Lead the solutions in your community.
About the Program
TEC’s vision is to realize thriving habitats, climate balance, and a circular economy in Tennessee. But being a small nonprofit with limited resources, we only have the capacity to do so much with our current staff. We created the Tennessee Environmental Ambassadors (TEA) Program to amplify the impact of our work by engaging dedicated participants who have this same vision and want to go above and beyond basic TEC program participation.
What do Ambassadors do?
Ambassadors do more than just participate in TEC's programs, (i.e. reserving trees for TN Tree Day, registering for Generate Some Buzz, volunteering for one day at a field project). Ambassadors will help increase TEC's capacity to affect change by manifesting eco-consciousness in their communities. They will do this by building relationships with their communities and elected officials, initiating civic engagement actions (ACE), helping to build district-level policy change, teaching their neighbors to value our shared environment, and engaging others in activities that improve our environment. They are also a point of contact within the TEC network for their local communities.
Examples of Ambassador civic engagement (ACE) actions:
1. Connect with local elected officials and community leaders to let them know that their neighbors and friends are taking action to create a healthier environment.
2. Encouraging their elected officials to take similar steps.
3. Intentionally engaging with communities of color, and lower economic status, who are disproportionately affected by environmental injustices.
4. Leading events in local communities that are intended to improve the environment.
Examples of Ambassador civic engagement (ACE) actions:
1. Connect with local elected officials and community leaders to let them know that their neighbors and friends are taking action to create a healthier environment.
2. Encouraging their elected officials to take similar steps.
3. Intentionally engaging with communities of color, and lower economic status, who are disproportionately affected by environmental injustices.
4. Leading events in local communities that are intended to improve the environment.
Why it Matters
- Ambassadors will contribute to creating positive environmental change in their community.
- We need more Tennesseans advocating for positive environmental policy.
- To create stronger community networks to improve our environment.
Why Become an Ambassador?
Become an Ambassador to use your skills and experience to improve your local environment and community. As an Ambassador, you will work alongside TEC to better your own community, and in turn the world.
What is Required to be an Ambassador?
1. You must commit to a one year term of service.
2. You must be eager and willing to complete at least three civic engagement actions (ACE) per quarter.
3. You must meet with the Environmental Ambassadors Leader once per month by phone, virtually or in-person.
4. You must read the "Tennessee Environmental Ambassador Handbook" in its entirety. Access the Handbook by clicking the button below.
5. You must apply by clicking the button below and be approved to participate.
2. You must be eager and willing to complete at least three civic engagement actions (ACE) per quarter.
3. You must meet with the Environmental Ambassadors Leader once per month by phone, virtually or in-person.
4. You must read the "Tennessee Environmental Ambassador Handbook" in its entirety. Access the Handbook by clicking the button below.
5. You must apply by clicking the button below and be approved to participate.
Important Dates to Remember
Please reach out to the Environmental Ambassadors Leader, Lauren Mobley at lauren@tectn.org, with any questions
If you aren't quite ready to commit to a year of service as an Ambassador, visit TEC's volunteer web page to learn more about our short-term volunteer opportunities!
- April 17- May 17, 2023: Rolling group interviews
- May 26, 2023: Mandatory virtual TEA training
Please reach out to the Environmental Ambassadors Leader, Lauren Mobley at lauren@tectn.org, with any questions
If you aren't quite ready to commit to a year of service as an Ambassador, visit TEC's volunteer web page to learn more about our short-term volunteer opportunities!