Key Values: Education, Economic Sustainability, Community Support
Earth Rebirth’s primary value is Education. We cannot solve anything until we understand the scope of our own world and our impact. Earth Rebirth wants to help you understand the solutions available to you. Our second value is Economic Sustainability. We believe our future relies on our ability to optimize how we provide food, energy, and water to billions of people across the planet. Nature provides everything we need to survive, preserving its value while creating economic opportunity for society is imperative for humanity to grow beyond our current limits.  The third value is Community Support, 21^stcentury global solutions will come from local solutions.

Where did the name “Earth Rebirth” come from?
The name Earth Rebirth came from pure and simple brainstorming. It took a few weeks. But three points stuck out in our brainstorm. We wanted it to roll off the tongue, to be easy to remember. We wanted the name to encompass the wide variety of solutions and ideas planned. And we wanted to be positive about what we are capable of as a society.

What social issue is Earth Rebirth solving?
The majority of people understand the environmental problems being faced after three generations of environmental activism. Major groups like the Sierra Club, WWF, and many others were founded during a period of time that awareness was most needed. The key question nowadays is, “what can I do in mydaily life?” Earth Rebirth is helping connect people to solutions that apply to their lives. To your life, your family, and as a result – your community. Every environmental problem must be seen as an economic opportunity to create new solutions towards a more sustainable world.

What does Earth Rebirth define as “sustainability”?
Sustainability is the maintenance of the quality, access, and value of a resource over time. The growth of a system, an idea, or resource in a way that does not deplete the supply, value, or quality of that system, idea, or resource to such an extent that over time the access or existence of such is put at risk.

GETTING INVOLVED

How do class credit internships differ from volunteering?
College students can receive class credit to intern for Earth Rebirth. Internships are offered at the University of Oklahoma. The key differences between an intern and volunteer are – paid for through the college like a class, grade accountability, and a paper reflecting on your experiences. Most volunteer roles are open to any committed volunteer or intern.

When are Earth Rebirth volunteer meetings? What are they like?
Earth Rebirth volunteer meetings are held privately by virtual attendance or in person, location varies. Sign up for text alerts or email for more details. Meetings begin with weekly updates and upcoming events and activities. Depending on the number in attendance, meetings typically last 60-90 minutes.

How many employees does Earth Rebirth have? How many volunteers?
Currently, Earth Rebirth has no full-time paid staff.  We occasionally hire garden consultants to work on commission. The number of volunteers of any nonprofit varies on a regular basis. Earth Rebirth has a mailing list consisting of 400+ volunteers. On average, Earth Rebirth has anywhere between 6-20 volunteers helping regularly per semester with 2-5 interns earning class credit per semester.

What groups typically make up Earth Rebirth’s volunteer base?
College students and young adults make up the majority of our volunteer base due to internship opportunities. However, Earth Rebirth has a wide range of volunteers including parents, grandparents, retirees, city employees, school staff, business owners, and more.

What are Earth Rebirth’s most volunteered positions?
The top volunteer position in Earth Rebirth is a ‘school garden checker’.  Garden checkers stop by weekly at a school garden to make sure it is well-watered, ready for school lessons, pick invasive weeds, take pictures/video, etc. The second top volunteered position is ‘event volunteer’. Consider helping organize our annual banquet or the annual Wild and Scenic film festival in downtown Norman.

What are Earth Rebirth’s most needed positions?
Earth Rebirth’s most needed positions are administrative roles. The top three positions desired include a garden checkers, grant writer, and Garden Your Own Growth Program Director. Along with the always needed positions of school garden checkers, event volunteers, and workshop teachers. 

OPERATIONS

What general challenges does Earth Rebirth face as an organization?
The key challenges faced as an organization include funding for projects across Oklahoma and at the Earth Rebirth Center, volunteer retention, securing full-time employees, and meeting demand to expand to new areas of Oklahoma.

Where does Earth Rebirth get most of its funding?
Earth Rebirth is primarily funded by individual donors, memberships, small business sponsors, home and business garden set-ups, and event fundraising. Earth Rebirth does not receive any funding from the state or federal government.

Why did Earth Rebirth choose to become a nonprofit organization?
Earth Rebirth is a community initiative. Everything Earth Rebirth does is focused on empowering people to help themselves and others. We hope to get the right people to make an impact involved for the right reasons.

Questions?