A Conversation with Chan Weeks, Our 2019 Barbara Mason Award Winner
Welcome to the first post in our 2019 awards interview series! Each year, we celebrate individuals, schools, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies working to improve Georgia’s environment. The Barbara Mason Award honors an executive director who has been with us for over ten years. Meet Chan Weeks of Keep Douglasville Beautiful!
Photo by Tom Meyer
It’s wonderful to speak with you today. Tell us, what does it mean to you to have won this award?
It was a big surprise for me! I have been here for over 18 years, and at past awards celebrations, I always looked up to the winners. I knew the impact they had made in their communities and the cool projects they’d done, even several we’d learned about and tried to implement locally. It’s amazing to think I’m worthy enough to be part of that club!
We learned during the ceremony that you first became involved with the Keep America Beautiful program in fourth grade when you placed second in their litter slogan contest. (“Don’t Litter, Make the Whole World Glitter” – who could argue with that?) What inspired you to join the Georgia network?
I was definitely influenced early on. My parents were really into the three Rs: recycle, reduce, and reuse. I remember crushing our cans and taking them to the recycling center with my dad, and watching my mom rinse containers out and reuse sandwich bags. It got to the point where I was almost embarrassed, as a kid—other students would have new lunchboxes every year, but my family didn’t understand why I would need that if I had a perfectly good one already. I was also taught how to take care of the environment in Girl Scouts—my experiences in childhood led me to where I am today.
If you had to choose, what would be your proudest moment over the years?
I’m always honored when Keep Douglasville receives awards and recognition for all of our hard work, but I am most proud when I see the fruits of those labors. I have a picture my son drew when he was in in second or third grade. It was for MLK Day and the teacher gave each student a sheet that said, “I have a dream…” at the top. They were to write what their dream was and draw a picture. My son wrote, “to stop littering” and drew a picture of someone picking up trash. It is pretty neat when your own child sees your work passion at home and it influences him.
Cleaning the streets of Douglasville
What motivates you?
Just walking down the street, honestly! Seeing nature and all its beauty, as well as litter and the stuff that shouldn’t be there, inspires me. I love looking at the potential of a place and thinking about what it could be.
What guidance would you offer to other executive directors? What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Use the resources of the affiliate network and don’t be afraid to ask questions! There’s always somebody available to help. Find something you’re passionate about and run your programs from the heart.
What is one thing everyone can do to make their communities cleaner, greener, or more beautiful?
Everybody can make a difference, even if you’re just picking up a piece of trash off the road! I love the national parks mindset of leaving a place better than you found it. That’s what I would offer to everybody. Leave it better than you found it.