Rogat+-+Memo+-+Hegemonic+Backdrop

9Michelle Rogat

Hegemonic Backdrops
 * that elite institutions are not sustainable - but they could be because they are a community that chose to come together - they are an interesting example of a certain kind of stakeholder group - will get more on this from analyzing information gained from the case study
 * View of country clubs from an outside perspective:
 * There is this perspective and image that many people have of country clubs and golfing clubs from the outside looking in that is pretty negative. Their impression is that the members of those places are rich, usually pompous, are ignorant, can be uncaring, and live in a bubble detached from reality. These views of that community of people can be a disadvantage for the sustainable community because these people could potentially be a supporter. In addition to that, this view of them could make them oppose the sustainable movement. (Much like what Schendler says in Getting Green Done.)
 * __From my experience__: There's an image that country clubs are racist, this comes from historical fact that back in the day, blacks, jews, Italians, etc. weren't allowed as members to some clubs. As time went on those social expectations of a country club does change, and they do allow all races to become members, but those groups of people might not want to be members because of the past, and this just carries the image of a club being prejudiced on longer because the member demographic takes a long time to become more diverse. There is a history of clubs being sexist with not allowing female members to apply for full membership, but women wanted to get access to level the playing field at work because a lot of business is carried on at private clubs. Some clubs had started going against their own rules and started allowing women into full membership, and one was even threatened by its father organization that it would get kicked out if it continued, but it went to court and it was ruled that women had the right to full membership in this case because the club could be categorized as a public place since business decisions were made there. Nowadays a second thought isn't given to the fact that many of the full members are women with their husbands being the guest spouse on their accounts. However, there is a "men's lockerroom" at the club which is more of a lounge where playing poker, watching tv, drinking, and such that is secluded from the rest of the building, has it's own door, and women are not allowed to enter, not even employees to serve lunch or drinks at the bar. There used to be a women's lounge, but that has since turned into the Travis Room, where small dinner parties are held, etc.
 * inside views of what a country club is - will obtain through interviews with members and management
 * the business views on going green
 * A possible cause for change resistance is the deceptive notion that economic growth is needed above all else and that it requires environmental cost. (Harich)
 * For businesses that have decided to become environmentally sustainable and have succeeded, they love to boast and advertise that the 3P's - people, profit, planet, and the 3E's - environment, economy, equality, are a win-win-win situation. And from what environmental professionals have said at seminars and class discussions, sustainability IS good for business, otherwise you're doing it wrong. But what the professionals also mention that the businesses don't, is that sustainability isn't easy. Businesses like to paint this almost rosy picture that achieving sustainability is easy and great for business, and it's possible that the environmentalists themselves promote this idea so that more businesses try it. However, professionals who work with businesses "in the trenches" of trying to achieve sustainability say that it isn't easy, in fact it can be quite hard, but for the environment AND for businesses it is still worth the effort. (Schendler, experience from Nate's class)
 * will obtain more information on this through interviews with professionals that have worked with businesses
 * views on the organizations that are supposed to help businesses go green
 * There are misconceptions that in order to become sustainable certified it would require a lot of upfront costs from the business that would be a huge burden. That simply isn't true, and when businesses start to listen and learn how these programs work, like with Audubon International for instance, they realize that isn't the case and that their business might be interested in such a program. The misconceptions make it hard for environmental organizations to communicate with businesses because they become that person at a conference that you don't want to get stuck in a corner with to have to talk to them, because their logic seems crazy and doesn't coincide with their business.(Lampman)
 * views on golf courses and the environment
 * The perceptions of whether golf courses have a positive or negative impact on the environment usually depends on whether the person is actively involved in golf or not. Golfers tend to think that courses are good for the environment, whereas most non-golfers do not agree. This shows the potential for negative attitudes towards the golf industry from the outside general public. (Hammond & Hudson)
 * From my interview with Lampman from Audubon International, she told me of how other professionals in her field would thank her for finally working "with the horrible and evil golf courses". So it is a very real image that society has for golf courses that they are "the bad guys" for the environment, but that isn't always true. (Lampman) Whether or not a golf course is improving or degrading the environment it is in depends on what the land was used for before or what the alternatives to the golf course would have been as well as the management practices used. (Hammond & Hudson)