Apolitical Space
Do not misunderstand, we are extremely engaged in community activism and support policies we think are good for employees, all Vermonters, and our wider community. Every single employee votes (as far as we know).
What we mean by being an apolitical space is that we have an official policy that, "We are happy to support positions and causes, but never parties or candidates."
What we mean by being an apolitical space is that we have an official policy that, "We are happy to support positions and causes, but never parties or candidates."
What does this mean in practice?
This means that we cannot allow a politician, even a personal friend running for office, to host an event at the Mead Hall. We also request that our staff, when representing the company, does not endorse a candidate or a political party.
We will, of course, pose for photos with individuals who happen to be elected officials and we don't ban politicians from coming to our events. It can be a difficult line to walk in such a small state, but it's very important to us.
This also means that if someone is speaking in a fashion that makes other members of our community feel unsafe, we will intervene. Discomfort is fine and necessary for personal and community wellness, but feeling unsafe is never OK. (See more below.)
We will, of course, pose for photos with individuals who happen to be elected officials and we don't ban politicians from coming to our events. It can be a difficult line to walk in such a small state, but it's very important to us.
This also means that if someone is speaking in a fashion that makes other members of our community feel unsafe, we will intervene. Discomfort is fine and necessary for personal and community wellness, but feeling unsafe is never OK. (See more below.)
Why is this so important?
Researchers are split on the question, "Is this the most divided the nation has been since the Civil War?" But the fact remains that we are more anxious and isolated than we've ever been in known history.
Furthermore, dialogue between people with differing views has been nearly quashed in the modern era, not only by this isolation, but by the precedent set by the media where a "conversation" is usually two people yelling their own position into deaf ears.
We are very lucky to have customers who represent diverse political and social beliefs. Our job is to foster a sense of safety wherein people with differing views can continue to differ while still considering each other friends.
As mentioned above, we have a strict policy about intervening when someone's words or actions make customers or employees feel unsafe. Being apolitical does not mean that we will stand by when individuals speak out with words of hate or threaten any community, whether that community is present or not.
Again, this can be a difficult line to walk, but without safety there is no Feast, and safety is a complicated concept.
Furthermore, dialogue between people with differing views has been nearly quashed in the modern era, not only by this isolation, but by the precedent set by the media where a "conversation" is usually two people yelling their own position into deaf ears.
We are very lucky to have customers who represent diverse political and social beliefs. Our job is to foster a sense of safety wherein people with differing views can continue to differ while still considering each other friends.
As mentioned above, we have a strict policy about intervening when someone's words or actions make customers or employees feel unsafe. Being apolitical does not mean that we will stand by when individuals speak out with words of hate or threaten any community, whether that community is present or not.
Again, this can be a difficult line to walk, but without safety there is no Feast, and safety is a complicated concept.
