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< Back OTTA United nominated for the Midcoast Award at Circulate San Diego's Momentum Awards Wednesday, September 14, 2022 Our Time to Act United Next Previous

16 projects, 1000's of hours... check out our impact in connecting the San Diego community to efforts in housing, civic engagement, and more! Crossword Puzzle Answers The Liberated Peep Issue 001 Across 1. HOOKE 6. SPF 9. UNLOCK 11. TAR 12. BEDROOM 14. ICED 16. LLB 17. RESOLUTIONS 22. HOUSING 23. EMERGENCIES 27. BAN 28. ACNE 29. BREATHE 34. ADE 35. CRISIS 36. LSD 37. SLATE Down 1. HUB 2. ONE 3. OLD 4. KOR 5. ECOLOGICAL 6. STIR 7. PACE 8. FRESHENERS 10. KOLN 13. MBS 15. DOOR 18. LUG 19. USE 20. TIN 21. INCA 23. EBB 24. MARC 25. ENDS 26. SEED 30. AIL 31. TSA 32. HIT 33. ESE

Support our cause by making a charitable donation. Contributions of any size help us continue doing our work and advancing our mission. Help us organize the future in the present WHY GIVE? BECOME A MEMBER OTHER WAYS TO GIVE Looking for other ways to give? The best way to support our work is to become a member . But if that's not for you, we welcome and appreciate other ways to support our cause. Action hub for alternative giving: If you'd like to make a one-time donation, it's simple and easy. MAKE A ONE-TIME DONATION For other types of giving listed below, please reach out to Aidan Lin, Executive Director, at aidan.lin@ottaunited.org . Major Gifts In-Kind Donations Corporate Sponsorships Foundation Grants Donating your time If you are interested in giving your time through volunteering, the best way to let us know is to sign up for our newsletter and check the "volunteering" box as one of your interests. Share our cause with your network The easiest way to help us fundraise is to share our cause with your friends, family, and colleagues. Fundraisers that are shared on social networks raise up to 5 times more. Our youth organizing is depending on it!

Redistricting 2021 Background Redistricting is a process that takes place every 10 years to redraw districts and determine who votes for who. The process typically goes one of two ways: it either lifts up underrepresented communities or it continues to suppress their say in government. GOALS BOOST AAPI numbers in District 6, the city's AAPI empowerment seat. Establish STUDENTS as STAKEHOLDERS in the redistricting process. IMPACT We partnered with over 40 community-based organizations to create the San Diego Communities Collaboration Map , the most diverse map on the table. We worked with the Associated Students of UC San Diego’s Office of Local Affairs to mobilize over 120 students during the redistricting process–––totaling 50% of all vocal public comments related to La Jolla/University City and 10% of all comments. We earned recognition for students as major stakeholders in the process, first acknowledged by the press on September 9th, 2021, and by the Redistricting Commission on November 4th, 2021. We successfully lobbied the commission to increase AAPI representation in District 6 to above 40%. The previous district was 35% AAPI, a difference of about eight thousand people. "There was significant testimony from students attending the University of California – San Diego (UCSD) and other community members seeking to move UCSD and University City to this district." "The Commission determined that the portion of University City east of Interstate 5 should move to District 6 based on the students’ requests and to achieve a 40% Asian population in this district." SAN DIEGO REDISTRICTING COMMISSION 2021 Final Redistricting Plan

If you're interested in our upcoming events, you've found the right place. Check out our program events, services, and socials here! EVENTS Upcoming Events Event Highlights Past Events Upcoming Events Join us for our Third Annual Gala! Sun, Feb 23 San Diego More info Buy Tickets Upcoming Events Event Highlights Below are three events showcasing the different sectors of work we do. None of it would be possible without our hardworking team and volunteers. TRITON'S CHOICE DEBATE This debate provided an opportunity for students to practice voting on social issues that impact them. READ MORE AAPI POSTCARD CAMPAIGN Last November, student volunteers from Rancho Bernardo High School Asian Heritage Club and the Bishop's School East Asian Student Association wrote over 500 postcards to engage Asian American Pacific Islander voters in the 2022 election cycle for our postcard campaign. SUPPORT US PRO-HOUSING COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION We held a pro-housing community listening sessions where we discussed and brainstormed solutions to the growing issue of housing in San Diego. READ MORE COFFEE CHAT Our Coffee Chat event is a token of appreciation to the members who support us from the back. SAN DIEGO PRIDE FESTIVAL In 2022, we had the honor to table at the San Diego Pride Festival and to march in the parade. Event Highligts Past Events Youth Changemakers Summit Sat, Sep 28 San Diego City College More info Details San Diego Pride Festival Sat, Jul 20 San Diego More info Details CYAN June Meeting: The Nuances of College Applications / Inequities of the Educational System Sat, Jun 29 San Diego More info Details Spring Coffee Chat Affogato Edition Sun, May 19 San Diego More info Details May CYAN Event Sun, May 19 San Diego More info Details April CYAN Meeting Sun, Apr 21 San Diego More info Details Housing Talk Sun, Apr 07 San Diego Central Library Courtyard More info Details Winter Coffee Chat Sun, Mar 03 San Diego More info Details CYAN House Party Sat, Feb 24 San Diego More info Details CYAN Kick-off Sat, Jan 20 Water Front Park (at the main fountain) More info Details You OTTA Re-Member Us Sat, Aug 19 Kate Sessions Park More info Details Coffee Chat w/ OTTA United Thu, Jun 22 "The Club" at Regents La Jolla More info Details Say YES To Housing For Our Future Sat, May 06 Doyle Community Park More info Details Virtual Info Session: Housing Organizing Efforts Fri, Apr 07 Virtual Event More info Details March Against Gun Violence Tue, Mar 14 Hall of Justice More info Details Pro-Housing Rally in University City Sat, Mar 11 Nobel Trolley Stop Platform More info Details Sign-Making for Pro-Housing Rally Fri, Mar 10 Silent Tree at UCSD (Near Geisel) More info Details First Annual Gala: A Sky Full of Stars Sun, Dec 11 Multi Purpose Room, Student Services Ctr More info Details Load More Past Events

Support our cause by becoming a monthly or yearly member. Contributions of any size help us continue doing our work and advancing our mission. Help us organize the future in the present WHY GIVE? BECOME A MEMBER OTHER WAYS TO GIVE MAKE A ONE-TIME DONATION BECOME A MEMBER Why become a member? Without you, we can't tap into the passion, creativity, and out-of-the-box perspective that youth bring to the table. Last year, we recruited hundreds of youth to make a brighter future possible. We need your help in order to continue this work. Why monthly or yearly? We ask for a recurring donation because our work is an ongoing effort — day to day, month to month, and year to year. We need consistent resources to deliver sustained results, and we want to foster a robust relationship with you to take meaningful strides toward achieving our mission. Membership levels BECOME A MEMBER PEEP Invitation to quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" $5/mo $60/yr FRIEND Invitation to quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" 50% off of our Annual Gala Ticket ($50 value) $15/mo $180/yr SUPPORTER Invitation to quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" 1 Annual Gala Ticket ($100 value) Public recognition on our website (Optional) $25/mo $300/yr ADVOCATE Invitation to our quarterly members-only "Coffee Chats!" 2 Annual Gala Tickets and special recognition as Gala Co-Host ($350 value) Public recognition on our website (Optional) Invitation to quarterly "Roundtable Discussions" with Staff & Board Leadership $50/mo $600/yr Membership Goals In order to provide stability for our nonprofit, we set membership goals every month. Become a member today to help us reach our goals and fund our cause! New members (out of 50) Raised (out of $10,000)

Save the date! Mark your calendars for the Youth Changemakers Summit on September 28-29 . Join us for workshops, engaged discussions, and community booths focused on youth power and housing solutions. Thanks to our sponsors, attendance is free! The venue location, community partners, and sponsors will be announced soon. LEARN MORE ABOUT CYAN

Our Board JOB DESCRIPTION BOARD APPLICATION Purpose The board of directors is an incredibly important supportive, advisory, and oversight body at Our Time to Act. It is composed of up to 20 volunteers and meets quarterly. As described in our bylaws, the specific responsibilities of our board are to: Direct our vision, mission statement, long-term objectives, and strategies. Conduct oversight on staff, programs, and progress. Appropriate funds in our annual budget. Create and maintain organizational policy. Execute the duties of each standing committee, including the finance & development, strategy & risk, and ethics & policy, and any ad hoc committees. What role do board members play? Board directors have diverse roles in our organization. Some are experts in certain areas, lending their prowess in a subject area to improve operations or guide in times of uncertainty. Others can speak directly on their lived experiences as youth and individuals impacted by our focus areas — or, perhaps, they are a mixture of both. Each voice carries a unique perspective that relates to the Our Time To Act mission. So, we encourage you to come as you are and help us foster a constructive atmosphere for positive growth and transformative impact. What do we look for in board members? Our Time To Act prides itself on being authentic and passionate. As a result, these two values are the bedrock of our organization and team. We have also found that individuals who are curious, bold, and respectful flourish on the board. A sense of curiosity — and the ability to ask good questions — helps us identify our strengths and weaknesses as an organization. Being bold allows board directors to speak their minds, challenging the unspoken consensus in the room and widening our collective perspective. Being respectful builds crucial relationships and trust within the board and between the board and staff. What's the commitment? We know your time is valuable, and we appreciate every ounce of volunteer time our board directors can devote. We strive to keep our board commitments light and flexible while offering opportunities to get involved with projects that matter to you. Currently, board directors are required to attend four virtual quarterly meetings (~2 hours per quarter) and serve on one standing committee (~4 hours per quarter). Here are the three standing committees and their functions: Finance & Development Manage the annual budget and necessary revisions, and review important financial decisions that require board approval. Strategy & Risk Manage organization strategy related to operations, advertising, financial management, access risk, and prepare for internal and external audits. Ethics & Policy Manage the organization’s ethics policies, resolve violations of policy, and support the cultivation of a respectful and mission-focused environment. Community Connections Manage sustainable networking and fundraising, nurture relationships with partners and donors, and connect with the community through outreach. The board may also, at its pleasure, form ad hoc committees to advise/oversee certain subjects or support staff projects that are of particular interest to directors. What's the excitement ? When you join Our Time To Act, you become a part of our journey. In 2019, as a group of high school students, we raised $7,033. Now, in the first six months of 2022, we have raised over $120,000. That’s impressive growth for a young nonprofit led by young people. But funding is only one side of the story. Perhaps the more salient point is our impact on the youth community. In 2020, we engaged over 120 high school students in supporting their community during COVID-19. In 2021, we influenced San Diego city politics and made a name for youth in the local community. In the spring of 2022, we knocked on 3000+ doors and brought 500+ people to the polls. Everyone has their reason to get involved with Our Time To Act, but at the end of the day, we are united by the vision we have for our community: that the inheritors of the future hold a stake in the present. Youth should be stakeholders in key decisions that are being made today. When you join Our Time To Act, you come along for the ride that helps us grow as individuals and you become a part of a team of visionaries and doers who are shaping the future. Board Member Job Description Application Period Rolling application. This role is not eligible for monetary compensation. About the role Working within the Board of Directors and reporting directly to the President of the Board, board members perform more than administrative tasks; they are the governing body of the organization that establishes and oversees our mission, priorities, business operations, long-term development, and finance goals. Skills and Qualifications Familiarity with Our Time To Act mission, vision, values, and goals Excellent written and verbal communication skills Organization and interpersonal skills Strong information analysis skills Goal and future-oriented decision-making skills Ability to understand and analyze financial reports Ability to evaluate executive performances Ability to participate in the execution of strategic plans Ability to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities Experience & Education Previous experience in aforementioned skills preferred. Time Commitment Average six hours per quarter. Subject to change depending on number of ad hoc committee assignments (volunteer-based work). About the Organization As a 501(c)(3) youth organizing nonprofit, Our Time To Act is dedicated to building youth power (aged 15-24) in areas predominantly occupied by adults to benefit the community as a whole. We play the role of coalition builders and mentors within our communities, sharing knowledge, resources, credit, and impact. And as a justice-oriented, impact-driven, and people-centered organization, our perspective grounds us with who we serve and the work we do while advancing our mission. Equal Opportunity Employer We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for open positions without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Our Time To Act is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and a workplace free of harassment and discrimination for all. jobdescription BOARD APPLICATION To submit your application, please email a completed version of this form in PDF format to adhocnomcmte@ottaunited.org , as well as an updated resumé (1 page maximum). A cover letter is optional. For more information or questions email adhocnomcmte@ottaunited.org .

YOU OTTA BE YOU. CELEBRATING YOU “Love wins.” You’ve all heard it. Well, we want to make it happen. OTTA United is committed to empowering youth, and it would be an injustice to not advocate for the historically disadvantaged queer youth community. Our organization employs people of all genders and sexualities, but our desire for inclusivity extends beyond the workplace. This year, OTTA United is participating in San Diego Pride on July 16th and 17th to join our community in celebrating our identities. You too can be a part of this! Sign up to march below, and always remember: You OTTA be you. JOIN US AT SAN DIEGO PRIDE San Diego Pride is a celebration of the queer community and the influential roles held by queer activists and leaders. As proud members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community, OTTA United is excited to participate in this year's parade. We encourage our community to sign up and march with us to show your support. When: July 16th at 9 AM Where: Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Ave & Normal St Goodies: OTTA Shirt, Poster, & Sticker (see right) SIGN UP Pride is a celebration, but it is also a powerful demonstration of collective power and collective action. It is a demonstration of a world where love always prevails over hate, where pain is soothed by community, and where diversity is our strength . That is why Pride means so much to me, and why I am honored to receive the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award from San Diego Pride. Please join me, Our Time to Act United, and our wonderful community in marching in the Pride Parade on July 16th . — Aidan Lin, Executive Director CHECK OUT OUR INSTAGRAM! WE'RE PROUD OF OUR NEWSLETTER! SUBSCRIBE JOIN OUR LIST! Please enter your email and name. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter!

Application Thank you for your interest in joining our team. We are excited to review your application! If you have questions, please reach out to the point of contact below. Point of Contact Ken Fesler, Associate Executive Director ken.fesler@ottaunited.org Social Media First Name Last Name Email Phone Number Which position are you applying for? Basic Information Education Level Preferred Work Medium Upload Resume/CV Select File Portfolio Link (optional) Application Questions Tell us why you are passionate about our mission. Answer the prompt here (150 words max). Describe how you fit the role you are applying to. Answer the prompt here (150 words max). Discuss goals you have for yourself and the position. Answer the prompt here (150 words max). Submit Application Is there anything you would like to add to your application? (Include any questions you may have) Your Signature Clear By signing, you affirm the accuracy of all information within this application to the best of your knowledge and authorize Our Time to Act United to use your information to contact you. SUBMIT An error occurred. Please try again Your application has been submitted!

Over 1000 lives touched, 2000 hours... check out our impact on housing justice and youth organizing in our San Diego community! Check out our impact in 2023! Download

< Back Aashika Srinivas, Policy Analyst, presents redistricting reform research to SD City Council Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Leana Cortez, Director of Advocacy If one were to describe the 2020-2021 San Diego Redistricting process, “equitable” would scarcely be used. The current structure of the process enforces the power of wealthy, single-family homeowners while leaving San Diego’s youth and BIPOC communities vastly underrepresented. As youth ourselves, OTTA United endeavored to disrupt this structure and begin our research for reform. These measures included: Changing the appointing authority. Partial district detachment. Implementation of a two-part selection process. These proposed changes would simply bring San Diego’s City redistricting process up to par with our neighboring cities and the state. Aashika Srinivas, policy analyst at OTTA United, brought these reform suggestions to the San Diego City Council Rules Committee on April 20th, 2022. She did a wonderful job presenting during non-agenda public comment and caught the attention of two councilmembers. Councilmember Chris Cate commented that he was "encouraged by some of [Aashika's] ideas." Council President Sean Elo-Rivera was "intrigued by the presentation," "appreciate[d] the level of civic engagement of the youth who presented," and thanked us for "having engaged in the redistricting process." With this encouragement, OTTA United will continue to meet with councilmembers to figure out the further development and implementation of such reforms to ensure just representation occurs for the diverse city of San Diego. Next Previous