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Farewell from our Board President, Kim Kishon

As you may have heard by now, I’ll be stepping down from my role as Board President this month, to prepare for becoming a new parent! Before I go, I want to reflect on all that I’ve done with SanDiego350 and all that SanDiego350 has given me during my 8 years as a volunteer. (Photo – 2015 Campaign for a strong Climate Action Plan)

For starters, here’s a short list of what SanDiego350 has given me:

  • Lasting friendships
  • Hope and inspiration
  • Movement-building education
  • A part-time job, paid in meaning and fulfillment
  • Hundreds of Google Docs
  • A network of kind, caring, dedicated people
  • Meeting one of my climate heroes, Bill McKibben, twice!
  • Invaluable experience building a grassroots nonprofit organization
  • A greater understanding of the climate crisis and how to advocate effectively for policy solutions
  • Volunteer leadership experience
  • Teamwork, collaboration, community and a sense of belonging (which is woefully undervalued & under-prioritized in our society)

The list could go on for days, but I’ll stop there.

So, what did I do to earn all of that?

In my time as a volunteer, I have tried many things that were new to me, growing and learning with others along the way. Most of the time, I worked behind the scenes to develop our leadership structure and guide our strategy. I led efforts to hire our first staff members, develop a larger and more active board, create internal policies, support conflict resolution and delicately guide difficult conversations that helped us stay on track. One of my most rewarding recent experiences involved laying the foundation for our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Team, by hiring and supervising our first Justice & Equity intern and supporting volunteer leaders. Most of the time, I handled odds and ends that needed to be done, to care for the health and growth of SanDiego350: planning fundraising parties, interviewing candidates, onboarding volunteers, plus writing email blasts and speeches. I did none of this alone: it’s true that collaboration and teamwork are essential to moving anything forward.  (Photo – Garden Party Fundraiser 2017)

After 8 years of movement building with SanDiego350, I’m thankful to each of you who have given me inspiration and hope for the future. In this organization, I have met some of the most genuine, kind, driven and passionate people. Together, we have marched, assembled last minute rallies, facilitated workshops, created countless Google Docs, painted an office space we barely used (thanks, pandemic), and everything in between.

Our marches and rallies have brought me to tears: overwhelmed with sorrow by the crisis we face and overjoyed and empowered by the sight of so many people who care enough to do something about it.  (Photo – 2017 People’s Climate March)

Our meetings and events have given me tangible actions to make an impact locally, helping me feel part of the solution.

Our press coverage has filled me with pride: every time I see SD350 on the news (or the front page of the Union Tribune, which has happened at least four times!), I am in awe that I have the privilege of being part of such an impactful group.

I’ve witnessed SanDiego350 grow from a handful of 10 committed volunteers who met in a church basement and kept our funds in a jar under Janina’s bed, into an organization with hundreds of volunteers, well over ten teams, paid staff (green jobs!), solid funding, an active board, and frequent impact on local policy.

I am in awe of the people who dedicate themselves to this organization– you give me hope, which I need as I prepare to bring another human into the world. I’ll miss my day-to-day involvement and I can shift my focus, knowing that SD350 is devoted to a brighter future.  (Photo – receiving award from our Treasurer Bill Wellhouse at the Dec 2021 Party for the Planet)

I want to especially thank Masada and Joyce:

Masada has been throwing opportunities and ideas at me since 2013, helping me grow right alongside SanDiego350. Masada’s devotion, creativity and bravery keep taking the organization to bold new heights. Masada is the primary driver for SanDiego350’s grassroots power.  And thank you to Joyce, whose steady, compassionate leadership led the Public Policy Team, putting it on the path to being the powerhouse it is today and who has served tirelessly on the organization’s Executive Committee. Joyce will guide the organization as she fills the role of Board President.