A free screening of Earth Days, a documentary about the grassroots beginnings of Earth Day and the environmental movement, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in Milliken Auditorium as the centerpiece of Action! an event sponsored by NMC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
While the film focuses on the environmental movement, the goal of Action! is to empower and inspire young people that their personal action, of any kind, can make a difference in their community and the world, said event organizer Jessica Abfalter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.
“The key to social change is youth movement,” Abfalter said. “As a diverse group of students, Phi Theta Kappa also recognized the many ways an individual could have an impact on their community or even the world. We created ‘Action!’ from our own experiences with volunteerism and popular culture, sharing the inspiration we gained through film and connecting area youth with local opportunities for action in an interactive, artistic setting.”
Doors open at 6 p.m. The pre-show Action! Fair includes free admission to the Dennos Museum Center, now featuring the video art of Chinese artist Miao Xiaochu,n and opportunities to network with local advocacy and activist groups including H.O.P.E. (Helping Owners with Pet Expenses) NMC PRIDE, the Native American Student Association, 4-H Michigan State University Extension and Bay Bucks local currency.
Participants are also invited to enjoy complimentary food, local music, and browse entries in the recycled art contest. A $50 downtown Traverse City gift card will be awarded to the middle school, high school, and college student with the highest ranking creation.
The film will begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by the announcement of the recycled art contest winners. To enter artwork, please see submission details online or email nmcptk@gmail.com for submission details.
Among other leaders of the modern environmental movement, Earth Days features NMC communications instructor Stephanie Mills. In 1969 Mills catapulted to prominence when she decried overpopulation and natural resource exploitation in a commencement address and vowed never to have children.