Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Why would I like to be Chief?

If you’ve been to Vorovoro you know why I want to return – once you leave there is bit of your soul that stays on the island, and you can be caught daydreaming about what is happening on the island while you live your regular routine – you wonder whose laughter is filling the great bure and what the sunrise looked like that morning.

I want to return as chief because I feel I have more to learn and share with visitors and the locals on Vorovoro. I hope to assist the on-island staff, help the visitors get the most of their Fijian experience, and learn more from the Fijians. I feel comfortable on the island and am confident that I would be a good addition to the team for the month of July!

What would I achieve as chief?

I want to ensure that the staff members on the island have the support they need from the chief position. I’d like to make sure new arrivals have help setting up camp, answering questions and feel welcomed when they first arrive. I also hope to bring more recreation to the island – maybe some used kayaks or more snorkeling gear. I’d love to see more sharing of local knowledge between the tribe members and Fijians – the Fijian lessons are great, and I know personally I’d like some cooking lessons from the ladies and more stories of Vorovoro and Fiji around the grog circle. I love to get outside and hike and swim as well. When I return I will be happy to lead swims around the island and hikes in the early morning. The island is such a beautiful place (the land and the people) and I want to encourage people to get out and explore it! I also want to encourage discussions about sustainable living – living green is important to me and I hope every tribe member takes home (and puts into practice) a new idea on how to reduce their eco-footprint.

What other than my skills makes me the right person for the job?

I know I am cut out for chief: I’m a confident leader and team player, I’m enthusiastic, optimistic, and I love island life. I enjoy learning from everyone I meet, and enjoy helping others and the sense of accomplishment when a job is completed. I’m a drama-free person, and I’m not afraid to get dirty or speak up when needed. July will be a fun and productive month on the island!

I’m also a marine biologist and would be happy to share my knowledge with interested tribe members and those on the island. I got to know the Fijians and tribe staff well when I was on the island for three weeks last trip and we work well together. I was an active member of the tribe before I left and am even more so now. While on the island as a tribe member I worked with Mesa and Marau to start ocean sustainability logs for both the beach trash and food fish on the island. I’ve also made informational signs about snorkeling, sharks of Fiji, and other pieces of information about the marine realm for posting on the island.

As chief, I will be given a small pot of money with which to leave my legacy. How will I spend it?

If any big projects (new buildings, etc.) need attention I will attend to those items first as the needs of the tribe come first. Of course if there isn’t anything pressing here are some ideas:

• Sit-on-top kayaks for paddling around the island, to Mali, or to good snorkeling spots. I am hoping I could get these used from a [local] resort.

• More snorkeling gear or additional 3-prong spear, nothing makes you feel like the winner of survivor than spearing your own fish and cooking it for lunch. Even if it wasn’t breaking any records…

• There was also once talk of converting the fun house into a little ocean center with snorkeling info, island info, fish guides, etc. It would be fun to get tribe members involved in painting it and really creating a little area to learn about the South Pacific. It could include lots of room for murals and chalkboards for noting recent sightings of sharks and fishes. We could even get the school kids to help us by having them paint boards for it one day.

• If eco-friendly shower stuff and toothpaste isn’t already available on the island I’d like to stock up in the U.S. and bring a bunch with me for general use and maybe try my hand at making some ourselves too.

• Using/making candles on the island to reduce the need for propane lamps.

The possibilities are endless! Mostly I’d like to make sure that the money is spent on something that the majority of the tribe thinks is a good idea – so after being elected chief and before heading to the island I’d like to chat online about what tribe members think is the best course of action.

Tell us something interesting about yourself…

Hmmm, when I was a kid I ate a part of a nerf ball…oh, and after I filmed the chiefcast (which I entitled “monologue to a tree”) I came across a herd of cows in the middle of the hiking trail, luckily none charged!

In one sentence, why should I be chief?

I will work hard to embody the goals and ideals of the tribe members at all times throughout my stay as chief, and make sure in the month of July there is a proper balance and harmony between the two cultures sharing the island and of course that everyone visiting has an amazing time.

Vinaka vakalevu for reading my chief manifesto! Hope to see you on Vorovoro soon & thanks for your vote!