Dear partners and friends,
After three and a half years of amazing climate action, I have decided to leave Chesapeake Climate Action Network. May 16th will be my last day. This has truly been one of the best experiences of my life, and by far my most gratifying work environment. I have worked on amazing legislation, run exciting campaigns fighting coal in Virginia or rallying for healthy air in Maryland. I’ve hung out with Senators, got my picture taken with the Governor, even attended the United Nations. But the best experience by far has been working with all of our amazing volunteers. CCAN is only as strong as its base of people. And by that record, we have all made CCAN a powerhouse.
And yet… after all of this work, I am eager to explore new opportunities. Since before I came to CCAN, I have been drawn to electoral politics, and I have decided to leave to pursue work around the upcoming elections. As any of you who I work with know, I love the good fight, and I’m excited to get my hands wet fighting to elect more strong climate leaders.
It has been an amazing journey, being part of the growth of this organization and witnessing the birth of a new movement. I started with CCAN in 2004. We were a staff of 3 working out of a 1 room office. In 2008, we are a staff of 16 with a Virginia office, a thriving campus program, a powerhouse organizing team and a track-record that anyone would be proud of. Many of you have been part of this great group, and I am honored to work with you all building this great movement in our region.
In Maryland, we have taken global warming from a fringe issue to a top priority. We’ve built an strong and diverse coalition, great political connections, and the best grassroots base and volunteers that a movement could ask for. Passing the Maryland Healthy Air Act remains my proudest moment, a moment where we stuck together against great odds and came out victorious. In Virginia, I learned a lot about fighting against the tide. I am amazed at the energy and dedication of my colleagues who have been working on these issues for years. I have seen those fighting at ground zero of the debate, over coal, over energy, over justice. And I have seen us build our strength, employing new tactics and working together, and we have witnessed results many never thought possible. Most of all, I am proud for the campus movement CCAN has helped support, for our partners across the country who have taught us so much and for the students who have brought a new energy and vision to this movement.
Luckily, CCAN will be in good hands. After long search for a director, I am confident our Virginia program will be stronger than ever under our new director Steve Calos. Holly Gorman, who has proven an exceptional organizer with a cut-throat political instinct, will be continuing our Maryland work. And as always, Tom Owens and Ethan Nuss are rocking the world of campus organizing. As hard as it is to leave, I know that CCAN is as strong as ever.
Working at CCAN has been a blessing. Its a once in a lifetime experience to truly give your heart to an issue, and to know that you are fighting to win. This work has taught me what it is like to think big, to challenge myself to give more, and to learn to ask others (like you) to give more too. Its been a great ride.
With thanks and hope,
Joshua Tulkin
