- - Why is "Our Future" important? - -
In
the words of Colt Gill, Director of the Oregon Department of Education,
"Climate change, environment responsibility, and justice are closely
tied to education, and therefore tied to the work that we do. I believe
there is a lot more we can do, and it is programs like “Our Future," and
the ideas and voices of our students, that can help shape the education
system to help us create a better world for tomorrow.”
If you are passionate about:
(1) a healthier environment;
(2) a more stable global climate;
(3) the importance of racial equity and social justice;
(4) green-based jobs and careers;
... then you are in the right place!
If you just want to be involved as a "Call-to-Action" member, feel free to scroll to the form questions, and answer the first 6 questions! This means that you get our newsletter, and learn all about events and activities related to the Our Future high school leadership network.
**** INTERNSHIP APPLICATION ****
If you have been invited to apply as an intern on the "Our Future - Regional Leaders Team" please read the following, and answer all the questions below.
We are excited that you are applying to be a part of the "Our Future - Regional Leaders Team."
-> This internship is designed to last the entire 2022-23 school year.
-> We are looking for students who will benefit from being involved, and
who are committed to helping other students make this network as
effective as possible. This is a paid internship! (See "Stipends" below.)
-> Please submit this application by December 23rd, 2022.
(PLEASE NOTE: Fresh/Soph/Jr students will be given
priority over Seniors. This allows students the opportunity to be part
of the program for at least two school years. Seniors, please apply too; you may be accepted if no Fresh/Soph/Jr
students are available for one or both spots on the team.)
NOTE:
We realize this internship won't fit with everyone's schedule or
commitment level. Therefore we have a 60-day trial period, and periodic reviews throughout the year, to evaluate if the internship is working for everyone.
- - What is a Regional Leader? - -
• The Regional Leader (RL) student team is the "main hub" of this program.
• Students on this team communicate information, and opportunities for
action and engagement, to the larger student population at their
school.
• RLs keep the network strong by developing and
leading projects, and creating partnerships and events that raise
awareness of climate justice, climate action and student well-being.
- - Main objectives of the Regional Leaders team - -
(1) Develop ways to successfully integrate Our Future into your high
school, and in schools across the state. This includes participation in
both district and network-wide initiatives and projects, outreach to the
student body at your school to get more people engaged, and networking
with other relevant clubs at your school to gain support.
(2) Help recruit students to be on the "Our Future membership list."
Students who say "yes" to being on this list will learn what Our Future
is doing throughout the year, and have the opportunity to get involved
whenever we send out a "call-to-action."
(3) Move forward on projects that the RL group chooses to develop by participating in RL
meetings, and implementing these projects at your school and across Oregon.
(4) Develop leadership, organizational, and team-building skills, as well as become more educated about the climate crisis and the concepts of climate justice and well-being.
(5) Have fun and meet other students passionate about these issues!
- - Time commitment - -
This internship requires
approximately 3 hours per week. This breaks down into:
(a) Regional Leader Statewide Meetings: There will be 2 Regional Leader meetings per month (every other week, in the afternoon or evening for 1.25 hours)
(b) Project Team Meetings: 2 "project team" meetings
per month (on alternating weeks, with other students).
(All meetings are online - using Zoom, except for in-person visits by PSS staff.)
(c) Project Completion: Between meetings, students work individually or with other students to complete projects.
(NOTE: We will
accommodate some special scheduling needs, however we would like to see
the group be successful. This will require you to be at most of the
meetings, and complete all team projects.)
- - Stipends - -
•
If you have successfully completed your first 60 days, and remain with
the program through January 2023, you will receive a $500 stipend
payment. (This amount might be lower if you start later in the year, or
end early.).
• The same will apply to the second session
which lasts from February to June 2023, offering you an opportunity for
another $500 at the end of that session.
• Interns will be responsible for tracking their
own hours using a recording sheet provided by PSS, which will be
reviewed every two weeks.
- - Fundraising and Communication - keeping the program going! - -
•
Student participants will gain important life skills while fundraising
for the Our Future program, and learning various communication tools to share information. We will all be working together to make the
program a success!
