Welcome to Our New Staffers

April 18, 2013 by Shari Hrdina
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April 18, 2013

Dear Friends

Given the success of our initial fundraising efforts, we welcome two “climateers” to the Great March for Climate Action organizing team. (Next, we are now looking for a fantastic fundraiser. For a job description, click here.)

Shari Hrdina was born and raised on a dairy farm near Cresco. She received her B.S. in Mathematics, Computer Science and Secondary Education at Upper Iowa University. After working as a systems analyst and a stay-at-home mom, Shari worked for a non-profit. The March’s mission dovetails well with her volunteering as host of Des Moines Green Drinks. Outside of work Shari enjoys spending time with her children, Claire and Noel. Her favorite activities include all types of dancing, including swing, contra, belly, jazzercise, tap and ballet.

She joins our organizing team as Office Manager. We joke that while Ed’s job is to keep an eye on the big picture – the forest – Shari’s is to tend to the trees . . . the details, the little stuff that, if ignored, can lead to big problems. We’re very excited to have her on board.

Courtney Kain’s background ranges from a logistics specialist and combat lifesaver in the Army to marching for LGBT rights. She majored in Psychology and minored in Biology. Some of her previous experience involved working to increase gender equity in politics, reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancies, and develop local sustainable communities.

Courtney has a slight, but treatable, obsession with Bollywood films and can often be found singing in Hindi, although she can’t speak it very well. She comes onboard as March Route Coordinator, and is looking forward to being on the March next year with her nine-year old daughter, Lyric.

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We are thrilled, too, to receive a new endorsement from a national organization: the Center for Biological Diversity:

“When it comes to the survival of many, many species, these are perilous times. Big events like the Great March for Climate Action are crucial, especially because Americans understand that human activity is driving species toward extinction and making climate change worse.” – Jerry Karnas, Field Director and Population Campaign Director

Last week, the March was endorsed by 350.org, Bill McKibben, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Catherine Thomasson. A heartfelt “THANKS!” to these great organizations and leaders for their support and confidence.

We continue to need your help in three ways:

(1) Donate to the March Starter drive. Click here for details, and thanks to all who have stepped forward so far.

(2) If you live in the Des Moines area, volunteer to help with a myriad of organizing tasks. Contact us here.

(3) If you live outside of Iowa, sign-up your friends, family members, and neighbors to receive this weekly update by writing to us at info@climatemarch.org.

Thanks!

Ed Fallon