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Holly (she/they) is a dedicated Vietnamese-American educator, project manager, and organizer born and raised in Eastside San Jose. Currently, Holly is Chief of Staff at Sustainable & Just Future, expanding solution-based environmental curriculum around the United States. Their work focuses on intersectional environmental justice, youth empowerment, and international climate policy. Their unique background in the legal industry, non-profit sector, creative storytelling, and climate education have strengthened their dedication to serving communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Holly believes it’s imperative that movements that center human rights and dignity must work together to create a more equitable and harmonious future. < Back Holly Harwood Board Director Holly (she/they) is a dedicated Vietnamese-American educator, project manager, and organizer born and raised in Eastside San Jose. Currently, Holly is Chief of Staff at Sustainable & Just Future, expanding solution-based environmental curriculum around the United States. Their work focuses on intersectional environmental justice, youth empowerment, and international climate policy. Their unique background in the legal industry, non-profit sector, creative storytelling, and climate education have strengthened their dedication to serving communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. Holly believes it’s imperative that movements that center human rights and dignity must work together to create a more equitable and harmonious future. holly.harwood@ourtimetoact.org

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "Bridge Builder of the Year" for API Heritage Month Thursday, May 19, 2022 Our Time to Act United On May 19th, 2022, Aidan Lin was awarded the "2022 Bridge Builder of the Year Award" at the Asian Pacific Islander Leaders of the Year Awards hosted by the San Diego Business Journal and Asian Business Association San Diego . Aidan was recognized for his work with Our Time to Act (OTTA) United in his capacity as Executive Director for his leadership during the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process, during which OTTA United partnered with dozens of community-based organizations to push for equitable representation for the Asian, Latine, Black, and youth communities of San Diego. OTTA United is honored to have its principal leader recognized for his work in the community—particularly as a force for coalition-building and intersectional collaboration. As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we are proud of Aidan's accomplishments and the invaluable relationships we have built with San Diego's API community. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Director of Operations & People Staff Director (Volunteer) San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before January 28th, 2024. ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the Associate Executive Director, the main responsibility of the Director of Operations and People is to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of OTTA United’s team, systems, and processes. JOB DESCRIPTION The Director of Operations and People drafts, revises, and enforces workflows and policies that guide the way OTTA United conducts its work. Key job responsibilities include: Drafting, revising, and enforcing workflows Analyzing and improving task efficiency Performing administrative tasks that maintain function Generally managing the internal, day-to-day work of the nonprofit Boosting team cohesion, collaboration, and morale Hire and onboard new members REQUIREMENTS DREAM ROLE This is the dream role for someone who is skilled at identifying and solving problems, understand systems work, and can lead the enforcement of processes in a kind, understanding, and empathetic way. Additionally, this role targets those who are looking to kick-start a career in organization management, human resources, project management, or business administration and strategy. Key skillsets may include: Problem-solving, Authoring and enforcing policy Evaluating and improving systems of work A focus on efficiency and efficacy Being an empathetic leader EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Previous operations-related experience is required, with preference given to individuals with experience in youth or youth-related issues. A high school diploma is preferred, although not required if a candidate has exemplary youth operational experience. WORK MODALITY & LOCATION The work modality of this role is either hybrid or remote. Work is welcome in person at OTTA United’s office is located in San Diego, California (3252 Holiday Court Ste 103, San Diego, CA 92037), but it is not required. 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: Mentorship and hands-on experience on hiring and onboarding practices Gain knowledge on nonprofit operations and processes Tailored work 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 Director position, expected hours fluctuate from 15-25 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. 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 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

Isaac Suarez (they/them) is pursuing a Communications Major at Grossmont College. Before joining Our Time To Act, Isaac was a Youth Leader with Live Well San Diego. They hosted and organized a Youth-Led Town Hall on mental health/substance misuse in collaboration with SAY San Diego and Project A.W.A.R.E. They joined OTTA United in July of 2023 as our Marketing Intern. Working with powerful youth alike, Isaac is dedicated to being a coalition builder for youth by creating inclusive spaces for youth to engage, collaborate and unite. < Back Isaac Suarez Marketing & Event Specialist Isaac Suarez (they/them) is pursuing a Communications Major at Grossmont College. Before joining Our Time To Act, Isaac was a Youth Leader with Live Well San Diego. They hosted and organized a Youth-Led Town Hall on mental health/substance misuse in collaboration with SAY San Diego and Project A.W.A.R.E. They joined OTTA United in July of 2023 as our Marketing Intern. Working with powerful youth alike, Isaac is dedicated to being a coalition builder for youth by creating inclusive spaces for youth to engage, collaborate and unite. isaac.suarez@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United at San Diego Planning Commission for University City Plan Update Thursday, September 29, 2022 Aidan Lin, Executive Director On Thursday, September 29th, 2022, the University City Plan Update was brought before the San Diego Planning Commission. This plan includes the major upzoning of large portions of North University City (UC). As demonstrated in a 2022 survey conducted by the planning department , a majority of UC residents, many of whom are students, support high-density and mixed-use development. Such growth would lower carbon emissions per capita, increase the available housing stock in San Diego, create walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and more. OTTA United and other advocacy groups showed up in support of these changes. Specifically, we sought to ensure the youth voice was a part of this discussion. "Students' legitimacy as a consistent voice in the community has been proven time and time again. Yet at every turn, we need to justify our presence in these conversations." Sparky Mitra , a Project Director at OTTA United, said. "I came to San Diego as a bioengineering student alone, but those who consistently push back against my authority as a student have forced me to become much more, including a housing justice and environmental justice advocate." During my public comment, I touched upon the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the process, referencing the work of the planning department. "The work of former city planner Katie Wetherspoon to include students, renters, and POC residents in the community planning process allowed for one of the most representative community surveys in University City. Over 50% of the community supported the highest-density options and an overwhelming majority supported adding considerable amount amounts of density in the area ... To stray away from high-density development would invalidate the input of the most underrepresented voices in this process: renters, students, and employees of University City." Leana Cortez , our Director of Advocacy, pressed strongly on the immediate need for dense, mixed-use housing. "We really cannot postpone density and mixed-use options anymore. It may seem feasible to those who are already established homeowners but it's not feasible for renters, students, and working professionals that struggle to build roots here in University City ... Let's ensure the future of University City by championing climate, housing, and job opportunities." OTTA United looks forward to our continued advocacy in support of a bright future for University City. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Co-Director of Engagement Staff Director (Volunteer) San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before February 28th, 2024. ABOUT THE ROLE About the Role We seek a driven and enthusiastic Co-Director of Engagement to join our Engagement Team. This is a great opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience and mentorship. Position responsibilities: Work closely and coordinate with the other Co-Director of Engagement to manage the Engagement Team of 5 Strategize the direction of OTTA United’s marketing and branding efforts Set objectives and plans to create consistent engagement content for the community Lead the development of the following marketing channels: press releases, emails, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube), and website Assist in planning events to drive membership and donorship Learn how to navigate MailChimp, Meta Manager, and Google Ads Manager Lead and facilitate weekly team meetings Lead bi-weekly one-on-one check-ins with Engagement team members Attend weekly Directors’ meetings What We Offer: The Co-Director of Engagement's main focus will be learning and applying the trade in a professional setting. Learn how to operate within a non-profit organization, including event logistics, social media management, and team management Develop strong leadership and communication skills Opportunity to work on and apply your skills to real-life marketing projects and gain practical experience Exposure to various marketing strategies, procedures, and systems A chance to develop and showcase your skills and creativity Insight into different areas of marketing Hourly Commitment: 6-12 hours per week, with flexible start and end times to fit your schedule If you are passionate about marketing and have a desire to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply! REQUIREMENTS Requirements: Enrolled in a marketing, communications, or related field of study Strong writing and communication skills Familiarity with social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Ability to balance multiple projects and meet deadlines Able to work both independently and as part of a team Basic knowledge of graphic design software, such as Canva, is a plus ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION WORK MODALITY & LOCATION The work modality of this role is either hybrid or remote. Work is welcome in person at OTTA United’s office, located in San Diego, California (3252 Holiday Court Ste 103, San Diego, CA 92037), but it is not required. PAY & BENEFITS This position is on a volunteer basis. There is no monetary 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 Letters of recommendation Certified Volunteer Hours, if requested A tight-knit team and community of fellow change-makers 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

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 Our work is life-changing and transformational Building youth power has the ability to transform communities and make the world a better place. Take, for instance, our recent wins in the past year in San Diego increasing youth and diverse representation in the community planning process and opening thousands of acres of land to more housing development to create more housing opportunities for youth and students . Where your money goes It's important to know what your donation goes towards. Here are our three main categories for use of funds: ORGANIZING YOUTH POWER We organize youth and build youth power by performing outreach, recruitment, programming, training, mentorship, mobilizing, and leadership development to support youth on causes that matter to them. HIGH-IMPACT PROJECTS We run various youth-led, high-impact projects that drive change in specific focus areas. Last year, we supported youth and AAPI voter engagement, redistricting reform, and housing and transit advocacy. TEAM CAPACITY BUILDING When you donate, you empower our young team to organize and advocate for youth across California. Our capacity is also dependent on training, insurance, critical software, and office space. At Our Time To Act, this is our power. Check out this short video showcasing some of our amazing team and work we do here. Give today BECOME A MEMBER OTHER WAYS TO GIVE

Grayson Sciacqua (He/Him) is a 17-year old Environmental and LGBTQ+ Rights activist seeking a better future for Youth. As a Queer youth from San Diego, they are a proud member of Our Time To Act, serving as the Director of Operations and People and the Collaborative Learning Chair of the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN). < Back Grayson Sciacqua Director of Operations and People & CYAN Advisor Grayson Sciacqua (He/Him) is a 17-year old Environmental and LGBTQ+ Rights activist seeking a better future for Youth. As a Queer youth from San Diego, they are a proud member of Our Time To Act, serving as the Director of Operations and People and the Collaborative Learning Chair of the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN). grayson.sciacqua@ourtimetoact.org

CYAN Conference: Youth Changemakers Summit Our Time To Act presents our CYAN Conference on September 28th and 29th! Join us to organize, empower, and unify youth and youth allies and offer an opportunity for the broader community to support youth-led work. CYAN members will engage in collaborative learning, foster community, and select leadership to maximize the long-term potential of youth organizing work in San Diego. Join the community, make friends, and create change! RSVP SCHEDULE LOCATION San Diego City College, Mathematics and Social Sciences Building, 16th St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA WORKSHOPS Youth and youth allies can engage in collaborative learning workshops held during workshop sessions. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. price PRESENTING PARTNERS COMMUNITY PARTNERS SPONSORS 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

Gabrielle Darisme is a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. Although undecided on her major, she strives to pursue an interdisciplinary focus and is interested in environmental science, biology, public health, and international policy. Gabrielle is an avid world traveler and has completed internships in Belize, Costa Rica, and South Africa. She has been a dedicated member of the Our Time To Act family since her Junior Year of High School. Outside of school, she has received serval Future Business Leader of America (FBLA) Awards, a Presidential Volunteer Award, hosted a TEDx conference, and has had artwork exhibited in the San Jose Museum of Art. < Back Gabrielle Darisme Vice President, Governance Gabrielle Darisme is a freshman at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City. Although undecided on her major, she strives to pursue an interdisciplinary focus and is interested in environmental science, biology, public health, and international policy. Gabrielle is an avid world traveler and has completed internships in Belize, Costa Rica, and South Africa. She has been a dedicated member of the Our Time To Act family since her Junior Year of High School. Outside of school, she has received serval Future Business Leader of America (FBLA) Awards, a Presidential Volunteer Award, hosted a TEDx conference, and has had artwork exhibited in the San Jose Museum of Art. gabrielle.darisme@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Housing Justice Director Volunteer Position On-Site (San Diego) APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before June 20th. ABOUT THE ROLE Contextual Note: Under Our Time To Act’s commitment to housing justice there are three teams: Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Enacting Social Housing, and Ending Youth Homelessness. Elimination of Exclusionary Zoning and Enacting Social Housing teams must utilize grassroots organizing to achieve their goals, and the staff on these teams will be primarily focused on building skills in organizing. Ending Youth Homelessness team members will primarily utilize skills in research and advocacy to achieve their goals, but may also be expected to learn a more diverse skill set to assist other teams. For more information about the responsibilities of each of the Housing Justice Teams, please see this chart . In your application, please rank the different projects in the final response box before your signature and submission. Through your application and interview process, you will be selected to direct one of these teams. Job Summary: Housing Justice Directors will build and practice skills related to organizing, mobilizing, and advocating for housing justice at the grassroots level and leading their teams in strategizing for and executing these efforts. This will be achieved with peer-to-peer learning and leadership opportunities. Housing Justice Directors will lead their teams in strategizing weekly, monthly, and yearly goals for their focus area, planning events, campaigns, and actions, and delegating necessary tasks to their direct reports. Additionally, they will communicate frequently with the other Housing Justice Directors, the full OTTA Director team, and the Executive Director. You will be primarily responsible for managing your direct team members and your focus area. Job Details: Plan, attend, and lead weekly working and check-in meetings with the Housing Justice Team Members on your project team. Attend monthly full-team meetings with all Housing Justice Teams. Attend all additional meetings and events determined mandatory by your project team. Attend all relevant meetings and events for Our Time To Act as determined by the Office of the Executive Director. Be prepared to research and become familiar with topics related to housing, transportation, and land-use policy. Be prepared to learn, grow, and practice skills of grassroots organizing. Strategize for and co-create educational materials, campaigns, direct actions, etc. Lead in planning, preparation, and execution of community events, tabling, and other direct actions. Practice successful active communication with colleagues, direct reports, and supervisors and timely completion of assigned tasks and expectations. Communicate our mission, and project focus area effectively and professionally with community members and the press. Participate in grant-writing for project or focus area related proposals. Manage direct reports through consistent and regular communication, providing feedback utilizing radical candor, and proper task delegation. Provide other assistance as needed. Bring your full self and your passion to your work, and actively contribute to the Housing Justice and Our Time To Act team with authentic leadership. Hours Per Week: Approximately 15-25 hours per week. These hours are mostly flexible except for required weekly meetings. During specific campaigns or running up to events, hours may increase and become less flexible. You are not expected to work late hours, and some weekends may be required, especially for some events. A director position does require additional capacity and comes with an expectation of greater consistency in organizational activities internally and externally. Pay Rate: No Pay Rate, Volunteer Position Benefits: This position is on a volunteer basis. There is no monetary compensation for this position at this time. Our Time To Act 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 Informal and formal training and mentorship Letters of recommendation Certified Volunteer Hours, if requested A tight-knit team and community of fellow change-makers Desired Start Date: As soon as possible. Priority is given to applicants who can start before July 1st, 2024. REQUIREMENTS Required Qualifications: Youth, 15 - 24 years old Existing knowledge of how to use Google Drive applications (Gmail, Docs, Forms, Calendar, Slides, Sheets, etc.). Google Drive applications are used frequently. Basic knowledge of Slack, the communications platform. Attention to detail and deadlines. Ability to communicate well with others, including fellow team members and the public. Ability to work successfully with a team. Ability to communicate feedback effectively and with care. Ability to be flexible and adaptable to evolving situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to problem-solve quickly when issues arise. Ability to attend in-person events when necessary, weekly meetings may be attended via Zoom if necessary but most work may be required on-site. Preferred Qualifications: Please note that these are not required, but would be helpful for this role. Grassroots organizing experience. Research experience. Lobbying and advocacy experience. Existing policy knowledge related to housing, transportation, and land use. Experience with coalition building and spaces. Experience giving public comments. Experience with different writing styles (i.e. press releases, opinion pieces, policy memos, FAQ’s, etc.) Experience communicating with the press. Experience working with volunteers. Experience with giving detailed feedback on proposals. Lived experience with housing insecurity. Experience on the Housing Justice Team. Prior volunteer leadership or management experience. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION WORK MODALITY & LOCATION The work modality of this role is in-person, and occasionally hybrid. Events, actions, and meetings will occur throughout the San Diego area. Our Time To Act is a youth-founded, youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Our Time To Act 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

< Back to Open Positions Community Organizer (College Area) Paid San Diego APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before February 16th, 2022. ABOUT THE ROLE As a member of the advocacy team, the community organizer for the College Area will be responsible for mobilizing youth (15-24) to advocate for affordable housing and accessible transportation in San Diego. REQUIREMENTS Position Responsibilities: Collaborate with the Director of Advocacy to coordinate grassroots housing advocacy Potential responsibilities include: Mobilizing youth through social media/outreach campaigns Formulating outreach strategies with the outreach team Fostering relationships and networks with student organizations in the College Area Attend staff meetings Additional duties as assigned. Experience & Education: High school diploma required. Current undergraduate students are preferred. Previous experience in advocacy work preferred. Hourly Commitment: Average 8 hours per week Compensation $17.30 per hour ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION As a 501(c)(3) youth empowerment nonprofit, OTTA United is dedicated to building youth power (aged 15-24) in areas predominantly occupied by adults to benefit the community as a whole. 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. APPLY