ROOTS Week 2023: John Doyle performs in front of quilts by Marquetta Johnson. Photo: Mel Cardona
In This Issue:
- Executive Leadership Search Launches
- Rewind: December 2023 ROOTS Weekend Rhizome in New Orleans
- Get Ready for May Membership Mayhem!
- Upcoming ExComm Meetings
- Plug Your Events on Social & Member News
- Office Hours
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ROOTS Week 2023. Photo: Mel Cardona.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SEARCH LAUNCHES
Alternate ROOTS is pleased to announce the opening of the search for the next generation of Executive Leadership of Alternate ROOTS. Following a thoughtful, participatory process to prepare the position announcement and job description, the Executive Leadership Search Advisory Task Force and ROOTS’ Executive Committee are excited that we are now ready to accept applications to lead the work of Alternate ROOTS.
We are looking for leadership that understands ROOTS’ legacy and can collaborate with many people to craft a direction for the future; leadership that appreciates ROOTS’ values and can embody them through policy and practice; and leadership that is adept at working within complex structures of staff, governance and membership.
We are committed to a search process that embodies our values and principles, one that welcomes new ideas and models while remaining grounded in the beauty of hard work, which, as the first song written at ROOTS says, is what we do. If you would like to come forward as a leader in this organization, please apply.
Alternate ROOTS’ Executive Leadership Search Advisory Task Force includes: Stephen Clapp, Sage Crump, Abigail Gomez, Sara Green, Ace McColl, Keryl McCord, Margo Miller, Lisa Mount, Garrett Nunley, Priscilla Smith, Gerard Stropnicky, April C. Turner, MK Wegmann, Patton White, with participation from the Alternate ROOTS Executive Committee
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ROOTS Weekend Rhizome: New Orleans, December 2023. Photo: Constance Collier-Mercado.
REWIND: DECEMBER ROOTS WEEKEND RHIZOME GOES DEEP
ROOTS held a member-led Weekend Rhizome on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans. Fourteen people attended, including a range of new and long-term members, a few curious/interested close friends, and several staff. The gathering was catered by two local favorites, Robert Fresh Market and Gourmet Sacred Soul Kitchen. We opened with ROOT’S Mission and Values, talked about our individual art practices (including indigenous language reclamation, youth arts education in STEAM programs, dance, music, and more!), and heard ideas for how to keep members engaged and in communication with each other across state lines and beyond the email listservs.
The topic that kept everyone most excited was the search for new Executive Leadership of Alternate ROOTS. Attendees of the ROOTS Weekend Rhizome got a chance to give early feedback on the hiring process and offer other suggestions for how to make sure individual ROOTers would be kept in the loop at every stage of the process.
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ROOTers Lyam Gabel, Frank Barret, Nick Slie, and Mel Cardona enjoy a brunch at Catapult Studios in New Orleans. Photo: Nicole Garneau
MAY MEMBERSHIP MAYHEM: PLAN A RHIZOME, SAVE THE DATES!
Mark Your Calendars! May is just around the corner, and we’re gearing up for a month-long extravaganza of member engagement during our first ever May Membership Mayhem. Stay tuned for more details, and get ready!
May Member Rhizome Campaign for in-person Rhizome Gatherings
As we celebrate members and engage members virtually in May, we also encourage members to host their own gatherings with local ROOTers through our Member Rhizome Events. A Rhizome can take many shapes: a small discussion, a dinner or potluck, a workshop – whatever you want. ROOTS is a coalition of artist-activists, organizers, and cultural bearers across 14 southern states and DC. Host an in-person Rhizome to reconnect and meet your folks locally in order to keep ROOTS thriving across the south!
To host a Rhizome gathering, simply email membership@alternateroots.org with “May Mayhem Rhizome Request” in the subject line and we will get back to you with details!
Mark your Calendar: Thursday, May 2, 6:30pm ET all are welcome to a meeting of the Membership Work Group! Register HERE.
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MEMBERS WELCOME AT EXCOMM MEETINGS
ALL members of Alternate ROOTS are invited to attend meetings of the Executive Committee and participate in governance! ExComm meetings are on the first Tuesdays of the month.
Upcoming dates:
Tuesday, May 7 at 5:30pm ET
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86289285127?pwd=d3BoeUgwQlcxMCtraStycGtzVi9ldz09
Meeting ID: 862 8928 5127
Passcode: 198730
If you have any issues accessing the Zoom meeting, please e-mail Marina.
For previous approved meeting minutes, please e-mail Marina.
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PLUG YOUR EVENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA & MEMBER NEWS!
The Alternate ROOTS Community wants to support your events. Here is how to get the word out through our channels:
Member News Email: To share your announcement in the Member News, please fill out this form by the first day of the month. Submit news by Мay 1, and it will be shared in the May 20 Member News.
Alternate ROOTS Facebook Group: If you want to share something on a shorter time frame, please join the private ROOTS members Facebook group where you can share your news with over 500 ROOTers in real time!
To submit your post to Alternate ROOTS Instagram Stories Repost:
- Send a Direct Message (DM) with your graphic (JPG) to @alternateroots on Instagram.
- Please include your name as it appears in your membership profile.
- We will add your graphic to our stories, and tag your Instagram handle.
- Please give the Communications Team 2-5 business days to post.
- Feel free to tag us in posts or stories, however if you want to be included in @alternateroots (on Instagram) stories you must DM us.
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OFFICE HOURS @ ROOTS
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Operations Team Office Hours
The Operations Team provides the resources that staff members need to perform their duties, and ensure that our organization is complying with legal and financial requirements on our road to fulfilling our mission. We are responsible for:
- Human Resources
- Legal & Financial Compliance
- Budget Management
- Providing Resources for Staff
Office Hours: Thursdays from 12 – 1pm ET
404-577-1079 #301
Email Us (marina@alternateroots.org)
Cultural Organizing Team Office Hours
The Cultural Organizing Team (CO) maintains in-person and virtual relationships with existing members and partner organizations across 14 states by hosting ROOTS Week, ROOTS Weekends, Porch Sits, Coffee Pop-Ups, Phone Calls, Emails, and Zoom Sessions.
- CO Team sits on the Governance Council of Southern Movement Assembly, is a lead partner in the Southern Power Fund, a partner organization of the Intercultural Leadership Institute, and represents ROOTS’ in the field via ROOTS’ Justice Advocacy Fellow who serves as a pipeline to the organizing efforts of our members.
- We manage year-round programming for the Intercultural Leadership Institute and support member-led work groups across various stages of development (e.g. YOOTS, UpROOTing Ableism, Gender Equity, Indigenous Working Circle, Heal/Teal, etc.)
Office Hours: Mondays from 11:30am – 1:30pm ET
(404) 975-1856
Email Us (programming@alternateroots.org)
Membership Team Office Hours
During office hours, the Membership team can be reached by phone to answer any questions and assist with any membership matters.
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday: 11am – 2pm ET
(404) 577-1079 EXT. 302
Email Us (membership@alternateroots.org)
Communications Team Office Hours
Want to reach out to a Communications staff person?
Office Hours: Thursday: 9am – 11am ET
(404) 577-1079 EXT. 303
Email Us (communications@alternateroots.org)
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Have news you want to share with your fellow ROOTS members? Fill out this form!