Recap of June 2024 Discussion
This month's picture is Ali Selka performing the all important gear check and inventory for her company. This is a reminder that our gear is what keeps us alive, take the time to do it today.
https://mailchi.mp/ffaca012645b/women-in-arb-zoom-14184776?e=[UNIQID]
As always, we had a robust and friendly discussion in June. Here's a recap:
We discussed Tree Climbing Championships (TCCs). Lux, the winner of the Utah Chapter comp, joined us.
Danae RAVED about the UTCC and how well it was put together and the way it ran.
TCCs are awesome ways to connect with others in the industry. While they're a competition, competitors cheer each other on and exchange tips and tricks and sometimes even lend gear.
TCCs are great ways to volunteer and give back to the arboriculture community. TCIA staff attended the New England chapter TCC.
The Midwestern chapter just announced that they will hold 5 spots for women to sign up for their TCC next year.
The Texas chapter currently holds 7 spots open for women for one month and then backfills those with the waitlist.
The Texas WTCW is also held a month or so ahead of registration opening, which has helped boost women to feel confident to compete.
We discussed gender equality training. Future Learn just released a ForGEDI training (Gender equality, diversity and inclusion in forest-related sectors). We're looking forward to hearing reports from folks who have signed up for it.
We discussed the states and cities who have outlawed the use of DEI and climate change language and what it's like working in an environment that limits what you can say.
Tamberly is headed to Utah in July to have a retreat with some women empowerment friends. She was excited to meet folks from Utah on here and get some tips.
This led to a discussion about going to new places and meeting new people and making new friends. It can feel daunting at first, but if we reach out to our network, we almost always find folks who are familiar with the area and have someone we "have to meet". Rebecca once got a fabulous tour of the Smithsonian trees by reaching out to her network.
We discussed Forest Bathing, Tamberly is a guide and is happy to help other people learn more and become guides too.
We discussed decision fatigue and analysis paralysis - those times when you just can't make another decision or when there are too many choices all of which are equally good or bad in varying ways. How do you overcome that?
Some people use an "internet decision maker" where you list your choices and spin the wheel.
Some reach out to a trusted friend and talk it through. Often when you do that you figure out what you really want by rejecting their advice.
Some choose to sleep on it.
Some journal about it.
No one way is right for anyone, but there are options and a lot of us are available to be a sounding board.
We discussed Natalie and her role in moving the Davey Women Initiative forward. A lot of us are very envious of the trainings they're putting on and want to replicate them for the wider community of women in trees.
We discussed the term "underrepresented gender". This term encompasses people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) but are now trans, people who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) but are now trans and people who are nonbinary. All too often the distinctions of gender are used to divide us and pit us against each other. This is a collective group working to create a more inclusive industry.
Finally - we discussed the movement towards making safety gear that fits smaller bodies. There is a company who is very close to releasing class 3 hi vis that actually fits smaller bodies in a way that is safe and looks professional. We're so excited!
