SSC Update ~ April 15, 2006

Table of Contents
Direct From DC - Jared's Update
Take part in SSC Democracy - Vote for the Executive Committee
National and Local Leadership Opportunities Available
Sierra Student Coalition Grassroots Organizing Fellowships
Upcoming Events - Earth Day and Beyond
Scholarships, Awards and Jobs

Direct from DC - Jared's Update
Dear SSC Nation,

Our movement is growing in strength and intensity at a pace I have previously never experienced during seven years of student organizing. This past weekend I attended and spoke at the Northeast Climate Conference. The event, organized by partners in the Energy Action Coalition, brought together over 300 students from Virginia to Quebec. The Southeast conference, which was held simultaneously and attended by SSC Program Assistant Yochi Zakai, had over 200 students in attendance. Both conferences featured inspiring speakers, skills trainings, and state and regional strategic planning sessions all designed to build the youth climate movement to meet the challenge or our generation.

And wow, did they succeed. As you know, ours is the generation that must lead the way to a new energy future that will stop climate destabilization. After meeting so many passionate and committed students at these conferences we in SSC headquarters firmly believe that there is no other generation better suited to the challenge. Now we’re looking forward to bold events that will build on the momentum these conferences generated.

But we will only succeed if we also transform passion into action and potential into reality. That’s why it’s so important for you to apply to be a leader with the SSC. With a newly revamped leadership structure, an incoming infusion of resources that will allow us to hire up to five additional staff to organize the Campus Climate Challenge, and a more engaged and vibrant campus network than ever before, now is the time for you to step up and lead this movement on your campus.

Success will also require sound judgment and committed leadership from our organization’s Executive Committee. With the transitions our organization and movement are experiencing, it is vital that you participate in selecting the best leaders for next year’s SSC Executive Committee. I hope you’ll join me in voting for ExCom before the May 12 deadline.

Vote for the SSC Executive Committee
Elections for the 2006 - 2007 Sierra Student Coalition's executive committee are now open.

Vote Today

National and Local Leadership Opportunities Available

We are pleased to announce that applications for the new local and national leadership positions are now available. To apply, download the application from the SSC’s Leadership Applications website and submit it to us by April 30, 2006. Read on to learn about leadership opportunities available to SSC members. Remember, everyone needs to apply, even those who currently serve in a position.

Group Affiliation
The Sierra Student Coalition is a national organization consisting of a network of local groups that run campaigns on high school and college campuses. These campaigns usually follow the issue focus and campaign model of the SSC’s national priority campaign (currently, Re-Energize America!). Groups are requested to submit a formal affiliation request by April 30, 2006 so that the office has complete and current contact information for each affiliate. This is a new process for the SSC and we appreciate your help as we build the organization. The Group Affiliation Request can be downloaded from the SSC’s Leadership Applications website.

Campus Organizer
The primary job of the Campus Organizer is to be responsible for creating or maintaining an effective Sierra Student Coalition group to run campaigns on a high school or college campus. Campaigns should be driven by the Organizer’s group and ideally be a part of the SSC’s national priority campaign (Re-Energize America!). This is an entry level position in the SCC and all local group leaders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Community Organizer
The primary job of the Community Organizer is to bring together leaders from multiple campus groups in close geographic proximity to work on community-wide environmental organizing efforts. Community Organizers are responsible for maintaining communication between all Sierra Student Coalition groups in his/her community. A community organizer position will become available when there are at least two registered and active campus groups in the area.

Conservation Committee
Conservation Committee members are responsible for identifying the SSC’s national priority campaigns, supporting local groups working on these priority campaigns, and planning state, regional or national conferences in coordination with campus or community organizers. The Conservation Committee creates a national campaign strategy plan and is responsible for furthering the goals outlined. Additionally, it is the role of the Conservation Committee to build partnerships and coalitions with other organizations, such as the Energy Action Coalition, and represent the SSC in an official capacity with these other organizations.

Environmental Justice Committee
The Environmental Justice Committee is responsible for assuring that the SSC is upholding its commitment to the Principles of Environmental Justice. The EJ Committee works with the Trainings Committee to incorporate EJ education into SSC training sessions and with the Conservation Committee to assure that EJ is incorporated into national campaigns.

Student Grassroots Organizing Fellowships Available
The Sierra Student Coalition is looking to support talented student organizers to implement our Building Environmental Campus Community (BECC) campaign during the Fall ‘06 semester on select campuses nationwide. BECC organizers will work with existing environmental groups, or start a new group, to conduct a hard-hitting campaign for clean energy on campus, using either the Campus Climate Challenge or the Cool Cities campaign model. As a BECC organizer, you will have the opportunity to attend an advanced training, led by top Sierra Club and SSC staff, at our leadership gathering this summer. The training will provide you with skills to win victories on your campus and in your community by honing your ability to plan strategic campaigns, outreach to the media, and turn out hundreds of students to campus events.
Fellowships are intended for students currently enrolled in college and require a commitment of 10-15 hours per week for the duration of a semester. Four $1,500 scholarships are available for exceptional applicants. The application can be found on the SSC’s BECC webpage. The deadline for application for the Fall 2006 semester is May 30, 2006.

Upcoming Events
a. Earth Day Network’s Climate Change Live Chat
Earth Day Network is compiling a panel of world-renowned climate change experts who are willing to interact with high school and college students on this pressing and complex issue. The event will be a spectacular opportunity for students to have their questions and concerns about climate change addressed by the people who are closest to the issue. Classes selected to participate will send in a number of questions prior to the event and, in addition, will be able to submit questions to the panel while the event is in progress. The chat will be broadcast live over the internet via a state-of-the-art webcast of television quality. Through this medium, classrooms around the world that are unable to interact directly with the panelists will still be able to watch the event live. The only technology requirement is an internet connection. The live chat will take place in Washington, D.C. at George Washington University on Friday, April 21, 2006 from 1:00-3:00 pm.
The event will be broadcast live, but will also be subsequently available for download. For more information, visit the Earth Day Network.

b. 2006 SPROGS- Summer Camp with a Purpose!
This summer, let the Sierra Student Coalition change your life, as it has for over one thousand students in our fifteen year history. The environmental movement needs trained leaders. The environmental movement needs YOU. Spend one of the best weeks of your life in a beautiful state park learning how to transform your passion and energy for the environment into concrete action. You'll learn about environmental issues and activism from leaders in the field while forging life-long friendships with other remarkable students. Most of all, you’ll learn how to transform your passion and concern into effective action as a grassroots organizer. We will have six Sprogs this summer. Don't delay - applications will be accepted until June 1, 2006.
For a full listing of dates and locations and to apply, visit the SSC website.

c. High School “Just Environmental Leadership Institute” Summer 2006
Kimball Union Academy (KUA), recipient of the 2006 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Leading Edge Award for Sustainability, is pleased to offer summer programs in environmental education for educators and students. Building upon a decade long emphasis on environmental education, KUA successfully piloted the E.E. Just Environmental Leadership Institute for educators in 2005. This year the Institute is pleased to expand its educator offerings as well as launch a three week institute for students entering grades 7 - 12. The cost of the program has just been reduced by 30%!
Complete details about educator and student offerings, course credit options, eligibility, application and cost can be found at the E.E. Just Leadership Institute.

d. Climate in the House (and the Senate)!
Politicians need to recognize the threat of global warming and must act immediately to stop climate destabilization. If you're interested in learning how to accomplish this goal, come get the skills and information you need to put climate on the ballot in 2006 and beyond. All are welcome to attend Climate in the House (and the Senate)! at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont.

e. Stopping Global Warming, Fighting Coal Plants: Building the Movement
June 2-4, 2006 – Jamestown, Colorado
We have all heard the warnings: North American temperatures up 7-14 degrees in our children's lifetimes. Increasing risk of catastrophic sea level rise. A world altered beyond recognition. This does not have to be our future. And the next few years will determine if we can turn the corner. We need a powerful social movement to overcome political and corporate inertia, and catalyze a clean energy revolution. Join a weekend organizing and skills training workshop to pull together existing efforts to fight a proposed new generation of coal plants that, promote clean energy, and help build the grassroots movement to stop global warming.
Learn more about this event, which is free to students, by visiting the Green House Network.

f. Democracy For America Training Academies
Democracy for America is embarked on an ambitious goal to train thousands of grassroots activists for the upcoming elections. DFA Training Academy offers the grassroots a movement-oriented training program. This isn't just about the next election, or what we can do for our country every two to four years. This is about building a movement to take our country back.
To learn more about these programs, visit Democracy For America.

Scholarships and Awards - The Gloria Barron Prize
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2006 awards. The Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Each year, ten national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. Half of each year's winners are chosen for their work to protect the environment. Nomination deadline is April 30. Barron Prize Nomination Information.