Zimfest News Blog

Zimfest Association News

April Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the April 14th meeting of the Zimfest Association board of directors have been posted.

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Zimfest 2019 Fundraising Challenge

Zimfest 2019 fundraising has been off to a slow start, but we have a fantastic group of Zimbabweans coming to teach and perform that we need your help to support while at Zimfest. Here’s the challenge, if we hit 20 new donations by the end of May we would unlock a $500 gift. You can enter a one-time gift or choose the monthly recurring option at https://zimfest.org/about/support-zimfest/. Don’t forget about renewing your Zimfest membership if you haven’t done that yet for the year. The Zimfest Board thanks you for all your support.

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March Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the March 10th meeting of the Zimfest Association board of directors have been posted.

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Seeking New Board Members

Dear Zimfest Community,

Zimfest Association would like to recruit 1-2 additional board members over the coming month or two. If you are interested in joining the board, please send a letter expressing your interest to the board at board [at] zimfest {dot} org. If you have questions, send Alex, the Zimfest Association Board President, a message at alex.weeks [at] gmail {dot} com. Alternatively, if you are aware of individuals who you believe might have the skills and interest in joining the board, please let us know at board [at] zimfest {dot} org. Information on board membership can be found here https://zimfest.org/about/board-members/zimfest-association-board-recruitment/.

Thanks from the Zimfest Board

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February Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the February 10th meeting of the Zimfest Association board of directors have been posted.

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November, December, January Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the November 11th, December 9th, and January 13th meetings of the Zimfest Association board of directors have been posted. We apologize for these minutes being posted late.

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Introducing the Zimfest Code of Conduct

Dear Zimfest community,
This year’s post-festival survey included two separate comments alleging sexual misconduct or assault either at the festival or elsewhere by persons known to the Zimfest community. The Zimfest Association Board of Directors takes these allegations seriously and wishes to follow up on them. In the interest of facilitating safe and non-threatening environments at future festivals, the ZA Board has generated a policy statement addressing sexual and other forms of harassment: the Zimfest Code of Conduct. The purpose of the Code, which applies to all Zimfest participants (including performers, teachers, volunteers, staff, and other attendees), is to ensure that the festival is an inclusive, welcoming, and safe space free from harassment and/or abuse. All Zimfest applicants will be requested to read the form and share with band mates or others for whom they are applying. The Zimfest Code appears here on the website.

The Code includes options for reporting complaints of sexual and other harassment. The ZA Board has followed up with one of the respondents who made sexual abuse allegations within the 2018 festival survey. The second comment was totally anonymous, and we have no idea who the complainant is, or the alleged perpetrator or the alleged victim. If you or someone you know made the anonymous comment and wishes to provide further information, please call or email any of the individuals designated to receive complaints in the “Reporting harassment and other complaints” section of the Code.

Thanks for your attention. We will have more feedback on the 2018 festival survey in the coming weeks along with news about the 2019 festival. Look forward to applications for Zimfest coming online on January 2!

On behalf on the Zimfest Board,
Claire Jones, Festival Coordinator

Music Dancing Across Borders

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Holiday Shopping

Dear Zimfest enthusiasts,

Wrap up your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1951506 and AmazonSmile donates to Zimfest Association.

Thanks, from the Zimfest Board

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Join or Renew Now During Our Annual End-of-Year Membership Campaign

Dear Zimfest Association Friends and Members,

Giving Tuesday is almost here and it’s also a good time to think about renewing your Zimfest membership. We welcome new members too! We don’t have auto-renewal available yet, but that is something we are working towards for the future.

We hope you are doing well and have found this year challenging as well as thought-provoking, given the many newsworthy events both in Zimbabwe and the USA! This will be our sixth year running the Zimfest Association’s Annual Campaign and Membership Drive. Thank you for your support in a very successful ZF 2018. While the festival itself provides some income to the association, these funds are simply insufficient to help sustain and grow the Association and the Festival. Last year the support from thirteen donors and members gave $1795 by the end of the year which is equivalent to providing all weekend meal plans and housing during Zimfest 2018 to only seven Zimbabwean guest teachers and performers. There are three ways you can help; by renewing your membership, becoming a new member and making a donation.

Our long term goal is to have the majority of Zimfest participants be members of the organization. We have seen an increase in previous years. It is our hope that a healthy dialogue about the festival and Association can emerge from a membership that feels a sense of ownership in the Zimfest Association. Membership covers the calendar year January 1st through December 31st. Membership dues are an essential part of keeping Zimfest alive and vibrant. From as little as $10.00 per year for our Youth/Student membership, there are membership categories to fit any budget and situation! Consider Regular, Family, Couple, Teacher, Lifetime, and Lifetime Family memberships. It’s also easy to add a donation to your membership payment. Members may choose to have their names published on the website and in the Festival Guide as a public display of support for Zimfest. Membership fees are 100% tax deductible, for now at least! Please refer to the membership page to renew or initiate a membership. Please write us at if you want to clarify your membership status. Join or renew now for 2019.

Thanks for all you do to help make Zimfest a success. It was great to see many of you at Zimfest!

–The Zimfest Association Board

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Shopping Online Can Help Support Zimfest

Greetings, Zimfest friends,

Now is a time when more of us turn to shopping online. I recently signed up for Giving Assistant, which is very easy to use. You can earn money for yourself (if you choose) and donate to Zimfest while shopping online at more than 3,100 stores. The Button alerts you to any cash back donations available to activate before you check out. It only takes a minute to set up your account with Giving Assistant, and Zimfest will automatically be selected as your charity of choice if you use this link.

We’d also like to remind you of two other completely painless ways you can donate and help Zimfest on an ongoing basis. Go to the Support Zimfest page for information on Giving Assistant, AmazonSmile and eBay Giving.

Thanks for all you do to help make Zimfest a success. Best wishes for the holidays and we hope to see you at Zimfest 2019!

Regards,
Jacqueline Fallon
Zimfest Board Secretary

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October Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the October 14th meeting of the Zimfest Association board of directors have been posted.

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Village Meeting and September Board Meeting Minutes

The Zimfest Association board of directors has posted minutes from the Village Meeting at Zimfest 2018 and the September 9th board meeting.

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