Volunteer Portraits: Réka Keresztesi

Réka is not an ecological expert, nor a climate change specialist, yet she is a very important person in the life of 10 Million Trees. Alongside Iván, who leads the foundation, and Franciska, who organizes the operational work, she is also a central team member and the third member of the organization’s board.

– What led you to 10 Million Trees, what was the call that made you join the organization’s work, and what tasks are you currently involved with?

Like many others, I first read Iván’s call on Facebook, which I like to refer to as the original post that brought 10 Million Trees to life. 

The text spoke to me, resonating with my strong desire to take action, as I too went through a severe climate anxiety after my daughter Emő was born.

The writing called for action: not to complain, not to lament, but to do something, and I could strongly relate to that. I volunteered to start a tree-planting group here in Verőce, where I live. I organized plantings with the Verőce community, which unfortunately has since dissolved, but I still feel unwaveringly that I must do something for this cause.

I started with organizational tasks because my work is already related to structuring tasks and process organization, and I have experience in making everything run more smoothly. 

Years ago, for example, it was still a question of how to procure saplings from nurseries, we had to assess the needs of the increasingly numerous new communities across the country, find suppliers, locate transporters, distribute the received trees to 40-50 groups, and organize the program for the day of distribution – all of this involves a lengthy process filled with a lot of organization and administration.

Meanwhile, I also got involved in organizing the foundation’s events, and then I transitioned to the area of community coordination. Currently, I am implementing my own idea, which relates to one of the most fundamental questions: keeping the community alive and motivated, which is not an easy task for an organization that spans an entire country, as creating personal meetings is more challenging than for a local organization.

I started holding monthly online meetings for our representatives, where we discuss professional questions – sometimes deepening knowledge by inviting experts – as well as topics that help newcomers understand the operation and goals of 10 Million Trees.

We have about 100 groups, so there is a great need for this. And if we have events that take place in physical spaces, such as a national meeting or the birthday of 10 Million Trees, I help with their organization and execution, and there have even been times when I cooked for the group. 

I take on every task precisely because I am not an expert, and when someone is not an expert, they can help in many ways. Since I also work from home full-time, most of my tasks are related to the back office, but if we can, my daughter and I also go to plantings.

– If someone is responsible for coordinating a national organization, they are a bit of a psychologist and a bit of a coach, as I imagine the attitudes, beliefs, and motivations of the groups and volunteers can fluctuate at times.

There is always someone who needs encouragement, and new problems keep arising… How often do you feel that trust sometimes wavers, and I’m not referring to the foundation, but in general: can we do enough, does this action really matter?

Community coordination is indeed a very important area, primarily led by our coordinator, but of course, Franciska and Iván also participate very actively in this. It is true that in many cases, we need to nurture people’s spirits and instill strength in them. It is important to communicate positively and supportively, and if there is a blockage, to think together.

Although I primarily work online, I can sense during personal meetings that talking this way is of a completely different quality: it feels better, it has a better taste. Our members are diverse, coming from various backgrounds and at different stages of life, and there are both challenging and very joyful moments.

Motivating people is not simple; we ourselves are still developing in this area, seeking ways to effectively motivate the community and involve as many people as possible. The operation of 10 Million Trees is quite unique; you cannot find another example in the country with such an organizational structure, meaning that a large, nationwide, nonprofit organization works with volunteers. It would be good to talk to others and share experiences.

– You mentioned at the beginning of the conversation that you also experienced strong climate anxiety. How do you feel about this now, and what do you recommend to those who feel similarly?

This is the most frequently asked question. We usually respond that we are “contracted” to plant trees; this is our core activity.

We are not naive; we see what is happening, and we also recognize that what we do may not be enough, but people can come to us, join in, and participate in the cause so that we can have more supporters. This is not just the issue of 10 Million Trees, but of all of us. This is the message we want to convey to the world.

Climate change is ongoing, and what will happen is unpredictable, but I do not want to turn off the lights knowing that I did nothing for change. Whether what I do is enough or not is not a deciding factor for me. I act for the sake of action itself, so I can say: I did what I could. I would encourage everyone else to do the same. I shared how I work with 10 Million Trees because I want to set an example. The tasks are many and significant; we need a lot of people, and it doesn’t matter who you are or what you are skilled at, you will find your role here.

I also live in the countryside, raising my little girl as a single mother; I could list all the things that could limit me, but one must change perspective and build action around that.
By the way, my climate anxiety is now a thing of the past, even though it was very strong, and I felt truly awful. I even sought help to alleviate it, but I can confidently say that the community of 10 Million Trees and the work done here greatly contributed to alleviating that anxiety.

For me, participation in the organization means continuous reinforcement and retention. Of course, I don’t think things are heading in the right direction just because we are planting trees, but I have come to accept that humanity and the Earth are where they are today; this is the extent of our collective global capability at this moment. I was born into this era, I must live now, and I need to find meaning and purpose under these circumstances. This is what I pass on to my child, who is well acquainted with the foundation and has good relationships with many in the team.

We are like a family or a very close-knit community here. We connect with each other not just as members of an organization, but as human beings, with all our quirks, children, families, dogs, and cats.

– What do you see as the stronger trend: are there those who drop out, or are more and more people joining, and are more people recognizing the scope and framework of the organization’s activities and its goals?

Sometimes we are surprised ourselves at how many people know about 10 Million Trees, and it is increasingly recognized in professional circles as well.

It is another question how many join us, as the two things are not necessarily directly related. Looking at the developmental cycle of any organization, there is an initial explosion where many come in, motivation is high, and then it gradually starts to melt away and stagnate.

We have moved beyond the big explosion, but of course, we still want more people to join us, which is why we are launching various campaigns, recruiting representatives, and seeking new ways to attract more members. While some smaller local groups may disappear, new ones are also being formed.

We believe that continuous work will bear fruit. In many cases, I think the key to success is not to stop what you are doing. I see that something truly embeds itself in the collective consciousness when it is continuously repeated and when the message is consistently present. The passage of time, the more years we can count behind us, the more experience we have gathered, and the awards we have received all reinforce people in the belief that if they want to join a cause, there are indeed solid foundations here.

10 Million Trees is not a flash in the pan or a fleeting thought; it is a seriously established, professionally prepared, stable community. Those who think similarly to how I initially did, saying, “Oh, I don’t understand this,” or “Oh, I’m just a stay-at-home single mom,” and so on, should draw strength from my example. For anyone who feels even the slightest urge but is still uncertain, I just want to convey that it is possible to overcome initial doubts; come, reach out to us, because you will find your place here.

Source of the article: Vulkán Literary Journal