1. Welcome to Vermont Power Shift
2014!
Sunday, Nov. 16
Landmark College, Putney, Vt.
Sponsored by:
About Us:
The Vermont Student Climate Coalition (VSCC) is a network of Vermont students
committed to fighting for sustainability and climate justice as a medium for intersectional
social and economic progress. Through democratic student power, we are fostering a
community that supports campaigns at both the institutional and statewide level and
develops strong leaders to sustain long-term action for systemic change.
Hannah Bristol (Middlebury ’14.5) and Francesca Hall (UVM ’15) began talking about a
state network over burritos last fall at Power Shift 2013 in Pittsburgh. After months of
talking with students across the state, we founded the VSCC and hosted our first
convergence at UVM last April. We are now partnered with more than 10 campuses
across the state, and work with several statewide organizations.
Francesca and Hannah currently serve as the Co-Chairs, McKenzie St. Germain (SMC
’15) as Assistant Chair, and Michael Iemolo (Landmark ‘15) as Secretary.
For updates, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vtstudentclimatecoalition.

2. 10-10:15: Check-In
10:15-10:30: Introductions [Auditorium]
Brief welcome from Francesca Hall, Co-Chair of the Vermont Student
Climate Coalition, and Dr. Andrew Stein, Professor at Landmark College.
10:30-11:10: Discussion Session 1
- Who Holds Power on Campuses [Rm. 202]
Facilitated by Teddy Smyth (Middlebury College ’15), this discussion will
explore the power dynamics on college campuses, with an aim of where
best to apply efforts and affect change.
- Building a New Economy [Rm. 203]
Facilitated by Kevin Santamaria, (University of Vermont (UVM) ’15),
this discussion will look at the flaws of our current economic system,
and explore the potential solutions and alternatives for our generation.
- Smashing the Patriarchy [Rm. 204]
Facilitated by Francesca Hall, (UVM ’15) and McKenzie St. Germain (St.
Michael’s College (SMC) ’15), this discussion will look at the
patriarchal society that we live in and explore the means available to
dismantle the oppressive system.
11:10-11:15: Break
11:15 - 11:55: Discussion Session 2
- Effectiveness of Activism [Rm. 202]
Facilitated by McKenzie St. Germain (SMC ’15) and Caitlyn Clark (School
for International Training (SIT)), this discussion will look at the role that
activism plays in affecting systemic change. This will also address
the many challenges that activists face, such as burn out.
- How to be an Ally [Rm. 203]
Facilitated by Cleopatra Doley (UVM ’15) and Francesca Hall (UVM ’15),
this discussion will use storytelling to explore the challenges and common
misconceptions that those with privilege experience when acting as an ally
to the oppressed.
- Price Pollution, Cut Carbon [Rm. 204]
Facilitated by Victoria Wiltshire-Gordon (Middlebury ’16), this discussion
will explore ways to use economic incentives to combat carbon
emissions and climate change.
11:55-12:00: Break

3. 12:00-1:00: Keynote [Auditorium]
This year’s keynote is Seth Itzkan, the President of Planet-TECH
Associates, a consultancy focusing on trends and innovations. Seth is an
environmental futurist investigating innovative means of land management
that offer hope for reversing global warming. He has 25 years experience
consulting with private and public agencies on strategies for success in
changing times and is a graduate of the Tufts College of Engineering and
the University of Houston Masters of Science Program in Studies of the
Future.
1:00-2:00: Lunch [Dining Hall]
- Music by Headphone Jack
- Tabling: Oxfam, 350VT, VSCC, VPIRG
2:00-2:45: Panel Session 1
- Divestment [Rm. 202]
Hear from professionals and students with experience working on fossil-
fuel divestment campaigns on campuses and statewide. Facilitated by
McKenzie St. Germain (SMC ’15).
- Politics In Vermont [Rm. 203]
Meet and talk to Vermont legislators, who can speak to the trials and
tribulations of public service in Vermont. Facilitated by Francesca Hall
(UVM ’15).
- Campus Sustainability [Rm. 204]
This panel will feature professionals with experience in renewable
energies and sustainability initiatives discussing the career opportunities
and ever growing field. Facilitated by Michael Iemolo (Landmark College
‘15).
2:45-2:50: Break
2:50-3:35: Panel Session 2
- Food Justice [Rm. 202]
Join representatives from Oxfam America, the VT Food Bank, and others
that work on issues of food justice here in Vermont and globally.
Facilitated by Kayla Popik (UVM ’17).
- Pipelines [Rm. 203]
Join impacted landowners and members of the community group Just
Power Vermont to discuss the grassroots movement to stop the largest
expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in Vermont in the last 50 years.
Facilitated by Anna Shireman-Grabowski (Middlebury ’15).
- Labor [Rm. 204]
Meet organizers who work professionally to ensure that fair treatment of
workers in Vermont, as well as union representatives who have fought for
better working environments. Facilitated by Caitlyn Clark (SIT).

4. 3:35-3:40: Break
3:40-4:10: Training Session 1
- Starting a Campaign [Rm. 202]
Have a campaign idea but don’t know how to get it off the ground?
McKenzie St. Germain (SMC ’15) and Walt Gustafson (VPIRG) can help
you. Come to this workshop to learn the ground rules for starting a
campaign, both on your campus and beyond.
- Facilitation/Managing a Team [Rm. 203]
One of the most important (and hardest) components of a successful
campaign is effective leadership. Come learn how to facilitate, delegate,
and manage a team with JT Lukens (350VT).
- Story of Self [Rm. 204]
Whether you’re talking to the media, applying for a job, having a one-on-
one, or going on a first date, you need to know how to talk about yourself.
Come hang out with Hannah Bristol (Middlebury ’14.5), who could talk
about herself for hours but will spare you, to learn how to tell your story of
self to connect with people and have them support your cause. It worked
for Barack Obama, and it will work for you too.
4:10-4:15: Break
4:15- 4:45: Training Session 2
- Recruitment [Rm. 202]
How do you convince people to join your campaign and how do you keep
them around? Hannah Bristol (Middlebury ’14.5) and Virginia Wiltshire-
Gordon (Middlebury ’16) will teach you how to rope people in through
tabling, phone banking, one-on-ones, parties, and other recruitment
techniques and how to make them stay (by throwing parties).
- Fundraising [Rm. 203]
Until we manage to smash capitalism, money still makes the world go
round. Come learn how to steal from the rich and give to the needy (read:
take from the administration and give to your campaign) with Francesca
Hall (UVM ’15), VSCC’s number one fundraiser.
- Media [Rm. 204]
How do you get your name up in lights? You effectively talk to the media!
Tyler McFarland (UVM ’15) will teach you about befriending the press,
messaging your campaign, and ending up on the front page of the New
York Times.
4:45-5pm Debrief
Share what you learned with your new friends as we wrap the day up and
head home (until next time!)