Report Anonymously, Protect Your Rights, and Contribute to a Better Work Environment for All 

by Rochelle Skolnick, AFM Symphonic Services Division Director and Special Counsel
and Jonathan Ferrone, AFM Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President

Reports of sexual harassment, assault, and other abusive practices within our industry have become more public over the past few years. The AFM strives to ensure a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment for all members. Our union, after all, belongs to all of its members, and an injury to one is an injury to us all. Unfortunately, we have learned that some members may not have felt comfortable reporting sensitive situations to their union and some were unaware that their union could help in such cases.

In addition to adopting a new Code of Conduct that reaffirms our commitment to a union in which discrimination and harassment are not tolerated, the AFM is partnering with NotMe Solutions to make the #NotMe app and website available to AFM members. It is a secure and encrypted platform where AFM members can report a range of concerns, including harassment, contract or policy violations, unresolved payroll discrepancies, and instances of feeling unsafe in any way.

 

How Does #NotMe Work?

The AFM and its locals support musicians, and we hope that everyone feels comfortable directly sharing their concerns. We recognize, though, that not everyone has the same level of comfort. To help ensure that every member has a communication channel through which they feel comfortable connecting with support from the AFM, we have implemented the #NotMe app. The #NotMe app is 100% free to all AFM members, and is available in English, French, and Spanish.

With #NotMe in place, we hope to encourage a union culture and work environments free from misconduct by ensuring that musicians’ concerns are taken seriously. We expect our members to uphold our collective responsibility to stop harassing conduct whenever possible, support those who speak up, and report offensive conduct whenever possible.

When a report is submitted through the Speak Up tab, it is reviewed by a dedicated team of AFM staff members. AFM members can expect to receive a timely initial response and regular updates. When creating a report, the app asks members a series of questions to help describe the incident being reported. There are a variety of preselected answers to choose from or members may describe the situation in their own words.

You can report anonymously or on behalf of someone else, and you can choose your level of comfort. The chat feature may be used anonymously, and you may submit photos or other supporting documents as evidence. For more informal reports, the “Just Sayin” tab may be utilized.

 

Speak Up Safely

You own your reports:

• All account data is saved on NotMe Solutions servers, not on the AFM server
• You decide when you’re ready to share your report
• All notifications go to your personal (not work) email
• You can keep track of your reports and view them at any time, even if you leave the AFM

You choose your anonymity:

• Anonymous reporting is available, or you can give your name
• You may use an anonymous two-way chat with your investigator to continue the discussion
• Reveal your name/information when you’re ready

The app and web platform are designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, and submitting a report typically takes less than five minutes. Note: Locals 10-208 (Chicago, IL) and 802 (New York City) have already adopted their own #NotMe app. Members of those locals are free to use either their local’s or the AFM’s version.

And remember, the AFM:

• Cannot course correct if you do not speak up
• Cannot engage in a meaningful conversation with you if it does not know what is happening
• Cannot protect you, if and when protection is warranted, if it does not know about issues

 

Change the Culture Committee

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Local 10-208 Secretary-Treasurer Karen Suarez Flint and the Change the Culture Committee for introducing the AFM to NotMe Solutions and for their continued dedication to protecting all members equally.

Members of the Change the Culture Committee include:

• Karen Suarez Flint, Change the Culture Committee founder, Local 10-208 secretary-treasurer
• Jennifer Arnold, Black Orchestra Network founding and steering committee member, Local 99 (Portland, OR) member
• Heather Boehm, Theater Musicians Association president, Local 10-208 member
• Marta Bradley, Local 161-710 (Washington, DC) secretary-treasurer
• Tammy Noreyko, Local 7 (Orange County, CA) secretary
• Stephanie O’Keefe, Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) president
• Rochelle Skolnick, AFM Symphonic Services Division director/special counsel
• Amanda Swain, Regional Orchestra Players Association vice president, Local 65-699 (Houston, TX) member
• Ellen Trainer, Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA) president
• Melinda Whitley, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) member
• Michele Zapf-Belanger, Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians and Local 591 (Thunder Bay, ON) member

The AFM needs and wants every member to engage in building a culture where all musicians are included, welcomed, and appreciated. Please use the QR code to download the #NotMe app today, so when you see something, you’re ready to speak up!

 

Learn more about the app and reporting process at: https://help.not-me.com/about-notme