Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are >
      • Meet and Join the Team
      • Mission and Strategy
      • Past Events
    • Media >
      • The Young Kentuckian Blog
      • Power to the People Podcast
      • Press >
        • Media Coverage
        • Media Resources and Contacts
        • Media Advisories and Releases
    • Allies + Networks
    • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Plug In
    • Catalyst Activist Camp
    • Campus Affiliates
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • COVID-19 Mutual Aid
  • Donate
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are >
      • Meet and Join the Team
      • Mission and Strategy
      • Past Events
    • Media >
      • The Young Kentuckian Blog
      • Power to the People Podcast
      • Press >
        • Media Coverage
        • Media Resources and Contacts
        • Media Advisories and Releases
    • Allies + Networks
    • Contact
  • Get Involved
    • Plug In
    • Catalyst Activist Camp
    • Campus Affiliates
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • COVID-19 Mutual Aid
  • Donate

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

4/17/2019

0 Comments

 
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.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    About

    The Young Kentuckian is a blog of the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition where youth share their work and ideas for Kentucky's bright future. 

    If you would like to write a post for the blog, please email Acacia Maggard.


    Follow The Young Kentuckian on Facebook!
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Activism
    Advocacy
    Campus
    Carbon Neutrality
    Catalyst
    Days Of Action
    Fall 2019
    Fossil Fuels
    Green Revolving Fund
    Health
    Just Transition
    Kentucky Politics
    KSEC
    KSEC Summit
    Local Food
    Pipelines And Natural Gas
    Power Shift
    Rapid Response Network
    Recycling
    Renewable Energy
    Self-Care
    Solidarity
    Solutions Tour
    Stereotypes
    Water

    Archives

    February 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Donate to KSEC!
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.