Local and state affiliate services.

Local and state affiliate services. MTNA has more than 500 local affiliates throughout the country.Among other things, local associations provide special educationalprogramming, festivals and opportunities to meet new friends with commoninterests. MTNA offers its local associations various programs andservices to support its music teachers and their students. GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE MTNA offers general liability insurance coverage for everyMTNA-affiliated state and local association. Every state and localassociation is covered under this policy for an unlimited number ofevents at no cost to any individual association. MTNA has agreed to paythe cost of this premium. This agreement does not cover individuals. ASCAP MUSIC LICENSING In 1997, MTNA entered into a blanket licensing agreement with theAmerican Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Thisagreement covers the licensing fees of all public performances ofcopyrighted music at all MTNA-related events--local, state, division andnational. The agreement does not cover individual members, publicrecitals or programs. To comply with this agreement, state and local affiliates must sendtwo copies of any association-sponsored event program during whichcopyrighted music is performed to the MTNA headquarters by June 30 ofeach year. This is done to ensure ASCAP composers are properly creditedfor the performance. No attendance figures are required from the states.MTNA then submits a report, the licensing fee and the program to ASCAP. LOCAL ASSOCIATION GRANTS The MTNA FOUNDATION FUND awards grants to MTNA local affiliates forprojects that provide educational opportunities for students andteachers. Grants are also given for projects that support the promotionof music in the local association's community. Matching grants areavailable for established associations and start-up grants are availablefor associations in the process of being formed. 501(C)(3) GROUP EXEMPTION State and local affiliates may apply for 501(c)(3) status throughMTNA's group exemption process. Among the advantages of 501(c)(3) status, affiliates can acceptcharitable contributions that will be tax deductible to the contributorand claim exemption from state sales tax. To take advantage of this benefit, affiliates must review theirconstitutions for compliance with Code Section 501(c)(3) requirements,have federal ID number and submit a letter authorizing the nationalorganization to include them on MTNA's "group exemptionroster." The national headquarters provides guidelines forcompleting the process. For more information about becoming a 501(c)(3) organization,contact Marge Bengel, MTNA's senior deputy executive director at(888) 512-5278 or mbengel@mtna.org.