Q&A With New Newsletter Editor
Our feature article today is a Q&A between Barb Jarmoska, long-term volunteer with RDA, and April Line, our new Marketing and Communications Consultant.
Barb Jarmoska: Why did you say “yes” to RDA’s request for your consulting services and what was it about the opportunity to work with RDA that most appealed to you?
April Line: I like a hard project, and RDA was in need of a fresh face and more traffic to its website. We also need to demystify the name change that probably feels confusing! I’ve advocated for just going by the initials, RDA, because Responsible Decarbonization Alliance is a mouthful. And the mission has only shifted, not changed—we are still engaged in advocacy toward ending our cultural reliance on fossil fuels, and now we engage on other areas of alternative fuel advocacy, too.
BJ: What do you see as the greatest benefit RDA provides to its members?
AL: RDA provides three really valuable services to our members:
1) Our Bluesky account that is being curated by one of the sharpest climate minds in PA, our own Ralph Kisberg. You can find us at RDA.bsky.social or at the link just above.
2) Our events and speakers. Earlier this year we sponsored the Master Gardeners’ Symposium, on June 1st, we’re sponsoring a Therapy Walk in Rider Park, and on August 2nd, we’re participating in Susquehanna Greenway Partnership’s Outdoor Expo. We hope to see many of you there.
3) Our newsletter, in its new format and more regular schedule will be both informative and, I hope, entertaining. Saving the world can be fun, too. It doesn’t have to only be a grind.
BJ: Now that you have accepted the dual roles of RDA webmaster and newsletter editor, what changes to the web site and newsletter are you most excited to provide?
AL: Our website has been simplified and streamlined—and, for the first time ever, there’s a webstore. Please take a look! Consider purchasing one of our organic cotton t-shirts for yourself or for a friend.
As noted above, our newsletter, too has a bit of a makeover. I’d love for our newsletter to belong to all of our members, and be something you look forward to reading. If you would like to submit your writing, events, or ideas to the newsletter, email them to info@responsibledrillingalliance.org.
BJ: Speaking of exciting - you have a first-time-ever life event coming up on Tuesday, May 20, when your name will be on the Democratic party primary ballot as a candidate for City Council. Why did you choose to run, and if elected, what do you believe is the single most important thing you will offer to the city of Williamsport?
AL: My campaign slogan is April Listens. That’s a slogan, yes, but it’s also a promise. I love to listen and to learn, and I love to solve hard problems. I’ve learned a ton in the eight or so weeks I’ve been listening, which allows me to understand how to take decisive action. I have been a leader in business and in my community for as long as I’ve been an adult.
When I am elected to Williamsport city council, I look forward to putting all of those skills to service of my neighbors, friends, and family of choice who call Williamsport home.