Diverse people have diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, cultures, experiences that they bring to the table. On the other hand, a homogeneous group is more likely to have the same backgrounds, lifestyles, cultures, and experiences. Assuming that the board is representative of the community, a homogeneous board is not a problem. In the case that the board does not represent the diversity of the community that it seeks to represent, then the organization is operating without a true perspective of the missing part of its community. I would expect and welcome the challenges of a diverse group since that would more realistically represent all possible opinions.

Right now while building a board for EarthThrives I am seeking a representation of the community so that all voices are heard. In this I am thinking about asking for board nominations from the community so that my choice is not ‘hand-picked.’ Will this work?

For another time:
- the challenges of diversity for diversity sake
- perspectives on social identity and why diversity matters for environmental justice

First, I feel that when talking about a situation it is too generalized to say ‘women’ or ‘men’. More appropriately this gender barrier can show challenges that we all go through. So instead of looking at how ‘women’ handle a situation such as entering a board, can’t we identify certain leadership styles or approaches and how they are best worked with? I say this because there are men that embody characteristics that are traditionally thought to be feminine and vice versa.

Considering the section that begins “most women need support to enter the board successfully…” Does that mean that women need support but men don’t? Shouldn’t most people get support when entering a board. I remember from my studies that a common cause of problems within boards was that they weren’t made fully aware of their duties or expectations beforehand. To me this indicates that all board members should be supported when they join in any effort regardless of gender.

How do you feel about gender generalization? What I mean is making broad statements that apply to all women or men.

Old Havana View

I have been sitting in my hotel room for the last hour trying to think of what to tell you about Havana and of Cuba.

The short of it is that it is exactly the same and completely different than I imagined. There are old buildings that haven’t been taken care of and those that have been restored so well that seeing them brings tears to my eyes, they are so beautiful. Of course, I also find the beauty in the ones that are falling down.

The food is worse than I expected – I was thinking it would be alright. There are no vegan options, and few vegetarian. I have felt hungry more often than not, even when full of rice and beans. I am craving vegetables! Lots and lots of fresh vegetables that aren’t deep fried. I have had a few good meals and one great.

The cars are fascinating. The older later 50′s era vehicles have definitely been patched and repainted quite a bit, but it is neat to see. Interspersed with these older cars (a status symbol) are new imports. There is little traffic, and roads are in good condition.

Hasta Luego!

PS Check my twitter feed on this site for more pics.

It became apparent after half the people ordered Bloody Mary’s that the difference was free booze. I thought about it ‘hey maybe I should have a drink too!’ After all, I can.  But is that really a good reason? It’s 6am and I am flying all day long on three hours of sleep. The novelty of the situation and freedom made me heady.

So in the end I decided that if I should have a drink then it would be a mimosa figuring that if it was something that I shouldn’t have they wouldn’t have the champagne. Low and behold I am sitting sipping straight oj and thinking about the other things that we can do but maybe shouldn’t. 
-Drive gas guzzling vehicles
-Buy sweatshop made clothing
-Talk badly about others 
-Throw away items that can be reused or recycled

Think about it. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Listen to yourself and figure out what you need.

Don’t forget what Einstein said “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

So go ahead and try a new approach. Be creative. (But safe too!)

I live nearly at the end of a street and on the left so that when I am driving home I habitually end up facing away from the direction in which I want to be pointed when I leave.

Eventually I realized that I have two choices, I can either do a three point turn (Option A), or I can continue another 200 feet and go around to the next block that will take me to where I need to go (Option B.)

Option A stops my car in its tracks, twice, potentially slows down the road, is difficult when there are a lot of other cars parked on the narrow street, and is generally annoying.

Option B takes the same amount of time, doesn’t block the road, and allows me to continue in a a way that feels unhindered.

Actually, there is an Option C as well, which combines the ease of Option B and adds the convenience of being pointed in the direction I want to be when I am leaving. That would simply be turning one street early and going around the block on the way in.

Was there a point to this? Yup, I now know a more efficient way to park my car and to think about problems or annoyances.

Of course, I could always go with Option D and park the car in the driveway…