It's Not Goodbye, It's See Ya Later!

By Cara Cooper

To be honest, four months later and I am still processing what I’ve learned and how I feel about my transition out of KSEC. One thing I know for sure is that I will always remember those years as some of the best years of my life.

What we have accomplished together is more than I could have ever dreamed. Together we grew KSEC from a loose coalition of students on a handful of campuses to a thriving statewide organization with national recognition. And while the overall growth of the organization is exciting, it is not what I think about as the most important work that we’ve done.

Because when I think about what I’ve learned through organizing with KSEC, it is the individual relationships, friendships and mentorships that are what is really important. And I cherish those relationships more than you know. It is through our deep ways of being together and being in community that we are going to really change the world.

Sure there are impressive numbers. Together over the past six years we raised over $250,000, trained 1,200 young people in grassroots organizing, mobilized 2,000+ people to take action, won 6 campus campaigns, tripled our staff size, etc, etc. And I’m damn proud of that, too. But mostly…. Mostly I’m proud of each of you.

It is so much easier to stay jaded, to (falsely) assume that there is nothing we can do to fix the problems that we see around us and to just exist in our bubbles. But you have risen to the call for more. You have seen the vision that we’ve dreamed together of a Kentucky where we can not only stay but thrive, where we have a liveable planet and justice for all. You are the reason that this hard work has all been worth it. I am eternally thankful for you believing in me, believing in us and believing in KSEC.

I thought I would be nervous to leave. I worried that I would worry about the organization that I poured so much of my heart, sweat and tears into. But the truth is I am not worried. I am proud, I am excited and I 100% believe that our KSEC community will continue to kick ass long into the future. I’m so sure in fact, that I am pledging to increase my monthly donation to KSEC this Spring Fund Drive. We all know money isn’t everything but it does help make this work possible. If you believe in KSEC and the power of young Kentuckians, pledge a few bucks each month and show it!

I’ll leave you with a couple of things that I have distilled from my time in the youth environmental movement.

1. It’s okay to demand respect, but be prepared to have to earn it. Its vital that people respect young folks and listen to your leadership. Unfortunately, many older people don’t get it (yet) and they have preconceived notions about your generation. Don’t be afraid to speak up and fight for a seat at the table. Sometimes we have to work harder to overcome those stereotypes, but show them that you are reliable and impress them with your understanding of grassroots organizing and it won’t take long before they start to listen.
2. It is not blindly optimistic or naive to believe that we can build something better. It is hope and hard work that make what seems impossible, possible. If we lose hope, we lose everything. Your ability to envision a new world and to see what is wrong in our current system is invaluable to our progress. Please keep pushing us all to do what is necessary not just want we think is possible.
3. Our biggest strength is our ability to love each other and to create space for people to be their authentic selves. Our relationships and trust with each other is ultimately our most important resource. Do the deep work to build community and invest in each other. Believe in yourself and bring people into the movement. Our opposition has money but they do not have community. And whenever possible bring in fun, music and laughter because we all deserve joy. Being a community organizer does not mean you have to be a martyr.
   
   

P.S. I’m not going anywhere and I would love to hear from you. Don’t be a stranger. Now, go out there and change the world.