Guest Speaker Presenter
GUEST SPEAKER PRESENTER (virtual)
Green Driving America (GDA), a small 501c3 nonprofit organization based in California, with a branch location in Vermont, has funding from the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund of the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) to implement The Clean Transportation Path© project through 2024.
We are seeking one volunteer intern from a Vermont college, or from Dartmouth College—a freshmen, sophomore, or junior—with an interest in environment / sustainability / climate / air quality who is enthusiastic to passionate about reducing GHG emissions and air pollution around vehicle transportation. Interested candidates would be capable in communication skills and public speaking, and confident in giving PowerPoint webinar presentations (virtual) in driver education, and high school STEM and social studies education classes located in Vermont.
We are looking to fulfill the remainder of 20 presentations under the VCRD grant: 11 presentations by the end of December 2024.
This is a volunteer internship. It is offered in two ways: 1.) an unpaid position, or 2.) a paid position of a $35 stipend per presentation if the intern is able to establish a formal internship through their college with Green Driving America that allows the intern to get credit.
We offer two variations on presentations under The Clean Transportation Path project:
Smart Driving from the Start presentation in driver education classes cover smart driving tips—that will show student drivers economical benefits of reduced fuel use and maintenance and repair costs in gas-powered vehicles, as well as reductions in emissions and wasted energy, and improved air quality. And an introduction to low- to zero-emission vehicles and their benefits, including plug-in hybrids and all-electrics. In this segment, featured is Vermont's MileageSmart program incentive, which helps to make used plug-in hybrids (PHEV) to all-electrics (EV) more affordable. Presentations also briefly cover transportation alternatives to driving. NOTE: In this presentation, we are constrained to placing an equal emphasis on efficient driving in gas-powered vehicles as, in general, driver educators are not yet ready to embrace electrification on a full-scale basis.
The Clean Transportation Path presentation in high school STEM and social studies classes cover details on low- to zero-emission vehicles with an emphasis on all-electrics: how they operate and differ from gas vehicles, typically one-half maintenance/repair costs, vastly more energy efficient, Vermont's charging station infrastructure and plug-in vehicle incentives, cold-weather performance, and even touching on the detriments of the EV manufacturing process. Presentations also briefly cover transportation alternatives to driving. NOTE: these educators are more open to featuring the benefits of low- to zero-emission vehicles; as to alternatives to driving, more emphasis can be considered in areas of the state where public transportation and primary (paved) roads are more available.
These sessions are 45 minutes to one hour and 15 minutes, depending on time allotment. They include showing a PowerPoint and two to three videos (the PowerPoints and the videos can be seen via YouTube videos on the two presentation webpages). The presenter will elaborate on slides shown with presenter notes that are mostly memorized; the goal is to avoid “scripted” presentations and to engage the audience. While keeping within the parameters of the presentation, we encourage interns to add appropriate personal input. When and if time permits, following the presentation, the intern will help to engage with the class to conduct a Q & A session and/or group discussion about the content covered. The host educator will be present for these sessions. The number of students in attendance for each presentation will range from 5 to 25 or more, with the possibility of assembly presentations as well.
The location of these exclusively virtual presentations are high schools or driving school venues in the project's funded area: the State of Vermont.
Upon completion of presentations, for an intern who has a paid stipend arrangement, they will be paid on a time schedule via Venmo, or by check.
The intern, in addition to presentation time, will need to attend an up to one hour Zoom interview / training session (unpaid) on the presentations with the GDA executive director, and, in preparation of giving presentations, spend time on memorizing presenter notes that elaborate on most of the slides shown, and gain a familiarity with low- to zero-emission talking points in a discussion period.
Hired presenters will need to have a Google Drive account and gmail address to be sent the two PowerPoints (and any subsequent updates); alternative ways of sending can be considered.
For arranging each presentation, the GDA executive director takes requests from interested educators (attempting to obtain a choice of dates/times that would be suitable for the intern) and email or text the intern. The intern can turn down offered presentations if necessary. Close to the presentation date, the educator sends a virtual invitation to the intern (usually Zoom; occasionally Google Meet), and to the executive director, who will check in at start time to confirm the intern is present, and then leave. NOTE: the GDA executive director will attend and have a minor role in co-presenting with a new intern in their first presentation.
Potential interns who are interested in this opportunity will first provide their resume. Upon invitation, an intern will fill out and submit a GDA application. Following the Zoom interview / training session, upon interest and agreement of both the executive director and the intern, the intern will fill out and sign a GDA contract. The intern or executive director can end this agreement at any time.
Please view GDA non-discrimination policy on the website About page.
Listing of project presentations given to date. This includes the utilization of four previous interns giving 36 presentations, starting in 2022.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF PREVIOUS INTERN PRESENTERS:
Dartmouth College intern - Mar. 2022:
Being a guest presenter intern with Green Driving America has been educational and rewarding. I have become a more confident public speaker while learning and informing about cleaner, more efficient transportation. This has led me to interesting conversations with students and educators, and given me experience in a crucial sector of sustainability.
It feels good to support the mission of Green Driving America, all while bolstering my resume and polishing essential skills. I have helped students work towards their carbon footprint, and ensured that people consider sustainability in their daily lives. Employers have remarked about my commitment to a clean future, and been impressed with my work with GDA. If you want to begin a career focused on the environment, transportation, or communication, this is a unique opportunity to begin learning the necessary skills.
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Montgomery Booth
Dartmouth Class of 2024 Intended BA in Government and Environmental Science
Middlebury College intern - Jan. 2024:
My role as an intern presenter at Green Driving America Inc. has been immensely gratifying and educational. This experience has provided me with a valuable opportunity to enhance my skills in delivering information, public speaking, and connecting with my audiences. Through this position, I've developed the skills required to deliver authentic, easy-to-follow, and educational presentations.
Questions and interactions with the audience during my presentations have significantly improved my ability to think on my feet and engage effectively with students. In addition to the skills I learned, this opportunity allows me to follow my passion for creating positive environmental change. Empowering students with knowledge about electric vehicles, carbon footprints, and sustainability, while showing solutions to address emission issues, was rewarding
This internship provides a chance to grow professional skills that will benefit careers in environmental issues, communications, or any field. It's a great opportunity to contribute meaningfully to environmental advocacy while advancing personal and professional growth.
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Cyrus Perkinson
Middlebury College, Class of 2025 - Environmental Economics