. There is one more candidate coming in this Friday.

NEW BUSINESS:

I. General Meeting

  • It was agreed that the General Meeting be postponed. It has come to the attention of the officers that Ray Hair and members of the IEB will be at meetings at Local 47 and also in Chicago. The Chicago meeting is next Wednesday, March 8. There had been questions whether or not the meeting could be recorded and shared but it would be helpful if someone could attend. Officers are checking their calendars to see if anyone can attend. Marty Hodap, Indianapolis, would appreciate some additional presence from the region.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID: M/S Lausche/Andres

See attached B 25837 – 25848

Next meeting scheduled for March 13, 2017 at 3:45PM

Meeting adjourned at 4:54PM.

/by

Board Meeting February 13, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on February 13,2017 at 4:51PM.

Mike Andres was absent.

Guests: Jenny Franzen from Kelley Galloway Smith Goolsby, PSC.

The minutes of the January 23,2017 meeting were approved.

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

ERASED:

 

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • President Frankenfeld yielded the floor to Jenny Franzen to report on the draft of the CMA Benefits Club Form 990. She went through the draft page by page explaining how the questions were answered and how figures were derived. There were no questions from the Trustees. When the final form and report are prepared she will return to give another report.
  • Cards for the general membership meeting are being printed and sent as soon as they are received. The meeting will be set up in a Q&A format. President Frankenfeld is trying to get answers generated by the letter sent to AFM members before the meeting

II. CSO

  • There will be 10 substitute musicians traveling with the CSO on their Asian tour.
  • President Frankenfeld provided an update on the health insurance coverage situation. Ultimately there is no simple or quick remedy. The ArtsWave MEWA could collapse if the CSO pulls out. The budgets of ArtsWave consortium members are dissimilar which adds a layer of complexity.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.  USPS

  • There is a serious problem with mail delivery. Membership dues statements, membership cards, even checks have failed to reach the appropriate parties. Carol Dunevant and Lynne Scott will be employing Mail Chimp to notify members of the difficulty and request calls or emails be directed to Lynne.

II. Vouchers

  • Prior to a vote on vouchers there were two questions. 1) voucher 25836 to Vivial. This name was unfamiliar to the Trustees. This is the new name for the company known as Berry, which is telephone book advertising. 2) Selective Insurance, voucher 25816, is the insurance company that provides coverage for the office. Following the clarification, a motion to accept the vouchers to be paid was made by Lou Lausche and the second given by Don Hurd. The motion passed.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID:

See attached B B25815 – 25836

Next meeting scheduled for February 27 at 3:45PM

Meeting adjourned at 4:57PM.

/by

Board Meeting January 23, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on January 23,2017 at 3:59PM.

All members were present.

The minutes of the January 9,2017 meeting were approved. M/S Gaudio/Scott

NEW MEMBERS:

Ryan Keefe Donohue Cello 1/20/17

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

Rachel Hockenberry Horn/Piano 1/21/17

ERASED:

 

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • President Frankenfeld opened the floor to discussion about having multiple (2) meetings with the general membership regarding the pension fund letter sent by the national office.
  • The fund is around $2 billion but it still falls in the critical and declining category. The definition of critical and declining would change but seeing that no one can predict what will happen there are more questions than answers.
  • The AFM could come up with a new rehabilitation plan. There are possible options but no one can see into the future.
  • It was decided that there would be a single meeting with the general membership on or around March 6, 2017.

II. CSO

  • MusicNow was debriefed. The future format may include a split orchestra week. Baroque/Classical offerings may happen at Music Hall and contemporary music being performed at various venues around Cincinnati. This was a difficult week for the orchestra due to the complexity and volume of music.
  • The search for Director of Personnel continues. There have been some phone interviews and a candidate will be interviewed on February 7.

III. Ballet

  • There has been no definitive word from Carmon DeLeone about how many freelance weeks the Ballet Orchestra will be able to perform. There were 2 in 2015 and 1 in 2016.
  • Barb Lambert asked about the possible recording project of King Arthur that had been brought up some time ago. President Frankenfeld responded that it was off the table. A recording from an actual performance would have too much backslap and sound of dancing. Doing a recording using the limited pressing option had been a calendar item placed in the CSO musician calendar but it has been removed. President Frankenfeld would prefer the Ballet Orchestra be used to provide work.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Don Hurd provided an update on the plans of Bravo Music and the annual dance.
  2. Membership Director, Lynne Scott, voiced concerns about dues statements not being delivered. She would like the $4 discount to extend through February. An email message will be sent to the membership using MailChimp to share the information.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID:

See attached B 25788-25814

Debit Card expenses for 2016 were presented and approved. M/S Hurd/Gaudio

Next meeting scheduled for February 6 at 3:45PM

Meeting adjourned at 5:20PM.

/by

Board Meeting January 9, 2017

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors’ of the Cincinnati Musicians’ Association was called to order on January 9,2017 at 4:00PM.

Barb Lambert was absent.

The minutes of the December 30,2016 meeting were approved with one clarification/correction. The $3000 sent to Ft. Worth came from the CSO Players Committee funds.

NEW MEMBERS:

GOOD STANDING FROM OTHER LOCALS:

NEW MEMBERS:

REINSTATE:

DECEASED:

RESIGNED:

Michael Samis  cello     12/31/2016

ERASED:

OLD/CURRENT BUSINESS:

I. President’s Report

  • Members of the CSO Players Committee are Ted Nelson, Boris Astafiev, Dan Culnan, Jennifer Monroe, and Dick Jensen. The CSO Advisory Committee members are Ixi Chen, Marty Garcia, Susan Peterson, Lois Johnson, and Chris Philpotts.

II. CSO

  • There will be a meeting on January 13, 2017 to discuss health care options. President Frankenfeld will be doing a presentation. Paul will be talking with Tony Guiduli (MEWA) about health care. A health care broker has been doing some pro bono work but the report did not provide any new information.
  • Patrick Hodge, winner of the horn audition, had his trial week and has been hired. The horn section seems very pleased. He will be Assistant principal and utility horn. His official start date will be June.
  • Ted Nelson, Heather Stengle, and Ralph LaRocca will be doing the advance trip to China.

NEW BUSINESS:

I. Office

  • Rhonda will be scheduling an appointment with Leslie at Kelly, Galloway, and Smith & Goolsby for a two-hour tutorial on QuickBooks. It will allow Rhonda to print some checks without the Track printer. However, the Track printer does allow for quicker printing of the W2s so it will not be going completely away.

II. AFM letter regarding Pension Fund

  • A letter regarding the pension fund was sent to all AFM members. The tone of the letter was somewhat alarmist as they are talking about reducing payouts. The decline of the recording industry is impacting the fund and this factor does not seem to be included in any rhetoric.
  • President Frankenfeld has asked the Trustees to consider scheduling two (2) General Membership meetings with the topic being the pension fund. He is suggesting one meeting in February and one meeting in March.
  • Early retirements are also making an impact on the fund. There are rules attached to early retirement but as jobs continue to dry up there are members who are relying on their pension for income.
  • The letter seemed to be aimed at younger, newer members implying that the fund is not a reliable source of retirement income.

III. Outstanding Loan Balance

  • The $175 balance on the loan given to Arthur Quitman was brought before the Trustees. Lou Lausche made a motion to forgive the balance due to the passing of Arthur Quitman. Joe Gaudio gave the second. The motion passed.

THE FOLLOWING VOUCHERS WERE ORDERED PAID: (LS/BL M/S)

See attached B 25782-25787

Next meeting scheduled for Monday, January 23 at 3:45PM

Meeting adjourned at 4:50PM.

/by