Meet VInce Meldrum | Nonprofit Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with VInce Meldrum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi VInce, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Our business is a nonprofit (Earth Force), so everything we do is done with expanding our social impact in mind. In particular, we help prepare young people to fulfill their role as citizens. For us being a citizen is about more than being responsible for yourself, it means being engaged in solving the problems that impact your community. It means making sure that your views and the views of others are reflected in the policies and practices that govern our community. It means making sure that you are at the table when important decisions are made that concern your community. We see our job as both giving young people the opportunity to participate in local policy making now and preparing them for a lifetime of participation in environmental decision making.

Why is youth participation in local policy making important? Because the habits of citizenship are formed when we are young. Additionally, we believe that to really solve the environmental problems facing our communities we need everyone at the table.

A quick note about the word citizen: We don’t limit our understanding of “citizen” to the narrow sense of the term — one who is legally recognized as a citizen of a state or nation. We use the broader definition of the term — one who is a member of a community. Our notion of “citizenship” has little to do with legal status and everything to do with what it takes to meaningfully participate in community level decision making.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Earth Force is as much a passion as it is a business for me at this point. After working on and off with the organization for over 25 years it feels like we are almost inseparable. My time at the organization has been unique. I was not the founder, but I have been the CEO longer than anyone else. I have been the CEO on three different occasions for nearly 20 years, but never for more than 7 consecutive years. People sometimes ask me why I have come and gone from Earth Force so many times. The answer is really pretty simple. Earth Force is driven by a singular idea – that young people should be involved in environmental policy making. When that idea is put to work you get amazing results like a group of middle school kids who have spent the last four years trying to make Estes Park more resilient to forest fires or a group of 12 year olds who convinced the state of Virginia to strengthen its indoor air quality laws to include mold in school classrooms. Seeing what young people can do is incredibly inspiring and knowing that these young people will be lifelong participants in their communities keeps me going. Why have I ever left? I guess I am one of those folks who thinks the grass might be greener on the other side of the mountain, but then I just have to hike back again.

You asked what I want the world to know about our brand. Earth Force is engaging young people in environmental decision making now to improve our communities and because engagement when they are young ensures they will be engaged in the future.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh the places to go in Denver. As much as I love the city itself, for me one of the main attractions is places you can go from the city. A week long visit with me in Denver would have to include some time in my favorite places outside of the city.

If we started on a Monday I think the first thing we would do is take a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We would have to start early because we need as much time as possible on the Old Fall River Road. That route reminds me of home (Utah) because you of the aspen trees and the rivers. There would be no time for restaurants on that trip and you would have to pack a lunch of cheese and wine. We would probably need a nap before we drive back to the city.

On Tuesday and Wednesday we would be off to Grand Junction. My wife’s family is from that part of the state and we would have to ride bikes over the Colorado National Monument (assuming I could make it, which is questionable). at the end of the day we would find a local brew pub and rest up. The next day we would have to work our way back to Denver while stopping in Aspen for lunch.

Thursday would be a the day to take in some baseball. A few hours at the park watching the Rockies would be just what the doctor ordered after a couple of busy days. Friday we would head down to the Garden of the Gods and if the gods were smiling on us that night we could catch Big Head Todd and the Monsters at Red Rocks. But, that is probably too much to ask.

Saturday and Sunday would be devoted to good food and local beer. You would definitely find us at 10 Barrel Brewing, Wynkoop Brewing and we would be lamenting that Factotum Brewing has closed. We would have to stop by Pepper Asian on Colfax at some point. While visiting all of these places is great – they key would be good times with good friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is to my high school debate coach. His name is Steve Bringhurst.

Mr. Bringhurst taught me coming from a small town or a blue collar background doesn’t have to limit who you can be. In high school he opened my eyes to my own potential as well as the amazing opportunities there are for people. Without his encouragement I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: www.earthforce.org

Instagram: @earthforce

Twitter: @earthforce

Facebook: @EarthForceInc

Image Credits
All photos should be credited to Earth Force