SVYCA’s workshops will be specialized training events that are designed for teenagers and young adults. Events include informational workshops on climate-related topics, as well as hands-on, skills-based training seminars.
Kimberly Wiefling, certified in program and project management and renowned for her engaging workshops, and acknowledged for helping organizations achieve what is deemed impossible, will cover leadership, communication, and how to build effective teams virtually.
Dashiell Leeds, the Conservation Assistant of a local Sierra Club Chapter, will train attendees in techniques to influence policymakers in enacting legislation to address climate change.
Dashiell Leeds is the Conservation Assistant for the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter. With a focus on stopping fracked “natural" gas pipelines, Dashiell has fought for environmental laws in many Bay Area Cities. Along with many other dedicated activists, he supported San Jose’s "natural" gas ban and the all-electric reach codes in Mountain View, Cupertino, and San Mateo County. He is also a volunteer Environmental Advocate with the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, where he works on proposals to protect riparian corridors and prevent light pollution.
How do you use social media to change hearts and minds, and drive impact? In this interactive workshop, we’ll:
Explore the how-tos of effective social media storytelling across the major platforms.
Look at the tactics behind real-world examples of inspiring digital activism, with a spotlight on youth voices.
Brainstorm in small groups on how to apply these strategies to your upcoming events and actions.
Misha D. Clive (they/them), Digital Director at Vote Solar, will share their expertise in digital organizing for climate and intersectional justice issues, and support you to grow as an online changemaker. This session will focus on your audience questions, with extra Q&A time at the end.
Misha D. Clive (they/them) fights for solar for all as Vote Solar’s Digital Director. They lead digital strategy in states across the U.S. to advance clean energy and climate justice, in partnership with frontline and environmental justice communities. Misha helped lead the successful grassroots campaign to win 100% clean energy by 2045 for California. Working with a broad coalition, they launched a website, coordinated statewide activism that drove over 70,000 actions and generated impactful social buzz, and helped build a lobby day that brought over 100 advocates to Sacramento, including youth leaders.
Misha got their start in activism as the co-founder of their high school’s first GSA, and has been active on LGBTQ, racial equity, and other intersectional issues throughout the years. They recently co-chaired the Public Education & Community Engagement Workgroup for Montgomery County, MD’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. They launched their career in communications while living in SoCal, marketing Japanese rock bands to international fans, so California will always feel like a second home. Misha lives in the DC area with their life partner (who they met on Discord), and likes to draw comics about mental health and magical queer heroes. An upper Millennial, they are a huge fan of youth leadership and constantly inspired by student activism. :)
Experienced representatives from a local chapter of the Climate Reality Project will coach attendees on public speaking skills and provide resources and techniques for effective climate education.
Born and raised in San Francisco, bay area native all my life. 28 year career in accounting and finance related fields, at CFO level last 10 years. 25 year career in teaching at San Jose State University, and was named outstanding lecturer at the University in 2009. Served on many non-profit Boards of Directors, including 11 years at the Foundation for Global Community and 7 years on Silicon Valley Federal Credit Union, 3 years as Chairman of the Board. I’ve always had a strong interest in ethics and the environment, conducting research and presenting on topics such as: Sustainable business practices, business ethics, integrating values and business smarts, your money or your life, and inserting environmental topics into the business curriculum. Now that I am retired (for the 3rd time), I am interested in pursuing what I consider the most vital issue of our time, the impact of climate change on our planet. I have recently joined the Elders Climate Action leadership team, and Elders Action Network Board of Directors. I have attended the Climate Reality Project (CRP) training with Al Gore last August, joined the Santa Clara County Chapter of CRP, and am actively participating in their speaker’s bureau, presenting the Climate Crisis and solutions. Married 52 years, living in San Jose, 2 children and 3 grandchildren. They are who I am devoting my climate related activities to.
Erin Zimmerman received her PhD in Political Science from the University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2013. She has been an environmental advocate for the past decade and is currently a Climate Reality Leader with the Climate Reality Project, an NGO founded by former Vice President Al Gore to push for systemic change to fight the climate crisis. Erin is a member of the Santa Clara County Chapter and Co-director of their education-focused Speakers’ Bureau. She is also an Associate at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (based in Hamburg, Germany) where she continues to publish academic papers on non-traditional security and emerging forms of governance.
