Student Ambassadors
This program is designed to help spread the spirit of sustainability at TRU. Students can be a force for change and improve the culture of sustainability on campus. This group will be ideas-driven, goal-driven, while being effective and trying to have fun. The program is for all students enrolled in a for-credit program on the campus.
Student ambassadors will need to interact (either in-person or virtually) with at least 500 of their fellow students during one or more school semesters by educating them on a variety of sustainability issues or project(s).
Once these 500 touch points are complete, and a report and program evaluation form are submitted, each ambassador will receive a certificate of completion and a credit of $300 which they can put towards tuition at TRU. It is anticipated that it will take 12 to 20 hours to reach these 500 touch points.
Roles and responsibilities
An ambassador becomes a sustainability champion on campus, and helps to educate their fellow students about the initiatives being promoted.
The program is about increasing participation in, and support for, certain sustainability practices and behaviours on campus, whether new or existing, big or small.
Ambassadors work with like-minded students all around campus on sustainability initiatives.
Types of campaigns
Ambassadors will be engaged in one or two main campaigns over each school year. (Should time permit, more campaigns can be taken on, and details will be determined).
- One decided on by the ambassadors and in cooperation with the program coordinator,
- The other decided on by the program coordinator to help with the efforts of the TRU Sustainability Office (examples include a cigarette butt cleanup and recycling campaign; pilot projects to start other zero-waste initiatives; efforts needed to help protect biodiversity on campus; coordination roles for a variety of office events).
Participation
- Student touch points are needed and these can be logged during a variety of situations that suit each ambassador (for example: promoting various sustainability initiatives during ‘tabling’ sessions in a campus common area; helping at an event; running a program; presenting a short talk/presentation in a classroom; interactions on social media posts, etc.).
- Students’ participation requirements are anticipated to take to 20 hours.
- Minimum of one semester commitment.
Qualifications of ambassadors
- Passion for sustainability; want to make a positive difference on campus.
- Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Confidence to model sustainable behaviours, and to take leadership in engaging peers in more sustainable practices on campus. Willingness to learn, help and have fun!
- Creative thinker; ability to problem solve; patient and flexible.
Benefits
- Deepen your understanding of key sustainability concepts, and work toward a sustainable future.
- Network with peers with similar interests while developing outreach and education skills.
- Access TRU-specific tools, tips and resources on a variety of sustainability topics.
- Ability to apply for funding through the TRU Sustainability Grant Fund for sustainability initiatives that involve TRU staff, faculty or students.
- Opportunities to engage with communication tools (social media, print shop, etc.).
- Feel good about making a difference; help save resources and money.
- Access to funding for projects, and a free T-shirt!
Meetings and schedule
Program runs all year
- Orientation and training in conducting sustainability outreach will be provided to all ambassadors at the start of each semester in September, January and May. Training session dates/times will be determined based on availability of ambassadors.
- Ambassadors will have the support of the program coordinator(s) for any issues.
- The program offers resources and educational opportunities to give ambassadors the skills/knowledge needed to promote sustainability.
- Regular coffee meetings for ambassadors (/30 mins) to make sure all issues are addressed by the program coordinator.
Celebrate victories
The program will recognize ambassadors’ contributions at an annual event in April as a thank-you for their valuable contributions.
Application process
Students interested in joining this program must submit their application to the contact below by Sept. 23 (for fall semester participation), Jan. 20 (for winter semester participation), and May 19 (for summer semester participation). Once these three things below are submitted, a short interview will be set-up with the program coordinator.
- Contact information.
- A 100 to 200 word description of why you want to join the program, and why sustainability is important to you.
- Two references preferably from TRU staff or faculty members, but employers will also work. Please include contact information as well.
