ROOTS Weekend: Whitakers. Photo: Mel Cardona.
In This Issue:
- Register for ROOTS Week
- Attend the July Porch Sits
- This Year’s HYBRID Annual Meeting
- Engage with the Logo Redesign
- ExComm Slate Early Voting ROOTS is Hiring
- Fall Artistic Assistance Membership Deadline
- Get Involved, Get Connected
- News from Members
ROOTS Week Registration is Open!
ROOTS Week 2023: CONNECT
Tuesday, August 8 – Sunday, August 13
Lutheridge Conference Center, Arden, NC
- On-campus tickets have sold out, but you can still join the waitlist.
- There are still plenty of tickets available without lodging.
ROOTS Week 2023 welcomes artists and activists back to the beloved weeklong retreat at Lutheridge Conference Center in North Carolina after a 4-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We gather in August to make community and make space for all that we bring as justice-loving cultural workers.
At ROOTS Week 2023 we will connect deeply again – together in unison as we have done for close to 50 years; we will be together. We will reconnect in all the ways we know, and find new ways.
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Attend a July Porch Sit: Monday July 10, Monday July 17, Monday July 24 @ 6:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm CT
We’ve heard from members that folks want to engage before ROOTS Week, to help reconnect after four years apart and to open up conversations about some big topics that have risen up during that time. Topics like values, money, and our strategic direction in the midst of all the change we’ve undergone. We’re inviting all members – especially those attending ROOTS Week – to come together in conversation at three Porch Sits throughout the month of July.
We want to emphasize that these Porch Sits will be a member-led space, amplifying the voices and agency of our vibrant community of artists and cultural organizers. These Porch Sits will be a dynamic space where each members’ unique perspectives about the issues that are on their minds – funding, leadership, and more – are valued and celebrated. In this spirit, the first Porch Sit on Monday, July 10 will be a conversation about how members want to co-design what the following two sessions will be. Members from the UpROOTing and Heal/Team teams will be present to help hold the space.
To join these Porch Sits, register HERE. You can also add these events to your Google Calendar using this link.
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This Year’s Annual Meeting is Hybrid
In addition to everything that happens at ROOTS Week, it is also when we hold our Annual Business Meeting. Our Annual Business Meeting features ROOTS program updates and evaluations, special announcements, and planning for the future as we clarify our vision during ROOTS Week. It is also when we vote in the next Executive Committee slate and anyone who is coming forward to join as a Voting Member.
This year we will be hosting a hybrid (in person and virtual) meeting during ROOTS Week (August 8-13) – more details will be shared about exact dates, times, and agenda as we have them.
The Annual Business Meeting is a great way to learn about how ROOTS’ organizes itself as a collective, member-led, artist driven coalition of artist activists. You don’t have to be a member to attend our Annual Business Meeting. Anyone interested in learning more about Alternate ROOTS is welcome to attend!
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Logo Redesign Process: We Want your Input!
As part of the Rebrand/Redesign process that was announced in May’s member news, all ROOTS members are invited to give feedback on the ROOTS logo of the future!
ROOTS DESIGN PRESENTATION #2
July 24, 2023 @ 5pm EST
In a continued visual collaboration with Alternate ROOTS members and staff, SoulCenter will present a secondary iteration of visual devices. The presentation will include:
- Design Audit Overview
- Feedback Recap
- Updated Design Directions
All ROOTS members are welcome to weigh in on logo design by registering for the session HERE. Following this session, there will also be an opportunity for folks to offer feedback via a survey that we’ll email out – stay tuned!
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Early Voting on 2023-2024 Executive Committee Slate Open till Sunday, August 6
On Tuesday, June 27, we introduced the 2023 Executive Committee Slate via email to all Voting Members. If you are a Voting Member: please review the slate and each individual’s bio on our website, and then cast your vote using the form at the bottom of the page. Please note: only Alternate ROOTS Voting Members vote in Executive Committee elections.
Early online voting closes on Sunday, August 6. For those of you attending the Annual Business Meeting (August 8-13, 2023), you can either cast your vote early online or while attending the hybrid (in person and virtual) meeting. If you will not be attending this year’s Annual Meeting, this early voting period is your opportunity to exercise your board membership and vote for the Executive Committee slate.
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ROOTS is Hiring!
We are hiring for the following positions:
- Finance Manager (full-time), applications due Thursday, July 13
- Justice Advocacy Fellow (part-time), applications due Thursday, July 13
- Cultural Organizing Team Manager (full-time), applications due Wednesday, July 26
- Membership Services Assistant (part-time), applications due Wednesday, July 26
For more information on each position, its compensation and benefits package, and how to apply, visit our website.
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July 21: Membership Deadline for Fall Artistic Assistance
If you are planning to apply for Artistic Assistance in the fall be certain your membership is up to date by Friday, July 21, 2023.
Joining or renewing your membership by July 21 is a necessity for applying for the next round of Artistic Assistance, which opens on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Click here for details on how to check your membership status.
Questions about your membership dues or membership profile can be directed to our Membership Team at membership@alternateroots.org.
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————–Get Involved, Get Connected
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Join the ROOTS Week Work Group
The ROOTS Week Work Group is where members and staff come together to help shape ROOTS Week. The group will be meeting twice a week via Zoom through the end of July to develop the week’s schedule, curate programming, help integrate the Annual Business Meeting into the week’s activities, and more.
As we gather at Lutheridge for the first time in 4 years, it feels more important than ever that members help design our time together. Please reach out to rootsweek@alternateroots.org if you would like to join or have any questions.
Next Finance Work Group: Wednesday, July 26
The Finance Work Group meets quarterly on the last Wednesday of the month from 4:30-6:00 pm ET / 3:30-5 pm CT to assist with governance and policy decisions around the finances of the organization.
Do you ever have a finance question that you are afraid to ask?
If so, come to our next meeting!
Wednesday, July 26
4:30-6:00 pm ET / 3:30-5pm CT
Join the meeting HERE.
Membership Team Office Hours
The Membership Team is holding office hours every Tuesday and Thursday! During office hours, the Membership team can be reached by phone to answer any questions and assist with any membership matters.
Membership Team Office Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday: 11am – 2pm ET
(404) 577-1079 EXT. 302
Questions? Reach out to membership@alternateroots.org
Next New Member Orientation: Thursday, August 24
The Membership Team and the ROOTS Membership Work Group have launched a quarterly New Member Orientation process!
This meeting is an introduction to the organization, our members, our history, and our purpose in a personal, impactful, and engaging way.
New members are highly encouraged to attend!
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—- ————News from Members
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From dr. doris davenport:
My new book, TESTIMONY: POEMS, PROCLAMATIONS & POTIONS was published in April, 2023. Contains poetry, photos, and prose essays. Available now from doris ($20 via PayPal zorahpoet7@gmail.com) or Amazon.com (pbk, hardback and e-book) & at ROOTS Week.