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< Back OTTA United helps pass Community Planning Group Reform at San Diego City Council Tuesday, September 13, 2022 Aidan Lin, Executive Director On Tuesday, September 13th, 2022, the San Diego City Council passed instrumental community planning group (CPG) reform at the urging of OTTA United, Circulate San Diego, and other groups. Youth and student leaders from OTTA United played an influential part in providing firsthand testimony of the exclusionary structures and behaviors of CPGs in support of the much-needed reform. The 100-second video below concisely summarizes the situation and OTTA's role in the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQhbpYtf20U As we celebrate the passage of these inclusive policies, OTTA looks forward to the future of diverse representation and participation in local community planning processes in San Diego. Next Previous

< Back to Open Positions Advisory Services Event Coordinator Volunteer South Bay Area and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE Event Coordinators for Advisory Services run informational workshops designed to enhance the organizational and leadership skills of youth, offering them new methods and ideas for their own groups and organizations. Specific work includes creating an event plan, calculating event expenses, communicating with event personnel, and facilitating event execution and wrap up. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. Demonstrates proficient forethought and planning skills. High school student or beyond. 6-8 hours, 1-2 meetings a week. Our scheduling is highly flexible. Values cooperation, creativity, growth-mindset. Exhibits organization, diligence, and dedication. Passion for youth empowerment. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION While pursuing our mission of youth empowerment, Our Time to Act United understands the importance of fostering a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for all. As such, the actions we take align with our values as an organization and as individuals. We value meaningful impact. We always seek to genuinely support those that we serve and the people within our organization. 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 is growth-minded and development-focused. We always have room to improve! Our organization promotes honesty, communication, and integrity. These values allow for us to be a cooperative, productive, and effective team. We praise creativity and ingenuity. Nothing is more exciting than thinking outside of the box or challenging the status quo. Applications are a two-way street. We make our values as an organization clear to you in order to make sure our team is the right fit—and we hope we are! Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding our organization, values, workplace environment, or the application process. APPLY

Ken (he/him/his) is an Economics and Political Science student at the University of California, Davis. He officially joined Our Time To Act in June 2020 and became Associate Executive Director in January 2021. As Associate Executive Director, Ken takes the lead on systems management and employee development, including interdepartmental policies, employee one-on-ones, and performance reviews. Prior to joining OTTA and while still in high school, Ken was a Shift Lead at a local tea shop, the most senior staff member on site trusted with running the store efficiently and without waste. Throughout this, he maintains his driven dedication to scholastic success - he was a high school valedictorian and is now a Regent Scholar and university honors student. After graduating, Ken seeks to find further employment close to his loving family in the San Francisco Bay Area. < Back Ken Fesler Secretary Ken (he/him/his) is an Economics and Political Science student at the University of California, Davis. He officially joined Our Time To Act in June 2020 and became Associate Executive Director in January 2021. As Associate Executive Director, Ken takes the lead on systems management and employee development, including interdepartmental policies, employee one-on-ones, and performance reviews. Prior to joining OTTA and while still in high school, Ken was a Shift Lead at a local tea shop, the most senior staff member on site trusted with running the store efficiently and without waste. Throughout this, he maintains his driven dedication to scholastic success - he was a high school valedictorian and is now a Regent Scholar and university honors student. After graduating, Ken seeks to find further employment close to his loving family in the San Francisco Bay Area. ken.fesler@ourtimetoact.org

Masaki (he/him/his) is a student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics, and Urban Studies and Planning. He has been passionate about issues in American cities and communities since learning about the field in October 2021 right after arriving at UCSD. In the summer of 2022, he led a group of 15 young people to advocate for housing and transit at City Council and Planning Commission meetings in his hometown of Jurupa Valley, CA, garnering recognition from elected and appointed officials. He hopes to continue this work in his hometown and San Diego. Outside of Our Time To Act as a Housing Justice Director of Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Masaki is also interested in learning about issues regarding transportation, particularly public transit. He is currently working with his city to study the current status of transit in the community, surveying the population about their perceptions of it and what could be done to improve it. After graduation, he hopes to work as an urban planner in Southern California to continue advocating for better public transit and housing policies to benefit everyone in the region. < Back Masaki Mendoza Housing Justice Director Masaki (he/him/his) is a student at the University of California, San Diego majoring in Joint Mathematics-Economics, and Urban Studies and Planning. He has been passionate about issues in American cities and communities since learning about the field in October 2021 right after arriving at UCSD. In the summer of 2022, he led a group of 15 young people to advocate for housing and transit at City Council and Planning Commission meetings in his hometown of Jurupa Valley, CA, garnering recognition from elected and appointed officials. He hopes to continue this work in his hometown and San Diego. Outside of Our Time To Act as a Housing Justice Director of Eliminating Exclusionary Zoning, Masaki is also interested in learning about issues regarding transportation, particularly public transit. He is currently working with his city to study the current status of transit in the community, surveying the population about their perceptions of it and what could be done to improve it. After graduation, he hopes to work as an urban planner in Southern California to continue advocating for better public transit and housing policies to benefit everyone in the region. masaki.mendoza@ourtimetoact.org

Noah (he/him/his) is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego with a B.S. degree in Psychology in which he earned prior to joining Our Time To Act. He has been involved in the North Park Planning Committee and regularly attends their meetings. Growing up in a streetcar suburb he realized the importance of walkability and alternatives to driving but it wasn’t until moving to a car dependent area and back to the streetcar suburb where that importance was made obvious. In addition to being an advocate to traveling alternatives, Noah also believes in environmental sustainability as well as densifying housing in order to accommodate the growing population of San Diego and her surrounding areas.Noah has officially joined our time to act in 2024 and is looking forward to helping San Diego’s population have an environmentally sustainable future with further mixed use environments and more housing. < Back Noah Gonzalez Housing Justice Organizer Noah (he/him/his) is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego with a B.S. degree in Psychology in which he earned prior to joining Our Time To Act. He has been involved in the North Park Planning Committee and regularly attends their meetings. Growing up in a streetcar suburb he realized the importance of walkability and alternatives to driving but it wasn’t until moving to a car dependent area and back to the streetcar suburb where that importance was made obvious. In addition to being an advocate to traveling alternatives, Noah also believes in environmental sustainability as well as densifying housing in order to accommodate the growing population of San Diego and her surrounding areas.Noah has officially joined our time to act in 2024 and is looking forward to helping San Diego’s population have an environmentally sustainable future with further mixed use environments and more housing. noah.gonzalez@ourtimetoact.org

Learn about our mission, values, and strategy as a youth-founded, youth-led nonprofit. About Us WHY WE'RE HERE Mission and Strategy "To organize powerful youth for an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future." Simply put, we strive to build and exercise youth power. We are often called the leaders of tomorrow but youth are the leaders of today. At Our Time To Act we organize alongside our peers to shape our future collectively. When youth are able to get involved, the entire community benefits. According to our research , youth engagement within decision-making creates more effective representation, fosters pluralistic leadership, and strengthens democratic institutions. Socially, youth experience greater self-awareness, positive identity development and social bonding, and a sense of purpose. It’s a win-win for everyone! We constantly are practicing the future we want to create in the present. Our team is defined by our commitment to authenticity and passion for justice and our communities. Each member of our team has their own unique experience that has brought them into this work and we all come together to share, grow, and shape a brighter future. We are creative, resilient, and determined. Issues that disproportionately affect young people have been predominately controlled by adults. We exercise our collective power to create new pathways for youth voice and perspectives to be heard and valued in our sociopolitical systems. Youth own the future, we're shaping it now. WHAT WE'RE MADE OF Our Philosophy 1. Authentic & Passionate We value authenticity and passion in the work we do. By acting with integrity and remaining impact-driven, we constantly put these values into practice. 2. Mentors & Coalition-builders We play the role of mentors and coalition-builders in our communities. We can achieve the most by collaborating, openly sharing resources, and fostering robust networks. 3. Justice-seeking & people-centered Justice-seeking and people-centered perspectives are the lenses through which we perceive the world. They help us keep our highest priorities in clear view. YOUTH FOUNDED. YOUTH LED. THE FACES Meet the Team Our team is the heartbeat of our organization, and our passion and drive are at the core of our success. Connect with and get to know the individuals who work tirelessly to create a better future for all. VIEW THE TEAM OPEN POSITIONS OUR TEAM IN ACTION This video was put together for and played at our second annual gala. It told our staff stories through photos and videos of our work incorporated with interview of our team. Our March Pro-Housing rally. Featured in ABC10, CBS8, NBC7, and the Times of San Diego, we surged to the stage bringing diverse voices into the community planning process. OUR BRAND Inside Scoop We are professional and youthful . Our brand demonstrates that youth are capable and powerful while maintaining their playful and imaginative nature. At Our Time To Act, this powerful combination generates unique innovation. Professionalism Our presence is a statement, and we have the experience, skills, and drive to back it up. We strategically shape the future ahead of us. In our communities, we are trailblazers for youth in spaces where they are not welcomed or considered. Youthfulness Bold Determined Capable Creative Playful Imaginative We inspire others and ourselves. Our creativity leads to our passion and ideas. We embody our youthfulness, using our energy and enthusiasm to collaborate with community members and challenge the unjust. OUR WORK AND NEWS More About What We Do View our Advocacy and News pages for a deeper understanding of our mission and the impactful work we undertake. Here, we invite you to explore the intricate web of initiatives, projects, and causes that define us. OUR WORK NEWS JOIN OUR EFFORTS Get Involved We're more than just a collective of individuals; we're a vibrant, passionate community committed to making a change. We invite you to take an active role in shaping our shared future. BECOME A MEMBER DONATE JOIN OUR TEAM

< Back to Open Positions CYAN Lead Organizer Volunteer San Diego, CA, USA APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before March 31st, 2024. ABOUT THE ROLE THE ROLE We are looking for a CYAN Lead Organizer (0.75 FTE). The Lead Organizer reports to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with the Director of Housing Justice, the Housing Justice Team, and the Engagement Team. The Lead Organizer will develop our flagship program—the Civic Youth Action Network (CYAN)—by working with the CYAN leadership team to accomplish CYAN-related membership and organizing objectives. This position will also support the housing justice organizing and research work led by the Housing Justice Team. JOB DESCRIPTION Key responsibilities include to: This role is empowered to plan, launch, and execute organizing events that draw youth and youth allies into our youth organizing (CYAN) and housing work Build people power by building relationships with youth, including individuals, youth-led organizations, and youth-serving organizations and institutions Manage volunteers that are essential to building capacity for organizing and direct action Develop the leadership capacity of CYAN leaders and members, aiding the planning and execution of the CYAN Conference and monthly events Assist in research-related projects, including the Youth Housing Safety Net which identifies how youth fall into homelessness and are failed by the system and the history & impacts of exclusionary single-family zoning Become a clear and powerful voice for organizing and the principles thereof inside and outside of the organization This is the dream job for someone passionate about organizing people to disrupt the status quo; lifting up marginalized voices, including youth; working directly with individuals and groups with diverse identities, lived experiences, and perspectives; and engaging youth and the community to build long-lasting power and a brighter future. We are looking for someone who: Has strong organizational and time management skills Has the ability to work both independently and as part of a team Has a desire to learn organizing skills and expand youth power in San Diego Is passionate about our mission REQUIREMENTS EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Previous organizing experience or related work experience is preferred, with priority 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. 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 Hands-on experience with Quickbooks and resources to foster exploration 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

< Back to Open Positions API and Youth Canvasser Paid San Diego, CA, USA APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before March 31st, 2022. 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, OTTA United is dedicated to building youth power (aged 15-24) in areas predominantly occupied by adults to benefit the community as a whole. APPLY

< Back Aidan Lin and OTTA United featured in State of the City Speech by SD Mayor Gloria Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Our Time to Act United On January 11th, 2023, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria held his first in-person and third ever State of the City Address. The Mayor declared the city to be ‘rising’ to meet prevalent challenges and that “our best days lie ahead.” His address focused on infrastructure, public safety, homelessness, and housing. It was during his segment on housing where Mayor Gloria spotlighted the work of Aidan Lin, Executive Director of Our Time to Act United, with youth and students in housing solutions. “Aidan is a 20-year-old student at UC San Diego. He currently has a 3.9 GPA, and while in high school, he founded a non-profit known as ‘ Our Time to Act United ,’ which works to empower young people.” The Mayor continued, “He’s already deeply involved in the civic life of our city – advocating for the Asian Pacific Islander community, shaping City Council Districts, and enthusiastically pushing for more housing and transit options.” Last year, OTTA United took on several advocacy projects — specifically focusing on the area surrounding UC San Diego — to promote increased housing stock, transit options, and building density to combat the worsening housing and climate crises. Students mobilized by OTTA United showed up in support of much-needed community planning group reform and density in the University Community Plan Update . Shortly after highlighting Mr. Lin, Mayor Gloria outlined the actions the city has taken to build more homes. This includes signing an executive order that directs all city staff to complete reviews and approvals of 100-percent affordable housing projects within 30 days, a process that currently takes up to six months. OTTA United looks forward to continuing its housing organizing and advocacy efforts in 2023 and greatly appreciates the acknowledgment of youth and youth leaders in the struggle for affordable housing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKLiZtqN7bA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyslaH1kgGU Next Previous

REDISTRICTING REFORM "[The commission] simply [did] 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. No wonder the Commission has been incapable of handling the complex racial dynamics at the center of redistricting." AIDAN LIN Executive Director, OTTA United BACKGROUND Both API and youth suffer a lack of representation in the city politics of San Diego. Only three API city council members have been elected in the city's history: Tom Hom (elected 1963), Todd Gloria (elected 2008), and Chris Cate (elected 2014). Youth, on the other hand, face countless roadblocks to achieving legitimate stakeholder status in politics. GOALS REACH and ENGAGE API and youth citizens in University City. PROCESS From April to May , Our Time To Act will run a voter registration campaign in University City, targeting API and youth citizens. From May to June , and September to November , we will run two get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaigns for the primary and general election, respectively. To contact voters, we will put boots on the ground with a trained team of approximately a dozen youth (age 18-24). This allows us to open new opportunities while building a team that best suits the University City community. In addition to door-knocking, Our Time To Act will plan a comprehensive community outreach campaign to complement our door-to-door efforts, including advertisements, community events, and business collaboration. TARGETS 15,871 Interactions with youth voters 9,384 Interactions with API voters 25,255 Interactions with target voters 29,951 Total visits to households $4.75 Cost of reaching one target voter

< Back Announcing a new chapter of leadership at Our Time To Act! Wednesday, July 17, 2024 Our Time To Act As a youth-led nonprofit, Our Time To Act grows as its people grow. We’ve accomplished more than we could have imagined since starting in 2018. We have met and organized thousands of youth, shaped policies and solutions, raised over $300,000, and been honored with recognition from our community. Now it’s time for even more powerful, youth-driven change. We are proud to announce that Our Time To Act has hired its first full-time employee and new Executive Director, Nicole Lillie ! In 2022, Nicole played a pivotal role in engaging thousands of youth to vote. She then served as Director of Housing Justice and worked at the forefront of our exponential growth in housing organizing. Nicole has been recognized by our organization with the 2022 Passionate Leader Award and 2023 Staff of the Year. She has the full confidence of our staff and board teams as we forge forward in this exciting chapter of service and impact. As a co-founder, Executive Director, and trailblazer, we are grateful for Aidan Lin-Tostado's thousands of hours of service to this cause. We are proud of Aidan as he embarks on a new journey working full-time with the international nonprofit, Nonviolent Peaceforce. We are also grateful to have his continued support as OTTA’s new President of the Board of Directors. He looks forward to supporting Nicole’s capable leadership. From Nicole Lillie: It is an honor to re-introduce myself to you as Our Time To Act’s new Executive Director and first full-time employee. When I first joined OTTA two years ago, I was hired as the Logistics Coordinator of the Youth Voter Engagement Project. I have long been known to tell anyone who will listen about the importance of civic engagement, especially in our local communities. It was OTTA that saw my passion, uplifted me to the role of Project Director, and invited me to find belonging in San Diego’s change-making community. I learned quickly that the issues that most drove my peers to the polls were their concerns around housing and transportation. These issues are key to our ability to survive and thrive in this place we call home. When I became Director of Housing Justice, I began a journey of engagement and learning that will never be complete. Housing justice intersects with every social justice movement we seek to progress, and, without housing solutions, we cannot forge a better future. As we enter into this new chapter at OTTA, our team will continue to organize powerful youth to achieve an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future in housing. We will continue to shape our future through collaborative and intergenerational action. The two years I have served Our Time To Act have allowed me to find, claim, and grow my power. I have learned to wield this power collectively to create the future I have always dreamed of. That future is not far away; it is Our Time To Act. I hope you will continue to join us. From Aidan Lin-Tostado: I was 15 when I co-founded OTTA. I’ve grown up alongside this organization for nearly six years, and I am so proud of what we have become. I had a recent conversation with Nicole reminiscing on our high school days. We shared stories about how we craved spaces and peers who cared about change-making in our community. We are so lucky to have such a wide range of ages and life experiences on the team at OTTA. By interacting with our high school-aged staff, I realized that OTTA has grown into exactly what I yearned for in high school. In high school, I wanted a physical space where our team could meet, plan, and make memories. Today, the OTTA office is filled with signs from our protests, pictures from our meetups, and a whiteboard where countless ideas were born. Today, we have youth leaders who are supported by you: an incredible network of community organizations and activists and donors. You are some of the fiercest advocates for our youth-led cause. Thank you for your true allyship. I promise we will work hard to earn your ongoing support. And we have visionary and trailblazing youth, like Nicole, who are eager to step up and organize for a better future. I have every confidence in Nicole’s ability to excel in the difficult role of Executive Director. A co-founder’s step back from day-to-day operations is always a challenging, important, and rewarding step to the organization’s continued success. I am so happy that we have reached this point so soon because I know it is not about me. It is about our mission. As we step into the next chapter, I will continue to support OTTA, its people, and its work. I believe that together we will transform San Diego and the world. My friends know that I carry a special card with me wherever I go. It lives in my computer sleeve. Whenever I pull out my computer to work, my hands brush against its pages. This card was given to me after our first gala and it is filled with heartfelt messages from each of our team members. It holds such personal significance because it is a reminder of the close friendships that OTTA has brought into my life. I truly believe these relationships are the key to our deep impact. As I transition from Executive Director to my first full-time job at Nonviolent Peaceforce, I will continue to carry this card in my computer sleeve and my heart. To the past, present, and future team members of OTTA, thank you for trusting me to build something together. You will always have a special place in my life story, and I hope I’ve made you proud. Next Previous

Iris is a first year at University of Southern California that's looking to find an interdisciplinary major between the arts and stem. Aside from being an officer of several school clubs, she is also a Monopoly enthusiast and a very devoted spreadsheet user. Outside of school, Iris volunteers regularly at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center, is a seasoned graphic designer for several animal shelters and clinics, and works with several other nonprofit organizations. < Back Iris Leung President Iris is a first year at University of Southern California that's looking to find an interdisciplinary major between the arts and stem. Aside from being an officer of several school clubs, she is also a Monopoly enthusiast and a very devoted spreadsheet user. Outside of school, Iris volunteers regularly at Stanford's Cantor Arts Center, is a seasoned graphic designer for several animal shelters and clinics, and works with several other nonprofit organizations. iris.leung@ourtimetoact.org