Project timeline
Design of this OP
This OP was designed using SADIM (survey, analyze/assess, design, implement, maintain/monitor) or a slight variation of GaSADIE (depicted below). I used TextEdit and Google Docs to "jot down" my ideas. I also wrote out different ways of setting up the OP in my notebook and refined it over several attempts to SADIM.
The organization was determined by the purpose of the OP. Ease of use and comprehensive information for Andover townspeople and as a documentation of my work drove the design. I added blank pages to signify a change in section (intro, core report, commentary/resources).
Word Count
Specifications and Abstract: 389
Core Report: 3,085
TOTAL: 3,474
Core Report: 25 hours
Supporting Evidence: 5 hoursImaging and Formatting: 12 hoursDocument collection and scanning: 15 hoursInterviews: 20 hours
Learning new tools: 4 hoursResearch: 30 hours Total: 112 hours
Personal development
I have been having more fun since my last OP and dedicating days to snowboarding and relaxing. It still bothers me that it is usually scheduled, though I seem to not notice when it is spontaneous and must give myself credit for that.
As with my last OP, I'm still spread thin. "Thinner than I'd like to admit. I can't even list off all the groups and activities I am a part of. I also am not getting paid and therefore cannot care for myself and add stress to my life." I have said "no" or set limits to the following offers: a job co-teaching drama tech at Proctor Academy; facilitating an alternative energy study with junior high students at Sant Bani school; attending Rotary Club weekly.
Professional development
I rediscovered my love of trash through this OP. I had forgotten how fascinating humans are through the lens of waste. It has led me to narrow my career pathway to a profession that focuses on "closing the loop."
I have begun closely examining my position as Selectwoman--is it worth my Time-Energy? Am I learning enough to make it worthwhile? Am I earning enough? Am I contributing enough to warrant this position? Is the job challenging in a healthful way or taxing my soul and spirit? I am leaning toward resigning after the coming elections so that the remaining two Selectpersons may appoint someone (instead of requiring a vote). Then I could focus on my farm, the time bank, arts and crafts, travel, school....
Advising Notes from Nicole
The advising notes from my call with Nicole on November 24, 2014 can be found here.
Incorporation of feedback
DESIGN SKILLS: more explicit use of SADIM design elements; learning around SADIM process
ACTION LEARNING SKILLS: personal and professional impact reflections; skill flex development
PROCESS SKILLS: project management commentary; resource review
OUTCOMES: word count
Pathway tracking
Thus far I have completed my Zone 00-2: Personal to Professional Output Packet (Ecological Design in the Built Environment) and my Zone 3-4: Greater Community and Bioregion (Jump and Sprout Community Garden) outlined in my LIPD (Learning Intentions and Pathway Design).
This OP will fulfill my goals for a project dealing with Zone 5: Global/Meta Context. I had initially intended to do a project on my work in Haiti, but I have not spent enough time to produce a clear project. I also felt it was an important "stacking of functions" to complete a big project for my Selectman duties as I've felt absent from my community.
This has been the best OP thus far in my opinion as I was able to document from the very beginning, track my approach, set out my design, create a timeline, and experiment.
My next OP will be the final one of my first cycle. I'm hoping to go through reevaluation counseling in order that I might move to my capstone phase. I'm not necessarily in a rush to complete Gaia U as it has been immensely life-changing (for the better) and has guided me in a beautiful direction. I do, however, feel I am ready to start making money for my work instead of paying. I also cannot rely on my parents for much longer as they are barely employed.
Managing Time, Managing Promises
I was hoping to get the OP in by January 1st, but I was dreaming too high. It was a poor analysis of the scope of this project and I hadn't factored in Christmas, New Year's, and friends returning from school. I'm glad I made the decision to submit this February 1st. I was effective in completing the computer work and research online, but getting in my car and driving to other transfer stations proved difficult for me. I dislike driving and ended up only being able to go when I was able to stack functions in the trip (ie. go grocery shopping on the way back).
Goal tracking
I have worked hard on the goals set out in my LIPD, a few of which I've attended specifically during this project:
PERSONAL
- Challenging the Patrix
- Balancing action/theory
- Ecoliteracy
- Documentation skills
- Balancing reflection/prototyping
- Detail work
- Self-acknowledgement
- Health: emotional and physical
- Endurance in project work
PEER
- Time Management
PROFESSIONAL, POLITICAL, PATRIX
- Financial literacy
- Complex designs for (not black-and-white) policies
- Challenging current systems through interactions with the [white, wealthy, dominant male]
Dissemination efforts
I hope that this will encourage local, bioregional, and distant communities to begin or improve their waste stream (ideally, reduce consumption to change the demand of certain materials) and secondarily make adjustments to their waste transfer stations. I have made this OP public and it has been shared with the townspeople, the municipal officials, the transfer station attendants, and other Permaculture designers in the region who are interested in going through a similar process with their Transfer Station.
Patrix-busting
When I decided to announce this project to my fellow Selectmen, Jim and Duncan, curiosity crossed their faces.
"Who will be the trained designer?" Duncan asked.
"I will," and they both scoffed. I almost cried. Why was this funny?
Click the arrow to the right to read my e-mail to Duncan the next day--I was too hurt and weak to defend myself that night:
That was a very impressive and professional piece of work you did. You obviously have a very important role to play in society at large in fostering a responsible approach to how we impact the Earth. It is encouraging to see the energy, enthusiasm, and optimism you bring when there is so much pessimism infecting those of us who's youthful idealism has been stomped by years of discouraging experience. So power on. You have my unqualified admiration. The World needs what you offer.
Transitions
Life Updates:
Since my last OP in November of 2014, I've worked tirelessly on this project and began having a bit more fun (snowboarding, vacation, crafting, visiting friends).
I have continued my service to the town through my position as Selectwoman. It has become increasingly frustrating because of Patrix related issues and because of my Time-Energy commitment to the job. I have become more aware of these issues, however, and am more adept at responding.
My family is spread out still: Kinley is sailing, though intends to come home to New Hampshire in February; Mom and Pops are in Panama exploring their next steps--they may move to Costa Rica and start an Eco-Lodge; Jon is here, though started school again January 20th and so I see less of him.
Life is great.
Skillflex assessment
My tracking document can be seen below, and the results here.
I noted that I am deficient (January 7, 2015) in the following categories:
- Maintenance of Schedule/Routine
- Transition Capacity
- Content in professional sector
The areas which I've improved since my last entry (November 11, 2014), at the beginning of this project:
- Time/Energy management
- Documenting achievements, experiments, unlearnings
- Reading
Participation records
I would like to be listening to more calls, though the timing rarely works with my schedule. I participated in three calls (two of them were All Gaia Community Calls, and one was a Content Call):
- November All Gaia Call
- "Edge"ucation on Gaia U Skillflex Development Series (focus on Process skills)
- Conventional vs. Passive Floorplans
These calls were very helpful as I was able to ask questions about the PoDAPO form that had been lingering for months. I also got to see an End-of-Year presentation before my Middle-of-Year and examine the process, techniques, and strategies that a Masters student had applied. I'd like to offer a content call soon.
I also posted my first forum discussion, Redesigning Waste Transfer Stations, and got great responses from Simha Bode. I was hoping for more, but not everyone sees these posts and few interact with their transfer stations.
MoY presentation
My MoY presentation was December 11th with Najiha Al-Asmar and Kate Marnul. It was a very successful presentation. The recording can be found here. Here is the feedback from listeners:
Jennifer: "Amazed with the decision-making process...very impressive and high quality. You took some very proactive solutions. I like that you were sharing with us in a way that was educational on best practices and things to avoid. In a way, I would have liked a little more of that--a little bit more world-context and how to replicate. There were certain points where you let that slide. As far as the presentation goes, I think the graphical image that you chose is a real beautiful representation of the holistic energy that I feel coming off of you. You have a very graceful, elegant way of presenting and the professional format and image that you portrayed in this holds the energy of what you want to convey which is very impressive. At first when I saw all of the elements I did not think that you were going to be able to get through it in 20 minutes and I'm amazed that you did successfully wrap things up three minutes early. I'm just overall very impressed with the work you've done and how you've presented it."
Ava: "Wonderful job. I really, really enjoyed that. You did a great job using Prezi for the visual presentation. I enjoyed that I was able to zoom in and out to take a closer look. It felt well-organized. I really enjoyed hearing about the process. I felt like I learned so much from you and I made some notes of things that I want to take a closer look at, like the fresh-air exchanger. I thought your pace was really good. I really enjoyed the pictures--I would've liked to see pictures at the beginning. I felt like it was easy to navigate. Really great content and really impressed by how much you've done in such a short time. I applaud you, you've done a great job."
Najiha: "Good job using Prezi. Now I can see how it can be an artwork in itself. I liked your SWOT analysis and how much research you've been applying. It's inspirational."
Kate: "I'm impressed by your ambition and how much research you put into this project. I loved your metaphor for a house as a body. I'm excited to incorporate some of those ideas in my own house."
My reflection: "I felt like I was more prepared for this presentation than I've ever been before. I felt like I knew the Prezi inside and out. I got lost at one point and was able to find my place really easily. That was helpful for me to know that I can trust myself in the Prezi. I'm flattered by all of your comments. If anybody has any more constructive feedback, I'd love to hear it. My next steps are to see how I can add a little more world-context in this and how it can be more of a learning tool. I think my use of imagery was good except for not having a picture at the beginning. Overall I think this call went great."