Georgia
Currently, Georgia faces environmental problems and political obstacles and the youth movement is scattered. There’s no consistent communication to determine which groups and campaigns are active, no system of sharing resources and best practices, and no network to harness our people power for collective action. Georgia Youth for Environmental Solutions (GaYES) is the developing state network seeking to fill those gaps and connect environmental organizers for collective action.
Georgia YES also works to support Georgians for Smart Energy on Georgia No Coal work.
Georgia Youth for Environmental Solutions (GaYES)
Georgia Youth for Environmental Solutions (GaYES) is the Southern Energy Network supported Georgia state network. The mission of GaYES is to empower young people in the state to win tangible environmental victories, build collective grassroots power, and develop concrete skill sets by developing new organizers through grassroots training, resource sharing, and by building a cohesive network with which to identify.
GaYES is the connecting point for environmental organizers across the state. Through a conversational Facebook page, conference calls, and state summits, we can begin to support one another in our fights and our victories. The GaYES traveling trainings program is organized by and for young people in Georgia and offers skill-building in a variety of grassroots tactics. Our trainings aim to help Georgia groups run the most effective and strategic campaign, no matter the cause, and develop leaders to share their skills. All of these efforts are supported by GaYES fundraising events and individual donors.
We’re relaunching our state network in Asheville, North Carolina at the Southeastern Student Renewable Energy Conference (SSREC), a three-day conference (Nov. 4th-7th) with amazing speakers, fantastic leadership development workshops, and panels featuring experts and community members leading the fight for a clean energy future. It’s the regional follow-up to the national Power Shift conference and a chance to network and learn from other Southeastern organizers.
Organizing GeorgiaYES now is important because we don’t have any time to waste. With stagnant politics in D.C., organizing at a local level is where real victories are happening and Georgia definitely needs some.
To become part of the Georgia environmental movement by connecting to our communication network or to find out more about SSREC, email maurafriedman@gmail.com with the subject line “GaYES Communications.” To engage with our trainings program either as a trainer or a school interested in having a training at a meeting, email cristina.duque77@gmail.com with the subject line “GaYES Trainings.”
Current Fellows working in Georgia:
Training:
Cristina DuQue
Sarah Black
Communications and outreach:
Maura Friedman
Jessica Spruill
Jessica Spruill
Fundraising:
Drew Whitten
Kelsea Norris
