#10 – I have a few questions…

November 24, 2016 Bryce

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So, what our team decided for this week in preparation of our December retreat, was that we would look at our list of people we were hoping to interview, review it, then put it into this post. Also, we were planning on making a list of questions we are going to ask our interviewees. So that’s what I’m doing. Have fun!

The people I would like to interview first are the most accessible, and/or the most knowledgeable about this issue. Therefor, these are the people I think fits those criteria.

Environmental Protection Agency (they have been involved with Lake Champlain for awhile now)
Governor Peter Shumlin (he passed an bill that requires farms to reduce their impact on water quality by meeting the “required agricultural practices”)
Lake Champlain Basin Program (they have “Lake Champlain” in their name, it’s kinda a no-brainer)
Lake Champlain Committee (again… the name…)
ECHO Center (this was actually recommended to me by a friend’s dad, and upon researching them a little, I found that they are a non-profit organization, dedicated to educating people around the state about the “…ecology, culture, history, and opportunities for stewardship of the Lake Champlain Basin”. This quote came from their website, which is linked in to the name)
Rural Vermont (like I said before, there was a bill passed that requires farms to meet the “required agricultural practices (RAPs)”, and when I first heard that, I was a little confused. So I looked at other organizations tied to these RAPs, and I found Rural Vermont. They explain Act 64 (the bill that was passed) very well, so I would personally like to get in touch with them to see what they know and what they can tell us)

I think we should consider talking to these people because they are the big names that are known for trying to help Lake Champlain. The links bring you to the corresponding organizations’ website/contact info (more for my reference than yours, but take a look!). Like I said, Rural Vermont is a good resource to look at if you want to better understand Act 64, which is the water quality act that Governor Shumlin passed in order to protect Lake Champlain from further pollution.

Second, we also were going to come up with potential questions we will ask the people that we end up interviewing. Here are some questions that I think are good, and some that I want answers to.

What does Acts 64 and 105 NOT cover, regarding Lake Champlain?
What can people do in their everyday lives to reduce their impact on water quality?
What is being done to educate the public?
What strategies would you recommend to farms to lessen their impact on water quality?
What are farms currently doing to lessen their impact on water quality? Is it the most effective?

My team mates will have other questions. These are the ones I know I want to get answers to. Of course, there will be more, but these are the ones I could come up for right now. My team mates are Brynna Kearns and Zachariah Burrows. Linked in is the list of all of their posts in case if you want to look at their questions.

Featured Image: courtesy of Shutterstock

Bryce

Hey! I'm an 8th grader from Vermont. I used to live in Georgia for 7 years. I enjoy swimming, biking, reading, acting, singing, making music, listening to music, archery, and much more! I've been described as organized, kind, respectful, funny, and easy to get a long with. Along with singing and acting, I also play the Baritone Saxophone in the school band. I am currently 13 years old, but I'm am close to 14. I have 5 brothers, 1 sister, 2 nephews, 2 nieces, and over 10 cousins. It's a pretty hectic family, and I'm the youngest out of most of them. And don't forget, read my blogs, and for now, thanks for reading this!

Knowing Without Knowing

Connections Matter!

To assess: to sit beside

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”

One Response to “#10 – I have a few questions…”

Casey O'Meara
6 years ago
Reply

Bryce,

Thanks for getting your post up! The list of potential interviewees makes sense, as you note many of them have Lake Champlain in their title. I do wonder as I reflect on this list and potential questions, what is the story that you want to tell? Are you celebrating the efforts of those involved in the preservation of Lake Champlain, trying to determine if the proposed legislation will be enough, move the conversation from the lake to individuals, or figuring out if the agricultural efforts make sense to those who are being asked?

These are a few thoughts, and I am sure you will work through them at the retreat. Starting to reconsider what your story is based on what new information you have, the list of potential interviewees, and your questions will allow the team to have a laser focus on the story, the stakes, and audience.

The statement “all in” is something that has stuck with me from the movie you shared with the team. This statement is said towards the end of the film, around the 31 minute mark, and I am curious what this means to those involved. It’s a catchy, and meaningful, slogan/statement.I wonder if this might be part of your story. What does this mean and how does everyone embody being “all in”?

One last question to consider as you head into the retreat, what do you think is the best way to pursue the potential interviewees? This will be important as the group moves into next steps.

Have a great week!
Casey