Update From Our Future Environmental Leader

Guest post by Madeleine Bradley, IEC's first Future Environmental Leader, a board position for young leaders

I am currently working on gaining student support for IEC’s Environmental Advocacy Day on February 25 by presenting and sharing the info with student organizations and classes on campus, and it is going well. I have been able to reach over 300 students so far with the information, and I plan to speak with a few more classes next week.

During the past semester, I have been able to attend IEC board meetings, as well as some meetings of the policy committee. It has been my first experience in a board setting for a nonprofit organization, and I have to say I had no idea how much work goes on to keep an organization like this running.

All of the staff and board members I have had the opportunity to meet have been so friendly and welcoming. It has been delightful to make so many new connections and learn from people working hard in the environmental field. I also got the chance to attend IEC's Pro H2O  and Bright Ideas events, which I really enjoyed. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the IEC this year.

I was super excited to hear about the passing of the 24/7 carbon-free energy resolution by the City of Des Moines. I think it really exemplifies what can be achieved with collaboration and organizing around a common goal. IEC's 100% Iowa team definitely played an integral role in encouraging the City Council to pass this resolution. A lack of environmental progress can sometimes feel exhausting, but this gave me hope that the things I am passionate about and want to work on are possible to achieve.