Why You Should Be on STAND’s Task Force
Name: Emma Goldberg
School: Abraham Joshua Heschel High School Class of 2012
Position: Social Media Specialist
“For me, genocide prevention is a family business.” These words, spoken by motivational speaker Omekongo Dibinga at the Pledge to Protect conference, capture why I decided to join STAND’s Task Force in August 2010.
Activism has always played an important role in my life, and I have enjoyed my anti-genocide work on a local level. Last year I worked with students in my school community to facilitate STAND Fast, a fundraiser that involved asking classmates to sacrifice one luxury purchase each day for a week. I also worked with fellow students to educate our school community about conflict in the Congo and Burma. But it was only once I engaged with STAND on a national level that I began to find my anti-genocide work really fulfilling.
Firstly, the relationships formed through STAND are powerful. Have you ever wanted to be part of a community of people who, like you, care about the larger world and engaging in serious debates about policy and social action? Being on the STAND Task Force and MC gives you a chance to connect with peers who have similar interests but can also joke around and have fun. Gatherings like Pledge to Protect show that STAND students are a perfect blend of business and laughter, able to enjoy both panels on Libya and dinosaur Silly Bandz.
Being on STAND’s Task Force has also helped me feel more closely related to the movement’s achievements. In October 2010 STAND students generated over 1,000 tweets asking President Obama how he planned to prevent war in Sudan, and he answered our question live on MTV. In March 2011 we filled Ambassador Susan Rice’s voicemail inbox asking her to promote the establishment of a No-Fly Zone in Libya; Rice was one of the most vocal proponents of the measure in the U.N. I have been able to contribute to these efforts as STAND’s social media specialist. Contributing my time and energy has allowed me to take pride in STAND’s successes as an organization.
If you feel that you have skills to contribute to the movement– whether you are interested in filming videos or writing press releases– you can make our anti-genocide work that much more productive. Not ready for the the time commitment that the MC requires? The Task Force may be a perfect fit for you.
At the end of the day, I’m involved in anti-genocide work because I care about people. I feel a responsibility even towards individuals living across the globe, in Libya and Burma. Genocide prevention work is not just about the results– it’s also about the journey, and the inspiring people you work with along the way. If you have any questions about STAND’s Task Force, feel free to contact me at egoldberg@standnow.org.
Apply for a STAND 2011-2012 Task Force Position Today! Applications are due Monday, May 9th.