Q&A with Margery and Genevieve
Now that the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle experience is coming to a close, let’s listen in on how the co-chairs feel about the journey.
Question: Looking back on the year, what do you think went especially well?
Genevieve: I thought our selection of discussion leaders drawing from the whole community was a very positive and unique feature of this year’s One Book, One Community offering. I also thought that expanding the venues throughout the community really broadened our whole approach.
Margery: I would agree. We really had some wonderful collaborators: local merchants, small businesses, hospitals all held book talks and these locations were connected to the book. We had a total of 256 AAUW and community members attend talks and the discussions were held at 17 local sites. The get-togethers at the hospitals focused on healthy eating, libraries are interested in literature, restaurants excited about good, local food. The other thing that worked well was the variety of events. We had plenty of discussion sessions, of course, but we also enjoyed local foods at the Friendship Breakfast, had a visit to a local urban farm at the home of Kris Sandoe, will have two healthy cuisine cooking sessions at the home of two of our members – just a whole variety of things.
Question: What do you think we could improve for our next One Book, One Community experience?
Genevieve: For our next project, it would be great if we could have more organizers and helpers from both AAUW and the community. We did a great deal with very few people but we would have a broader outreach if more people participated. When I go throughout the community and ask if they have heard of what AAUW has done with Animal, Vegetable, Miracle as part of the One Book, One Community Program, not many people know about it.
Margery: Along with organizers, I’d like to see more members participate as well. I would love it if our members stepped up and saw this as an important branch activity that warranted their participation We have a very bright and educated membership and they could contribute so much to the discussions.
Question: At each of the sessions participants were asked how their lives changed after reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. What about you, Genevieve and Margery, – how did your lives change?
Genevieve: Well, I learned a new word and that was “locavore.” I also made note of where foods come from and what restaurants, for example, use healthy, local foods. I learned that Eric’s Deli uses locally grown products and that Chipotle cooks with naturally grown, organic foods. So now I’m asking a lot more questions about the foods I eat.
Margery: I have been very conscious of where food comes from for some time so Kingsolver’s book confirmed that what I have been doing all along is the right way to think about the produce I buy and put on my table. I did join LEAF – Local Ecology and Agriculture Fremont – a non-profit organization that helps residents start local gardens. One of our discussion leaders talked about this worthwhile organization and it seems like such a great idea.
Question: What moved you most or amused you most in the book?
Genevieve: I was very moved by Kingsolver’s inspirational passage at Thanksgiving time on page 284 of the book. “Wake up now, look alive, for here is a day off work just to praise Creation…” is how she starts the passage. I think of this section as a kind of prayer of thanks for all the good things we have to share and eat at this special time of year. I sent it to my friends and family last Thanksgiving. It really underscores what a great writer and thinker Kingsolver is.
Margery: In terms of being amused I just like Kingsolver’s style of writing. She makes serious points in a very attention-getting way and I appreciate that.
Question: Anything else you would like to say about the Animal, Vegetable, Miracle adventure?
Genevieve: I think we learned a lot during our AVM year that we can apply to future One Book, One Community endeavors. This has become an excellent tradition. Our challenge is to let it be known throughout the community that AAUW Fremont Branch leads this important program every year.
Margery: I very much enjoyed co-chairing this year-long activity. Thanks go to all who helped out and made this possible – to the AAUW members who came to every discussion session, to those who greeted people and explained how the program started and to the venues who welcomed us so warmly. Thank you all.
Question: What’s the next book for the 2010/2011 season?
Genevieve and Margery: The new book hasn’t been decided upon quite yet. We have a series of meetings to choose the new book. It will be something exciting for sure. Stay tuned.