There are currently two open opportunities with the Youth Energy Summit (YES!), a program that empowers youth to partner with their community to create economic and environmental vitality through hands-on learning and team-based projects related to renewable energy and energy conservation. You can respond to one or both of them. Keep reading for more details!
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
The Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWMF) is seeking the services of individuals or agencies to coordinate team efforts and communications for the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) program. YES! is a collaborative effort between the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) and Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) that began in 2007.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation is a regional community foundation dedicated to advancing southwest Minnesota through leadership, relationship-building, program development and philanthropy. The mission of the Southwest Initiative Foundation is to be a catalyst, facilitating opportunities for economic, social, and cultural growth by promoting philanthropy, leadership, innovation, and collaboration for southwest Minnesota. The Foundation serves an eighteen county area in southwest Minnesota with a population of 287,600 people in 156 communities. Counties served include Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine.
About Youth Energy Summit
Youth Energy Summit (YES!) empowers youth to partner with their community to create economic and environmental vitality through hands-on learning and team-based projects related to renewable energy and energy conservation. Through YES!, teams of youth in grades 8 through 12 engage in hands-on learning and undertake meaningful projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, local foods, and more! Teams are student groups representing schools or communities in grades 8 through 12, guided by local, adult coaches and assisted by YES! Area Coordinators. The program has grown to engage 27 teams from 24 counties in southwest, southeast, and central Minnesota.
YES! is a unique program that inspires widespread adoption of renewable energy technology and energy conservation practices which contribute to the environmental and economic health of rural Minnesota communities. The YES! program was initially developed to address the growing energy and environmental concerns in the state, and has since then proven to effectively engage students in their communities and build their leadership capacity. What makes the Program unique is the way YES! students are learning by doing. By working alongside their communities to implement energy action projects, YES! students are taking an idea and moving it from concept to reality. YES! is an award-winning model for youth engagement, proving that when youth are empowered to partner with their schools and communities, they can accomplish impactful work around energy and the environment, help people learn about new opportunities and truly make a difference.
The key objectives of YES! are to:
- Increase knowledge about energy issues & opportunities
- Create sustainable communities
- Develop leadership, community-building, problem-solving skills
- Engage youth and empower them to take positive action in their communities
- Increase awareness of career, economic, and entrepreneurial opportunities in energy
Please visit www.youthenergysummit.org to learn more about YES! and the tremendous work being accomplished by YES! teams.
Application Details
Submission of Proposals: Proposals must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 22 to:
Cheryl K. Glaeser, Program Officer, Southwest Initiative Foundation, cherylg@swifoundation.org
Preliminary Schedule:
- June 10, 2012 Request for Proposal released
- June 30, 2012 Proposals due
- July 13, 2012 Selection process complete
Team Coordination Opportunity
Scope of Services: The successful respondents will perform this work on a contractual basis, as determined by SWIF. Services to be provided include the following:
- Provide resources as needed to YES! coaches and teams, facilitating team visits to motivate and empower them to implement successful energy action projects that lead to energy conservation, efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable energy production. Provide weekly updates including resources to teams via email. Assist teams in coordinating tours and activities in support of their energy projects. Coordinate all logistics and planning for at least two educational YES! events for students during the season.
- Schedule team visits, meeting with each team two to three times throughout the school year. Team visits should provide direct technical assistance to YES! teams in the areas of team building; identifying and mobilizing resources; increasing community awareness; and project identification and implementation.
- Contact potential schools and communities to encourage participation and provide informational sessions as requested by those considering participation. Outcomes to be achieved include retaining at least 8 teams and recruiting at least 3 new teams for the 2012-2013 season. May assist with coordinating retention/recruitment efforts for 2013-2014 season.
- Work closely with other YES! Coordinators to share best practices and lessons learned and to discuss program development, implementation, communications, evaluation, and sustainability. Participation in the short and long-range strategic planning activities of the program may also be requested.
- Participate in the development of a network of supporters, media and resource organizations. Promote programs through presentations at local informational sessions as well as state and regional conferences as requested. Assist as requested with funding discussions, support requests, grant applications and grant reports.
- Assist with communications and media relations to support YES!, working with lead organizations, other YES! Coordinators, and YES! Communications staff to convey consistent messaging for the program. Connect regularly with communications staff on team stories and accomplishments to promote the program and lift up outcomes.
Communications Opportunity
Scope of Services: The successful respondents will perform this work on a contractual basis, as determined by SWIF. Services to be provided involve coordinating the public relations and communications needs of YES! for the Southwest Initiative Foundation. Consultant will work closely with lead organizations and YES! Coordinators to convey consistent messaging for the program. Specific activities may include but are not limited to:
- Provide regular updates to the YES! website and coordinate overall site management – checking links, comments, etc. Work with SWIF to provide solutions to any issues with the site and/or research changes to site to keep it relevant to its audience.
- Draft news releases, feature stories and columns for area media and coordinate distribution. Assist with gathering individual team stories from local newspapers on team activities for use in electronic and web site communications. Develop and distribute quarterly e-newsletter. Maintain the electronic mailing list.
- Assist with writing and production of program materials, fact sheets, handouts, brochures, grant applications and reports, and other special publications. Prepare presentation materials and speaking points for key staff.
- Promote YES! program through presentations and attend events to capture stories, photos, and video. May also assist with the planning and logistics of YES! events.
- Work closely with YES! Partners and Coordinators for information on upcoming activities, team stories, and accomplishments to promote the program and gather outcomes. May also participate in the short and long-range strategic planning activities of the program as related to communications/branding.
