Solidarity — from Ohio to Wisconsin

The Rally to Save Ohio's Middle Class was in full swing on the steps and lawn of the State Capitol in Columbus when I arrived to join Sierra Club's contingent. It was a bright sunny day, and the boisterous and energized crowd — Reuters estimated 5,000 people — was in full throat against the legislative assault on public sector workers.

A wonderfully rich cross section of Ohioans — teachers, firefighters, corrections officers, steelworkers, utility workers, just to name a few, were gathered in solidarity. Mary Kay Henry, president of SEIU, preceded me at the podium and gave a shout out to the Sierra Club for our support of workers. She told me before I went on how compelling the Club's message of support across the country has been. 

[There I am at the rally — thanks to MacKenzie Bailey for the photo.]

The crowd's reception was great and folks in the crowd afterwards nodded approval as Teresa McHugh led us through carrying a "Sierra Club Stands with Workers" poster. It's inspiring to know our Ohio Chapter leadership has joined the battle for public sector bargaining rights in earnest, while at the same time mounting a counteroffensive on the assault on state parks and the defunding of the environmental protection and natural resources agencies. A new bill to drill in Ohio state parks was just introduced today. Go get 'em, Ohio Chapter! You rock!

Below is the message I delivered to the crowd on behalf of Sierra Club.

(Someone suggested I include this joke that's been making the rounds on Facebook, but I didn't get the email until after the speech. So I'm going to include it here:

A public union employee, a tea party activist, and a CEO are sitting at a table with a plate of a dozen cookies in the middle of it. The CEO takes 11 cookies, turns to the tea partier and says, 'Watch out for that union guy. He wants a piece of your cookie.)

---

I am proud to stand with you today, on behalf of the Sierra Club, the nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization, and a proud, founding member of the BlueGreen Alliance of labor and environmentalists.

We are 14 million strong and we are mad!

I am here to show our support for Ohio's workers. In the last several days, thousands of our members have turned out and joined rallies like this one — in Wisconsin, Indiana, Washington, Georgia, Maryland, our nation's capital — showing our solidarity with our brothers and sisters everywhere confronting the orchestrated assault on working families.

Sierra Club has a proud history of working with labor to establish workplace safeguards and demanding workplace safety and protection from toxics exposure. Speaking in the wake of a battle with Shell Oil in 1973 over refinery workers' exposure to toxic chemicals, then Sierra Club Executive Director Mike McCloskey said: "The environmental movement can only succeed if it can find ways to advance its cause that are consistent with the other legitimate goals of our people, and job security is paramount among these. Environmental protection cannot come at the cost of social justice, and conversely, progress toward social justice will become ephemeral if it is earned at the price of a healthful environment."

Nothing has changed about that basic premise. What has changed is the redistribution of power and wealth in this country into the hands and pockets of corporate polluters. And they are driving a very destructive agenda — destructive to working families, destructive to good jobs, destructive to basic protections from pollution and destructive of our future.

The BlueGreen Alliance is in the forefront of the resistance to corporate polluters working to reverse worker protections and environmental safeguards. BlueGreen Alliance leaders came together a few days ago to decry the legislative assaults on the freedom to form unions and bargain for better lives.

They recognized the importance of negotiating safer, healthier workplaces and connected this fight with attacks on the EPA’s authority to regulate pollution under the Clean Air Act.

As Sierra Club's Executive Director Mike Brune said, "These attacks on workers, the attacks on the EPA’s ability to protect our land, water, air and health — they are all coming from the same place: corporations and their political allies. We can’t stand down now. We have to fight together as union members and environmentalists to protect our rights, to protect our families and to protect our environment. These rights are fundamental to our democracy."

(See United We Stand for Solutions for more.)

Here in Ohio the corporate polluters' destructive agenda includes taking away the basic rights of public sector workers, slashing the funding for the state Environmental Protection Agency and drilling in Ohio's state parks. We demand that state government protect the health and well being of working people and our communities and require the corporate sector to pay their share.

When Ohio ran out of funds to support safety and permit oversight of coal mining last year, coal companies refused to pay their fair share in fees to do business. Instead, they pressed the state to take the costs of doing business out of the worker’s compensation fund for miners who suffer black lung disease. What kind of corporate responsibility is that?

We can't let big corporate polluters use their influence and power to trample the rights of working people, pollute without penalty and degrade our parks and public lands. We need to join together to build a movement for a stronger, more equitable, healthy and clean future.

United, we can stop the corporate polluters from ramming through their destructive agenda.

United, we can save the middle class.

United, we can take back our future.

It is not about fighting over the scraps that corporate polluters would leave us. It's about working together to build a larger pie by moving America beyond reliance on dirty and dangerous energy, and the stranglehold of the corporate polluters, creating millions of clean energy jobs in our communities.

It's about moving America towards a prosperous future, with the good jobs our communities need, and an economy that works for all.

Sierra Club stands proudly with Ohio's Municipal Parks employees, with state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency employees, with all of Ohio's workers.

We are here with you, we have been with you, and we will be with you every step of the way.

[Thanks to the Transport Workers Union for this photo.]

-- Robin Mann

Letter from Austin

I'm heading to Austin this week for the Sierra Club board meeting, and I want to let you know about some opportunities and Club news: upcoming conference calls, including an Open House I'm hosting next Monday, lots of activity in our natural gas reform fight, plus the nomination committee is seeking new members.

Upcoming Conference Calls

• February 21 (Monday) — Open House with Robin Mann

5 pm Pacific / 6 pm Mountain / 7 pm Central / 8 pm Eastern
Call: 866-501-6174 — code: 1892-005#

Join me for an update from the board meeting in Austin. I'll leave plenty of time for questions.

I'll be joined by Amber Harris from CoolBiz Albuquerque, who I met at the recent Good Jobs Green Jobs Conference in Washington, D.C. She will share her experience with creating a local project reaching out to businesses to reduce their energy use and carbon emissions, a great model others may want to try. (We've uploaded two documents from CoolBiz Albuquerque on Clubhouse.)

• February 28 (Monday) — Energy Policy Amendments Discussion

5 pm Pacific / 6 pm Mountain / 7 pm Central / 8 pm Eastern
Call: 866-501-6174 — code: 1892-005#

Join Dave Scott, vice president for Conservation, Dick Fiddler, Task Force chair, and Bruce Hamilton, deputy executive director for discussion on proposed changes. Read the introduction and proposed amendments and submit your comments.

• March 1 (and every other Tuesday) — Energy Activists Call
5:30 pm Pacific / 6:30 pm Mountain / 7:30 pm Central / 8:30 pm Eastern
Call: 866-501-6174 — code: 2239223#

Sign up to be added to the Energy Activists email lists and get the most up-to date and time sensitive information on the Club's work on Capitol Hill on climate and energy issues.


• March 2 (Wednesday) — Resilient Habitats Campaign Monthly Call

5 pm Pacific / 6 pm Mountain / 7 pm Central / 8 pm Eastern

866-501-6174 — 2000 802 1892#

I also encourage you to sign up for ReNew, the Resilient Habitats newsletter, an excellent way to stay informed about our work to protect wildlife and wild places in the face of climate change and other threats.

Check the conference call schedule in Clubhouse for updates.

New Natural Gas Reform Staff, Plus Gasland House Parties

I'm pleased to welcome Deb Nardone as the Sierra Club's first national Natural Gas Reform Campaign Director. She will direct a national campaign aimed at getting the natural gas industry to fully protect our water, air, wildlife, open spaces, and communities. She comes to the Sierra Club from the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and has been a leader in protecting watersheds throughout Pennsylvania from unsound development and industrial activity.

Based in State College, Pennsylvania, Nardone will oversee the Club's aggressive campaign to support strong federal and state safeguards against the threats posed by the natural gas industry and hydraulic fracturing, a.k.a. hydrofracking.

On a related note, the Hydrofracking Team is hosting more than 40 house parties screening the Oscar-nominated documentary Gasland. Sign up to attend or host a Gasland House Party, and/or join the Hydrofracking Team.

Seeking Applicants for Nominating Committee for 2012 Board Election

We have three vacancies on the Nominating Committee, one of the most important jobs in the Club, which selects a slate of at least seven nominated candidates for election to the Board of Directors every year. Serving on the "NomCom" involves a substantial commitment of time and attention, but it is also gratifying and enlightening work. Experienced leaders are encouraged to apply. 

Please supply the following information to me by February 28, 2011:

A. Statement of Intent: why you are inspired to serve in this capacity (150 words max)
B. Brief Bio (150 words max)
C. Summary of Sierra Club experience
D. Two references (including phone number and email address)

More information here.

Hope to "see" you at the Open House on Monday.

—Robin Mann, Sierra Club president

P.S. Sign the Petition to Protect our Health from Polluter Attacks!

Polluting corporations are working hard to derail EPA safeguards, putting their profits above our health. Be part of our new Stop Polluters Campaign — we are going to hand deliver a petition with 100,000 signatures to get the White House's attention. We need Obama to stand strong when it comes to our familiies' health.

No One Said Clean Energy Would Be Easy — a Memo on Ivanpah from Robin Mann and Michael Brune

No one said that clean energy would be easy.

After much deliberation, the Board of Directors made a difficult decision this week not to try to block BrightSource Energy's Ivanpah solar project in the Mojave Desert.

Club volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly to reconfigure Ivanpah in a way that would do the least harm to the desert tortoise and the surrounding ecosystem. Unfortunately Brightsource is moving forward with a plan that causes unnecessary harm to species. 

The Board of Directors has decided not to pursue litigation at this time. This battle has already been costly, and we must now rely on the federal agencies to require that Brightsource come around, so that we can focus our resources and attention to making sure that future large-scale renewable energy projects are built in a more responsible manner. We will continue to work with the Interior Department and Brightsource to improve the project in any way we can.

The Sierra Club remains deeply committed to moving America off of dirty energy quickly and responsibly, and that will include building large-scale renewable energy projects in the smartest way possible — by eliminating or minimizing harm to wildlife and natural resources.

Because the Sierra Club has a long history of protecting wildlife and public lands, as well as a record of winning fights against dirty energy, we are in a unique position to make sure clean energy projects are built responsibly. We are also in a tough position; we urgently need to get clean energy up to scale, and that means we will face more difficult decisions about where to put large renewable projects. 

There are solutions to this conflict. As we showed with our proposed reconfiguration of Ivanpah, there is a way to balance clean energy development with the protection of our wildlife and natural resources.

We thank all of the volunteers and staff members who have dedicated years — and tears — to the Ivanpah fight. There will be more battles ahead, and we hope we can count on you to lead us to clean energy solutions.

The Ivanpah project has received occasional media attention over the past few months and will likely receive more. You can find our approved talking points in Clubhouse.

But please note that we are the only official Club spokespeople on this issue, along with Clean Energy Solutions Senior Representative Barb Boyle. Please direct any inquiries you may receive to Senior Press Secretary Kristina Johnson at (415) 977-5619.

Onward,

Robin Mann, Sierra Club President
Michael Brune, Sierra Club Executive Director

Meet Me on Monday

In my first letter to you as Sierra Club president, I want to flag some important upcoming opportunities and to invite your participation in the upcoming Club-wide call I'm hosting with Gulf Coast leaders on June 28.

Demanding a New Direction

I write as the terrible BP disaster continues to envelop the Gulf and Gulf Coast communities. We are calling on the Obama administration to rise to this challenge, to stop new offshore drilling and to set the country on a course to get off of oil in 20 years. I hope we can generate a great turnout to the Hands Across the Sand events on June 26, sending a message of solidarity to Gulf Coast communities and sending a resounding call on Washington to end dependence on offshore oil.

In more than 500 communities across the globe we'll join hands at 11 am to create a line in the sand against offshore drilling. Find events in your area.

We are also awaiting news this week as to whether the disaster will have compelled U.S. Senate leaders to summon the political courage to put forward the climate and energy legislation the country needs.

 

Plant a Flag for Our Freedom from Oil

I urge you as well to join one of the Sierra Club's largest visual displays ever as we call for our  Freedom from Oil this Independence Day.

Plant a virtual flag on our website and we'll recreate the scene in Washington DC with 10,000 American flags spelling out 'Freedom from Oil' right in front of the Washington Monument —just days before July 4 — where Congress and the White House are sure to notice.

Plant a flag for our Freedom from Oil — tell President Obama we need a plan to get us off oil in twenty years.

Meet Me on Monday for Open House Conference Call

I'm hosting an Open House conference call on Monday, June 28, at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific and I'll be joined by some of our Gulf Coast volunteer leaders and staff, who will talk about their efforts to respond to the BP disaster.

We will also hear a brief recap of the recent clean energy victory in Nebraska from chapter leaders.

I hope you can join me too.

Call 1-866-501-6174 -- 1892-005. RSVP here.

— Robin Mann

P.S. I also want to share with you first-person reports from last week's Resilient Habitat Lobby. Eleven citizen lobbyists from eight states visited more than eighty Congressional and Senate offices.

All Hands on Deck!

[ Clean It Up Rally — New Orleans, your community | Good Jobs, Green Jobs | Awards | Open House ]

It’s been a pretty intense few weeks, folks, and there’s a lot more to do. I join Michael Brune and Sarah Hodgdon in a call for all hands on deck.

On the Go

I am just back from attending the Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference with 3,000 labor, environmental, and business leaders. The Club delegation included volunteers and staff from around the country, including 140 inspiring youth from Building Bridges to the Outdoors and Sierra Student Coalition. It was a jam-packed and stimulating two days of talks, workshops, and networking to address policies, investments, and innovative strategies to transition America to a clean energy economy with good green jobs at the scale and speed required…now.

Speaking of now, I am about to head to New Orleans to join our volunteers and staff for a Clean It Up Rally to support those living on the gulf. It’s a travesty that it takes a BP oil disaster to wake people up. Offshore drilling is risky, dirty, and dangerous. This kind of accident can happen anywhere drilling takes place. We need to clean up the Gulf Coast and clean up America’s energy. Thank you to all who are organizing and supporting events around the country, in solidarity with our folks and the communities in the Gulf Coast.

(If you're in or near New Orleans this weekend, please join me. The rally is at noon in Lafayette Square Park. RSVP here.)

You don't have to live in Louisiana to help. All across the country, Club members and supporters are hosting "Clean It Up!" events to call for full accountability for BP and a clean energy future.

You can too. If you can gather 5 to 10 friends, we'll provide materials and media coverage.

Sign up to host an event here, and find the Clean It Up Toolkit here.

New Board Directors to be Seated on May 15

Congratulations to Donna Buell (Iowa), Jim Dougherty (D.C.), and Jared Duval (Connecticut) for their election to the Board of Directors. Robbie Cox and I appreciate being re-elected and look forward to serving you! Next week’s Board meeting (May 12-15) in San Francisco starts with an orientation, transitions to an offsite retreat, and culminates with a formal session that includes the seating of new directors and election of officers.

Awards, Awards, Awards

Director Dave Scott and I had the pleasure of attending the Employee Recognition Celebration on April 29th. Those of you who know these individuals will not be surprised to learn that the following staff were honored by their peers:

• Community Service — Julian Fisher, Communications
• Virginia Ferguson — Glen Besa, Virginnia Chapter Director
• Behind the Scenes Hero — Tim Guilfoile, Deputy Director for Water Sentinels
• Special Achievement — Brittany Mckee, Regional Rep for Military Families Outdoors Youth Program
• Larry Melhaff for Excellence — David Willet, Deputy Director of Communications

Recognition for 20 Years of Service went to:

• Barbara Josepher, Atlantic Chapter Coordinator
• James McCaffrey, Massachusetts Chapter Director 
• Yolanda Fortuna, Director of Member Services 
• Julia Reitan, Director of Office of Volunteer and Activist Services

More here.

A reminder: Sierra Club National Awards deadline is right around the corner — June 1. Please, take a minute to submit a nomination.

Open House Call on Monday, May 10

I look forward to having you join me for conversation on the BP oil disaster, our Clean It Up Campaign, Green Jobs, and more. It's at 5 pm Pacific/6 pm Mountain/7 pm Central/8 pm Eastern.

Call 1-866-501-6174 -- 1892-005. RSVP here.

Here's the full schedule of Monday conference calls.

— Allison Chin

P.S. If you’ve got a few minutes, I encourage you to check out the creative competition for the Best Internship on Earth. It's inspiring and fun.

Environmental Heroes

The Sierra Club is rich with so many people doing so much good work. Remember to celebrate those activists and your victories!

Sierra Club National Awards

Who are your environmental heroes? Nominations are now open to honor leaders in over 23 categories with a National Award. Is it someone who has provided distinguished service to the chapter? An outings leader? Outstanding support for environmental issues by a government official? A legal eagle?

Please, take a minute to submit a nomination www.sierraclub.org/awards. Deadline: June 1.

State and Local Victories Tracker

A Victories Tracker database was launched earlier this year. Check it out to learn about exciting wins throughout the Club — http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/chapters/tracker/. Take a moment to share and boast about your successes, too!

Countdown to Earth Day

Two weeks to the 40th anniversary of Earth Day! Make your green pledge for Earth Day either online — http://www.sierraclub.org/earthday/sweepstakes/ — or through the new Sierra Club iPhone application — http://www.sierraclub.org/ecohero/

Be part of the Earth Day Revolution — http://www.earthdayrevolution.com:

1. Sign the Declaration of Energy Independence.
2. Contact your senator — by phone, in person, or online.
3. Write a letter to your local newspaper.
4. Tell your friends and networks.

Offshore Oil Drilling Talking Points

On last Monday's Open House call, one volunteer leader asked about the Club's response to President Obama's offshore drilling plans.

"We're very disappointed," said new Club Executive Director Michael Brune, "to see important areas like the Arctic coast and the Mid and South Atlantic stay open to oil drilling."

Here's our press release and talking points. Spread the word.

New Thon Policy Approved

On its March 18, 2010 teleconference, the Board of Directors unanimously approved a new Thon Policy, which replaces the Interim Thon Policy enacted during the September 2009 Board meeting in San Francisco.

The Thon policy applies to Club-sponsored activities that take place in the outdoors in which participants travel largely on their own by walking, hiking, running, biking, etc. These activities are not traditional "outings" in which participants travel outdoors and are led by an outings leader. The text of the new policy can be found here with the scope of applicable activities, procedures for its implementation, references and appropriate forms.

The Board thanks all Club leaders who provided input during the development of this new policy — and particularly appreciates the manner in which the Thon Task Force approached their charge and worked to develop a robust process to support club leaders.

Help Wanted

• The Communications and Information Technology Team seeks members to help us better understand both how technology is used by the Club today and how it can be better used to empower members, activists, and leaders.
• The Business Partnerships Team seeks members to help move the clean and green economy forward, and build new strategic partnerships with businesses.

For other volunteer opportunities, see the Activist Network Matchmaker Project — it's not a dating site, but it's a place for volunteers seeking opportunities to get connected with teams seeking volunteers. You could end up helping out with a xeriscape tour in Southern California or serving as communications guru for the Stop Sewage Overflow Team. Looking for some volunteers to help you with a project of your own? You can post your own "ad" here.

—Allison

P.S. For those of you who plan in advance, I'll be hosting an Open House on May 3 at
5 pm Pacific | 6 pm Mountain | 7 pm Central | 8 pm Eastern. Call 1-866-501-6174 -- 1892-005. RSVP here.

Here's the full schedule of Monday conference calls.

Power To Change: Importance of Relationships

New Executive Director On The Job!

Michael Brune’s first week on the job was, not surprisingly, packed – introductions, staff meeting, briefings, conference call with Club leaders, donor meetings, and more briefings. He has emphasized the importance of developing, enhancing and advancing relationships -- which is so fundamental to who we are and how we achieve the Club’s mission. Michael may have been sleepless in San Francisco before his first day, but I bet he slept well after his first week!

Countdown to Earth Day

As the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, a lot of outreach and activities are unfolding. The Sierra Club joined with over forty other groups to call on the U.S. Senate to take swift action on clean energy and climate change. Events were held around the country to launch Earth Day Revolution on March 11, including one in which I participated at the Capitol, to kick off 40 days of action. I am sure that many of you are busy planning local events.

Leaders signed up to host over 600 house parties to launch the Discovery Channels new series LIFE, which follows up on the successful Planet Earth series.

Don’t forget, if you’re 18 to 25 years old, or encourage others to apply for “The Best Internship on Earth” -- eight weeks outdoors with the Club’s youth programs. The deadline is fast approaching on March 31.

Clean Ports

The Teamsters helped form the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports with the Sierra Club and over 100 other environmental and community groups around the country to come up with a comprehensive solution to the environmental, safety and labor challenges associated with port trucking. Earlier this week I urged congressional leaders for their support on clean port truck legislation, along with Dick Gephardt and our friends and allies from the Teamsters (President James P. Hoffa and Vice President /Director of Ports Fred Potter), Los Angeles Ports community (Mayor Antonio Villaraigos and LA truck drivers Jose and Rudy), Change to Win (Nick Wiener). Our Angeles, Bay, New Jersey and Cascade chapters’ campaigns on clean ports were highlighted.

Board of Directors' Memorial Resolution Noting the Passing of Dr. Edgar Wayburn

Over the past couple weeks board members, past and present, have shared reflections on how Dr. Wayburn inspired, befriended, and mentored them. The Sierra Club Board of Directors notes with sadness, honor, and awe the passing of our dear friend and Honorary President Edgar Wayburn on March 5, 2010 at the grand age of 103.

Board Meeting Highlights & March 1 Open House/Conference Call

The Board of Directors convened its first meeting of 2010 last week. (A complete agenda and compendium of board materials is on Clubhouse and available prior to each board meeting.) 

As usual, we had a very full agenda with two days of working sessions preceding the formal meeting, a joint session with The Sierra Club Foundation Board of Directors, and evening events with local leaders and supporters. There were also some reflective moments, as the Board remembered and celebrated three Sierra Club heroes that we lost in recent months: past Director Ellen Winchester (1929-2009), Sierra Club staff member A. Blakeman “Blake” Early (1945-2010), and Deputy Executive Director Greg Haegele (1963-2010).

Here are some of the highlights of the weekend. Thanks to Director Lane Boldman and Joey Shadowen for the photos.

Sierra Club Florida Leadership

One of the key reasons for choosing to meet in Sarasota, Florida was so that directors could spend some time with Florida Chapter leaders. Members of the Steering Committee and Group Advisory Council (pictured below) had their own meetings in parallel, and met with the Board on Friday. They reported good progress in rebuilding and managing statewide Sierra Club functions in Florida. The commitment of these leaders to work together as a team and strengthen channels of communication among the members is notable.

(from left to right) Frank Jackalone, Tom Larson, Craig Diamond, Debbie Matthews, Linda Jones, John Swingle, Rudy Scheffer, and Linda Bremer, (Marian Ryan and Betsy Grass also present, off screen to the right)

Press Conference for Protection of Florida Panther

The timing couldn’t have been better. Directors were able to join local leaders for a press conference to announce a lawsuit by five conservation groups (Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, and the Council for Civic Associations) against U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for repeated failure to protect and its refusal to designate critical habitat for the endangered Florida panther.

Lunch and Dinner Receptions

Presentations were made during a lunch and a couple dinner receptions to ever so briefly touch on some of the local conservation efforts, including the Red Tide Campaign, Resilient Everglades Habitat, partnership with Florikan, a leader in sustainable, controlled release fertilization products and practices and, of course, panther protection. The receptions were also opportunities to express appreciation to leaders (volunteers and staff), donors and supporters of the Club. Carl was presented with a wonderful photo commemorating the “Hands Across the Sand” event that took place on February 13, in which Sierra Club members participated with some 2,500 activists to line up along the beaches of Florida and join hands to protest offshore drilling.

Joint Session of Sierra Club and Foundation Boards

About twice a year the Sierra Club and Foundation Boards coordinate their respective meetings for the same weekend and set aside a few hours to convene in joint session. This meeting we covered a range of topics, including an update on the Executive Direction Transition Process that is underway (Michael Brune starts on March 15), a presentation from John Hutchison (Chairman of the Board for the John Muir Trust in Scotland -- more on this in a future Power to Change), and an update on Outcomes Based Management from Conservation Director Sarah Hodgdon and Larry Keeshan from the Foundation Board. The joint session was capped off by an inspiring report from Camilla Feibelman, Conservation staff and Evalexa Tomei, chapter vice chair, in celebration of the Puerto Rico Chapter’s fifth anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Puerto Rico colleagues!

 

More Reflective Moments: A Toast to Carl Pope!

The Board passed a Resolution of Appreciation for Carl Pope and his leadership for the Sierra Club as Executive Director.  Although this was Carl's last meeting as executive director, Board members look forward to an ongoing partnership with him in his new role as Chairman of the Sierra Club, beginning March 15. Sarah Hodgdon and Michael Brune, incoming executive director, join in the toast. 

Open House Call Monday March 1

Join me on Monday, March 1, at 8 pm Eastern/5 pm Pacific for a conference call to talk about these and other topics covered in the Board meeting. Questions welcome. Call 866-501-6174 — 1892-005. RSVP here.

On March 8, the conference call will be a guided tour of the Activist Network. I'll be hosting an Open House again on first Monday in April and May.

Meet New Executive Director Michael Brune

As you know, a year ago Carl announced plans to step down from his position as executive director of the Sierra Club after eighteen years of service, and hand the leadership of the organization over to someone new.

Our dedicated search team, working with an executive search firm, has spent the past year looking high and low for a stellar, talented leader to take the helm at this exciting moment when the Sierra Club’s strong work is more critically important than ever.

We were blessed to have a very strong set of applicants for the position, and I am thrilled to inform you that Michael Brune will be the Sierra Club's next executive director.

Mike comes to the Sierra Club from Rainforest Action Network (RAN), where he has served as executive director for seven years and gained a reputation as "a hard-nosed activist with a twist." Mike led a winning campaign at age 26 to convince Home Depot to stop selling wood from endangered forests. Time magazine called that victory "the top environmental story of 1999." Under Mike's leadership, RAN won more than a dozen landmark commitments from America's largest corporations, including Citi, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Kinko’s, Boise Cascade, and Lowe’s.

We are extremely lucky too that, after 18 years as executive director, Carl will continue to support the Sierra Club by providing strategic guidance and assisting with fundraising and media outreach.

As executive director, Mike will guide our remarkable staff and help to implement the visionary policies adopted by the all-volunteer Board of Directors. Hitting the ground running, Mike will oversee the key components of the Climate Recovery Partnership: directing Club efforts to move America into a clean energy future by advocating for the end of coal-fired electricity, supporting market growth for clean energy alternatives, pushing for economic sanctions against greenhouse gas-intense energy, transitioning the nation to a green transportation system, and protecting habitats and communities against inevitable climate change.

This is a critical time for the environmental movement. The coming years will present us with tremendous challenges as we face the threat of global warming. But in recent years we’ve stopped more than one hundred coal fired power plants, protected millions of acres of open space, and helped move our economy towards green jobs and cleaner transportation. Working together, we have the power, resourcefulness, and creativity to make a huge impact.

Mike is exactly what the Sierra Club and the environmental movement need right now. Mike has the rare combination of activist fire, managerial savvy, and crystal-clear vision to lead the Club through the most critical period in our history.

Mike’s first official day will be in mid-March.  Please join me in welcoming Mike to the Sierra Club. You can get to know Mike and send him a welcome note at www.sierraclub.org/ED .

Sincerely,

Allison Chin
President, Board of Directors

Resolve to Make a Difference

Reflections...

Happy New Year! I enjoyed reading about your 2009 accomplishments. If you have not had a chance to check it out, take a moment to watch the video or hop around the interactive map to and enjoy some of the stories that describe Sierra Club successes in 2009. I know this is just a snippet of what happened, so I encourage you to celebrate (and brag) about 2009 Success Stories.

…and Resolutions

Are we really only two weeks into the new year? There is so much going on. I do want to bring your attention to some opportunities that need support and board projects that will benefit from your input:

Call to Action on Clean Energy and Climate — Tonight, Jan 12, 8:30 pm Eastern:
Call: 866.501.6174 — Code: 223 9223

Learn how you can help press for strong climate legislation.

Become a Climate Leader — Wednesday, Jan 13, 5:30-9:30 pm Eastern

Weekly, on Wednesdays, leaders from around the country make calls to support the Climate Bill…from the comforts of home! Sign up now. 

Seeking Comments...

We have two proposed policies we're seeking your input on:

• Proposed Utility Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policy
  Deadline for comments is Feb 8, 2010.
• Proposed Thons Policy
  Deadline for comments is Feb 20, 2010.

2010 Elections

Has your chapter endorsed a candidate? Check out all the Sierra Club endorsements at http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/politics/endorsements/default.aspx. Contact your political committee to find out how you can help. Get Out the Vote!