We were asked to become civically engaged in our comminity. This involved a 2-3 hour commitment in person of either volunteering, attending a community meeting, rally, or event on an issue. I chose to attend the World Day of Metta's annual gathering. This year the focus was on apologing to Mother Earth for the distruction and abuse mankind has caused Her.
Civic Engagement Reflection
World Day of Metta
An Apology to Earth Mother
Susan Fullmer
3/19/2016
Poster
World Day of Metta
An Apology to Earth Mother
The chosen focus for this year’s fourth annual World Day of Metta is, “An Apology to Earth Mother”. The Boise chapter of this global organization met at Eagle Island State Park on March 19, 2016. It was an unseasonably warm day, and the gathered group of about fifty people joined in singing, drumming, dancing, and offering prayers to give an apology to, “Our Sacred Earth Mother”.
The word “metta” refers to an altruistic attitude of love and kindness. It is a specific, strong wish for the welfare and happiness of others. The word can refer to many ideas such as goodwill, non-violence, inoffensiveness, amity, fellowship, benevolence, friendliness, and kindness. True metta is without self interest. It is said, that these good feelings towards others grow with practice and over comes all social, racial, political, economic and religious barriers. It is seen as a universal unselfishness. The teaching of metta is to overcome self-seeking desires and transform them into the desire to promote the wellbeing and happiness of all sentient beings.
On a practical level, those who practice metta see it as a way of reversing the menace and destruction that is so often seen in the world. In modern times, biologist have recognized that relationship is the primary driving force in evolution, not survival of the fittest. What a worldview shift – from competition to cooperation! Those who practice metta believe that humans can actively influence the future of humanity by choices we make. Studies suggest that humans are hardwired towards gratitude and compassion. With conscious effort and community support, they believe that great good can happen in the world. They pray that we may each imbue meaning and authenticity into our lives with each passing moment.
The basic message of the metta in song.
May all beings have fresh air to breathe
May all beings have fresh clean water to drink
May all beings have food to eat
May all beings have a home
May all beings have someone to share love with
May all beings know their true purpose
May all beings be well and happy
May all beings be free from suffering
Today, I shall do what I can to make this so
In honor of this year’s theme, a song was written that we song during the ceremony. Here is a verse of that song called, “Apology to Earth Mother.”
Ancient Mother we honor healing waters
We apologize for our pollution
Ama Gaia we honor your beauty
We apologize for our destruction.
Ancient Mother we honor your children
We apologize for our abuse
Ama Gaia we honor your diversity
We apologize for intolerance
(Chorus)
We are because you are
We live because you love
We will break open our hearts
To hear the cries of the children
To hear the cries of the children
We hear the cries of all children
The event took place on one of the first days of late winter where we were able to be outside and sit on the grass. It felt so good to be out in nature. The birds were singing and we were near the lake so we could see the activity of ducks at the waters edge. It was as if we could see the natural world coming to life after the long cold. I remember thinking, “this is a perfect place to say something to Mother Earth”. Everyone I talked to was reverenced and happy to be there.
Although this group may have expressed their feelings and opinions differently than I would, I did feel a deep connection with what they were saying. My core values of treating others as I would want to be treated, certainly was present. I think true ethics is at the heart of their message. When it comes to ethics, I don’t think it gets any clearer than making sure people have the basics like clean water and a safe place to live etc.
At first I didn’t think this event related to the book, “Half the Sky”. But of course it does. Time and time again the book showed evidence that helping people achieve basic needs, was the pivotal point of helping them get out of a horrible situation. Or better yet, helping them avoid it in the first place.
When I talked to D. G., the event coordinator, she was hopeful that those in attendance would feel a peace about voicing our concerns specific to the conditions of the earth. And she stated that her organization feels that this awareness and these prayers make an actual, positive difference. I asked her what else the organization does, and I was invited to attend other weekly gatherings for this group. I am not interested in that, but I am interested in learning more about metta and meditation. I also plan to attend next year. I think it would be well worth my time. It felt good to speak an apology out loud to the earth. And I have to admit, I would choke up every time I sang the line of the song, “To hear the cries of the children. We hear the cries of all children.”
In UF 300 we have learned about our personal responsibility in our global community. As a team we researched a local/global issue with ethical ramifications. I like that the majority of our presentation focuses on ethical and practical solutions that are already being implemented throught the world.
Global Issues Team Presentation
Anthropocene
Susan Fullmer
4/28/2016
Script to go along with above visual presentation.
Davor’s Script
Slide 1:
Anthropocene is relating to or denoting the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.
Slide 2: Video
Threatened species, red listing and an increase in protected areas have been, and currently remain, a key focus for nature conservation. Yet as it becomes more evident we are living in the Anthropocene biosphere and the influence we have increases every day we are on this planet.
The two key factors are the fact that our population is growing and the use per capita of our resources has significantly increased. An example is ...
Deforestation and fragmentation are major components of global change; both are contributing to the rapid loss of tropical forest area with important implications for ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation.
Climate change
Carbon Dioxide levels in the air are at their highest in 650,000 years. 9 of the 10 warmest years have occurred since 2000. 1.4 F since 1880. In 2012, Arctic summer sea ice shrank to the lowest extent record. 1 3.4 % per decade. Greenland ice loss doubled since 1996 through 2005. Global average sea level has risen 7" over the past 100 years.
There are many factors that have a hand in this change our planet is experiencing. Some, granted that we can't control, but we can do enough to alter the path we are headed towards. This is a global ethical issue of huge proportions. Things need to change before it gets too late.
Heather’s script
Slide 3:
Our goal is to explore how various governments encourage environmental protection via the law and companies around the world have addressed global environmental issues via creative collaboration. In the United States we have the Environmental Protection Agency, created by the federal government, and tasked with protecting the environment through a labyrinth of regulation and oversight. While the EPA's regulatory capacity does include the ability to punish those who damage ecosystems, the process itself is mired in bureaucracy and slow to react.
One example of the Environmental Protection Agency's efficacy is the Gold King Mine spill in August, 2015. The Gold King Mine was undergoing remediation efforts when hydraulic pressure in a holding pond led to a wall blowout. This flooded the Animas River in Colorado with over 3 million gallons of toxic heavy metals including lead, arsenic and mercury.
The Animas River was a recreation destination, renowned in the area for fishing and watersports. Even though the EPA was immediately aware of the poison flooding into the river, it took the residents noticing the yellow waters to prompt a press release addressing the situation. This was almost three days after the fact.
To date investigations are ongoing. Turbulence from spring runoff again threatens wildlife and recreation by releasing the metals from sediment on the river floor.
Allegations made by mining and remediation experts have stated the danger of a breach was known based on extensive studies conducted prior to cleanup efforts. This has led to speculation the EPA is using the spill to increase agency revenue through Superfund Site designation. Mired in bureaucracy and budgetary maneuvering, no fines or punishments have occurred to date.
Slide 4:
Imagine this...A different legal system, one where the citizens of Colorado were able to demand accountability, and repair to the river, founded on a constitutional right? This is exactly what the citizens of Ecuador enjoy. Next, we’ll look at Ecuador, and a few other examples, to see how this is done.
Slide 5: Video
Slide 6:
In 2008, the people of Ecuador took a bold step. They rewrote their constitution, recognizing the rights of nature, declaring an intent to:
“...build a new form of a peaceful coexistence in diversity and in harmony with nature, to achieve the good way of living, sumak kawsay”
Sumak kawsay derives from the Kichwa words sumak for good, beautiful or pleasureable Kawsay meaning collective life
This term translates loosely to “buen vivir” in Spanish or “living well” in english
Slide 7:
The Ecuadorian constitution was amended to include Article 71, the Rights for Nature Article, It states:
Nature, or Pachamama, is defined as where life is reproduced and exists, has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution.
Also....the State will motivate natural and juridical persons as well as collectives to protect nature; it will promote respect towards all the elements that form an ecosystem.
And most importantly...Every person, people, community or nationality, will be able to demand the recognitions of rights for nature before the public organisms.
Slide 8:
The first case tried under Ecuador's new law was brought by two citizens against a contractor who, while building a road, destroyed a river. The resulting flooding inundated a neighboring farm. The owners brought charges against the contractor under Article 71.
Slide 9:
The contractor had dumped debris into the river as they built up the road, causing a narrowing of the river. This increased the speed of the flow, resulting in flooding and habitat destruction. For the first time, citizens brought charges under Article 71, naming the ecosystem as defendant and themselves as nature’s representatives. The case was found in favor of nature in this, and the contractor given 30 days to complete court ordered remediation. Interestingly, the contractor was actually the government of the Province of Loja!
Slide 10:
Here is the long list of things the government of Loja was required to do. My favorite action ordered by the court is a 1⁄4 page, public apology in to be printed in the local newspaper
Slide 11:
While the American government remains beholden to big oil and seems largely uncaring of its impact in the Anthropocene era, other countries around the globe are implementing a variety of environmental protections and creative resource management strategies.
Costa Rica, one of the world's most biodiverse nations, unanimously approved a reform to its Wildlife Conservation law in 2015 to ban hunting as sport, and to make illegal the sale or trade of wild animals. This reform will provide protection for several species of big cats, parrots, and other animals subject to clandestine hunting and capture for use as pets.
Paris, France, host of the 2016 climate change forum, declared all new building in commercial zones must have their rooftops either partially covered in plants or fitted with solar panels. This is just one way France is urging its citizens to do their part in limiting the country's carbon footprint.
Slide 12:
Bhutan is often overlooked by the international community. The small nation lies deep within the Himalayas between China and India, two of the most populated countries in the world.
The country of about 750,000 people has set some impressive environmental benchmarks. Bhutan is not merely carbon neutral, it’s also a carbon sink—making it one of the few countries in the world to have negative carbon emissions.
One truly enlightened thing Bhutan does is rather than measuring GDP, Gross Domestic Product, or other economic indices, Bhutan measures GNH, Gross National Happiness. GNH is a much richer objective than GDP or economic growth.
In GNH, material well being is important but it is also important to enjoy sufficient well being in things like community, culture, governance, knowledge and wisdom, health, spirituality and psychological welfare, a balanced use of time, and harmony with the environment.
Susan’s script:
So, what else is helping? Globally there is an exciting trend called Biomimicry.
SLIDE: Biomimicry
What is Biomimicry?
Imagine if you will, the age of the Earth is the length of a calendar year. Using this measurement for comparison, think of today as being the last minute before midnight on New Year’s Eve. The human race showed up 15 minutes ago, and our recorded past started 60 seconds ago.
On the other hand, our fellow planet‐mates – the animals, plants and microbes – have been here since March. That translates to 3.8 billion years. Some have gone extinct, but for those who are still here, they seem to thrive. Humans on the other hand, have soiled their home to the extent that some fear the extinction of our species. What is it that our wise, elder earth‐neighbors know, that we do not?
SLIDE: Biomimicry is...
Read the slide.
SLIDE: Velcro
So, let’s look at some examples of biomimicry. The best known example is probably Velcro. One day in 1941, Swiss electrical engineer, George de Mestra was walking his dog in the woods. He wondered if the burrs that clung to him and his dog could be used for something useful. He used nature’s design from the burr, to create a hook and loop fastener, and the rest is history.
Forbes magazine ran an article on biomimicry. It spoke of the benefits of the skin of the Galapagos shark.
SLIDE: Galapagos Shark
Extensive research has gone into this species when it was found that they never have bacteria on their skin. It was discovered that the structure of the skin cell does not allow bacteria to land and adhere. This was astounding, and the implications where numerous. For example, instead of using harsh chemicals for cleaning, some hospitals are now using this unique pattern on structures such as hand rails and door knobs to stop the spread of infection.
SLIDE: Peacock
Structure is also found to be the reason peacocks have their vibrant color. There is no color in a peacock’s feathers. Rather, our brain perceives the colors by the way light refracts through the cell’s structure. What if we could eliminate the environmental waste hazard of toxic paints, for example? Too much of which, ends up back in the environment.
SLIDE: Painting car
Instead of painting a car, we could color it with structure.
The creation of products is not the only way we can learn from our wise planet‐neighbors. For example, we are only beginning to see how nature works as a community.
SLIDE: Redwood Forest
Braden R. Allenby, Research Vice President of Technology and Environment at AT&T said, “We should be running a business like a redwood forest.”
I have learned that this is because the forest species live in eco-harmony, taking in the resources present and producing waste that in turn, is used by another species as a resource. They have a symbiotic relationship with each other, and thus do not create toxic, unusable waste that would pollute themselves and their environment.
Mr. Allenby also said, “The Industrial Revolution as we now know it, is not sustainable. We cannot keep using materials and resources the way we do now...At present, our system will collapse on itself. It is currently linear using virgin raw materials and creating unusable waste.”
He goes on to talk about “no‐waste economy” where there is a web of closed loops. Very little raw materials go into the system, and very little waste escapes the system. This is already happening around the world.
SLIDE: Denmark
One example of a “no‐waste economy” is in Kalundborg, Denmark. They call it an “ecopark”. Four companies have come together in this community; they are linked, dependent on one another for resources or energy.
Here is a diagram of what they are doing.
SLIDE: Denmark Diagram
The power company pipes some of its waste steam to power the engines of two of the other companies: a refinery and a pharmaceutical plant. Another pipeline delivers the remaining waste steam to heat thirty‐five hundred homes in the town, which has eliminated the need
for oil furnaces. The power plant also gives it’s cooling water (which is now warm) to a near by fishery which makes the water a perfect temperature for the fish to thrive. The pharmacy’s nitrogen‐rich slurry which used to be dumped into the fjord, is now donated to nearby farmers to be used as fertilizer. The list goes on of waste products that are now recycled into useful resources for others in this community. Much like a redwood forest would do.
SLIDE: South America Diagram
And here is another diagram of a similar “no‐waste economy” in South America using their local recourses such as oil, snow run off and live stock.
There are many global examples around the world of countries and governments making a positive difference to the environment.
SLIDE: Take Back Laws
For example, Take Back Laws. Europe started the trend of having laws that require companies to take back their durable goods such as refrigerators, washers, and cars at the end of their useful lives.
In Germany, the take‐back laws start with the initial sale. Companies must take back all their packaging or hire middlemen to do the packaging recycling for them. Take‐back laws mean that manufacturers who have been saying, “This product can be recycled,” must now say, “We recycle our products and packaging”. Consequently, it has become in the company’s best interest to design a product that will either last a good long time or come apart easily for recycling or reuse.
SLIDE: Batteries
Canada’s arm of Black and Decker has started a recycling system for its rechargeable appliances, hoping to reduce contamination and waste from nickel‐cadmium rechargeable batteries. Because of this program, tons of waste and nickel‐cadmium batteries are no longer going to the Ontario landfill.
SLIDE: Ecofactory Initiative
Japan has an Ecofactory Initiative restoring factories nationwide to refurbish or recycle products at the end of their life.
SLIDE: Green Labeling
Australia has enforceable and credible green labeling laws to encourage and enforce consumer’s demand for greener products.
Davor’s Script
Conclusion
We have heard ways that groups and countries are using around the world to continuously strive to solve our global crisis, for example with "Biomimicry". Also we have seen how countries and their governments are taking steps to address these problems. Making steps to create positive changes is hard and sometimes nearly impossible. It would be helpful if we reinvented our relationship with the natural world around us. We can see from these worldwide examples that an improved relationship with nature can create a positive change. It may seem impossible but in fact it is happening right now. In addition, we can change our mind set to approach these problems more ethically and not only scientifically, economically, or politically.
After our module on ethics, we were asked to write about our own ethical stance.
This I Believe
Susan Fullmer
3/19/2016
The older I get, the simpler my belief system becomes. I believe in inclusion, and I believe I should treat people the way I want to be treated. And given that I want to be included, I suppose I could simplify my list by one less item. But I feel so strongly about inclusion that I’m going to leave it in. So, I’m down to two items on my Belief List. I’d say it’s a good solid list, and it has served me well both personally and professionally. My life as been a series of painful events – both as the recipient and the observer of other’s pain. I am a healer at heart, and so pain and the causing of pain has always perplexed me. Why do we create it, if no one likes it? And I’ll take that one step further, why don’t we do everything possible to prevent it? From hard won experience I know that I can only change myself, and so this I do. The world cannot know any greater peace than I feel within myself. I believe that I create a more peaceful experience for others by being my own peace.
I have come to these beliefs, not in one dramatic moment, but by a serious of countless moments over a life time. I have watched and noticed what is important in life. I have questioned the beliefs I was handed as a child, and I continue to question everything that crosses my path. I look for outcome, because I have found that that is where the truth of the process lies.
One thing I have learned, for better or worst, is we become more like the people we are around. This, of course, can be used to our advantage both personally and professionally. James MacGregor Burns presents a leadership theory which contains a strong ethical and moral component. It is called, “the Transforming Leadership Theory”. Mr. Burns believes that, “Leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation” (Burns 1978, p.20). I believe that we inspire others and are inspired by others simultaneously, which has a positive, moral effect on the whole.
Even though I feel solid about my ethical decisions, I don’t pretend that this is an easy process. Especially between people whose moral values conflict. Kidder (1995) refers to, “those that pit one ‘right’ value against another” (p. 16). “The really tough choices, then, do not center upon right versus wrong. They involve right versus right. They are genuine dilemmas precisely because each side of the problem is firmly rooted in one of our basic, core values” (p. 18). This is an area that I think I can improve upon. I am working towards a certificate in Dispute Resolution, and I know that this situation will be a challenge for me. I found Kidder’s (2005) four examples of the dilemma paradigm model helpful in understanding right-versus-right choices. They are as follows: Justice versus mercy, short term versus long term, individual versus community, and truth versus loyalty.
There is something else that I have learned that helps in my moral decision making in all aspects of my life. I know that we humans are much more similar that dissimilar. When I am dealing with a conflict between people, I have found that if I get to the real heart of the story – both stories – that they tend not to be so far apart as first thought. Hearing the story can give me a better ethical compass from which to judge and problem solve. I find that there is often a solution that will be positive for all parties. And this seems the best ethics of all.
This assignment is to present our life's experiences in a concept map using a media presentation. I chose SpicyNodes as my media. I had never used this format before, but I like the layout options and I like the gobal work they are doing regaring education.
Susan Fullmer
1/17/2016
This assignment is designed to introduce my chosen profession, and the 21st century skills needed to be successful. This is a multimedia presentation called "Final Pitch".
Susan Fullmer
2/18/2016
For this assignment we were to watch a movie and analyze it from the perspective of Leadership practices according to our class readings. I chose this movie for reasons that are explained in the paper.
Critical Movie Analysis of Leadership Practices
Susan Fullmer
2/6/2016
His Girl Friday
The movie, His Girl Friday, is a screwball comedy made in 1940. At first I didn’t think this production would be appropriate for our UF 300 assignment, but then I decided to watch it and see if I could find any immerging leadership patterns – even in a screwball comedy.
One of the main characters is Walter Burns (played by Cary Grant). He is a hard core editor of The Morning Post, who was once married to the other main character, Hildy Johnson (played by Rosalind Russell). She is a top notch reporter for the same newspaper. The story begins as Hildy is telling Walter that she is quitting the pater to marry Bruce Baldwin, a rather bland insurance man. She wants to leave the life of a crazy, fast paced newspaper and have a respectable life as a married lady, away from the city and away from Walter. It is apparent that Hildy and Walter still have a rhythm and ease together that create the question from the very first scene, “Should these two people really part company?”
I had watched this movie long ago and knew the general story, but this time I watched it looking for leaders and leadership qualities. I was also curious on how the theme of strong women was handled, given that this was 1940. I am quite sure there were only a few, if any female reporters at that time. I assume it must have added to the comedy, to see an unrealistic character such as that. But for my purposes, I wanted to see a female leader from that era.
The Mayer and the sheriff, who had the two traditional leadership titles, were the worst examples of leaders in the entire movie. Again, I’m sure this was for comedy sake. But strictly going by our readings, I would classify the Mayer and sheriff as having the Coercive Power style. According to the book, “Exploring Leadership”, this kind of a leader can deliver negative consequences or remove positive consequences. And indeed, in this movie, these two leaders accomplished what they wanted by coercion, bribes, and threats. They went so far as to hind the fact of a reprieve of execution solely for reelection purposes. Ultimately, their plan backfires, but it wasn’t from lack of trying. I thought, if these two men were real leaders, I can’t image what a mess their organizations must be with those kinds of leadership skills. Coercive power accomplishes change, but at great cost to the relationships of those involved. And strong relationships are fundamental to a healthy organization.
The character of Walter Burns was certainly considered to be a leader by the others in the movie. As an editor, he seemed to carry some clout; and in the hierarchy of a newspaper, he was above the myriad of reporters in the story. I couldn’t help but think about the Leadership Theories in the chapter, The Changing Nature of Leadership. According to this list, the generational concept of leadership in 1940 was the Trait Approach. This theory took root in the early 1920s and lasted until almost 1950. This was only the second generation of leadership traits, the first being the Great Man Approach, which is based on hereditary properties of leadership.
If leadership abilities were not something someone was born with, then the next emerging theory (Trait Approach) was that it was from characteristics of those seen as leaders. Some of these traits were intelligence, height, and self-confidence which is very apparent in both the character Walter Burns, and the actor who played him, Cary Grant. It was believed that these characteristics made the leader. And indeed, in the movie, that’s seems to be about all he had going for him. Comedy aside, it was confusing to me because even though everyone seemed to admire him as a leader, I found his leadership skills appallingly lacking. He manipulated, lied, and negatively used just about everyone in the movie to get what he wanted – a great story for his paper. He was certainly not any kind of leader I would want to be near, let alone follow.
Now for Miss Hildegard Johnson, better known as Hildy. As a 1940s female character, I certainly admire her. Even if she does seem to want to give up a career she loves, to have a life that would include “no thought”. I cut her a whole lot of slack given the era, and count her as a hero for being one of the first to address issues such as love, marriage, having babies, and careers. It is a conflict women struggle with to this day.
It was most interesting to watch Hildy for leadership traits. She was in a man’s world doing a man’s job, and yet everyone seemed to admire her. I think part of that can be clarified by the French and Raven’s Bases of Power. I think of her as a leader because she has Informational Power. This is attributed to a person who has information that is not readily available, but which the group needs. And it can often refer to highly effective verbal or written communication which is exactly what she had. She was a very good reporter and they all knew it. There is a scene where Hildy has written a story on a typewriter but has to suddenly go somewhere else and leaves the story behind. All the other reporters are still there and they walk over to the typewriter. One reporter reads her story out loud, and they all admire its quality. They respect her for her ability. She is also seen as a more compassionate reporter than the rest, and they all genuinely like her. She may not be their boss, but they all look up to her as a leader.
I found it interesting that those with the actual leader roles were by far the worst leaders and the one’s that no one admired. And the least likely to be a leader – a woman in 1940 – was the person most respected and listened to.
This was an in class, group assignment. We were to follow a cup of coffee from growth of the bean to the drinking of the coffee. Our group works well together and we easily split up the assignment into the "personal", "Boise", and "Global" aspects. As you can see from our concept map, we followed the process in detail.
The Deconstruction of a Cup of Coffee
Group Project
Susan Fullmer
3/17/2016
Our very first group assignment was to make a pair of snow shoes. We were given one hour. In addition we were to come up with a group name, a credo, and post it all on Digication. Given that none of us had ever met each other before, it was amazing how well we all worked together. It was a flurry of ideas which we quickly narrowed down to a workable plan. And best of all, we are all creative. Check this out!
Group Project - Snow Shoes
Susan Fullmer
1/14/2016
We jumped in my car and went to the dollar store where we found the makings for shoes made of "snow" = snow shoes! We felt pretty creative and had a lot of fun doing it. It certainly set the stage for a cohesive team for our larger group projects to come later in the semester.
Group Name
All That Glitters
Susan, Davor, and Heather (foot model)
Credo
We believe in non violence, especially when creating a group project.
We believe in using glitter when ever possible,
because everything – and we mean everything – is better with glitter.
And because most of us on the team really like rain,
we believe in pina coladas in the rain.
(virgin or non - and yes, it was raining that night.)
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