After eating, we got to see (in short pieces) the play It's Not That Simple. After each scene, we were asked to discuss a question based on what we had seen. We had facilitators to help organize the discussions, but there weren't enough to go around.

Issue: Messages we give, subtle and not-so-subtle.

Assumptions about culture -- someone else will react in a certain (predictable) way based on what I think I know about her culture.

Who are the trainers?

• Do you have to be "old"? (Only three people in the room were under 35. Is this typical of the adult volunteers in our councils?)
• Do we only ask people "like us" to become trainers? Ignoring racial/cultural issues, do we have any trainers with multiple earrings? a tattoo?
• Do you have to be a long-term Girl Scout? Why? (Or why not?)

What is the process by which new trainers are selected -- and is it applied uniformly?

Use of jargon excludes

"Being a trainer is a rare honor" -- is this the way we see it?

"Is she a real trainer? (Us vs. them)

Are there cliques within the trainers in your council?

Stereotypes we've heard:

• trainers have green blood
• trainers know everything!
• whatever trainers say is true
• trainers are paid
• all GS trainers are old (or "seasoned")
• trainers are too serious!

If you get the opportunity to see this play and participate in discussions based upon it -- take it! We're still a little uncomfortable -- it was definitely good for us!