When was the first time you realized you were part of something bigger and had the power to create change?
I realized it 8 years ago in March 2003 when our government invaded Iraq. Sickened by the lies and violence I knew I had to do something. So I started organizing my fellow students at the University of Kansas, holding demonstrations, debates, and teach-ins. But dispute my best efforts I alone couldn't end the war so I vowed to prevent the next one and keep us from sending our nation's youth into harms way to defend our dangerous addiction to fossil fuels.
Since then I’ve seen the burgeoning of a youth climate movement, inspiring campaigns, and two national Power Shifts. Together we’ve learned a lot. Now it’s time to harness that collective experience into the culmination of one massive “movement moment” - that point when we all come together, share our stories and strategies, and realize our collective power. Imagine what it feels like to stand in a room with 10,000 young leaders from across the country. What will emerge? We’re not sure, but we can’t wait to find out!
We’re excited to announce that at this Power Shift, we’re introducing something entirely new: Movement Building Sessions to share tools and charge our communities for action. Help make Power Shift a historic movement moment by becoming a Facilitator today!
At Power Shift youth leaders will convene a series of forums to learn critical skills to share their own stories, create powerful strategies to motivate others in collective action, and then lay the ground work to launch grassroots campaigns across the country.
But we can’t make it happen without you. The beauty of this movement building training is that it’s led by our own grassroots leaders who know first-hand what our communities and campuses face and hold the solutions. Through these sessions we’ll share our current campaigns, collaborate, and emerge with a movement wide plan to create a clean and just energy economy. With 10,000 people participating, it will be the biggest movement building training and strategy session ever.
When you apply, you’re taking a real leadership role in the next phase of our movement and we’ll support you all the way. You’ll attend one of seven Regional Trainings to meet others on the training team, experience the Movement Building Forums, and then prepare to lead them yourself at Power Shift 2011. Along the way, you’ll work with Lead Trainers and organizers from the New Organizing Institute Education Fund, who have developed trainings and campaigns in the immigration, labor and equal rights movements.
Come join the team. Apply to be a Power Shift Facilitators now!
Still have questions? That’s OK! Apply now and one of our team members will call you in the next 48 hours to speak with you and get your teamed up with other organizers in your area!
This is my third Power Shift and these Movement Building Sessions are probably the most important and impactful thing we have done to date. Nothing can compare to that collective “movement moment” when 10,000 of us realize our power together at Power Shift 2011. Let's make history and ignite our movement with a new wave of grassroots activism.
