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Learn more about Our Time To Act's youth-led change-making work for housing justice in San Diego. OUR WORK Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning San Diego is still severely segregated. Our team is focused on identifying and eliminating the reasons why. Learn More Enacting Housing Solutions Many youth have little hope for stability in their housing futures. We must introduce holistic housing solutions to close the gaps. Learn More Ending Youth Homelessness Youth are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity at unprecedented levels. Help us achieve a roof for every youth. Learn More Overview Our Time To Act utilizes our G.O.A.T. (grassroots organizing, advocacy, and trainings) changemaking model to engage and build youth power. We focus our work on the local level convening youth and our allies to shape a just present and future for San Diego. Our work is primarily centered around housing justice and youth-led transformative organizing. Housing is a human right and we pursue housing justice in three main areas. These areas are Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Enacting Housing Solutions, and Ending Youth Homelessness. The elimination of exclusionary zoning practices is absolutely essential to tackling lasting segregation and systemically racist housing practices in San Diego and beyond. Enacting housing solutions will allow for a future of affirmatively fair housing that creates more opportunity for youth of all backgrounds. While we strongly believe in the work of these two focus areas, we understand that change takes time. Youth are trying to survive the housing crisis now . That is why ending youth homelessness is an essential part of achieving housing justice. Finally, we focus on building the capacity and skill of youth in transformative grassroots organizing through our flagship program the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN). To learn more about CYAN check out our page for more information.

< Back For Our Time to Act United, 2021 was a year of incredible action and growth Monday, January 3, 2022 Aidan Lin, Executive Director Next Previous

Yvania Rubio (she/her/ella) is a Political Science and Sociology student with a minor in Business at The University of California of San Diego. Raised in Tijuana, Ensenada, Los Angeles, and Southeast San Diego, she currently resides in La Jolla for her undergraduate studies. Ms. Rubio participates in youth empowerment and professional development through her positions as a Youth Commissioner for the city of San Diego, San Diego County Youth Sector leader, community volunteer through Youth Will nonprofit, as well as the Assistant Project Director for the Youth Voter Engagement Project with Our Time To Act. Ms. Rubio has also acquired a position as a paid intern position under the tutelage of a District Attorney with the Superior Court of San Diego County. Through which Ms. Rubio had the opportunity to observe judicial, criminal, and juvenile proceeding, her initiatives are driven with the intent of providing opportunities for youth to explore their strengths and tailor them to improve society in their own authentic way. Ms. Rubio also wishes to help youth like herself learn how to converse with people who have differing opinions and reach constructive consensus. < Back Yvania Rubio Director of Organizing Yvania Rubio (she/her/ella) is a Political Science and Sociology student with a minor in Business at The University of California of San Diego. Raised in Tijuana, Ensenada, Los Angeles, and Southeast San Diego, she currently resides in La Jolla for her undergraduate studies. Ms. Rubio participates in youth empowerment and professional development through her positions as a Youth Commissioner for the city of San Diego, San Diego County Youth Sector leader, community volunteer through Youth Will nonprofit, as well as the Assistant Project Director for the Youth Voter Engagement Project with Our Time To Act. Ms. Rubio has also acquired a position as a paid intern position under the tutelage of a District Attorney with the Superior Court of San Diego County. Through which Ms. Rubio had the opportunity to observe judicial, criminal, and juvenile proceeding, her initiatives are driven with the intent of providing opportunities for youth to explore their strengths and tailor them to improve society in their own authentic way. Ms. Rubio also wishes to help youth like herself learn how to converse with people who have differing opinions and reach constructive consensus. yvania.rubio@ourtimetoact.org

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 .

Manu Agni (he/him) is a transit advocate, transportation planning student at UC San Diego, and a Board member at youth empowerment nonprofit Our Time to Act. At UC San Diego, he has served as Student Body President, helping manage the U-PASS transit program and advocacy for thousands of students. In these roles, he has worked to help develop extension transportation choices for students and young people in San Diego, including walking, bicycling, and easy transit access. He has also worked in consulting for transit projects, and serves on MTS’ Community Advisory, and Passenger Safety & Security boards. < Back Manu Agni Board Director Manu Agni (he/him) is a transit advocate, transportation planning student at UC San Diego, and a Board member at youth empowerment nonprofit Our Time to Act. At UC San Diego, he has served as Student Body President, helping manage the U-PASS transit program and advocacy for thousands of students. In these roles, he has worked to help develop extension transportation choices for students and young people in San Diego, including walking, bicycling, and easy transit access. He has also worked in consulting for transit projects, and serves on MTS’ Community Advisory, and Passenger Safety & Security boards. manu.agni@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Press Intern Intern (Volunteer) California and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before May 31st. ABOUT THE ROLE We seek a driven and enthusiastic Press Intern to join our Communications team. In this role, you will be responsible for crafting compelling and engaging content across various digital platforms. You will play a crucial role in effectively communicating our brand's message to our target audience. This is an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience and mentorship. Position responsibilities: Produce high-quality written content for email campaigns pages, ensuring accurate and error-free content Develop engaging and informative blog posts that cover relevant topics, industry trends, and company news Write compelling content for various website pages, including landing pages and project descriptions Conduct thorough research on assigned topics, gather information from reliable sources, and conduct interviews to enhance the quality and depth of content Review and edit content for clarity, grammar, style, and consistency, ensuring a high standard of quality before publication Collaborate with the Communications Department to align content strategies and support promotional campaigns effectively Further duties as assigned REQUIREMENTS Requirements: Excellent Writing Skills - Proficient in crafting clear, concise, and engaging content with impeccable grammar, punctuation, and style Research Skills - Ability to conduct thorough research and gather information from credible sources, ensuring accuracy and relevance in content creation Attention to Detail - Meticulous approach to proofreading and editing, with a sharp eye for identifying errors and inconsistencies Time Management - Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks effectively Collaboration and Communication - Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team, communicate ideas clearly, and accept constructive feedback Preferred Requirements: Enrolled in a Journalism, Communications, English, or related field of study What We Offer: The Press Intern’s main focus will be learning and applying the trade in a professional setting. Learn or gain experience on Mail Chimp Learn about the ins and outs of SEO and optimize high open and click-through rates for webpages and blogs Write strong content pieces to add to your portfolio Attend professional development workshops Gain experience working in nonprofit organization that works hard and laughs hard Hourly Commitment: 4-8 hours per week, with flexible start and end times to fit your schedule If you are passionate about writing and have a desire to learn and grow, we encourage you to apply! 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

< Back OP-ED: The San Diego redistricting process protected the status quo. We need change Monday, December 13, 2021 Aidan Lin, Executive Director For the past few months, students of UC San Diego have made a historic push to move council districts in the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process. They have shared their perspective, in actions ranging from digital submissions of maps to vocal public comments in hour-long meetings. Throughout the process as a student and leader myself, I've witnessed and experienced firsthand the disregard, apathy, and sometimes malice directed toward my peers for sharing their perspectives. For some, it emboldens them to speak up louder. But for others, it disincentivizes them from participating in the first place. Many groups of diverse individuals share this experience in the city. Often, the voices of wealthy, single-family homeowners prevail in systems designed to cater to their participation; not to mention the fact that many youths are BIPOC and from underrepresented communities. This is the status quo in San Diego, and it requires an enormous amount of momentum to overcome. As I highlight in my opinion piece for the Voice of San Diego , this came into play in very tangible ways: Instead of a new persons of color majority district consisting of Clairemont, Linda Vista, and Serra Mesa, the commission voted to maintain the status quo by giving the coastal region two districts. By splitting our campus, they diluted student voting power and reduced the likelihood of our needs being taken seriously. Their adopted map also lowered Asian American and Pacific Islander percentages in District 6 and Latino/a percentages in District 9, relative to the collaboration map they rejected. We must take action to dismantle the system that prevent real, important change from occurring. Three reform ideas that we proposed included: Detach the appointments from specific City Council seats. Many independent redistricting commissions do not tie commissioners to existing seats, including the county and state. Rather than ensuring geographic representation, this pushed commissioners to defend their personal districts as if they were elected politicians and resist any changes to the status quo. Change the Appointing Authority. Retired judges may sound like a good idea, but a system with selection bias toward older people and attorneys has generated major negative repercussions for communities of color. We need an appointment authority that is both independent and representative of the community and its values. Require representation on the commission. We will never achieve districts that reflect local communities unless the commissioners drawing them also reflect the community. New requirements should be added to ensure renters, students, and Black, indigenous and people of color are adequately represented on the commission itself. As we call for reform, we ask for your support. Join our newsletter to stay in the loop and reach out if you are inspired to get involved. voiceofsandiego.org The Redistricting Process Favored the Status Quo, Again. That Needs to Change. These commissioners simply do not reflect the diversity of San Diego, nor the experiences of most residents, and repeatedly proved themselves incapable of putting aside their own biases for the good of the city. Next Previous

Ria Maheshwari is a high school senior. Before becoming the Vice President of Our Time To Act, she served as the Outreach Specialist and within the Department of External Operations. As an aspiring lawyer, Ria combines her ambitions of argumentation and social justice as the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Captain and Board Member for the Speech and Debate Club at her high school and by being part of several community service clubs, such as the National Honor Society. Sports being a key passion of her life, you can always find Ria being active. For example, she travels across the United States to play competitive volleyball with her teammates at Mountain View Volleyball Club. < Back Ria Maheshwari Vice President Ria Maheshwari is a high school senior. Before becoming the Vice President of Our Time To Act, she served as the Outreach Specialist and within the Department of External Operations. As an aspiring lawyer, Ria combines her ambitions of argumentation and social justice as the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Captain and Board Member for the Speech and Debate Club at her high school and by being part of several community service clubs, such as the National Honor Society. Sports being a key passion of her life, you can always find Ria being active. For example, she travels across the United States to play competitive volleyball with her teammates at Mountain View Volleyball Club. ria.maheshwari@ourtimetoact.org

Apurv (he/him) officially joined Our Time To Act in 2020 as a Presidential Aid and transitioned through several different roles and responsibilities before becoming Director of Services in December 2021. Outside of Our Time To Act, Apurv is involved with clubs like FBLA, Debate, and the National Honor Society, but loves to play tennis and indulge in Taco Bell whenever he can. < Back Apurv Gupta Director of Services Apurv (he/him) officially joined Our Time To Act in 2020 as a Presidential Aid and transitioned through several different roles and responsibilities before becoming Director of Services in December 2021. Outside of Our Time To Act, Apurv is involved with clubs like FBLA, Debate, and the National Honor Society, but loves to play tennis and indulge in Taco Bell whenever he can. apurv.gupta@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Director of Organizing 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, or the Senior Director of Programs if hired, the Director of Organizing is responsible for finishing the design and launching the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN). In the future, the Director of Organizing may have a team of direct reports. JOB DESCRIPTION The Director of Organizing will launch and run CYAN, OTTA United’s flagship program and primary way of organizing youth. CYAN identifies, recruits, and equips youth organizers with the ability to change their communities — after youth act, they are uplifted into leadership opportunities at CYAN. Key job responsibilities include: Garnering support for CYAN from community nonprofits, funders, and youth Launching CYAN's first local/regional location in San Diego Spearheading program design (building upon the current framework) and implementation Selecting and leading a local/regional program team Working directly with CYAN members in trainings, organizing campaigns, and increasing membership Coordinating with the OTTA United team, including the Senior Director of Programs, Executive Director, and Board of Directors REQUIREMENTS DREAM ROLE This is the dream role for someone with a strong understanding of organizing, a passion for serving youth, and a commitment to building a successful program from scratch. 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 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. 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