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< 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

< Back to Open Positions Board Director Volunteer California | Remote APPLY Rolling Application 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. REQUIREMENTS Familiarity with OTTA United’s 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 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. 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

Donovan (he/him) is a Political Science and Sociology Double Major with a Minor at Economics at UC San Diego. Donovan serves as the VP External for Eleanor Roosevelt College, is a Sports Editor at the UCSD Guardian, and is the President of Pi Sigma Alpha, a National Political Science Honors organization. He joined Our Time To Act in July 2022 as API Voter Engagement Project (AVEP) Coordinator, and is interested in expanding access to voting across San Diego for the AAPI community, while working to build youth power in local politics that historically exclude youth. Donovan seeks to attend law school upon graduation from UC San Diego, where he will pursue a career in immigration law. After a career in helping immigrants like his mother acquaint themselves with the complex legal processes involved in immigration, he will seek public office to represent and serve the citizens of California. < Back Donovan Schipper API Voter Engagement Project Coordinator Donovan (he/him) is a Political Science and Sociology Double Major with a Minor at Economics at UC San Diego. Donovan serves as the VP External for Eleanor Roosevelt College, is a Sports Editor at the UCSD Guardian, and is the President of Pi Sigma Alpha, a National Political Science Honors organization. He joined Our Time To Act in July 2022 as API Voter Engagement Project (AVEP) Coordinator, and is interested in expanding access to voting across San Diego for the AAPI community, while working to build youth power in local politics that historically exclude youth. Donovan seeks to attend law school upon graduation from UC San Diego, where he will pursue a career in immigration law. After a career in helping immigrants like his mother acquaint themselves with the complex legal processes involved in immigration, he will seek public office to represent and serve the citizens of California. donovan.schipper@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United & students play a major role in successful push for more housing in San Diego Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Our Time to Act United Yesterday, February 14th, 2023, Our Time to Act (OTTA) United and students successfully pushed San Diego City Council to adopt Sustainable Development Areas (SDAs). This new policy, replacing Transit Priority Areas, would open 5,224 acres of land to the potential for higher-density development programs. This change is essential to ensuring the future of housing, affordability, and sustainability for youth and students in San Diego. OTTA United tabled on UC San Diego’s campus, speaking to nearly 100 students and having meaningful conversations about how the housing crisis has impacted students’ lives. From these valuable conversations, OTTA United collected over a dozen personal testimonials and comments which were submitted to the City. At noon on February 14th, 2023, students met together at the UC San Diego Central Campus Station and embarked on the 30-minute trip via the Blue Line Trolley to deliver their thoughts to our City Council in person. In addition to written and in-person testimony, OTTA United was the only pro-housing group to deliver a planned presentation. Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director, and Aidan Lin, Executive Director, detailed specific student-related arguments in favor of SDAs and dismantled opposing arguments. The presentation concluded with slides highlighting some of the comments from students who could not share their concerns in person. OTTA United – Sustainable Development Areas (final) .pdf Download PDF • 17.16MB Before voting on the motion, students received special recognition from Councilmember Kent Lee (District 6): “I do want to take a moment to applaud the diverse young speakers for taking time out of their busy school and work schedules to help us understand why this might matter. These decisions will take many years to meaningfully change the city, and we need to plan and build for San Diego both for today, and for the generations of San Diegans to come. My fight has been and always will be to ensure that all San Diegans, now and into the future, have the opportunity to live, work, and play in San Diego.” Students were also highlighted by Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, “We are planning not for the city that we have today, or the city that we wish we had 20 years ago, but the city that we want—which is a city, as Councilmember Lee put it, where everyone has an opportunity to live here. Not just folks that live here today, but [also] the young people that are growing up here, the students who spoke so passionately today—we have to create housing opportunities for them. Those folks exist today, and they matter today, and we have to do something to ensure they will have an opportunity to live here and thrive here.” For OTTA United’s efforts, students were featured in local news coverage of the adoption of this policy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECQsNV_p0Tg This case shows how students and youth have the power to make a difference on issues that matter. It is absolutely necessary for students to get involved with the issue of housing—because of the long-term nature of solutions—and OTTA United looks forward to continuing to engage students as decision-makers to forge a brighter future. To take action or learn more, please contact Nicole Lillie, Housing Projects Director, at nicole.lillie@ottaunited.org . Next Previous

< Back Activating Youth: Catalyst Leadership Second Workshop Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Our Time to Act United MEDIA CONTACT: Mariya Grabovska, Press Intern ( mariya.grabovska@ottaunited.org ) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: In a transformative Activating Youth: Catalyst Leadership Workshop held on August 22, 2023, OTTA United unveiled a powerful model that explores the dynamics of leadership and connection, led by Aidan Lin, Executive Director, and Yvania Rubio, a former director at OTTA United. The workshop, hosted by Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, brought together a diverse group of individuals eager to enhance their leadership skills and create meaningful connections. At the workshop's core was the innovative Activation model, dissected into two essential components: "Motivation" and "Foundation." From Motivation stems the crucial elements of holding accountability and inspiring action, while Foundation provides the building blocks of building rapport and showing vulnerability. This unique model demonstrates the inherent capacity of "Activation" to foster genuine connections. The event witnessed a remarkable crowd overlap between the two workshop days, indicating that participants not only found value in the initial session but were compelled to return for a deeper dive into the model's principles. We were very excited to see some familiar faces and meet more individuals interested in what OTTA offers. "We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Catalyst of San Diego, the organizers of this event, for recognizing and supporting the strength of our youth organization," said Aidan Lin. Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties commitment to empowering youth aligns seamlessly with our mission, and we applaud them for championing the cause. The first workshop, held on June 10, 2023, set the stage for the August event, and OTTA is thrilled to see the continued interest and enthusiasm from the community. Looking towards the future, OTTA is excited about delivering more training programs that serve and empower youth and youth organizations. While expressing gratitude to Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, OTTA United looks forward to collaborating with various partners to expand its impact and reach. "OTTA United is committed to creating a lasting impact on the lives of youth, and we hope to replicate the success of this workshop in the near future," added Aidan Lin. Next Previous

Irene Wu (she/her/hers) is a senior at San Marcos High School and fascinated with the intersection of youth activism and social media. She is active in API youth activism as the SD API Youth Network Co-Chair and is excited to be furthering Our Time To Act’s goals for empowered and passionate youth. Outside of OTTA, Irene adores reading and art, and is always looking for new book/movie/podcast recommendations. < Back Irene Wu Social Media Coordinator Irene Wu (she/her/hers) is a senior at San Marcos High School and fascinated with the intersection of youth activism and social media. She is active in API youth activism as the SD API Youth Network Co-Chair and is excited to be furthering Our Time To Act’s goals for empowered and passionate youth. Outside of OTTA, Irene adores reading and art, and is always looking for new book/movie/podcast recommendations. irene.wu@ourtimetoact.org

Jasmine Truong is a San Diego native and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from UC San Diego. She is a field organizer for Congressman Scott Peters' re-election campaign and volunteers her time as a board member of the AAPI Democrats of San Diego. As CYAN Community Building chair, she's excited to help youth and youth allies build connections through their collective work and organizing. < Back Jasmine Truong CYAN Advisor Jasmine Truong is a San Diego native and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from UC San Diego. She is a field organizer for Congressman Scott Peters' re-election campaign and volunteers her time as a board member of the AAPI Democrats of San Diego. As CYAN Community Building chair, she's excited to help youth and youth allies build connections through their collective work and organizing. jasmine.troung@ourtimetoact.org

< Back to Open Positions Grant Writer Volunteer South Bay Area, San Diego, and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Grant Writers aim to fund our programs by writing compelling grants. They strive to condense our mission, goals, and achievements into an inspirational piece that organizations will resonate with and thus grant funding for. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. Must demonstrate the ability to write a compelling narrative. 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

< Back to Open Positions Director of Finance & Budgeting Staff Director (Volunteer) San Diego and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before June 16th. ABOUT THE ROLE Reporting to the Associate Executive Director, the primary job of the Director of Finance & Budgeting is to safeguard OTTA United’s financial stability and maintain the nonprofit’s books with accounting best practices. JOB DESCRIPTION The Director of Finance & Budgeting leads in the preparation of OTTA United’s annual budget, monitors fund usage, and approves project budgets and fund requests. Key job responsibilities include: Leading accounting and budgeting for the nonprofit Monitoring the allocation and use of funds Reviewing and maintaining compliance with laws and financial practices Leading the creation of the Annual Budget and all amendments, in conjunction with Staff Executive Leadership and the Board of Directors Drafting and implementing financial policies REQUIREMENTS DREAM ROLE This is the dream role for someone who is looking to support a meaningful cause with strong knowledge of best accounting practices, how to manage money, and the ability to provide a strong check on the usage of funds. Key skillsets may include: Accounting and budgeting skills and best practices Monitoring funds Approving and processing purchases Financial legal compliance Takes initiative and is willing to stand firm in policy EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Previous accounting and budgeting experience is required. A high school diploma is preferred, although not required if a candidate has exemplary 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: 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. 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 to Open Positions Social Media Intern Intern (Volunteer) California and/or Remote APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before May 31st. ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a creative and motivated Social Media Intern to join our Communications team. This is a great opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain hands on experience and mentorship. Position responsibilities: Assist in creating engaging and visually appealing content for social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn Schedule and publish social media posts according to the content calendar, ensuring consistent and timely delivery of content Monitor and engage with our social media audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions, fostering a positive and interactive online community Track and analyze key social media metrics using tools like Facebook Insights and Instagram Insights. Prepare regular reports summarizing performance and provide recommendations for improvement Stay up-to-date with social media trends, emerging platforms, and best practices. Provide insights and recommendations on new opportunities to enhance our social media presence Assist in the planning and execution of social media campaigns, contests, or fundraisers to drive engagement, reach, and brand awareness Further duties as assigned REQUIREMENTS Requirements: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft engaging and concise social media content Ability to design and craft appeal graphics, and images, and videos (knowledge of Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or other design software is a plus) Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment What We Offer: The Social Media Intern’s main focus will be learning and applying the trade in a professional setting. Gain experience on managing multiple social media platforms and have a direct impact on publications Learn how to use Social Pilot Build a portfolio to showcase your ability to create engaging content and analyze performance metrics Attend workshops and training opportunities to enhance your professional development Hourly Commitment: 4-8 hours per week, with flexible start and end times to fit your schedule If you have a passion for design and 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

Ashley Cha (she/her) is a graphic design intern at OTTA and is currently a sophomore at Santa Clara University studying Studio Art with an emphasis in graphic design and a minor in Management Information Systems. She is experienced in graphic design, specifically UI/UX, and is passionate about creating creative and effective art and design. At Santa Clara University, she is the Public Relations Officer for DayBreak, a K-POP cover dance crew, and the Korean Student Association. She also works at the De Saisset Museum as a Visitor Services Ambassador and contributes to creating promotional materials for the museum. In 2024, she participated in the Rice Design-a-Thon. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to music and dancing. < Back Ashley Cha Graphic Design Intern Ashley Cha (she/her) is a graphic design intern at OTTA and is currently a sophomore at Santa Clara University studying Studio Art with an emphasis in graphic design and a minor in Management Information Systems. She is experienced in graphic design, specifically UI/UX, and is passionate about creating creative and effective art and design. At Santa Clara University, she is the Public Relations Officer for DayBreak, a K-POP cover dance crew, and the Korean Student Association. She also works at the De Saisset Museum as a Visitor Services Ambassador and contributes to creating promotional materials for the museum. In 2024, she participated in the Rice Design-a-Thon. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to music and dancing. ashley.cha@ourtimetoact.org

Jordan (he/him/his) was once a football player with a love for basketball and now is a die-hard Celtics fan. Jordan is a proud Samoan, Black, and Mexican man who's turned past challenges into a powerful journey of growth. He is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others, now serving as a Housing Justice Organizer. < Back Jordan Koster Housing Justice Organizer Jordan (he/him/his) was once a football player with a love for basketball and now is a die-hard Celtics fan. Jordan is a proud Samoan, Black, and Mexican man who's turned past challenges into a powerful journey of growth. He is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others, now serving as a Housing Justice Organizer. jordan.koster@ourtimetoact.org