We are excited that you are applying to be a part of the "Our Future - Regional Leaders Team."
-> This internship is for high school students, and is designed to last through May 2024, with the opportunity to continue in the 2024-2025 school year for successful interns.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: (The deadline is past. However, if you were invited by a current Regional Leader student (or PSS staff member), it means there may be an opening at your school. If that's the case, then please fill out this form ASAP. Thanks!)
-> 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.)
- - Why is "Our Future" important? - -
In
the words of Colt Gill, former Director of the Oregon Department of Education,
"Climate change, environmental 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!
- - 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 - -
• A Core Regional Leader position requires
approximately 3 hours per week (12 hours per month).
- - Stipends - -
• For Core RL positions: The first term of the internship is an introductory period (Oct. through mid-Dec.), and does not include a stipend. There is an exception -- if you: (1) successfully complete the introductory period AND (2) choose to continue on with the program, then you will receive a $500 stipend for the introductory period. Then, if you remain with the program through May 2024, you will receive another $500 stipend payment. (To receive the full $500 for either session, you must participate in all active weeks of the internship, and stay above 3 hours per week. If you would like to know about the Asst. RL position -- there is a question for that below.)
Any intern who chooses not to continue with the program after mid-Dec. will still receive a certificate of completion and the potential for written letters of recommendation/references based on internship performance.
We will contact you shortly after receiving your application; we will schedule interviews ASAP for students that meet the basic requirements of the program. Thank you for your interest in the Our Future network!
