I know being on the STAND leadership team can seem quite intimidating, but for me it has been one of the best experiences of my life! The leadership team is full of AMAZING people, many of whom will turn out to be your new best friends. Apart from just meeting really really cool people, the leadership team also has great resources that you can use for your own chapter.
This semester I was able to get some great speakers on my campus and was put into direct contact with them via other STAND leadership team members. Though my position as Southeast Regional Outreach Coordinator (ROC) is at times stressful, the benefits definitely outweigh the stress. Because of my job, I am lucky enough to be in contact with other activists in the Southeast, and even in the nation, who care just as much about the same issues as I do. Just knowing that there are others out there who want to end the genocide in Darfur even more than they want to win a million dollars is so encouraging! ALL of you should most definitely apply to be on the team next semester!
-Lisa Godenick, Southeast College Regional Outreach Coordinator
To be a ROCstar (as we like to call ourselves) is an interesting job. You have days where there are an overwhelming amount of work to do and you solve the problem the best way any student would – you just drink exorbitant amounts of caffeine. You also have those days where there is a frantic panic across google talk about the latest news story. The final days are the most perplexing. There was one day this past year in which no emails came and that just made me realize that, even with all the work, I depend on the craziness to feel satisfied. As this year comes to a close and there are rampant cases of activist burnout, I know that I just have to keep going to end the Darfur genocide. I will continue fighting until genocide is a thing of the past.
I have spent a year on the SLT – my chapter is better for it, and I am a much better person for it. Will you join me next year? Apply today!
-Zach Pierce, Southeast High School Regional Outreach Coordinator