Below you will find a simple ballot for the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club's election of three At-Large members of the Executive Committee. Please vote for three of the five members whose Sierra biographies are listed alphabetically below. All of these candidates have served the Chapter and the national Sierra Club as active, contributing volunteers. Read their statements carefully and then vote. If you have questions about the process, please call the Election Committee Chair, Donna Cave 301-932-7249 (home) or email her at DonnaCave@aol.com.
Pete Givan
I joined the Sierra Club back in 1987 during the Reagan years. The fact is that I joined several environmental organizations in the hopes of finding one that I felt could effectively fight the onslaught of the administration. Some had nice magazines and others presented moderate points of view that I really didn't agree with. The Sierra Club offered a mechanism that allowed me, along with the other members, to have substantive input into our goals, our policies and our message. It is because of this that I let my other memberships expire; a decision that I have never regretted.
Recently, I was appointed as the Conservation Chair for the Chapter as the successor to Larry Bohlen. This is a role that I enjoy, not for the excitement and notoriety, but for the strategy, the organization and the mentoring that is required. One of the unwritten rules associated with an organization such as ours is to search for your successor starting from day one. But, to do that, we need an effective training program.
My priority for 1999 is to put together several workshops and training sessions that will introduce our potential activists to issues that are important to us all. I have three in the early planning stages now; water quality, transportation solutions and forest management. The purpose of these forums is to train new activists and to identify new leaders for the Conservation Committee.
My long time association with the Sierra Club brings a lot of history and skill that is essential on the Executive Committee. In addition, I feel that it is imperative that members of the ExCom accept an active role on at least one of the standing committees. Finally, it is essential that the Sierra Club leadership assumes the responsibility of mentor for new leaders.
As a member of the Executive Committee, my priority will be reaching out to our members for their input and involvement in the Conservation Committee. The success of our organization is dependent on new and fresh ideas, new skills and new outlooks. I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year.
Jon Robinson
I have filled many volunteer roles for the Sierra Club. I am currently chair of the Prince George's Group and have been a member at large of the Maryland Chapter Executive Committee for many years. I am a delegate from the Maryland Chapter to the Appalachian Regional Conservation Committee, and to the National Council of Club Leaders. I was a petition candidate for the Sierra Club National Board in the 1998. My many years of experience with the Maryland Chapter allow me to provide an institutional memory and continuity to the Chapter.
I have been a leader on campaigns such as our successful Belt Woods campaign and am currently involved in the National Harbor campaign. I have worked with our attorneys on litigation. In addition I have recruited new activists at the Group level and helped move them to the Chapter level and beyond.
I have worked with the Prince George's League of Environmental Voters on their successful County Council scorecards. I have been active on both the County and State political committees. I have experience lobbying at both the County and State level.
I have helped organize events such as the Chapter Jamborees and our Prince George's Group events such as the Labor Day Festival and the Laurel Street Fair. I have organized and lead outings for the Sierra Club and other groups. I have served as a photographer for the Chapter Newsletter and for the Chapman's Forest Campaign. I have a Ph.D. in Ecology from the Univ. of Kansas 1975. This gives me a solid scientific background with which to analyze environmental issues.
The Sierra Club derives its strength from people working together. In order to protect our environment, we need to deal with the growth issue. This means educating our members, the public and the politicians about the arithmetic of growth and the difficult choices this arithmetic will require of those who want to protect the environment for the long term. The Sierra Club needs to be honest about these choices and go beyond "feel good" environmentalism. I appreciate your support and vote. Thank you.
Joe Swop
Our Chapter needs to return to the core foundation of the Sierra Club,that is,to enjoy,explore,protect and promote a public land's ethic policy.If elected,I will try to do my best,to provide a leadership role,encompassing all of our chapter's area's. As the newly appointed chapter chair for public lands,trails and species protection,we will need to look at both the small & big picture, from our backyards and a grassroots movement to the state, regional, national and global activities that may degrade our natural world.
Far too many times we have compromised away too much of our natural world,principles and core beliefs,for far too little gain,in the name of poltical,economic or popular reality(who's?).Accepting scraps at the table, just for any level of success,and expedience,should no longer be a policy.
While still working with other NGO'S (non-governmental organizations),we need to promote a self-identity,as the Maryland Chapter Sierra Club. Too often,our programs, policies, actions and membership get lost in a smorgasboard of other groups.
We need to make better use of the resource base in our membership,while increasing that base,both in numbers and activism. Team building and making good connections,with all members, groups, committees, ex-com and staff, both as individuals and collectively, should be a major goal.
I also would like to promote better coordination of the outings and conservation programs and campaigns at the group and chapter levels. I would also like to see a revised and active educational outreach program to further promote our agenda,and as a membership drive tool.
My last objective would be more outreach,to all surrounding Chapters and holding at least two get-togethers during the year.
I have been active with Sierra Club for more than 12 years and this experience has given me some insight and knowledge of most aspects of the club's policies and activities. I have served at the group level, as outings, conservation and political chair and at the chapter level on forests, wildlands,national wildlife refuge, rivers and sprawl campaigns.
If elected, I will look forward to working more closely with the Ex-Com, staff, groups and volunteers, to promote and expand the club's agenda and mission of exploring, enjoying and protecting the Earth's (and beyond) environment and natural resources, forever!! Just remember to have F(friends and family) U(united) N(naturally).
Alex Winter
I have been immersed in local politics for fifteen years. I have also been an activist in state, national, and international issues, with experience in the nuts and bolts of organizing, and the process of forging consensus. I want to be a part of getting things done that express and further our principles.
This work can be difficult, but it is greatly rewarding to work with others on projects that will make life better for everyone. Beginning in 1990 I devoted my activist energies to the preservation of Chapman Forest. Largely because of Sierra's help, preservation was achieved after long and difficult struggle. I look forward to participating in other successful campaigns by Sierra, whether or not I am elected to the Ex Comm.
Brian Parker
I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 1985 and an activist since 1992. I'm a member of the Greater Baltimore Group ExComm and an At-Large member of the Maryland Chapter ExComm. In the GB Group I've been Conservation Chair and Chair, and I'm currently group Secretary, Political Chair, and Legislative Chair. I was chapter Chair in 1997, and I'm now chapter Political Chair. I'm on the chapter Conservation Committee's Transportation Sub-committee and on the Legislative Committee. I'm particularly interested in seeing our state develop a Smart Transportation Policy to go along with "Smart Growth". I'm deeply committed to preservation of forests and wetlands and to protection of our wildlife, especially endangered species. I'm also interested in helping the Membership Committee in recruiting and training activists, and in doing leadership training.
