Next SECS Meeting This Wednesday at 6:30! 🌱

Happy Monday, SECS! I hope everyone had a restful fall break. A big thanks to everyone who came out to our potluck two weeks ago!

This week, our SECS-y working groups will continue fighting the good fight. Feel free to check out whatever group interests you, and make sure to bring a computer!

Fossil Free Addendum will be determining next steps for over winter break.

Divestment Referendum (Action) will recap their fantastic semester, craft an email list for winter break, and continue teach-in and class rap outreach.

Media is putting the finishing touches on their banner!

Education is making informational content for the SECS Instagram.

Solidarity Gardens is planning an upcoming workshop.

Circular Fashion Expo is practicing their speech and encourages everyone to sign up to table for the Expo here.

 Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Channing Murray Foundation (1209 W. Oregon Street).

I want to give a special shoutout to the newly elected Natalie Reed and Michael Gergeni! Natalie will be taking over as our media officer and Michael will be the editor of the Green Observer in the spring after our beloved Sophia Beem leaves us to study abroad. We are confident they will be amazing in their new roles!

🚨WAIT, THERE’S MORE!🚨

Get Involved with the Circular Fashion Expo!

Participate in the SECS x CFE Clothing Swap by dropping off your unwanted clothes in any drop boxes during the collection period. The collection period is December 2nd through December 5th. Drop boxes are located at the Channing Murray Foundation, PAR and the Siebel Center for Design. The actual expo will take place at the Siebel Center for Design 11am-5pm this Saturday, December 7th. Sign up for a tabling shift here.

Attend Interactive Workshops on Immigrant Activism

SECS is co-sponsoring 4 part series on December 4th and 5th to bring together groups for events with UIUC alumna Stephanie “Soultree” Camba. Soultree will be giving a series of student workshops and a public talk that deals with undocumented activism, racial justice, artivism, and community healing.

Sign our Divestment Referendum Petition!

Sign this petition to show your support for Fossil Fuel Divestment at the University of Illinois! Use your Illinois email when signing and follow the Fossil Free Illinois instagram for more divestment based content. You can scan the QR code above or click here. Share it with your friends!

Come to Fossil Free Friday!

Come to Fossil Free Friday this Friday from 1-2pm for a winter native planting workshop and 2-3pm at Channing Murray for legislative outreach!

Show up on Wednesday! Go green or go HOME!

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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Win Money to Make A Climate Justice Short Film

Between September 9, 2024 and January 10, 2025, submit a short film concept grounded in a current issue involving climate justice or how climate change intersects with social justice, presenting it in a way that leaves the audience feeling hopeful. The top 2 pitches will receive $10K to create their films, mentoring sessions from film professionals, and the grand prize winner (selected from the top two) will win an additional $2k in cold hard cash—just what your wallet needs! Head here for more information.

Help birds stop dying!

The UIUC Bird Strike group is made up of some awesome students who are looking to reduce bird deaths caused by window collisions. Go here for more information or if you’re interested in volunteering!

Join the Climate Grief Group

Feeling the weight of climate change? You're not alone. Many of us are struggling with grief, anxiety, and a sense of loss as we watch our planet change. The Climate Grief Group is a safe, supportive space where we can talk openly about our climate-related emotions and learn how to cope together. We'll explore our feelings, build resilience, and find ways to turn that grief into positive action. Let's connect, heal, and support each other as we work towards a more just and sustainable future. This group meets virtually on Tuesdays between September 24th and October 29th at 1pm and is led by a licensed, climate-aware therapist. Pay what you can. Register here.

Visit TORIIS and take action

TORIIS.earth is an organization that makes transparent the University of Illinois Systems investments and visualizes this data through an environmental lens. Throughout TORIIS, you can explore in depth the University of Illinois Systems’ investments, understand the scope and impact of its investments in the fossil fuel industry, and take action by signing the open letter requesting fossil fuel divestment from the University of Illinois.

Listen to the SECS talk
Listen here to our sustainability-focused podcast, the SECS talk! The most recent episode’s guest is Lina Avalos, a student at UIUC and an environmental justice advocate from the Southeast side of Chicago.

If you’ve read this far, click here for the song of the week.

Contact Us!
President — Rudy LaFave (he/him)
[email protected]
Vice President — Claire Sullivan (she/her)
[email protected]
Treasurer — Averhy Sanborn (she/her)
[email protected]
Secretary — Julia San Miguel (she/her)
[email protected]
Action Co-Coordinator — Trey McCallister (he/him)
[email protected]
Action Co-Coordinator — Gabi DalSanto (she/they)
[email protected]
Media Officer — Sophia Beem (she/her)
[email protected]
Community Chair — Joya Weissman (she/her)
[email protected]
Land Management Chair — Liam Henry (he/him)
[email protected]
Outreach Coordinator — Izzy Wilder (she/her)
[email protected]
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer — Fatima Naveed (she/her)
[email protected]