We all have a seat at the kitchen table

The commencement speech on May 19th was by Dr. Rebecca Stanfield McCown, Director of the National Park Service Management Institute. Part of her message was, “Social movements begin around the dinner table.” I agree. I've sat around the dinner table.

My first “table” was with the president of the lake association, who invited me to take on a leadership role in caring for his lake. The second, I took on the treasurer duties and learned how to do the job. And my third through about the tenth were with the secretary of the lake association, a veteran conservationist who taught this newbie almost everything I know about caring for a lake.

A few years after that first kitchen table meeting, I became president of the North Pond Association. This is not what I would call a social movement. Without that casual but informative kitchen table discussion, I would have known nothing. I was just a guy who had bought his first boat to enjoy recreation on six (so far) of the seven Belgrade lakes.

As president, I attended meetings with other lake association presidents and PhD lake scientists who were experts in everything from fundraising to political lobbying. The intelligence and lake knowledge of the people around me was overwhelming. I still remember the first time I timidly voiced my opinion on a topic under discussion.

They were brainstorming a name for what would later become the 7 Lakes Alliance at Belgrade Lake, which I found odd because none of the names considered included the phrase “Belgrade Lake.”

I told the assembled crowd that when I applied for a job in Oakland a few years ago, I was “sold” on the position because it was “located in Maine's famous Belgrade Lake region.” The brain trust took my proposal seriously and further discussions ensued. Great!

The second point Dr. McGown shared with the 300 (yes, 300!) graduating class from the University of Vermont's Rubinstein School of Environment and Natural Resources was this: “Live experience” in nature is important to conservation efforts. In fact, he said, “our work relies on knowledge of lived experience.” Whether you're a trapper, a summer camper, a Bud Light-sipping ice fisherman, or even someone with a boat (like me), you have important information to share.

McGown encouraged quiet students like me to speak up in the environmental debate: “You may feel uncomfortable, unsure, or scared to speak up, but we need you,” she said, and called on future bolder leaders who care for the environment and natural resources to encourage and support all voices at the table, no matter how “small” or new to the movement.

I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those 300 graduates, perhaps my niece, started a social movement.

Lakes are a bit like tables. Tables support things. Tables often hold valuables: heirloom silverware or crockery, flowers in a vase, photos of loved ones. Similarly, lakes hold ducks, geese, fragrant water lilies, frogs, frolicking children, and our iconic loons. In winter, lakes support skaters, skiers, snowshoers, and ice shacks. “Water table” is also a technical term used in the context of an aquifer.

Admittedly, some of the “kitchen tables” mentioned here were not in kitchens, but the connotations of warmth and support, family, good food, and laughter are all common.

The world can sometimes seem bleak – with climate change, politics and war – but the family dinner table inspires us, and sometimes that inspiration leads to social movements.

Whether your passion is environmental protection or another important cause, try the Kitchen Table Approach. Feel the power of doing good as people brainstorm, negotiate, discuss, and share ideas based on their own experiences. Breathe. Breathe in the energy of community.

At a recent “kitchen table” meeting, the guys at 7 Lakes were discussing what name they should give the newest ship in their fleet. I suggested a few names. Years ago, they decided to drop “Belgrade” from the 7 Lakes Alliance, but one of my ship's names is still on the table. I've heard it's high on the list.

Again, not exactly a social movement, but another contribution from a guy with a boat.

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