SUNDialers make volunteering a family affair
- Solar United Neighbors
Hannah: I’m not sure where your solar journey started, but if I had to guess, mine began on a family trip to Disney World.
EPCOT’s Universe of Energy Building as a kid to be exact. It was the first time I saw solar power on something other than a calculator. This is just one way my parents impressed ecology on me as a child. They kept our yard planted with native flowers and always made sure to point out local animals like muskrats and woodpeckers. This played a role in my academic and career trajectory.
It’s only fair then that I got to return the favor by getting my dad on board as a SUNDialer. SUNDialers are volunteers who reach out to fellow solar supporters via texts and calls to let them know about actions they can take in their community to help more people go solar. This might be event invitations, actions they can take to support good solar policies, or joining volunteers like me.
I got solar right before my daughter was born, six years ago. I’d been aware of SUN via their work in Virginia. My home was even part of one of the solar tours the organization hosted.
When I learned about the SUNDialers, it seemed like a great way to connect with folks, particularly given how much email we all get every day. This was an opportunity to have real conversations with people.
Chris: I’m glad my daughter Hannah clued me in. I have experience doing phone banking previously so I was familiar with the system and connecting with new people.
Some of the things I’ve done since I’ve started have been connecting with folks in Minnesota to learn more about going solar. I got five “yeses” out of 30 people contacted. We also did some phone backing in Indiana where we got 20 people to show up to a hearing to support local solar energy development. And, we’ve also had the opportunity to connect with people about plug-in solar in our home state of Virginia. This has been especially gratifying for me since my roof isn’t a great fit for solar right now. There’s a bit too much shade and it would need to be replaced, but a plug-in system is something I can do.
It feels good to see a direct link between the work I’m doing and real-world success. The climate challenge that my granddaughter’s generation will inherit has been a big motivator for both of us to get involved. We both see solar as part of the solution. While my daughter had to go to Disney to see solar as a child, it’s great that my granddaughter sees it everywhere in her neighborhood.
Hannah Wiegard and Chris Wiegard are SUNDialer volunteers from Virginia.
Want to get become a SUNDialer?
If you’d like to get involved as a SUNDialer or help in some other way to make sure that all children can see solar in their neighborhoods, connect with us! We’ll be happy to see you!
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