< Back to Open Positions Local Leaders Program Manager Volunteer South Bay Area APPLY Rolling application. Priority given to applications submitted before September 30th. ABOUT THE ROLE Program Managers oversee the establishment of our Local Leaders program across various schools in the South Bay Area. Responsibilities include conducting site research to determine if the Local Leaders program is a good fit for it, securing funding sources, recruiting site coordinators, and developing the Local Leaders curriculum. REQUIREMENTS No prior experience required. Demonstrates adequate research 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

Ethan Leem (he/him) is a student at Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley of San Diego. He discovered his passion for housing advocacy and equality while researching the history of Filipino-American immigrant tenants in San Francisco, where he was born. As a member of OTTA, Ethan is honored to serve the community of San Diego as an advocate for fair and equal housing through whatever means possible. < Back Ethan Leem Housing Justice Organizer Ethan Leem (he/him) is a student at Canyon Crest Academy in Carmel Valley of San Diego. He discovered his passion for housing advocacy and equality while researching the history of Filipino-American immigrant tenants in San Francisco, where he was born. As a member of OTTA, Ethan is honored to serve the community of San Diego as an advocate for fair and equal housing through whatever means possible. ethan.leem@ourtimetoact.org

Rhianen is majoring in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Ethnic Studies at UCSD. Their current passions are queer and disability justice as well as being open about their journey with PTSD. Rhianen's two modes are productive working at a local cafe or playing on their Switch, curled up on their couch. They consider themselves to be the part-time cool uncle of Isaac's yorkie. < Back Rhianen Callahan Community Coordinator Rhianen is majoring in Sociocultural Anthropology with a minor in Ethnic Studies at UCSD. Their current passions are queer and disability justice as well as being open about their journey with PTSD. Rhianen's two modes are productive working at a local cafe or playing on their Switch, curled up on their couch. They consider themselves to be the part-time cool uncle of Isaac's yorkie. rhianen.callahan@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United and community partners host a local candidate forum at UC San Diego Monday, October 24, 2022 Our Time to Act United On Monday, October 24th, OTTA United was pleased to welcome candidates for City Council District 6 and candidates for Office 35 of the San Diego County Superior Court to the Triton's Choice Candidate Forum. Although City Council District 6 candidates Kent Lee and Tommy Hough and Office 35 of the San Diego County Superior Court candidates Rebecca Kanter and Mike Murphy were all invited and confirmed to attend the Triton's Choice Candidate Forum, Tommy Hough and Mike Murphy were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. After all of OTTA United’s hard work and dedication, over 80 tritons were able to come and speak to local San Diego candidates, representing a resounding victory for student engagement in local politics. Leaders from the Youth Voter Engagement Project (YVEP), one of OTTA United’s project initiatives, worked tirelessly to bring this successful UC San Diego candidate forum to fruition. Nicole Lillie and Yvania Rubio, the Project Director and Assistant Project Director of YVEP, provided a space for dialogue between candidates and UC San Diego students so as to encourage mutual interaction and mitigate voter roll-off. According to William K. Hall of Bradley University, voter roll-off refers to “voters who cast ballots in the major partisan race such as president, governor, or U.S. Senator, but who do not cast their votes in [down-ballot elections such as] the judicial election.” Through the space that was provided, elected officials were able to speak about the importance of the city council and superior court races and why students should pay attention to these particular elections, with the intention of bridging any potential gaps in understanding about local candidates and forging confident young voters. Hosted at UC San Diego by OTTA United and our partner student organizations at UC San Diego, we called upon candidates to listen to students’ voices, and local San Diego candidates stepped up to the plate. As we celebrate the success of the Triton’s Choice candidate forum, OTTA will continue to champion student voices and listen to youth needs. Thank you to our collaborators for making this event possible, including: Associated Students of UC San Diego, Office of Local Affairs Graduate & Professional Student Association Seventh College Student Council Eleanor Roosevelt College Student Council Thurgood Marshall College Student Council Next Previous

< 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

< Back Thank you to those who made it out to our API & Youth Voter Engagement Community Kickoff! Saturday, April 16, 2022 Sparky Mitra, Voter Engagement Project Manager Next Previous

< Back Aidan Lin, Executive Director, awarded "2022 Community Service Award" from SD Pride Thursday, June 30, 2022 Our Time to Act United Our Time to Act United is pleased to announce that our Executive Director, Aidan Lin, has been awarded the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award from San Diego Pride. Aidan has been honored for his work with OTTA United in the City of San Diego's 2020-21 redistricting process where he sought to uplift the many diverse groups of San Diego—including the LGBTQIA+ community. Aidan shares his sentiment of Pride: Pride is a celebration, but it is also a powerful demonstration of collective power and collective action. It is a demonstration of a world where love always prevails over hate, where pain is soothed by community, and where diversity is our strength. That is why Pride means so much to me, and why I am honored to receive the 2022 Spirit of Stonewall “Community Service Award” from San Diego Pride. Please join me, Our Time to Act United, and our wonderful community in marching in the Pride Parade on July 16th. Join Aidan Lin, OTTA United, and the San Diego community in marching in the Pride Parade on June 16th at 9am! Sign up to march with OTTA's contingent here . sdpride.org Community Service Award Community Service: An individual who is recognized as an up-and-coming leader within the LGBTQ community or whose contribution to the community in the past year was of particular significance. Next Previous

Karis (she/her) is currently a student at Homestead Highschool. She briefly joined Our Time To Act in May-August 2022 as a Graphic Design Intern, and returned in March 2024 as OTTA's People Specialist. Outside of Our Time To Act, Karis is actively involved in her school's leadership program as a class officer, helping plan events that create a sense of belonging within Homestead's community. Additionally, she is in the process of completing Royal Conservatory of Music Level 10 for piano and has been playing the instrument for the past 12 years. In her free time, Karis enjoys messing around on the piano, listening to music, playing tennis, and gaming. Ultimately, she hopes to use her skills to help OTTA continue to grow as an organization. < Back Karis Lin People Specialist Karis (she/her) is currently a student at Homestead Highschool. She briefly joined Our Time To Act in May-August 2022 as a Graphic Design Intern, and returned in March 2024 as OTTA's People Specialist. Outside of Our Time To Act, Karis is actively involved in her school's leadership program as a class officer, helping plan events that create a sense of belonging within Homestead's community. Additionally, she is in the process of completing Royal Conservatory of Music Level 10 for piano and has been playing the instrument for the past 12 years. In her free time, Karis enjoys messing around on the piano, listening to music, playing tennis, and gaming. Ultimately, she hopes to use her skills to help OTTA continue to grow as an organization. karis.lin@ourtimetoact.org

< Back OTTA United Receives “Partner of the Year Award” from YIMBY Democrats of San Diego Wednesday, August 23, 2023 Our Time to Act United MEDIA CONTACT: Mariya Grabovska, Press Intern ( mariya.grabovska@ottaunited.org ) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: San Diego, CA – August 23, 2023 – OTTA United, a formidable advocate for housing solutions and youth engagement, proudly announces its receipt of the "Partner of the Year Award" from the YIMBY Democrats of San Diego County. This prestigious award highlights OTTA United's exceptional dedication to the pro-housing movement and its unwavering commitment to amplifying youth voices in the community. The "Partner of the Year" award is a testament to OTTA United's unwavering dedication to promoting housing initiatives that benefit the entire San Diego community. OTTA United has actively engaged in critical conversations surrounding housing policy and has taken decisive steps to reach out to local universities, youth, and young professionals to foster greater community involvement. OTTA United takes immense pride in its nomination and its role as an advocate for a sustainable future, particularly for the youth of San Diego. Next Previous

Vedant Patel (he/him/his) is the Communications Chair of CYAN and currently a student studying Computer Science at the University of California, San Diego. He has been invested in US and global politics since the 2016 US Presidential election, and became particularly interested in issues surrounding housing, transit, and the environment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 after delving into the history of urban planning of his hometown of Los Angeles and the country and world more broadly. He has advocated for increased housing density, improved transit access and infrastructure, and greater adoption of mixed-use communities at University Community Plan Update Meetings and has helped plan and organize events for Our Time To Act (OTTA). After graduation, he hopes to continue his involvement in CYAN and OTTA and contribute to a brighter future for San Diego and California as a whole. Outside of learning more about housing, transit, urbanism, and environmentalism, Vedant is an international relations and history buff. Additionally, as a Computer Science major, he is always open to expand his knowledge and skills related to the field and its various subfields such as full stack development and artificial intelligence. In his spare time, he avidly follows Formula One and is an aspiring cinephile and telephile. < Back Vedant Patel CYAN Advisor Vedant Patel (he/him/his) is the Communications Chair of CYAN and currently a student studying Computer Science at the University of California, San Diego. He has been invested in US and global politics since the 2016 US Presidential election, and became particularly interested in issues surrounding housing, transit, and the environment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21 after delving into the history of urban planning of his hometown of Los Angeles and the country and world more broadly. He has advocated for increased housing density, improved transit access and infrastructure, and greater adoption of mixed-use communities at University Community Plan Update Meetings and has helped plan and organize events for Our Time To Act (OTTA). After graduation, he hopes to continue his involvement in CYAN and OTTA and contribute to a brighter future for San Diego and California as a whole. Outside of learning more about housing, transit, urbanism, and environmentalism, Vedant is an international relations and history buff. Additionally, as a Computer Science major, he is always open to expand his knowledge and skills related to the field and its various subfields such as full stack development and artificial intelligence. In his spare time, he avidly follows Formula One and is an aspiring cinephile and telephile. vedant.patel@ourtimetoact.org