AM MINUTES 2008


Alternate ROOTS Annual Meeting <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


 


Business Meeting Notes, Wednesday, 8/6/08


Facilitator—Lisa Q. Mount, Shannon Woolley, secretary; Nick Slie, rep MS/LA; Sage Crump, rep GA/SC/AL


Time-keeper—Beth Heidelberg, rep GA/SC/AL


Emotions Monitor—D. Patton White


Public Scribe—Lauren Fitzgerald


 


Present:


Voting: Marquez Rhyne (Chair), Ashley Sparks, (Vice Chair), Shannon Woolley, (Secretary), Priscilla Smith, (Treasurer), Carolyn Renee, (Executive Director), Carlton Turner, (Regional Director), Shannon Turner, Kathy Randels, Cece Daratany, Brandon duMonde, Allen Welty-Green, Tanya Pettiford-Wates, Stephen Clapp, Kathie deNobriga, Lisa Mount, Bailey Barash, Jeff Mather, Jerita Wright, Linda Parris-Bailey, Trina Fischer, Beverly Botsford, Laura Schandelmeier, Mike Anestor, Maurice Turner, Bruce France, Sage Crump, D. Patton White, Chris Doerflinger, Eleanor Brownfield, Shannon Turner, Camille Shafer, Toni Shifalo, Steve Seaberg, Sheila Kerrigan, Bob Leonard, Beth Heidelberg, Nick Slie, LaTonnya Wallace


 


Non-voting: Kim LeDee, Theresa Baylor, Slash Coleman, Lauralee Petritz, Danah Loise, Lauren Shufelt, Olisa Enrico-Johnson, Louisa Sargent, Andrea Assaf, Kira Davidson, Dan Brawley, Ken J. Martin, Sheila Gaskins, Robert Martin, Dora Ancola, Molly Van Arvey, Michelle Milke, Greta Galuszka, Hannah Adams, Paul Bonin-Rodriguez, James A. Murrell, Ebony Golden, Zachari Curtis, Nia Wilson, Lisa Suarez, S.T. Shimi, Rodger French


 


9:30—Who We Are and What We Bring Lisa Q. Mount


We "mapped" ourselves in the room, according to where we are "from," where we live now, what generation we are a part of, when we began attending ROOTS, and where we feel our education level is in regard to racism.


 


10:00—Meeting Contract




·       keep an open mind


·       ask a question if you have a question


·       use "I" statements


·       it is OK to leave the room


·       listen more than you talk


·       use snaps for agreement


·       be concise


·       be patient with ALL people


·       strive to use inclusive language while giving one another grace


·       clarify coded language—use "WHOA" to call attention to this


·       discuss language (outside of business meetings) i.e, different cultures


·       use the parking lot


·       be open to new ways of communicating


·       take care of your needs, without taking focus


·       clean-up after yourself and others


·       ask red-stickered people (i.e., people with experience at the Alternate ROOTS Annual Meeting)


·       wear your name tags


·       who comes is


·       share stewardship of the meeting


·       don't beat a dead horse


·       Use path of community engagement: observation, participation, conversation, invitation, collaboration




 


Open Space Technology was explained


 


Election and Nomination Process was explained—Beth Heidelberg identified as point person for nomination process if someone would like to come forward as an officer


 


10:30—Work Groups—How ROOTS works


Groups were identified—Development, Resources for Social Change, Strategic Planning, Annual Meeting, Membership, Technology, Tour/Festival


 


11:00—Approval of Minutes of 2007 Annual Meeting


 


EDITS


·       minutes need page numbers


·       pg 2—add "organizations can act as fiscal sponsors for individuals, OR ASK FOR FISCAL SPONSORSHIP"


·       pg 5—indicate why group report-backs have bolded bullet points


·       pg 7—NET should be spelled out as "Network of Ensemble Theatre"


·       pg 7—correct the columns of voting and non-voting members


·       pg 8—David Bury Continuum Process


·       pg. 8—add last name to Stephen (Clapp)


·       pg. 8—add "Derek Brown" to King


·       pg 8—clarify that groups were based traditional geographic grouping, rather than on ROOTS regions


·       pg 9—NPN


·       pg 9—clarify that the proposal about Executive Committee, including workgroup chairs, was not approved


·       pg. 9—put space between proposal and workgroup discussion


·       pg. 9—add last name to Shannon (Woolley)


·       pg 10—add last names whenever possible


·       pg. 10—add "Executive" to Carolyn's title


·       pg. 11—change "abstentia" to "abstention"


·       pg. 12—concerns, add "Bailey" to Steve ()


·       pg 14—change ditto marks to reflect what they mean


Maurice Turner moved to approve the 2007 minutes as edited


Kathie deNobriga seconded


29 in favor, 0 oppose, 1 abstention


2007 minutes approved


 


11:30—The new website presented by Carlton Turner and Allen Welty-Green


 


·       Last year at this time, we had met with DSI (Design for Social Impact,) funded by LINC (Leveraging Investments in ) to begin to identify who we are as an organization, and create a new logo. They sent to the 2007 AM several proposals for new logos, none of which fit our vision. After discussion with the larger group, Priscilla sketched a tree with roots made of hands, and DSI created our new, current logo. In early 2008, we had a "web-raising"—similar to a barn-raising, we activated our new website on a conference call with ROOTS members on the phone, and it was happening live, which was really empowering, as we were given the means of production to control our own site!


 


·       Carlton and Allen led us through the new site on the large projector, including AM registration, message board, and artist registry


·       Question from Andrea Assaf—can only ROOTS members create profiles on the site?


·       Answer: No, any artist, throughout the world, can register, however Allen is working to add to each profile a signifier that will indicate ROOTS members 


·       Concerns to website can now be easily and immediately addressed, and should be sent to webmaster@alternateroots.org


  


3:00—Membership Conversation


Kathie deNobriga gave us some history about membership:


In the beginning, we were all artists of the Southeast, and "who comes is." After a time, artists/activists came from outside of the Southeast, and thus the "satellites" were born.Then "drive-bys" started happening—folks who came for a summer, then disappeared—and did not commit to the work of the organization—thus, membership became necessary. But it has become very convoluted, somewhat inaccessible, possibly exclusionary, and needs to be re-envisioned.


 


At this point, we "mapped" the room to get a sense of the intention of the membership—THIS WAS NOT A VOTE OR BINDING IN ANY WAY.


 


We placed ourselves in the room according to the following ways of thinking:


1. ROOTS is a member organization whose primary purpose is to serve its members (14)


2. ROOTS is a Member organization whose primary purpose is service TO THE FIELD (of community arts and activism) (21)


3. ROOTS is a coalition—a group organized for collective action (9)


have a three part proposal to address—we are not seeking to pass it at this moment, but to gauge the feelings in the room.


 


We mapped ourselves again, based on the following proposal:


Membership is open to anyone living in the South (this would be our current 12 states and the District of Columbia, plus TX and AK)


1. ROOTS continues to define membership by the 12 Southeastern US and DC. (0)


2. ROOTS defines its membership by the "South"—adding TX and AK (approximately ¾ of the participants were in this area)


3. ROOTS becomes national or international in scope (approximately ¼ of the participants were in this area)


 


We mapped ourselves according to the following:


1. ROOTS adds TX and AK, and that's it (13 people)


2. ROOTS seeks a broader definition of the South (such as adding the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) (36 people)


 


We mapped ourselves according to the following proposal:


Satellite members who have shown a long-term commitment to the purpose and organization of ROOTS may be eligible for voting membership, to be determined by a vote of the voting membership.


Unfortunately, no count was taken for this poll.


 


4:00—Resources for Social Change (RSC) and Community Arts Partnership Projects (C/APP)


·       Carlton reviewed the purposes of RSC, which is the training arm of ROOTS that explores best practices for engaging with communities, and C/APP, a granting program that provides funding for partnerships between Artists and specific Communities—these grants are mentored by RSC members.


·       The next C/APP deadline will be 11/03/08


·       Carolyn reviewed the "Gathering at the Crossroads" grants this year—these were learning exchange weekends in five communities of our region, led by Resources for Social Change leaders. They were in :


Charlotte, NC


Charleston, SC


Louisville, KY


Chestertown, VA


Atlanta, GA


·       Current RSC facilitators and facilitators-in-training identified themselves, and Kathie invited other interested members to approach RSC members if interested in becoming a part of RSC. Statements of intent will be available on the ROOTS website in the fall


·       Nov 7-9 will be the RSC training, probably in Atlanta


·       Bob Leonard reported on current RSC partnerships and projects:


1.    We have a relationship with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP), which hosts a very large conference for touring artists and presenters yearly in NY, and has asked ROOTS to aid in the planning of the 2009 APAP conference.


2.    We are partnering with the Southern Arts Federation (SAF) in an initiative for the next two years to educate and aid under-served presenters in understanding how to present community-based art.


3.    We are partnering with the Atlanta Partnership for Arts and Learning (APAL), in a weekend workshop to train artists around working with classroom teachers in equal partnership.


4.    We have the opportunity to partner with The Culture Works Project in Baltimore, around "The Highway to Nowhere" an unfinished highway that was built through the center of 14 neighborhoods in Baltimore in the 60's. A Baltimore artist, Ashley Milburn has conceived of the highway as a space for public art, and is seeking to partner with RSC to bring this to fruition in a way that engages and respects these communities.


 


 


4:30—Development—Carolyn Morris and Priscilla Smith


·       Last year we were facing lean times, and we went to Roberta Uno, our longtime supporter at The Ford Foundation, who agreed to host a funders’ luncheon with us in NYC in January of 08, co-supported by Claudine Brown of The Nathan Cummings Foundation. We therefore spent the fall and winter creating an Alternate ROOTS Case Statement and accompanying video to present to these funders.


·       As a result of this, the Nathan Cummings Foundation renewed our funding of $200,000 over the next two years, and The Ford Foundation renewed our funding of $275,000 over the next two years.


·       We watched the video


·       Priscilla revisited with us the ways that we brainstormed at the 2007 AM to diversify funding. We were charged to break into groups by regions and agree to 1-2 tasks from this list (or new ideas) that we can commit to during the 2009 season


·       Mike asked for regions to contribute their ideas for fundraisers:


·       DC/VA/MD—VCU Student government association as a vehicle for membership drive and in order to pay for fundraisers for ROOTS and as free space. The Conciliation Project is the point person for this


·       GA/SC/AL—in process of planning banquet fundraising dinner in partnership with a culinary arts school that will provide food, in conjunction with the art event "The Future Is On The Table" at the end of October. Planning a ROOTS arts and junk booth- point Eleanor Brownfield


·       NC/KY/TN—discussed space to hold fundraiser, created list of possible spaces—hosting events at the spaces and a friendly Battle of the Bands- Point person is—Lauren Fitzgerald and Linda Parris-Bailey


·       Satellites—joint fundraising; collaborating on grants; extending the national scope and impact; use collaboration as leverage for big money; point person: Andrea Assaf


·       LA/MS—House Parties as a way to introduce ROOTS to people: Maurice Turner point person; subsidized “trainings” with sliding scale fee as a fundraiser: Ashley Sparks point person; "State of the Nation Festival" as a membership drive, portion of ticket sales of performances donated to ROOTS


·       FL—Merchandising on consignment, giving a portion of the proceeds to ROOTS; there is a festival that could be used; Hardcore Youth as a membership base; hosting an RSC training—Demetrius Klein as point person; reaching out to local arts council: Mike Anestor as point person


 



Friday, August 8, 2008


Present:


Voting: Marquez Rhyne (Chair), Ashley Sparks, (Vice Chair), Priscilla Smith, (Treasurer), Shannon Woolley (Ssecretary), Carlton Turner (Regional Director), Carolyn Renee, (Executive Director), Bailey Barash, Lisa Mount, Kathy Randels, Trina Fischer, Bob Kilby, Nick Marchese, Shon Sims, Toni Shifalo, Rodger French, Linda Parris-Bailey, Allen Welty-Green, Brandon duMonde, Omari Fox, LaTonnya Wallace, Stephen Clapp, Laura Schandelmeier, Hope Clark, Jamaal Benjamin, Chip Epstein, Sheila Kerrigan, D. Patton White, Mike Anestor, Chloe Smith, Chris Doerflinger, Jaehn Clare, Eleanor Brownfield, Camille Shafer, Shannon Turner, Sandra Hughes, Kathie deNobriga, Beth Heidelberg, Nick Slie




 


Non-voting: Judy Conder, Obakunle Akinlana, Mollie Lakin-Hughes, Robert Martin, S. T. Shimi, Paul Bonin-Rodriguez, Karen Garrett, Tracy Broyles, Andrea Assaf, Dora Ancola, Rajni Shah, Theron Schmidt, Mary Luft, James Murrell, Ken J. Martin, Marie T. Cochran, Jesica Wiseman, Gail Kurtz, Martha Talbott, Laura Lee Petritz, Sheila Gaskins, Michelle Milne, Kira Davidson, Olisa Enrico, Louisa Sargent, Trey Hartt, Hannah Adams, Julia Taylor


 



2:30—Membership Discussion, pt. 2—facilitated by Kathie deNobriga


 


Background to Proposal:


When it began 32 years ago, ROOTS defined its service area as the 12 Southeastern states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, W. Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland and Washington DC. This definition of "Southeast" was based not on official boundaries or historic divisions such as the Mason-Dixon line but on an earlier belief in "who comes is," and a shared understanding of mutual challenges and resources.


 


A contingent of artists from other states, especially Texas, have been consistent contributors to ROOTS activities and mission since its founding in 1976. This proposal honors the long-term commitment of these artists and supports our collective desire to evolve organically over time. Deleting the section of the by-laws which limits ROOTS geographic area will enable us to more easily add states and territories in the future, as participation and engagement expand.


 


Proposal


That Alternate ROOTS amend its by-laws to delete the sentence listing specific states. The membership also agrees to expand the primary geographic focus for its programs and services (as defined in the Membership Guide) to include Arkansas and Texas. 


 


Questions for Clarity:-


·       This amends only our By-Laws to allow the Board of Directors to live in other states, in order to allow us to add TX and AK?


·       Answer: Yes


·       But it does not end our cultural focus on the South?


·       Answer: No


·       Does it allow anyone to access ROOTS funding?


·       Answer: No. Only the original 12, plus DC, and the addition of AK and TX


 


Concerns


·       Kathy Randels--taking the original 12 states and DC out of the by-laws loses a vital part of our history


 


Suggested amendment—Leave the states in, but add TX and AK


·       Kathie deNobriga--if we simply add the two states, we may be doing this again next year to add other suggested states and districts to our region


·       Lisa Mount—The Ex-Comm is empowered to change policy during the course of the year, therefore if we take the states out of the by-laws, the ExComm could conceivably change policy without the consent of the board—at this point it was noted that this is true regardless, as the ExComm makes up a quorum of the board.


 


 


Amended Proposal: The membership agrees to expand the primary geographic focus for its programs and services (as defined in the Membership Guide) to include Arkansas and Texas.


Concerns


·       Shannon Woolley—if we leave the states in, it will make it more difficult in the future to make non-TX long-term committed members (Caron Atlas, Olive Dance, Andrea Assaf, etc) full voting members


·       Andrea Assaf—as a long-time satellite member, I think it's IMPORTANT to retain the list of the original states


·       Allen Welty-Green—ROOTS was founded due to needs and challenges rooted in the South—if we change that, then we are moving far from our original intent.


·       Olissa Enrico-Johnson—are those challenges still relevant today?


 


Consensus reached—32 voting members present, all indicating a "4" or "5" on a "Fist-to-Five" scale


Preamble: "Who comes is" reflects ROOTS deep commitment to participatory democracy and self-determination


 


Proposal:


Membership is open to any person living in the South who shares ROOTS mission and vision.


Application for membership may be accepted at any time. New members are confirmed annually at the Annual Meeting by a vote of the members present. New members who are not able to attend an Annual Meeting may ask a current member to bring their name forward as a prospective member. Members are eligible to apply for all programs and services, according to clear criteria which may include active engagement in ROOTS' activities.


 


There will be one standard Membership fee, established annually by the Executive Committee, the group empowered by the Members to move ROOTS's work forward between Annual Meetings.


Members in good standing (current on dues) constitute the Voting Board, responsible as the legal and financial stewards for Alternate ROOTS.


Satellites:


Alternate ROOTS will continue to offer satellite affiliation to persons living outside the designated geographic area. Satellites may not be eligible for some programs and services, and cannot serve as Voting Members.


 


At this point a graffiti board was posted


 for discussion on this topic before a revised proposal is brought forth.


 


4:00—Vision Statement for Strategic Planning


*note—Strategic Planning notes are not a part of these minutes, however I chose to include this Vision Statement, as it will be used to guide the work of the year ahead.


 


The Strategic Planning work group compiled the vision statements of the breakout groups earlier, and returned with this:


Alternate ROOTS exemplifies the paradigm shift towards justice internally and universally. ROOTS supports healthy artists making better art and is widely recognized for catalyzing transformation and activism. Our home is diversity, pluralism, and multi-lingualism sustained by abundant resources equitably shared. We actively practice multi-generational partnerships, mentorship and learning, and a balance of dynamic technology and grassroots action.


 


Concerns


·       Sheila Kerrigan—it doesn't have "community art" in it anywhere


·       Kathie deNobriga—I don't like it starting with a buzz term like "paradigm shift"


·       Beth Heidelberg, Jo Carson, Andrea Assaf--I don't like the use of the term "healthy" in that it seems to exclude those with physical ailments—can we choose a different word?


·       Andrea Assaf—What does "universally" mean? Can we change it to "systemic?"


·       Olissa Enrico-Johnson—I don't understand "our home is diversity"—can we say "our foundation?"


·       Trina Fischer—Can we add something about protection of the natural world? It is a part of our mission statement. Can we say "resources equitably and sustainably shared?


·       John —It is extremely wordy and I don't know that it says much


 


At this point the staff and Strategic Planning Committee indicated that our charge is not to wordsmith, but to come to consensus on the ideas


·       Shannon Turner—I don't like "paradigm shift," because it indicates that the current and past paradigms were NOT working for justice, and I think that dishonors the work of our forebears.


 


The Strategic Plan will work to address these concerns


 


4:30—Budget, part one—Priscilla Smith, Treasurer


The budget was presented, we took 10 minutes to review, and raised the following questions:


 


·       Trey Hartt—Why are member dues this year only half of what was expected?


Answer: This budget is through June, and member dues are due in September


·       Kathie deNobriga—Do any of the two-year grants carry over to 2010?


Answer: Yes, but the 2010 numbers are not listed here. $62,000 is allocated for 2010


·       Kathie deNobriga—Why has the rent gone up so much?!


Answer: That rent number includes the rent for Lutheridge, as well as the office—we will break down those numbers


·       Hawah—can we also get a breakdown of salaries?


Answer: not yet, as we are still in the midst of strategic planning


 



Saturday, Aug 9, 2008


Present:


Voting: Marquez Rhyne (Chair), Shannon Woolley, (Secretary), Priscilla Smith, (Treasurer), Beth Heidelberg, Linda Parris-Bailey, April Turner, Nick Slie, Shon Sims, Sheila Kerrigan, Kathie DeNobriga, Carolyn Renee, Priscilla Smith, ST Shimi, Bailey Barash, Sandra Hughes, Camille Shafer, D. Patton White, Mike Anestor, Judi Jennings, Bob Kilby, Stephen Clapp, Laura Schandelmeier, Elayne White, Sage Crump, Shannon Turner, Mary Luft, John Kramel, Chris Doerflinger, Steve Seaberg, Lisa Suarez, Alicia Hicks, John O’Neal, Toni Shifalo


 


Non-Voting: Lise Kloeppel, Lauren Fitzgerald, Davis Petterson, Danah Richardson “Wise”, Nick Szuberla, Andrea Assaf, Ed Kilby, Nick Marchese, Theresa Baylor, Marie T. Cochran, Michelle Milne, Judy Conder, Jean Martinolich, Hannah Adams, Jessica Wiseman, Evan McLaughlin, Jamie Merwin, Cecelia Johnson, Robert Martin, Valencia Goodwin, Moses Rickett, Stephen Mount, Jaamal Benjamin, Rodger French, Leslie Barker, Rachel King Bomr, Heather Wilson, Latrelle Bright, Maren Ward, Olisa Enrico-Johnson, Trey Hartt


 


2:30--Discussion about membership, cont'd.


 


Proposal:


1. Voting Membership is open to any person living in the South, as stated in the By-laws, who shares ROOTS' mission.


 


2. Applications for membership may be accepted at any time. New members are confirmed at the Annual Meeting by a vote of members present. Prospective members who are unable to attend an annual meeting may ask current members to bring their names forward for membership, based on participation in other ROOTS activities. Members are eligible to apply for all programs and services, according to clear criteria, which may include active engagement in ROOTS activities.


 


3. There will be one standard membership fee, established by the Ex Comm, the group empowered by the members to move ROOTS work forward between annual meetings.


 


This part of the proposal was withdrawn.


  


4. Voting Members in good standing (current on dues) constitute the Board of Directors responsible as the legal and financial stewards for Alternate ROOTS.


 


5. Satellite members are those persons living outside the designated geographic area. Satellite members may not be eligible for some programs/services and cannot serve as a Voting Member.


 


Clarifying questions


·       Paying Standard fee means you can vote?


·       Answer: After being confirmed at an annual meeting.


 


Satellite members


·       Are eligible to receive discounts for annual meeting


·       Pay a satellite membership fee


 


Concerns


·       Add language about introductory membership, nonvoting


·       Not requiring presence at the Annual Meeting for membership is a shift in practice going back to the beginning of ROOTS, an extreme departure from face-to-face engagement. Greater good is that more people may be able to join.


·       Attending Annual Meeting important to understand how ROOTS really works, what it is all about


·       Should we say members must attend annual meeting?


 


Revised Proposal


1. Voting Membership is open to any person living in the U. S. South, as stated in the Bylaws, who shares ROOTS's mission.


 


2. Applications for membership may be accepted at any time. New members are confirmed at the Annual Meeting by a vote of members present. Prospective members who are unable to attend an Annual Meeting may ask current members to bring their names forward for membership, based on participation in other ROOTS activities. Members are eligible to apply for all programs and services, according to clear criteria, which may include active engagement in ROOTS activities.


 


3. Voting Members in good standing (current on dues) constitute the Board of Directors, and are responsible as the legal and financial stewards for Alternate ROOTS.


 


4. Satellite members are those persons living outside the designated geographic area. Satellite members may not be eligible for some programs/services and cannot serve as a Voting Member.


 


Concerns


·       Not requiring attendance at annual meeting


·       Discussion about categories of membership, since Number 3 was removed from original proposal


·       General membership now removed, Voting membership changed by this proposal


·       Including a level of introductory membership (not voting)


·       Concern about not requiring attendance to become a member, maybe require attending in 5 years?


·       Others think requiring attendance not a good idea


·       Maybe have scholarship if a member cannot attend


·       About what it means to be a member of a Board of Directors, how many people will do the actual work of the organization?


·       Coming to annual meeting is not a punishment, even if these kinds of discussions are painful. It's a good idea to build in expectations of attending.


·       Being a member of the Board Of Directors is important, a huge responsibility. Good to meet new members in person.


·       What about insurance for Board?


·       Concern about increasing number of Board members and how that affects quorum


 


At this point, the proposal was referred back to the Membership work group for further consideration.


 


Proposal to approve annual budget


Clarifying Questions


·       Staffing line 89?


·       Answer: Staffing will be aligned with strategic plan


·       Question about line number 69?


·       Answer: Bookkeeping fee


·       Big increase in advertising, food costs of annual meeting for 2009?


·       Answer: 2008 figures originally under-budgeted, adjusted should be compared to that


·       If salary is increasing, shouldn't FICA and unemployment be increased?


·       Answer: This has been figured out. This year was low because staff not fully paid.


·       Budgeting for staff bonuses?


·       Answer: Included in the budget but will be decided by Ex Comm


 


Concerns and Suggestions:


·       Highlight what is new in the budget each year. Include a narrative.


 


Priscilla Smith (treasurer) is working on new ways to present and clarify budget


·       Shannon Turner: Important to always maintain health insurance for staff, narrative needed so members can understand what they are voting on


·       Increase in box office revenue? Members doing events as fundraisers or earned income (e.g. RSC sessions)


·       Concern line 24 individual contributions, $15,000 in 2008, doubled in 2009. We cut the goal at first but now it is doubled? Realistic?


·       Development Work group working on individuals as well as grants


·       Cummings grant to support individual contributions


·       Concern about having more income over expenses factored in?


·       Two-year grants not included. Does not include cash reserves


·       Concern about having a contingency fund, increasing cash reserves through allocated percent of membership fee


·       Cash reserve should be included in budget.


·       Not included unless it will be increased. Ex Comm can look at developing a cash reserve policy, think about increasing endowment


 


Shelia Kerrigan moved to approve the proposed budget.


Beth Heidelberg seconded.  


Approved by 28 votes in favor, no votes against or abstentions


 


Membership will be considered at the meeting tomorrow morning


 


 



Sunday, August 10th, 2008


Present


Voting:


Marquez Rhyne (Chair), Ashley Sparks, (Vice Chair), Shannon Woolley, (Secretary), Priscilla Smith, (Treasurer), Carolyn Renee (Executive Director), Beth Heidelberg, Shannon Turner, Linda Parris-Bailey, Patrick Smith, Eleanor Brownfield, Sage Crump, Jerita Wright, Nick Slie, Chloe Smith, Julia Taylor, Hannah Adams, Bruce France, Lauren Fitzgerald, Olisa Enrico-Johnson, Shonderica “Shon” Sims, Lise Kloepel, Kathie deNobriga, Angel Rodriguez, Marie T. Cochran, Valencia Goodwin, Kim LeDee, D. Patton White, Melissa Cardona, Jeff Mather, John Kramel, Mary Luft, April Turner, Obakule Akinlana, Dallas Tolentino, Brandon Crowder, Louisa Sargent, Lauren Shufelt, Doris Davenport, Toni Shifalo, Elayne White, Sandra Hughes, Trey Hartt, Victoria Haynes, Nick Szuberla, Joseph Carlson, Etta Purcell, Davis Petterson, Danah Wise, Laura Schandelmeier, Stephen Clapp, Lisa Mount, MK Wegmann, Leah Smith, Sheila Kerrigan, Robert Martin, Zachari Curtis, Nick Slie, Jerita Wright, Mike Anestor, Chloe Smith, LaTonnya Wallace, Brandon duMonde, Camille Shafer, Jaehn Clare  


 


Non-Voting:


LauraLee Petritz, Sheila Gaskins, Ebony Jordan, Michelle Milne, Samantha Bath, Ken J. Martin, Delvina Wescott, Dan Brawley, Lauren LiBrandi, Mallory Starling, Jaamal Benjamin, DJ Saltigerald, Olisa Enrico-Johnson, Angel Rodriguez, Efrain Colon, Jessica Wiseman, Rodger French, Andrea Assaf


 


New Members


Membership is open to all persons living in the South. Satellite members should come forward to be recognized.


·       Trey Hart . Richmond, VA. Social Justice and change in the world. Education. Promote dialogue about racism in America. Social work about social justice.


Moved: Beth Heidelberg


Second: Eleanor Brownfield


Approved 28


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Danah Richardson (Wise) Atlanta,GA . Bringing art into community. Pondering how soldiers will make their way back into the community. Big Sisters/Big Brother


Moved: Kathie deNobriga


Second: Priscilla Smith


Approved 34


Abstained 0


Opposed 0


·       Nia Wilson Ex. Dir. of Spirit House in NC. (represented by Andrea Assaf)


Moved: Kathy Randall


Seconded: Jerita Wright


Approved 31


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Sheila Gaskins representing Theatre Action Group based in Baltimore, MD


Moved: Toni Shifalo


Seconded: Elayne White


Approved 35


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Robert Martin aka bobby B from KY-- Cultural organizer access, to land to build on, background in planning and organizing events, wife is director of NY Jobs for Justice


Moved: Camille Shafer


Seconded: Nick Slie


Approved 38


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       DJ from KY wants to be Satellite member, works with children and is Laverne Zabielski’s son


·       Samantha Bath with Millicent and Company attends Florida State University


Moved: Mike Anestor


Seconded: Beth Heidelberg


Approved 36


opposed 0


abstained 0


·       Kenneth J. Martin from Atlanta


Moved: Linda Paris Bailey


Seconded: Linda Smith


Approved 30


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


At this point, the consensus of the room was that we did not have time to count actual votes. Numbers from this point forward, including the election of officers, represent an approximation and not the actual number of votes. Oppositions and abstentions are actual counts.


 


·       Tracy Royals from Louisiana lives in Philly wants to be Satellite member realizes there is a home for her in the South.


·       Melissa Cardona lives in New Orleans area, daughter of 2 immigrant parents wants to serve as a fire starter and voice for those communities.


Moved: Elaine White


Second: Priscilla Smith


Approved 42


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Kait Zeigler from Richmond, VA with The Conciliation Project. whose mission is to undo racism.


Moved: Maurice Turner


Second: Linda Parris-Bailey


Approved 43


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Brandon Crowder with The Conciliation Project from Richmond VA whose mission is to undo racism.


Moved: Doris Davenport


Second: Chloe Smith


Approved 44


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Marie T. Cochran, first generation college student, is now a professor lives in Cullowe, NC


Moved: Chloe Smith


Second: Lisa Mount


Approved 45


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Lauren Fitzgerald believes in hard work and the principals of ROOTS, from Memphis, TN


Moved: Linda Parris Bailey


Second: Leah Smith


Approved 46


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Meghan Garmany first meeting fell in love with ROOTS living in Blacksburg


Moved: Lauren Fitzgerald


Second: Brandon Crowder


Approved 47


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Hannah Adams lives in New Orleans works with youth


Moved: Nick Slie


Seconded: Ashley Sparks


Approved 49


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Hawah lives in Washington DC, believes in social justice, is committed


Moved: Chloe Smith


Second: Sheila Gaskins


Approved 50


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Obakunle Akinlana based in North Carolina


Moved: Sheila Kerrigan


Second: Carolyn Renee


Approved 51


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


·       Julia Taylor moved to KY a week ago to work with Appalshop coming from Michigan- her passion is advocating for prisoners through the arts


Moved: Shannon Woolley


Second: Doris Davenport


Approved 52


Opposed 0


Abstained 0


At this point we noted that we had a burning issue that needed to be discussed with the community and therefore asked all new members to introduce themselves. We voted in new members in two shifts.


Delvina Wescott


Shonderica (Shon) Sims


Kiyoko


Saddhi Khali


Steve Bailey, TX


Lisa Suarez, TX


Steve Bailey, TX


Billy Munoz, TX


ST Shimi, TX


Paul Bonin Rodriguez, TX


Mallory Starling


Lise Kloeppel


Valencia Goodwin


Jean Martinolich, LA


Dan Brawely, NC


Nia Ray, GA


Linda Weiskoff, GA


Adria Campbell, SC


Kim LeDee, SC


Olisa Enrico-Johnson, VA


Lekia Hall, GA


Joseph Carlson, VA


Nick Szuberla, KY


Dipankar Mukherjee, satellite


Meena Natarajan, satellite


Sarah Turquety, satellite


Marquez Rhyne, TX


Chris Morris, GA


Kira Davidson, GA


Khafre Powell, satellite


Cecilia Johnson, satellite


Angel Rodriguez satellite


Lauren LiBrandi satellite


Jamaal Benjamin satellite


 


Moved: Doris Davenport moved Jerita Wright


Second: Jerita Wright


Moved: Jerita Wright


Second: Maurice Turner


 


Approved—55 Approved 42


Opposed—0 Opposed 0


Abstaining-1 Abstaining 0


 


3 bad moments discussion (facilitated by Ashley Sparks)


·       $100 was stolen from Lauren Fitzgerald's purse in Efird


·       a laptop was stolen from Efird


·       the kitchen was trashed


·       Jamie Merwin—bringing to light what membership means


·       We had at this point a long discussion about atonement and forgiveness.


·       Someone came forward to take responsibility for the trashing of the kitchen, and asked for the forgiveness of the community


·       Carolyn spoke to Lutheridge being our house, and asking for respect for this..


·       Andrea affirmed the person who came forward to speak to his involved in the kitchen incident.


·       Linda Parris-Bailey requested that we create a space where those involved in the removal of the laptop and money may come do so in anonymity.


·       Roger French encouraged the membership to consider work in the kitchen as an honorable experience. He further encouraged us to keep ROOTS a safe space.


·       Sobriety is challenging at Alternate ROOTS. We need to examine drinking as being an integral part of the ROOTS community.


·       Lara Lee lead the group in exercises to raise the energy.


 


Election of Officers (facilitated by Maurice Turner)


Ashley Sparks—Chair


Omari Fox—Vice Chair


Treasurer—Priscilla Smith


Secretary—April Turner


 


Moved: Kathie deNobriga


Second: Jerita Wright


 


Approved 58


Opposed 0


Abstaining 0


 


Executive Committee


MS/LA—Saddhi Khali, Melissa Cardona (Maurice Turner and Nick Slie ex officio)


GA/SC/AL—LaTonnya Wallace, Valencia Goodwin, Shon Sims, Shannon Turner, Doris Davenport, Beth Heidelberg


VA/WV/MD/DC—Sheila Gaskins, Tanya Pettiford-Waits, Brandon duMonde


KY/TN/NC—Jerita Wright, Latrelle Bright, Nia Wilson, Dan Brawley


TX/AK--S.T. Shimi


FL—Mike Anestor, Lela Lombardo


Satellite—Jamie Merwin, Eleanor Savage


Young Artist representative—Cecilia Johnson, Khafre Powell, Nia Ray


  


·       Moved to accept by acclamation—Kathie deNobriga


·       So acclaimed


 


Meeting was adjourned.


 


 


  


 


  


 


  


 


 


 

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