The Giving Tree Site-specific Sustainability Guidance Created by Amanda Addington, RSN VISTA Leader

Purpose During a year of service, VISTAs are frequently reminded to keep a sustainability binder while building the capacity of a sustainable project and implementing sustainable practices. (Things we’ll talk more about later on!) This activity will help you organize your workload and goals in a site-specific way. You’ll be able to identify which of your site goals are necessary for sustainability and which parts are “bonus projects.” Nurture the literacy lover in you!

The Giving Tree Narrated by Shel Silverstein, 1973

Tree Building Activity

What you’ll need: 1.Your VAD! 2.Paper 3.Writing Utensils (markers, pens, colored pencils) 4.Your creative, imaginative self!

Step 1: the Stump This is your sole objective, something your project cannot exist without. Something that needs to be represented when you are finished. Consider your organization’s highest priorities, a quality or character trait that is a constant for your site, a mission, goal, or value.

Step 2: the Trunk Label your trunk with three activities you must complete to ensure your ‘stump’ remains. Consider the goals of your project, what must continue at your site, or activities that must be passed on after your term ends.

Step 3: Branches Create as many branches as it takes to achieve the activities engraved on your trunk. Include necessary actions, processes, people, places, key involvement. This is the skeleton of your project. What needs to be in place when you are no longer at site? What are the most important points to communicate to the next VISTA assigned to your site?

Step 4: Leaves Fill your tree with leaves. The leaves are your vision of the end-game. What would you like to leave with your organization? Consider it as your personal stamp on a generic project. What will fill your project out? What do you enjoy working on most? Create a leaf for each factor you bring to your project and site.

Step 5: Apples Attach your apples. Apples are a bonus to your site. Consider all activities you are working on that are not on your VAD. Things that your organization has asked you to take on, as well as any extra tasks you create or ideas you have that aren’t listed on your VAD or in your project description. List everything. Do not get bogged down with these activities! Apples will come with time. Focus on your branches and leaves. You cannot grow apples if you do not first extend your branches and fill in your leaves.

Step 6: The Forest Surround your tree with a forest. The forest is your environment, support system, community connections, etc. Where do you go for support? Who needs to know about your project in order to achieve sustainability? What connections do you need to secure before you leave?

Step The Boy : what we expect in return for our work. What are examples of personal and professional return or immediate rewards you wish to receive? The house : where you go to find love and appreciation for the work you have done. Who do you confide in? Who do you vent to? Who do you bounce ideas around with? The boat : where you hope your experience with VISTA will take you. What do you hope to gain personally and professionally ? The resting place : your personal end-game. What do you hope to gain from your project or your site? Where do you want to end up ? Consider a future position, graduate school, recommendations, etc.

Share your trees! Did mapping out your work this way change your perspective or priorities in any way? Was there anything surprising to you during this activity? Other observations?