SustainUS Philly
Interviewee: Makala Forster, Co-Coordinator of Lead Now
Q: Tell me about the objectives and mission of your organization
A: "SustainUS's mission is to empower young people to advance sustainable development. Through proactive education, research and advocacy at the policy-making level and at the grassroots, we are building a future in which all people recognize the inherent equality and interdependence of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. We strive to reflect our values through the diversity of members and projects, our ongoing commitment to educating ourselves and others, and the way we live our lives." SustainUS works with youth and is all volunteer based. There are various branches of SustainUS including: UN Policy on Sustainability, Environment and international negotiations; U.S. Policy advocacy focusing on accountability and being a watchdog; and the Lead Now Fellowship of empowerment, training, conflict resolution, fundraising, etc.
Q: What is your role in meeting those objectives? (Describe your position)
A: As Co-Coordinator with Kat, in Arizona, we facilitate training, support the remainder of SustainUS, and help the fellows develop their projects.
Q: In what ways does the organization participate in corporate social responsibility?
A: We help with multiple campaigns such as Climate March and petition signing, to name a couple.
Q: Does the organization work with youth or outreach? If yes, in what ways and what kind of feedback do you receive?
A: The organization is strictly youth-focused. Outreach and recruitment is difficult, because SustainUS is a small circle and has limited reach. We do most of the recruitment through universities that we have attended or have connections at.
Q: How does the organization utilize social media?
A: We use Twitter to communicate with our followers. Delegation participants use Twitter when attending UN functions. We also use Facebook to keep in touch with the Lead Now fellows, because they are all across the country.
Q: Are there future plans for expansion or new projects? If yes, how so.
A: Actually we are redesigning the organization this summer. We are reevaluating and rebuilding the social justice and environmental overlap, and thinking of ways to serve.
Q: Where does the bulk of your funding come from?
A: There is very little funding. The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation provided SustainUS with a grant a few years back, but we have been pinching on that money. We also have a partnership with the Energy Action Coalition in D.C. that works to our benefit.
Q: What major events, symposiums, and/or conferences does the organization host or sponsor?
A: We work with the Climate March, Powershift, Agents of Change, and Civil Society.
Q: How does the organization advertise and market these events? Which methods seem most effective?
A: SustainUS uses mainstream social media to reach their members and participants.
Interviewee: Makala Forster, Co-Coordinator of Lead Now
Q: Tell me about the objectives and mission of your organization
A: "SustainUS's mission is to empower young people to advance sustainable development. Through proactive education, research and advocacy at the policy-making level and at the grassroots, we are building a future in which all people recognize the inherent equality and interdependence of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. We strive to reflect our values through the diversity of members and projects, our ongoing commitment to educating ourselves and others, and the way we live our lives." SustainUS works with youth and is all volunteer based. There are various branches of SustainUS including: UN Policy on Sustainability, Environment and international negotiations; U.S. Policy advocacy focusing on accountability and being a watchdog; and the Lead Now Fellowship of empowerment, training, conflict resolution, fundraising, etc.
Q: What is your role in meeting those objectives? (Describe your position)
A: As Co-Coordinator with Kat, in Arizona, we facilitate training, support the remainder of SustainUS, and help the fellows develop their projects.
Q: In what ways does the organization participate in corporate social responsibility?
A: We help with multiple campaigns such as Climate March and petition signing, to name a couple.
Q: Does the organization work with youth or outreach? If yes, in what ways and what kind of feedback do you receive?
A: The organization is strictly youth-focused. Outreach and recruitment is difficult, because SustainUS is a small circle and has limited reach. We do most of the recruitment through universities that we have attended or have connections at.
Q: How does the organization utilize social media?
A: We use Twitter to communicate with our followers. Delegation participants use Twitter when attending UN functions. We also use Facebook to keep in touch with the Lead Now fellows, because they are all across the country.
Q: Are there future plans for expansion or new projects? If yes, how so.
A: Actually we are redesigning the organization this summer. We are reevaluating and rebuilding the social justice and environmental overlap, and thinking of ways to serve.
Q: Where does the bulk of your funding come from?
A: There is very little funding. The V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation provided SustainUS with a grant a few years back, but we have been pinching on that money. We also have a partnership with the Energy Action Coalition in D.C. that works to our benefit.
Q: What major events, symposiums, and/or conferences does the organization host or sponsor?
A: We work with the Climate March, Powershift, Agents of Change, and Civil Society.
Q: How does the organization advertise and market these events? Which methods seem most effective?
A: SustainUS uses mainstream social media to reach their members and participants.