The election is now closed. Find election results here.
The Sierra Club is grassroots, volunteer-driven environmental advocacy organization. Support the process at the local level by running for the San Francisco Bay Chapter Executive Committee or one of its local group Executive Committees.
Chapter and group Executive Committees represent Sierra Club members in deciding local conservation policy, endorsing political candidates, and administering programs and activities: essential functions that require a substantial, sustained commitment from our volunteer leadership.
2016 Candidates
Candidate statements for the Chapter Executive Committee and the Group Executive Committees are available here.
Voting Instructions
Who is eligible to vote? All members of the Sierra Club who live in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, or Marin Counties, and who were registered as a member of record in the Club database as of October 31st, are eligible to vote.
Where do I get my ballot? In late November, members of the Sierra Club who are part of the San Francisco Bay Chapter will receive a paper ballot in the Fall issue of the Yodeler, the Chapter's quarterly newspaper. Ballots will also be emailed to every Bay Chapter member (for whom we have an email address on file) on November 18th and December 8th. On November 11th, a link to the online ballot will also be available here.
You may choose to vote online or with the paper ballot. If we receive both electronic and paper ballots for the same membership number, only the electronic ballot will be counted. Instructions for correctly submitting your paper ballot are included with the Yodeler election supplement.
When can I vote? The Chapter election opens on November 11th. All ballots must be submitted by 2 pm on Friday, December 16th.
What am I voting for? Each member can vote for the Executive Committee leaders for the San Francisco Bay Chapter and the Executive Committee for their local group.
This year there are no candidates for the Delta Group Executive Committee, so if you are a member of that groups you may only vote for the Chapter Executive Committee. The Mount Diablo, Northern Alameda County, Tri-Valley, and West Contra Costa County Groups have fewer candidates than vacancies. If you are a member of one of these groups, contact your group chair to inquire about procedures to fill vacancies after the election.
- West Contra Costa Group Chair: Gabriel Quinto, (415)265-4610 or gtq2002@yahoo.com
- Tri-Valley Group Chair: Janis Kate-Turner, (925)344-6150 or janiskate@gmail.com
- Mount Diablo Group Chair: Jim Blickenstaff, (925)830-1929, jpblick@comcast.net
- Northern Alameda County Group Chair: Olga Bolotina, (510)910-4733, obolotina@presidiomba.org
- Delta Group: contact the chapter office at (510)848-0800 or info@sfbaysc.org
How do I find out what group I'm a member of? A map with approximate group boundaries can be found here. The mailing label on your print Yodeler can also tell you what group you belong to; if you are a Bay Chapter member, a three-digit number beginning with “10” should appear in the line above your name, following your eight-digit membership number. This number designates your local group: 100 = No group membership; 102 = Marin; 103 = Mount Diablo; 104 = San Francisco; 105 = Delta; 106 = West Contra Costa; 107 = Southern Alameda County; 108 = Northern Alameda County; 109 = TriValley. If you're still not sure what your group affiliation is, call the chapter office at (510)848-0800.
What is my membership number? You can find your eight-digit membership number on your membership card or on the mailing label of your print Yodeler newsletter. If you don't have a Yodeler on hand, your membership number is also printed on the mailing label of your Sierra magazine — instructions for finding it are here. If you're still not sure what your member number is, contact the Sierra Club membership office at (415)977-5653 or membership.services@sierraclub.org.
What if I have a Joint membership? Both members in a Joint membership can vote, but both members must vote in the same medium (either paper or electronic ballot). The mailing label on your print Yodeler newsletter will indicate whether your household has a single ("SNGL") or joint ("JNT") membership. If you need help finding out if you have a single or joint membership, contact the Sierra Club membership office at (415)977-5653 or membership.services@sierraclub.org.
What counts as a “spoiled” ballot? Your ballot will be considered spoiled and will not be counted if:
- You vote in the incorrect Group Executive Committee election (see above for instructions on finding your group affiliation);
- You vote for more candidates than the maximum indicated on the ballot (the ballot will tell you how many candidates you can vote for in each case);
- Your (paper) ballot is illegible; or
- You have already cast your ballot (only your first ballot will be counted; for Joint membership voting rules, see above).
What if I still have questions? If you have any questions, contact the Chapter office at (510)848-0800 between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 10 am to 2 pm on Fridays, or email the Elections Committee at elections@sfbaysc.org.
Volunteer!
We always need help counting the ballots. To volunteer to help at the ballot-counting party at the Chapter office in Berkeley, beginning at 10 am on Saturday, December 17th, contact Committee Chair Matt Morrison at elections@sfbaysc.org.
2016 Chapter Election Calendar
July 5
Nomination period opens. Petitions for candidacy available.
August 11
Deadline for candidates to be registered as Sierra Club members
Nomination Committee will begin to review candidates who have submitted their questionnaires
September 6
Nomination period closes; deadline for return of candidate questionnaires
September 26
Deadline for petition candidates
September 30
Deadline for candidate statements and photographs to be submitted (5 pm)
October 31
Date by which you need to be a member in the Club database in order to be eligible to vote
November 11
Election opens; online ballot available
December 16
Election closes; all ballots must be submitted (2 pm)
December 17
Ballots counted
Candidates contacted with election results
Questions?
Email Nominations and Elections Committee chair Matt Morrison at elections@sfbaysc.org.