Message From the Election Committee

Election Committee Ready For Nominations

It is nomination time for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and six Directors of Local 655. Nominations are by written petition signed by the nominee and five additional members (a sample appears in the newsletter and on the website). Nominations must be received by September 22nd and may be mailed to: South Florida Musicians Assoc., Local 655 Election Committee, P.O. Box 814805, Hollywood, FL 33081. We will also be available to receive petitions and answer questions at the next membership meeting.

Scott Whitney, Elena Alamilla, Neil Kaplan, Eddie Martinez
AFM Local 655 Election Committee

Your Union, Your Choice

You will soon have the opportunity to choose the next leaders of AFM Local 655. The positions up for election for the 2012-2014 term are: President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and six Directors. As members, we each have the right to nominate and vote for the candidates we think will best fulfill the duties of each office.

New for this election, the term of office is now three years instead of two. Officers elected in 2011 will serve from January 2012 through December 2014.

As in previous elections, nominations and voting will be by mail. Candidates are nominated by written petition signed by the nominee and five additional members. A sample nomination petition appears in the August newsletter and on the website. Nominations must be received by the Election Committee by September 22nd and may be mailed to:

South Florida Musicians Assoc.
Local 655 Election Committee
P.O. Box 814805
Hollywood, FL 33081

In addition, the Election Committee will be available to receive nominations and answer questions in person at the membership meeting on September 19, 2011.

Important dates:

September 22: Deadline for receiving nominations
Week of October 3rd: Election ballots mailed to members
November 21: Election Day

If you have not received your election ballot by mid-October, please contact the Election Committee so that any mailing errors or omissions can be corrected in time for Election Day. Our goal is to have the most honest and successful union election possible!

Scott Whitney, phone: 954-989-5105; email: rootfive[at]bellsouth[dot]net
Elena Alamilla
Neil Kaplan
Eddie Martinez
AFM Local 655, Election Committee

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete election information is here: http://www.afm655.org/elections

Who is eligible to run for office?
Any member (except Inactive Life Members) in good standing continuously for at least one year before September 22, 2011.

Why was the term of office changed from two to three years?
To match the three-year term of office for AFM national officers.

Where can I find the duties of the Local's officers?
Under Article VII, Section 2, of the Local's bylaws.

Are the officers paid for their services to the Local?
Yes. President: $5,200 per year. Vice-President & Directors: $600 per year plus $20 mileage reimbursement per board meeting. Secretary-Treasurer: $16,900 per year.

How do I nominate a member for office?
By sending a nomination petition signed by the nominee and five additional members to the Election Committee at P.O. Box 814805, Hollywood, FL 33081.

Can I send a nomination by fax, or email?
No. Nominations must be in writing and delivered to the Election Committee by September 22nd.

Can a member run for more than one position?
No. A member may not accept nomination for more than one office at a time.

How can I find out who has been nominated?
Nominees will be posted on the Local's website as they are received.

Can a candidate promote themselves in the newsletter?
Yes. Candidates have free space in the newsletter to promote their candidacy (up to 100 words). Deadline for submissions is September 26th.

Who is eligible to vote?
Any member (except Inactive Life Members) in good standing as of Election Day, November 21, 2011.

Are suspended members eligible to vote?
No. Suspended members may receive a ballot, but it will not be counted unless the member is reinstated before Election Day.

Will my vote be secret?
Yes. Each member will receive a printed ballot, a return envelope, and a secure inner envelope for the ballot. All the inner envelopes will be removed from the return envelopes and mixed together before being opened. Unless you choose to reveal it yourself, no one will know how you voted.

Are write-in candidates allowed?
No. Only members whose names are printed on the ballot are eligible for election.

What's the latest I can mail in my ballot?
Ballots must be received by the Election Committee by 5:00 p.m., November 21st. To ensure delivery before the deadline, mail no later than November 15th.

When will the results of the election be available?
Election results will be posted on the website no later than November 27th. Results will also appear in the December newsletter.