Bylaw Committee Report September 8, 2003The Bylaw Committee met on Monday, September 8, 2003, to consider bylaw amendments proposed by the Board of Directors (copy attached). Proposal 1 (Theater Committee): The Bylaw Committee reports unfavorably on Proposal 1 for the following reasons: theater does not constitute a significant portion of the musical activities in Local 655’s jurisdiction; and should the need arise, a Special Committee can be appointed. Proposal 2 (Dues Increase): ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES The Bylaw Committee reports favorably on increasing dues for Regular, Student, Youth, and Life Members by $15. The Bylaw Committe reports unfavorably on increasing dues for Inactive Life Members by $15, and recommends that dues for Inactive Life Members instead be increased by $5. WORK DUES The Bylaw Committee reports unfavorably on increasing CBA work dues from 2.5% to 2.75%, and recommends the following substitute resolution: Whereas, Currently no members working under a CBA pay a disproportionate amount of work dues; therefore, Resolved, That Article V, Section 3, (a), 1. be amended by striking out “2.5%” and inserting “3%.” The Bylaw Committee discussed the Life Insurance Assesment, including proposals for a voluntary “benefit fund” administered by the Local. The Bylaw Committee recommends that when members consider amending the bylaws to increase dues, eliminating the Life Insurance Assesment should also be considered. The Bylaw Committee unanimously recommends amending the bylaws as follows: Whereas, Eliminating the Life Insurance Assesment will ease the burden of the proposed dues increases; and Whereas, The current life insurance benefit does not justify the expense to the membership; and Whereas, Providing life insurance benefits is not germane to the mission of the Local, therefore, Resolved, That the bylaws be amended by striking out Article XV GROUP LIFE INSURANCE in its entirety, and by striking out any other references to life insurance in the bylaws. Local 655, Bylaw Committee Jeff Apana Kurt Hagen Katrenna Johnson Tony Toran Scott Whitney |