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  • Gala | Our Time To Act

    2nd Annual Winter Gala: Dawn In The Mountains Our Time To Act proudly presents our 2nd annual gala on January 13th! Join us for our midday celebration of our collective accomplishments. There’ll be delicious food, featured speakers, and project showcases. We can’t wait to see you there. TICKET PRICES BUY TICKETS DATE Saturday, January 13th, 2024 TIME 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT LOCATION The Great Hall at UCSD (9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093) ADMISSION PRICES $100 $25 $250 INFO Co-hosts have the option for a full table for $600. Along with all co-host benefits, you will receive 7 extra tickets for you to bring 7 guests to our gala! (full table typically costs $800) BUY TICKETS price SPONSOR THE EVENT By sponsoring us, you’ll be a large part of our Gala. Even after, you’ll play an active role in supporting Our Time To Act by funding our future events and projects. BECOME A SPONSOR VIEW SPONSOR PACKET CO-HOSTS Martin Campos Judy Ki Kevin Shin Abbey Reuter Tama Becker-Varano Indroneal Banerjee Josh Kavanagh YMCA of San Diego County Leif Gensert SPONSORS San Diego Youth Homelessness Consortium San Diego Youth Marina Tostado & Oliver Lin QUOTES FROM OUR BOARD “The gala in three words: inspiring, impressive, and community—there were so many great people we were able to connect with.” “If anyone has the ability to support, empower, or champion youth and have the passion for it, this is for them – it’s so meaningful to invest in the next generation” “I’m grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself, to be involved in youth empowerment and see the impact in communities” Anna Pierce Oliver Lin Gabrielle Darisme A Glimpse into Last Year's Gala 2022's Winter Gala: A Sky Full of Stars celebrated our accomplishments, which could not have been possible without our community. After all, it's only when together that we shine brightly, dazzling the dark night with shimmering stars. View our collection of photos, videos, and blog below. READ MORE

  • Board Applications | Our Time To Act

    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 .

  • 2022 Winter Gala – A Sky Full of Stars | OTTA United

    YOU ARE INVITED: This was a monumental year for Our Time to Act United. From advocating for equitable representation of districts during redistricting, to joining our community for San Diego Pride, to enhancing youth and API civic engagement, we have had the privilege of serving our community and seeing our impact firsthand uplift youth. And now it is time to celebrate! We extend a humble invitation to attend our 2022 First Annual Gala: A Sky Full of Stars . We hope you can join us for a night full of excitement, including food from local businesses, a project showcase highlighting this year's efforts, and keynote speakers Aidan Lin, OTTA United's Executive Director, and San Diego's Mayor, Todd Gloria. When: December 11th | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Where: Multi Purpose Room, in the Student Services Center, at UC San Diego SEE TICKET PRICES BUY YOUR TICKET BUY YOUR TICKET Ticket Price WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

  • Youth & API Canvasser | Our Time To Act

    < Back to Open Positions API & Youth Canvasser San Diego, CA Paid Rolling application. Priority given to applicants before April 30th, 2022. Apply Now (it's simple!) About the Role Despite making up 40% of the voting age population in North University City, only a fraction of API (Asian Pacific Islander) residents vote in both national and local elections. The same is true for youth residents. There are over 9,200 residents between the ages of 20 and 24 living in the area; only a third are registered/eligible to vote in local elections. Get-out-the-vote (GOTV) canvassers will engage API and youth voters living in North University City to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Requirements Position Responsibilities: Door-to-door canvas in North University City/UC San Diego campus Voter registration (April - May) GOTV primary election (May - June) GOTV general election (September - November) Coordinate with Assistant Director of Outreach in planning community outreach events Collaborate with Associated Students of UC San Diego to engage student voters Additional duties as assigned. ​ ​ Experience & Education: Current UC San Diego undergraduate students preferred. University City residents preferred. Hourly Commitment: 7 hours per week minimum Compensation $15 per hour + $5 per voter registered (no cap) About the Organization About the Organization As a 501(c)(3) youth empowerment 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. Application First Name Last Name Email Phone Number I consent to being contacted via phone for a short screening phone call or text conversation. I am legally authorized to work in the United States. Scheduling In the table below, please select which shifts you prefer. I understand a minimum of 7 hours per week is required and a maximum of 21 hours per week is allowed. How many hours would you like to work per week? TUESDAYS TABLING SHIFT: 11AM - 3PM (4 hrs) CANVASSING SHIFT: 4PM - 7PM (3 hrs) MONDAYS TABLING SHIFT: 11AM - 3PM (4 hrs) CANVASSING SHIFT: 4PM - 7PM (3 hrs) WEDNESDAYS TABLING SHIFT: 11AM - 3PM (4 hrs) CANVASSING SHIFT: 4PM - 7PM (3 hrs) FRIDAYS TABLING SHIFT: 11AM - 3PM (4 hrs) CANVASSING SHIFT: 4PM - 7PM (3 hrs) THURSDAYS TABLING SHIFT: 11AM - 3PM (4 hrs) CANVASSING SHIFT: 4PM - 7PM (3 hrs) SUBMIT APPLICATION An error has occurred. Please make sure all fields are properly filled. Your application has been successfully submitted! Anchor 1

  • San Diego Redistricting | Our Time To Act

    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

  • Our Team | Our Time To Act

    Our Team Our Staff Directors The people leading the everyday operations of Our Time To Act. Aidan Lin-Tostado Executive Director Aashika Srinivas Director of Advocacy & Research Ellie Wang CYAN Lead Organizer Ken Fesler Associate Executive Director Sparky Mitra Senior Director of Special Projects Rachel Choy Associate Executive Director Nicole Lillie Director of Housing Justice Michael Nguyen Director of Engagement Howard Truei Director of Development Our Staff The people handling the everyday operations of Our Time To Act. Andrew Park Core Staff Masaki Mendoza Housing Justice Organizer Irene Wu Social Media Coordinator Faith Xiong Accountant Amaya Lin Community Builder Arianna Alvarado Housing Justice Organizer Nicholas Tappin Policy and Coalition Representative Mehran Piroozmand Accountant Karis Lin People Specialist Diego Washington Housing Justice Organizer Mariya Grabovska Editor in Chief Fiona Tang UI/UX Designer Aarohan Hariharan Housing Justice Organizer Aathmika Radhachandran Marketing & Event Specialist Board of Directors The governing body responsible for Our Time To Act's mission, priorities, long-term development, and finances. Janice Park President Marina Tostado Board Director Holly Harwood Board Member Abbey Reuter Vice President Mario Varo Board Director Oliver Lin Board Director Anna Pierce Strategy & Risk Chair Ray Lin Board Director Gabrielle Darisme Ethics & Policy Chair Learn More About Us Explore our mission, strategy, and values. Our story is one of purpose, passion, and a collective commitment to making a difference. ABOUT US OUR WORK

  • CYAN | Our Time To Act

    Become a Changemaker. Ever wonder why our systems never seem to change? How we go about pushing for change is just as important as why. Community organizing is one of the only ways to build enough power to challenge — and win — against the status quo. And we have a severe need for youth organizing in our local communities. CYAN Interest Form First Meeting Slides No upcoming events at the moment Definitions from Oxford Languages COM•MU•NI•TY OR•GAN•IZ•ING noun NORTH AMERICAN the coordination of cooperative efforts and campaigning carried out by local residents to promote the interests of their community. "San Diego's youth citizens are now empowered to transform the housing situation through community organizing" We need more youth activists and leaders. Most adult-led youth programs have small cohorts, focus on specific skills, or fail to address the systems that disadvantage us in the first place. At the same time, many youth-led groups, at no fault of their own, lack the resources and networks to harness the power of collective action. We want to transform the field of youth-led organizing. We want to eradicate the disillusionment, disengagement, and disempowerment we experience as youth. For that, we need you. C IVIC Y OUTH A CTION N ETWORK The CIVIC YOUTH ACTION NETWORK is a program that recruits, trains, and empowers grassroots youth organizers for systems change and a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. LEARN CYAN members gain access to trainings and workshops that teach you how to organize, mobilize, network, give public comment, analyze policy, fundraise, network, and so much more. The overwhelming majority of learning is youth-to-youth — we promise we’ll learn just as much from you as you from us. CREATE CHANGE Member-led collective action campaigns open opportunities in activism and leadership for youth to apply learned skills to better our future. Housing, transportation, social and racial justice, climate action, and inclusive governance are examples of issues CYAN members can advance solutions for. FIND COMMUNITY Perhaps the most cherished part of CYAN is the close community it fosters. There’s something unparalleled about fighting for change together, and it forges strong relationships that are fun, unique, and powerful. " Youth can breach the political realm — they just need knowledge and community." – Ken Fesler, Associate Executive Director of Our Time To Act A GLIMPSE OF OUR ORGANIZING EFFORTS Here are two examples of past organizing projects to give you an insight into what our work is like and how we make an impact. MIDWAY PROJECT In April 2020, we advocated for housing to be the top priority in the Midway development. Through organizing efforts and voicing our opinions in public comments, we were able to create a new map for the redistricting process that better represents the population of San Diego. LEARN MORE HOUSING In September of 2022, we organized youth in University City to fill out the 2022 University City Plan Update Survey to fight for their future within the context of supporting high-density and mixed-use development. ​ We spoke up and mobilized support in front of the San Diego Planning Commission on September 29th, 2022, leading to the reform passing in a 6-1 vote. LEARN MORE IT'S OUR TIME TO ACT UNITED. OUR MISSION THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT ALL APURV GUPTA Director of Services AIDAN LIN-TOSTADO Executive Director NICOLE LILLIE Director of Housing Justice STAY IN TOUCH subscribe to newsletter @ottaunited @our time to act united

  • Donate | Our Time To Act

    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)

  • Senior Director of Programs

    < Back to Open Positions Senior Director of Programs Staff Director (Volunteer) San Diego, CA, USA APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before June 16th. ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the Executive Director, the primary job of the Senior Director of Programs leads three direct reports: the Director of Organizing, the Director of Advocacy & Research, and the Director of Services. JOB DESCRIPTION The Senior Director of Programs plays an influential role in building strong, stable, and successful programs within the three areas they oversee: organizing, advocacy & research, and services. Job responsibilities include: Set goals REQUIREMENTS DREAM ROLE This is the dream role for someone with strong abilities to set great goals, operationalize success, and lead direct reports in a collaborative, empathetic way. Key skillsets may include: Community organizing Program design and leadership Ability to inspire, train, and empower youth sociopolitical awareness to achieve change and help others to do so Passion and commitment A “do-er” (strong implementation skills) EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Previous organizing experience is required, with preference given to individuals with experience organizing youth or for youth-related issues. A high school diploma is preferred, although not required if a candidate has exemplary youth organizing experience. WORK MODALITY & LOCATION OTTA United’s office is located in San Diego, California (3252 Holiday Court Ste 103, San Diego, CA 92037). CYAN will be launched in San Diego, so applicants must be in the San Diego region with the ability to travel around the City of San Diego and to the OTTA United office. The work modality is hybrid, with some required meetings at the OTTA United office. PAY & BENEFITS This position is on a volunteer basis. There is no compensation for this position at this time. OTTA United deeply values the potential for personal and career development and strives to uplift its team members to best position them for their bright futures. Non-monetary benefits include: Tailored work experience and growth to fit your desired career path Networking opportunities with community nonprofits, policymakers, elected officials, and companies Letters of recommendation Certified Volunteer Hours, if requested A tight-knit team and community of fellow change-makers EXPECTED HOURS & FLEXIBILITY In a Senior Director position, expected hours fluctuate from 15-30 hours per week. Certain responsibilities, such as staff meetings, are fixed. Other obligations can be flexible around your schedule. Many staff members are also students, so our work environment is as flexible as possible. Approximately 80% of meetings will be conducted online, with some optional in-person attendance, and 20% will be conducted in person. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION OTTA United is a youth-founded, youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. OTTA United values authenticity and passion. 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. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Here are some things to keep in mind: Our team values flexibility and taking initiative over structure and top-down delegation. This philosophy is not a good fit for all, so we want to be clear upfront. If you thrive in dynamic, open environments, this is the place for you. We value meaningful impact and support. We seek to authentically serve both our audience and our team members alike. We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse group of people. These values are reflected in our hiring practices, decision-making, and programs. Our team and organization are growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve, at all levels of our organization! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow us to be an effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. We prefer personability over professionalism, at least in internal settings. APPLY

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