Sunrise Movement

Political Engagement Team Member

June - November 2020 • Northridge, CA

What I liked

I loved working with the people I had worked with. They all seemed to have the same values and interests as mine and genuinely cared about working class politics.

What I wish was different

I wish that there were more mentorship from the leaders to help guide other members toward certain roles and positions so that the volunteers don't feel lost and helpless. There were many different projects that I was free to be a part of, but it was a little frustrating trying to join in on some of these projects that I had wanted to contribute towards. I would try to reach out to leaders to let them know that I had wanted to help out with certain projects, but they would not meet me halfway to welcome me and to let me know how I can start contributing. I was kind of left to figure things out for myself with no idea how to do so.

Advice

If you are looking to volunteer for Sunrise Movement Los Angeles and want to become a Political Engagement Team member, make sure you make yourself known to the rest of the team. If you are looking to become a leader with a definitive role within the group, be vocal and let the other volunteers know that you are willing to put the time and effort towards their projects.

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Communications Lead and Fellow

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I liked meeting all kinds of New Yorkers and seeing how regular New Yorkers lived their lives in the different boroughs. I liked being part of an inspirational activist community and learning how to be an effective and empathetic organizer and team member. I really liked living in NYC (Park Slope).

What I wish was different

The lack of structure to work days for the first few weeks

Advice

Be proactive, set your own goals, be a direct communicator, take care of yourself

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Fellow, Communications Lead

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Thinking about political and electoral strategy, grassroots-organizing strategy, planning and executing escalated actions, crafting media strategy, being trusted with near-complete autonomy over my role and my decisions, talking to many different kinds of people who lived in very different places in NYC, getting to explore NYC and truly live the New Yorker experience!

What I wish was different

A little more structure and predictability to the days, earlier orientation to the movement theory of change and strategy.

Advice

Do your own research on the climate movement. You will have many unanswered questions (really big questions at that). Do the work to answer them yourself so that you don't get distracted from doing important work.

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