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2009 Election Candidate Forum:
The Questions

Please comment on the question of the Club engaging in business partnerships, including the Club's recent experience in cause-related marketing with Clorox Greenworks line of household cleaning products?

Boldman, Lane

I have listened very carefully regarding this issue. The fact that the Club has had business partnerships for many years is true: We accept advertising in Sierra Magazine and I, like many thousands of members, hold a Sierra Club affinity credit card that donates to the Club. What I think made the GreenWorks relationship different was the specific parent company involved. Some partnerships have a greater propensity for controversy. This was such a case. Perception can be reality to the public. GreenWorks was a successful product, but the question is: were there other options that did not risk our credibility as much? Had the parent company been Seventh Generation or other well-known eco-company, not Clorox, would the concern be the same? The Club hit an uncomfortable line with this one and lesson learned is that we need to place higher attention to these questions and associated risks.

Gibson, Laurence

Our greatest asset is our good name, Sierra Club. The moment folks can say that we were bought, by anybody, no matter how “clean,” we lose that exalted status we’ve enjoyed for so many years. We become the Consumer’s Digest instead of the Consumer’s Reports.  We become a commercial enterprise.

Mann, Robin

Particularly compelling and convincing to me in reaching a decision on Greenworks was the affordability of the products -- offering us the opportunity to engage more consumers in ‘buying green’.  Early results showing an increased market share for all green cleaning products were affirming.  Equally positive is the opening of an opportunity to prod Clorox into recycling its Brita filters in the U.S.  Generally, my view is that business partnerships can enable the Club to advance our conservation goals through promoting responsible corporate behavior, while augmenting the declining non-tax-deductible revenues from contributions.  We need to be smart about how we do this.  The need for a better-defined process for screening potential marketing arrangements was made clear in the initial evaluation of the Greenworks decision.  More importantly, development of a new business partnerships policy, informed by Club-wide input, will clarify what principles should guide the Club in considering any future opportunities.

Morris, Frank

I believe the Sierra Club/Clorox deal was a big mistake.  What’s next?  Marlboro roles out a line of organic cigarettes and partners with Sierra Club???  The strength of the Sierra Club is its members, and many members that I speak to were very upset with the Clorox deal.  Considering this, was the Clorox deal really worth the money?

Reyes, Rafael

Shifting to a pro-active, solutions oriented approach requires supporting rapidly scalable solutions.  GreenWorks cleaning products are exceptional: low environmental impact compared to conventional toxic alternatives, cost comparable to conventional cleaners, and the scale of the market – some 20,000 stores carry GreenWorks.  While there are other good products, unfortunately they are much more expensive and in far fewer stores – making them inaccessible to most Americans.

I am proud that the Sierra Club, after careful analysis, is helping introduce this product to Americans so their homes will be safer.  The Sierra Club benefits through the cause-marketing arrangement which is appropriate.  Use of the Sierra Club brand is an asset to GreenWorks. Supporting solutions is never totally perfect – solar power, electric cars, and GreenWorks too have room for improvement in production or the companies but it is essential to support the best solutions available if we are going to protect the planet.

Scott, David

The Sierra Club's good name and reputation are one of its most valuable assets.  I will protect     them.  When decisions are made about whether to associate the Club with a business, it is essential that we have clear guidelines and standards that members can find easily and a clear decision-making process that's rigorously followed.  I'm trying to make sure that happens.  I agreed to serve on a task force that's looking at standards used by similar organizations, examining the Club's existing standards and processes, surveying members for their input  and preparing recommendations for the Board.

Business partnerships can have real value.  There is an environmental benefit in promoting genuinely sustainable products, and the Club has received substantial revenue from business partnerships for years -- Sierra Club affinity credit cards are one prime example.  Those funds support our work.   But  we need a clear decision-making process with rigorous standards.

Warshaw, Chris

Managed properly, business partnerships could play a vital role in the years ahead.  These partnerships will help grow the market for green products and expose the Sierra Club to a new generation of green consumers. However, we should carefully review potential partners to make sure that their products support the mission of the Sierra Club.  We should also gather feedback from Sierra Club members to make sure they support new potential partnerships.  After we decide to embark on a new partnership, we should establish a committee of staff and volunteers to determine potential ways to leverage the partnership to build the Sierra Club and grow the market for green products.

Wheeler, Phil

Business partnerships, carefully chosen, can benefit the Club financially and in its ability to influence industrial organizations to become more green in their practices and products: Both can be key assets in attaining our environmental goals. Choosing to do cause-related marketing with Clorox has created angst within the Club – as shown by the Council of Club Leaders’ motion opposing this partnership in the September annual meeting: Such grassroots input must be considered by the Board and its task forces.

In April a Green Works Contract Review Task Force was appointed; based on its report the Board extended the Club’s Clorox arrangement through 2009. In July a broader Business Partnerships Task Force was appointed, charged with completing its work in early 2009. As a Board candidate who may soon deliberate on these matters I believe it is wise to hear the report of this task force before locking in a position.