Patrix/Political
I have combined these two “Zones” as they are deeply intertwined in my life and in the lives of many.
In March of 2014, I was approached by fellow members of the Andover Energy Group who were looking for a candidate for the upcoming Town elections. They asked me to run for Selectman, which I had silently been considering. I agreed to do it, but due to logistical errors, I was not on the ballot. A friend crafted pens with "Write in Sophie Viandier for Selectwoman" engraved on them to be handed out at the election. Hours later, I was voted in with 277 votes out of 500.
As an elected official on a dominantly older, white male board of three Selectmen, I was confronted with both gender inequalities and political nuances simultaneously. It seems both the “politicky” manipulations, sexism, and ageism all played a roll in my sleepless nights and stress pains.
For the first few months of participating on the Selectboard, I was blindsided over and over again by little maneuvers behind my back or with language I could not understand at the time. As the months went on, however, I became more attuned to my two colleagues’ “game.” I began to realize that they were making decisions without my presence or vote (a clear violation of the “Right To Know Law,” which states that all meetings must be posted publicly).
Then there was the name calling. “Kiddo,” in particular, was a favorite of theirs. One day, back in January of this year, Duncan (one of the selectmen), patted me on the head and said, “How are ya, Kiddo?” to which I responded, “That was belittling.” He couldn’t believe it. He was in shock for hours afterwards, repeatedly saying, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know you felt that way! I always do that to my wife and kids.” I shot back “And your dog?” He never patted my head again and was very cautious of his language afterward.
There was another incident when I proposed my project for redesigning the Transfer Station (OP4). Duncan asked, “Who will be the trained designer?” “I will,” and both Selectmen scoffed. I almost cried. Why was this funny? [Click the arrow below to read the e-mail exchange after this incident]
Here is my e-mail to Duncan the next day as I was too hurt and weak to defend myself:
Duncan,
You and Jim seemed to think it hilarious last night that I am a trained designer and capable of leading an appropriate workshop at the Transfer Station. Out of my embarrassment and belittlement, I send you my resumé in hopes that you will give me due credit for my hard work and studies. I am not sending this to Jim as I don't care much for his opinion.
Here are a few certifications that I've received since March, 2013:
Sustainable Design Build Certificate, Yestermorrow, VT
Permaculture Design Course, Yestermorrow Design Build School, VT
Advanced Urban Permaculture Design Course, Franklin Mills at Odell Park, NH
Advanced Permaculture Design Course in Wasteland Regeneration, Anse-a-pitre, Haiti
Advanced P. D. C. at the Littleton Mills, NH
Advanced P.D.C. at Bucklin Farm, New London, NH
Permaculture Teacher Training Degree, D ACRES, Dorchester, NH
Int'l Permaculture Convergence, Cuba
Int'l Permaculture Conference, Cuba
Natural Resource Stewardship Class, UNH Cooperative Extension
Community Ecology Training for Town Officials, UNH Coop Ext.
Currently getting my degree in Integrative Ecosocial Design, Gaia University
Full resumé: http://icaafs.earth/view/view.php?t=hSEBW48Tek6PHoqn1L7Z
Certifications (not all of them): http://icaafs.earth/view/view.php?id=5108
Hope that's enough to demonstrate my viability as a designer, teacher, and town official.
--Sophie
His response:
No Sophie that was not the case at all and I am sorry if I gave you that impression. My concern was whether or not professional designers of transfer stations were to be involved. The dynamics of a cooperative design effort lead by you was was never a question in my mind and I have great respect for your training and ability to form community and consensus to achieve positive change. What I think we all lack is the engineering design experience to come up with a transfer station that is by intention flexible, efficient, and cost effective in the long term for the Town. To date results have been less than well thought through despite thoughtful consideration and the best of intentions. It is very important to me and to our credibility as a Board to see the transfer station become an example of how to do it right. There is a long history of strong differences of opinion, stumbling, miss steps, unnecessary purchases, poorly considered design decisions, and management shortcomings that precede your involvement. It is better by far than even two years ago but it remains far from a well designed operation. If we did not feel that you were fully capable of seeing this complicated planning through we would certainly not have encouraged you to tackle it. So whatever it was in my or our behavior that triggered your feeling lack of respect I apologize for it, but understand that was not my feeling and no part of it was directed at you or your efforts. That sort of unkindness is not part of my character. If you would find it of any support or resolution to talk to me directly I am almost always available.
The term Selectman became a battle too, which I must declare I won. The term was changed to Selectperson, and townspeople have begun using it.
During the annual Town Meeting, the annual democratic gathering of the community, I presented a new plan for our road maintenance. During my presentation, (shown below) I consistently mentioned that the proposed road crew would be comprised of men or women. Then, during the discussion, each town person did the same. It was a silent moment of pride for me. The plan itself, though voted down year after year, was passed! It was a great way to end my first year as Selectwoman.
After a year of service to the town on the Selectboard, I have resigned. The position is made for retired, financially stable individuals, which I am not. It is a massive Time-Energy commitment with a lot of emotional expenditures. For the $1,500 a year, it was financially unsustainable, not to mention the hours it prevented me from having a full time job. There were weeks where I had meetings every single evening, sometimes even two a night. All this work, however, really paid off.
The day I resigned, I posted my note to Facebook. The comments from townspeople are to the left (click the arrow to expand).
Planetary
I have been working on the side to assist a project that is near and dear to my heart. Sadhana Forest is a non-profit organization based in India, Haiti, and now Kenya that is reforesting desertified lands and practicing water conservation, veganism, and community empowerment. I spent a week in Anse-a-pitre, Haiti for an Advanced Permaculture Design Course in Wasteland Regeneration with four other students from New Hampshire and my life was changed for the better.
When I returned from Haiti, I designed a mobile reforestation truck that could house five volunteers; hold books, tools, Photovoltaic solar panels, food, and a composting toilet; and drive around Haiti on the poorly constructed roads to teach villagers how to plant food forests. Behind the truck would be a delivery moped with 500 to 1000 plants from the nursery back in Anse-a-pitre, given for free to the villagers. The truck would then continue to do rounds, checking that the plants have a tree guard, water, mulch, and are not being cut for firewood. If so, they are given another tree to plant.
The group I went with has become a small team of fundraisers called “New Hampshire for Haiti,” and we present to donors around the state in order to build this mobile reforestation truck. We also discovered an endangered species of bird that summers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and winters in the forests of Haiti that we were planting. This bird happens to have been found by the great uncle of my best friend, and I therefore feel a strong connection to this cause.
Lastly, as Selectwoman of Andover, I created a Sister City Agreement between my town and the town of Anse-a-pitre, Haiti. (agreement is shown on the right)
Aviram Rozin, one of the founders of Sadhana Forest, inspired me to have convictions about how this world should be and follow them no matter what stands in my way. His faith in me and in my potential has been massively influential. I see him every few months and in February, he convinced me to leave my hometown and all my positions to teach my first PDC in Kenya this June and July. I am excited to have an impact that will be felt by those whose basic needs are not being fulfilled and at the same time teach others to go forth and make waves.
