Meet Carrie Hill, a dedicated member of the Firefly Gathering Board of Directors. Now in her third year of service, Carrie calls Bluegrass, Iowa, home but remains deeply connected to Firefly’s mission remotely through her service with the Board. As Board Secretary, Carrie leads the Governance Committee while actively supporting the Equity and Fundraising Committees, committed to helping Firefly stay grounded in our values and greater vision.
Want to join Carrie and other passionate members of our Board? We are currently accepting applications through December 31st, 2024. Click here to learn more.
Drawing inspiration from the incredible knowledge and skills shared among her fellow Board members, Carrie reflects on her journey below and shares what her Board of Directors role has meant to her throughout the years. Having expanded her knowledge in community organizing, relationship building and other life-changing opportunities through her time on the Board, Carrie continues to contribute to the Firefly organization despite the miles that separate her and the North Carolina mountains.
Here’s what Carrie had to say:
Hi Carrie, why did you decided to join the Firefly Board of Directors (BOD)?
I knew I was moving away from western North Carolina and knew I wanted an anchor, a way to stay connected with the region and vibrant community… so I decided to join to keep me grounded in my NC roots.
Who are you outside of Firefly?
I am a mother to two incredible kids, long time partner and friend to my husband, enjoyer of and caretaker for my aging parents, an artist, avid gardener/farmsteader, herbal student, body worker, natural cleaner, and earth skills tender.
How did you hear about Firefly Gathering, and when did you first attend one of our seasonal events?
I’ve been hearing about The Firefly Gathering since it began back in 2007; again and again every year, from many friends that participate and/or teach. Somehow, by way of life’s twisty roads, I didn’t actually attend an event until Fall of 2018: The Hunter’s Full Moon Gala. From there I was SO inspired by the skills and the people Firefly gathered together, I jumped at the opportunity to participate more by applying to serve on the Board of Directors.
As a mother and earthskills-tender, what does Firefly's work mean to you personally?
The values and lessons coming from the Firefly organization is so important. It’s potent, it connects people, it connects communities with one another, the living earth and the ancestors. It reminds us of the forgotten goodness through time that have carried sustainable and regenerative traditional lifeways integral to human existence with the earth. It’s pretty special to know this and participate in tending and carrying these Earth Skills forward.
Is there anything else you would like to share about Firefly, your work, or what you want folks to know?
In light of Hurricane Helene, it is so very apparent now to an abundance of people that which many long-time Firefly Gathering participants have known – that the Earth Skills, or traditional life-way practices, shared and practiced at our Annual Gathering and in our Perennial Workshops are disaster resilience skills. Firefly is an organization that encourages community knowledge and preparedness. No electricity, No power, No cell service. Breathe deep, we’ve got this.
We can safely and effectively set up communication networks using paper and pencil, conduct daily meetings, needs assessments and coordinate supplies, cook daily meals for many people (over fire if necessary), set up latrines and humanure composting, set up rainwater catchment and grey water systems, forage wild edible foods and medicines, utilize herbal first-aid in conjunction with other first aid materials, the list goes on and on.
Earthskills empower people with the knowledge of how we can take care of ourselves and one another by utilizing practices that are directly connected with the earth while sustaining ourselves, our loved ones and our community, together.
What impact has being on the BOD had on your life? What are the benefits of working with Firefly?
Serving on the board has given me new friendships that I cherish and put me in contact with very talented, skilled, and passionate people that I get to learn from and collaborate with on meaningful work.
I’ve had stellar mentorship experiences from my other Board mates – especially around skill-building in the Google Workspace (ex. working in shared docs and building spreadsheets), use of scheduling tools, how to structure and facilitate effective team meetings and recommendations on ways to build my own literacy around Equity work.
I’ve had the opportunity to get some basic training in Sociocracy as an alternate governance system that shares power and utilizes consent in decision-making processes.
Want to learn more about the ways our Board of Directors guides Firefly’s mission to inspire and empower the people of the Southeast? Check out our Board information here, and apply today through our online application.
