Dock Member Series: Suzanne Nievaart
This week, we decided to focus on one of our longtime Dock members (and previous owner!), rather than an organization in particular.
Meet Suzanne!
Since 2014, Suzanne has called theDock home, whether as a coworker, owner, or board member. Now as a Dock member and facilitator at SAN’YAS, we asked her about her history at theDock, how COVID has shifted her work, the challenges and wins from the last year, and what inspires her about her work.
1. How long have you been a Dock member?
Since March 2014
2. What attracted you to theDock?
The potential for collaboration and networking with other socially minded people and organizations.
3. What is (or was, if it's something prior to COVID) your favourite part about theDock?
The people are amazing. It’s like Cheers, where you come in for work and ‘everybody knows your name’, and you can talk social and environmental justice at the coffee machine (our water cooler), and learn new things. I’ve also been to some really unique social and networking events over the years. It’s wonderful to hear about all the great work people are doing in the community, and around the world. The connections I’ve made here have changed my life.
4. What organizations have you worked with? What drew you to each organization?
When I started at the Dock, I was working as Operations Director for an international child rights NGO, then I worked with the Inner Activist for a couple of years in addition to being Program Manager for the BC Sustainable Energy Association. In all of these organizations, I was involved in leadership training programs. This has always been a draw for me, as I believe education is fundamental to social change. If people know better, they will do better. I’ve also been a Dock owner, Member of the Board, etc. while always being a member so I’ve had a peek behind the curtain of all sides of this organization before it changed hands. Social change work is a lot of work, and the people you meet along the way are golden.
5. In terms of the work that you do, what inspires you?
Since 2018, I facilitate anti-racism training with San’yas. I am inspired every day by my extremely skilled, dedicated, passionate and highly intelligent colleagues. It’s an amazing team to work with. Also, I find it inspiring to bear witness to social change from within – being part of opening people’s hearts and minds. That’s pretty amazing, and that gives me hope. We facilitate learners from across the country, and from what I’ve seen, the vast majority of Canadians want to do better, be better, and are really grateful for being offered the tools for learning how to do that. And yes, we are all a part of this, we all need to confront our own racism, and it is a lifelong journey.
6. How has COVID impacted your work life? Any surprising challenges and wins along the way?
Since our training is online, we actually had an intense increase in participation when the shelter at home orders started last March and many government employees were working from home. We found they had more time to really engage and dig into the learning, which was awesome, and that also meant a heavier workload for us as facilitators, in addition to navigating life challenges such as having to homeschool kids etc. So it’s been a very intense and demanding year! Another amazing thing that happened in the world in 2020 which fuelled more engagement was the global awakening to systemic racism due to the protests against police brutality in the US. We are living in an unprecedented time in that regard, as racial violence is not new, yet now a critical mass are waking up to it, and to the need for anti-racism. While previously the denial of racism was so strong and upheld all of these systems of oppression for hundreds of years. I am really hoping that once people start seeing it, they can’t unsee it anymore, and will actually start doing something about it to create positive change, and start holding people in power accountable in that regard.
7. How did you adapt this past year?
Since I usually walk or cycle everywhere I go, not having anywhere to go forced me to be really intentional about getting exercise. I like getting my exercise outdoors, so I go on daily walks once or twice a day, in all kinds of weather, and it has really brought me in touch with the natural elements; this has really soothed my soul, and brought me much gratitude for the place that I live in as an uninvited guest on Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ territory. I also started back at Uni, after a 12 year hiatus. I love to learn so that is how I fill all my ‘free’ time now.
8. What are you most excited for in 2021?
I’m looking forward to warmer weather to get outdoors more and enjoy this beautiful island, it was a long winter! I am also hoping mass vaccinations will protect our global community from getting sick, so that we can all start to socialize more, as it’s proven to be very important for mental wellness.
Learn more about SAN’YAS and their amazing work here.
Interested in becoming a Dock member?
Learn more about our membership options!