During an afternoon workshop session at the Food Policy Council meeting, we participated in Building the Values Chain – Advocating for Personal and Collective Values Panelists: Cynthia Torres, Boulder County Food & Agriculture Policy Council, IATP Food & Society Policy Fellow; Amy Telligman, Graduate Student, University of Colorado Environmental Studies Program

We were asked to rate the following personal values:
- Enlightenment, knowledge, understanding of an issue
- Rectitude, to have ethical standards
- Skill, to have ability
- Affection, to have family, friends and warm community relationships
- Power, access to influence in decision making
- Wealth, to have money or its equivalent, economic viability
- Respect, to show and receive deference
- Well-being, to have health, physical, mental, emotional

Groups were formed and we were asked to collectively rate the values for a group coming together to work on a social issue. Interesting question. The dynamics of the group process led us in many directions, and questions.

Does the term “well-being” mean that you strive to have well-being as a goal of the process, or is well-being a value that is necessary in order for the group to succeed? I maintain that groups can work with those who have lesser qualities of health – and still be a substantial contributor to the group. (some elderly may have less mobility, but have a great wealth of knowledge and experience to contribute. We might get a great idea from from someone who is less mentally well, and should include their ideas, too.)

How would you rate these values?