UBtheChange

About UBtheChange

If you’re passionate about social and environmental issues, but unsure where to start, join UBtheChange. The student-led program supports UBC students in taking their first steps as changemakers during their university career.

Through UBtheChange, you can:

  • Connect with other passionate peers and community organizations across Metro Vancouver.
  • Participate in fun and engaging events that support broader social and environmental movements.
  • Learn about pathways for pro-social action in pressing local and global issues. 
  • Collaborate with and directly impact community organizations that work with diverse populations.
  • Put learning into practice and develop career skills.

UBtheChange sessions happen on campus through student events, or off campus as Community Action Days, which are short-term projects with schools and nonprofit organizations across Metro Vancouver.

Become a UBtheChange Activator

UBtheChange Activators plan and provide peer support for UBtheChange events and projects. 

As a UBtheChange Activator, you can connect your interests, lived experience, and leadership skills to broader social movements through one of the following roles:

  • UBtheChange Student Activators
    Develop fun, low-barrier events for students to engage with social issues, such as pop-up cafés, social media campaigns, peer advising, and more.
  • UBtheChange Community Activators
    Work with diverse stakeholders to plan and carry out short-term projects, such as Community Action Days, that directly benefit local communities and create meaningful learning experiences for UBC students.

Participate in the program

Attend on-campus sessions

UBtheChange events and pop-up sessions happen throughout the academic year. The topics and format of on-campus sessions change each year based on the planning by UBtheChange Activators.

Some on-campus sessions held in the past include:

  • Climate Justice Paint Night
    Students made paintings and protest signs based on the theme of climate justice. During the event, students also discussed local climate issues and learned about research-based climate action from a UBC professor.
  • E.A.T (Engage and Taste)
    Activators invited students to play games that raised awareness on food affordability and access, and created a recipe book with affordable recipes.
  • Coffee chats and booths
    On-campus booths where students talk about social and environmental issues, learn about ways to take action, grab treats, and win prizes.

Get the most up-to-date information on UBC CCEL’s Instagram.

Register for a Community Action Days project

Opportunities to volunteer with Community Action Days are available for Jan to Mar 2024. To register, follow these steps:

  1. Browse the Community Action Days Opportunities Portal through the Qualtrics form to learn more about the project details, dates, and volunteer role qualifications.
  2. To apply, scroll to the bottom of the form and select the opportunities that match your qualifications and schedule.
  3. A project leader will connect with you regarding next steps.

If you have questions

For more information about the program, please connect with Sydney Kroes at sydney.kroes@ubc.ca.