It’s Getting Hot In Here

From Faye with SEAC:

We’re looking for dedicated and effective leaders and organizers to join the 2008 Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) National Council. Please review the overview of NC responsibilities.

Email your responses to the below questions to faye@seac.org by Friday, November 16, 2007. The current National Council will announce its selections by Friday, December 1.

Name:
School (if applicable):
Year of graduation:
Organization:
Phone:
Mailing Address:
City:
State:
Zip:

Optional - Do you identify as a person of color, woman, working class,
immigrant, differently-abled, and/or LGBTQ?

Please answer the following questions in three to six sentences:

1. Why do you want to participate in the SEAC National Council ?

2. What have you done to further the work of SEAC or environmental/climate
or social justice work?

3. What other work have you engaged in that you feel is relevant to SEAC?

4. What kind of organizing projects would you like to undertake as a
National Council member? What are your goals for SEAC?

5. Anti-racism, anti-oppression, and a systemic analysis of power are
central to SEAC’s work. How would you build upon this commitment as a
National Council member?

6. In what ways do you see yourself as accountable as a National
Councilmember and how will you hold yourself to that standard?

7. Are you able to make the time commitment (a minimum of 5-10 hours per
month) and fulfill the fundraising commitment ($350-700 over the one-year
term) necessary for serving on the National Council?

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About SEAC

SEAC was created by and continues to be organized by young activists
committed to change. SEACers use our network to organize regional and
national campaigns and strengthen their local work with information and
support from other groups.

SEAC is dedicated to the principle of grassroots democracy. In addition to
organizing within a national framework, within SEAC’s regional networks
there are many ways for groups and individual activists to organize locally,
within their state, and regionally. Within each category SEAC activists
choose their own structure and campaigns.

SEAC’s Organizational Principles

SEAC has fourteen organizational principles whose primary function is to
define SEAC’s vision for the organization. These principles, when combined
with the mission statement, are used to shape all major decisions for the
organization. The organizational principles are:

1. Fight environmental degradation.
2. Recognize the impact of the environment on human individuals and
communities.
3. Support human rights
4. Support animal rights
5. Demand corporate responsibility
6. Fight class inequalities
7. Fight racism
8. Fight sexism
9. Fight homophobia and heterosexism
10. Fight imperialism and militarism
11. Have a diverse membership
12. Develop an activist rather than a volunteer approach.
13. Link our issues to local, community concerns.
14. SEAC National exists to empower the grassroots through training
and education. We view national campaigns as one of the tools to
accomplish these goals.

*Mission Statement:*
SEAC is a student and youth run national network of progressive
organizations and individuals whose aim is to uproot environmental
injustices through action and education. We define the environment to
include the physical, economic, political, and cultural conditions in which
we live. By challenging the power structure which threatens these
conditions, students in SEAC work to create progressive social change on
both the local and global levels.

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SEAC National Council Resonsibilities Overview

*Find application here : ( www.seac.org/nc08) for
2008 National Council. *Due November 16, 2007.

*General*

-A term on the NC lasts for one year, and a member can serve a maximum of
three consecutive terms.

-Participation on the NC requires a time commitment of at least 5-10 hours
per month.

-The NC helps SEAC function effectively, democratically, and in accordance
with its principles.

-The NC provides on-site leadership at SEAC events and actions.

*Communication*

-The NC facilitates communication within and among the SEAC network and
allies.

-The NC communicates through an email list and monthly or bi-monthly
conference calls, as well as face-to-face meetings whenever possible.

-The NC meets face-to-face two weekends per year.

*Fundraising
*
-The NC plays an active role in fundraising by developing strategies,
promoting the sustainer program, and organizing local fundraising events.

-NC members raise $350-700 each throughout the course of their one-year
term.

* Program

* -The NC helps SEAC grow and traverse new terrain.

-The NC organizes around SEAC campaigns in their respective communities,
regions, and networks and works with staff on specific projects such as
conferences, actions, etc.

-The NC makes major strategic decisions regarding SEAC’s campaign work,
seeking input from staff and the larger network and in coordination with
allies.

-The NC makes decisions regarding other aspects of SEAC’s program including
but not limited to climate change, climate justice, environmental justice,
social and global justice, and solidarity work.

* Personnel
*
-Staff regularly communicates with the NC via email, conference calls, and
face-to-face meetings.

-The NC works with Staff to select SEAC staff, interns, and volunteers as
needed.

-The NC provides long-term direction and accountability for staff including:
hiring, firing, and disciplinary action; setting staff wages, salaries, and
benefits; negotiating staff labor disputes and implementing SEAC policy in
this regard; and other issues that arise relating to staff oversight.

* Organization
*
-Each year, the outgoing NC selects new members based upon the pool of
submitted applicants. Applications will be made available on the
SEACwebsite, email lists, and at appropriate events.

The size of the NC may vary from year-to-year depending on the judgment of
NC members and staff.

-The NC is comprised of at least 20% (will strive for 50%) people of color
and 50% women, with an additional focus on diversity in terms of class,
sexual orientation, age, geography, campus- and community-based organizing,
and experience.

-To promote continuity, NC members may maintain their position for a maximum
of three terms.

-All NC members are expected to participate actively throughout their term.
In the event of a long-term absence or departure, the NC may convene to
select a replacement to fill the position of the absent member.

Adapted from SFA Steering Committee responsibilities.