Are there any prerequisites for registering?
No. We welcome anyone who is keen on developing a climate action program within your community, be it a neighbourhood, a school, a community centre, a non-profit organization, a faith group, or any other form of local group. If you have pre-existing ideas for a project, great! Bring them to the program. However, even if you don’t, we welcome you to join and be inspired by the projects and ideas you will learn about along the way.
How many hours do I need to commit to the program?
Approximately 60 hours in total for all 3 courses combined (i.e. an average of 6 -8 hours per week for 8 weeks).
Course 1 runs for 2 weeks, Course 2 for 3 weeks, and Course 3 for 3 weeks.
How many classes do I have to attend live?
There is no requirement to attend classes live, but there will be an optional Coffee Hour every Wednesday from 11 am – 12 pm. This Coffee Hour will serve as a platform for you to check in with the instructor on any questions you might have. It is also a great opportunity for you to network with one another and learn about other ongoing community engagement/climate action projects! Some guest lectures will be offered during Coffee Hour, subject to speakers’ availability.
Besides the above, all lectures and readings will be posted online beforehand, for you to read and watch in your own time. There will be a recommended schedule to follow (via the syllabus document) so that you can stay on top of your assignments.
Are there any classes in-person?
No, this program is fully online.
Who are some of the guest speakers?
We are really excited to have a strong, diverse line-up of climate and community engagement experts to share their insights with you. These include (among others):
- Cara Pike, Founder & Director of Climate Access
- Dagmar Timmer, Managing Director of One Earth
- Angela Han, Engagement Advisor at UBC and ex-Program Manager of Green Bloc Vancouver
- Tina Barisky, Sustainability Strategic Relationships Coordinator at the City of Vancouver