As the founder of the Defend Our Future branch at UNCG, I was the sole coordinator of members’ activities, program opportunities, and thus the only marketer, as well. It was my responsibility to not only schedule speakers for events and coordinate logistics, but also advertise for attendance – both in-person and virtually.
When I was contracted by Defend Our Future, they were a student-powered “offshoot” of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) focused on advocacy for climate change solutions. They are now powered by the Climate Action Campaign, continuing their environmental activism efforts.
Featured on this page are Informative Social Media Posts and a Guide for DOF Members on their Weekly Tasks.
Informative Social Media Posts
Piedmont Land Conservancy with Kevin Redding
One of our speakers for the UNCG Branch of Defend Our Future was none other than Mr. Kevin Redding, the executive director of the Piedmont Land Conservancy and the instructor of my Natural Resource Policies class.
This post was one of four Instagram posts advertising Mr. Redding’s virtual presentation on the nonprofit, the places they protect, and the impact that conservancies have on those places.
Health & Chemicals with Joanna Slaney
Then the Legislative Director on Health at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Joanna Slaney was yet another speaker for the UNCG branch of DOF, wherein she discussed in detail EDF’s work around the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 and the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics functioned.
Now the Vice President for Political and Government Affairs, Joanna continues her efforts and seems to have successfully “helped pass legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act” (EDF People, Joanna Slaney).
Encouraging Students to Speak with their Representatives
My DOF UNCG members and volunteers were often divided on the idea of speaking with their representatives. Most students were either amused, thinking their efforts to be futile; or terrified, wrought with performance anxiety at the notion of making that call.
I particularly enjoyed helping educate my peers on how to make those calls – and take them seriously, but not be afraid. I’d tell them: do your research, have notes ready, and be precise about your reason for calling. On the other hand, remember that you’ll be speaking first to their office staff, not to the representative himself. And finally, we’re all human – and to give one another the benefit of the doubt, we should all communicate with the assumption that we’re all “fighting” for the same thing – a good quality of life in the world for everyone.
Guiding DOF Members on their Weekly Tasks
As exemplified in the document below, I was quite thorough with my instructions for the tasks that needed to be completed in order to hit our requirements per semester.
I coached Matthew on how to write emails to organizations, Cameron on how to network with other UNCG clubs and groups, Sydney on creating digital media content, and so on.
My time as Ambassador for Defend Our Future was a fun and fulfilling role in my college days!
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