Princess Washington

Princess Washington
Residence
Suisun City, CA
Nominating committee candidate
Member Since
2021
Occupation
Appointment and Advice – Kaiser Permanente
Sierra Club Leadership Positions

Chair, Solano Group of Redwood Chapter (current)

Other Leadership Positions

Mayor Pro Tem, City of Suisun City, California

Email
cessprinwashington@yahoo.com
Statement

I am deeply committed to addressing the contemporary and urgent environmental protection and social justice issues in California and am seeking your vote to increase my impact.  In Northern California, I am currently involved in a campaign opposing the controversial "California Forever" project in Solano County, which proposes to change long-standing zoning focused on preserving open space. If successful, the change would result in the depletion of vital farmland and jeopardize the integrity of endangered wildlife by developing on open space. I have been actively engaged in opposing fossil fuel exploration and pipeline construction in the Suisun Marsh, the largest brackish wetland in California, with a specific focus on preserving its pristine environment and safeguarding its delicate ecosystem.

 Advocating for sustainable transportation solutions, I vehemently oppose a recent CALTRANS proposal to widen Highway 37, recognizing the potential detrimental impact on protected wetlands. Given our proximity in the Pacific Flyway, one of the most important and largest flyways for migratory birds in North America, I advocated to mitigate bird fatalities caused by windmills in the region, including proposing the painting of one blade in black to minimize visual smear.

 Furthermore, my efforts include close collaboration with elected officials and relevant agencies to secure grants aimed at environmental protection and supporting disadvantaged communities. Extending beyond Solano County, California, to the national level, with your support, I will work toward a future that prioritizes sustainability, justice, and the well-being of our communities on a national scale.

Endorsements

Florida Chapter

Election Forum Responses

Candidates were asked ten questions to give voters more information about relevant issues. You can view the responses of all candidates to a question by clicking on the individual questions below.

Question 1

Question 1

What is the role of volunteers in the Sierra Club? What can Sierra Club do to  better ensure volunteer leaders are equitably prepared and supported sufficiently  for their roles?

The role of the volunteer within the organization of the Sierra Club is vital towards the overall success of the first ever grassroots environmental agency in the United States. It is the volunteer who is the first point of contact, the backbone, and the face of the entire of Sierra Club. The role of the volunteer is crucial, as they represent the passion and the intent of our organization. 

The best way that Sierra Club can ensure that our volunteer leaders are prepared and supported is to streamline communication. Volunteer leaders should be equipped with the proper contact in order to expedite questions, concerns, or any call to actions that may arise on the local level. This communication will start from the ground up, and through awareness will rise up through the channels.

Question 2

Question 2

Sierra Club leaders and members can often be on different sides of issues–how  would you address dissenting views like this and create a more unified Sierra  Club? 

Although dissention may arise, it is of the utmost importance that we are all aware of the unifying reasons that we come together. I find that most differences arise form miscommunication and misinformation. However, there will be times where individuals will not see eye to eye, and that too is ok. The best we can do in those circumstances is to find middle ground, and to create compromise. Having a clear understanding of the role of the organization is critical, and with no pun intended, sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees. 

By being mindful of the overall objective, cohesion can be created even in the most adverse of circumstances. The fact that Sierra Club has a 2/3 majority concept with any decision will always play a key part for forward motion and I believe that by sticking to this concept, we will always speak in unison.

Question 3

Question 3

What fundraising and budgeting ideas would you have as a Sierra Club Board  Director to make Sierra Club fiscally stronger?  

The Sierra Club has a strong name that comes with a reputation that is easily identifiable. The financial strategy seems to rely on the generosity of those who are sympathetic to our causes. While this method has proven reliable, I think we need to explore multiple streams of opportunity that can create more areas for profit margin.   

The lack of visibility of the Sierra Club at local community events has been evident since my tenure in the organization. Places such as farmers markets, municipal events, and various third-party gatherings is a missed opportunity for branding and consumer outreach. Younger generations, who will become the vast majority of supporters, are keenly unaware of us on vehicles such as social media and ad campaigns. One way this can tangibly be achieved is by the celebration of Earth Day. I would propose that this holiday become the signature event for the Sierra Club nationwide. 

Sierra Club should be hosting membership drives on a local level, and at least a yearly chapter fundraiser gala. We need to combine our efforts with others to strengthen our impact so that we can harness the resources needed for us to continue to fight the good fight. I would like to see us collaborate with popular outdoor clothing companies as their chosen non-profit partner. I would like us to offer QR codes and discount codes for popular nature retreats that involve hiking, skiing, etc. as this further collaborates the entities that we are advocating to protect. By increasing the fundraising aspect, we will then be in a better position to offer a budget for those on the local level to continue their business of growing our volunteer teams.

Question 4

Question 4

Environmental justice is core to Sierra Club’s mission. Please share one or more  examples of when you were able to cultivate relationships with EJ/frontline  communities?  

Environmental justice is the essence of the Sierra Club and the main reason this organization was started and continues to thrive. Due to my belief in this, I have been able to help mold and strengthen a new coalition called Solano Together. Solano Together is comprised of the Sierra Club, Solano County Orderly Growth, the Audubon Society, Greenbelt Alliance, and our local farming community. The goal of this is to prevent the zoning conversion of open space and agricultural land into residential development. By combining our shared vision and resources, we are strengthening our collective vision of accessible open space and environmental protection in a tangible way. 

As chair of the Solano County Sierra Club, I was able to hold a press conference expressing our opposition to conversion of open space and announce this newly formed coalition on a national stage. As the leading environmental justice group with most recognizable name, Sierra Club was the only member of the coalition that was capable of doing so.

Question 5

Question 5

How do you view the role of a nonprofit Board of Directors? What do you bring  that helps you fulfill the role of Sierra Club Board Director? 

The role of the nonprofit Board of Directors is to help navigate and create direction for the trajectory of the Sierra Club. While the Board of Directors may be at the forefront of the organization, the main objective is to incorporate the many facets of the Sierra Club into a cohesive unit in order for it to move forward. We must do our part to ensure that the various challenges and opportunities presented are handled with the best possible outcome. 

I currently serve as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Suisun City, a small city adjacent to the largest brackish marsh in the country. Due to this proximity, I am aware that my decision not only affect my residents, but a very large and delicate ecosystem. I am familiar with the various nuances and challenges that can arise through the government process, and know that although I am elected leader, I am nothing more than a public servant.

Question 6

Question 6

What do you think is the role of national staff and representatives in the affairs of  Chapter decision making?

The role of national staff and representatives is to support the choices and decisions made by the chapter ex com members and the vote of the volunteer leaders. While the staff are hired by the organization, and are able to help weigh in through their hired expertise, it is their duty to work within the discretion of the volunteer arm of the Sierra Club. I fully support this method of partnership, as I believe it stays true to the grassroot beginnings of the Sierra Club and prohibits conflicts of interest from arising. 

Checks and balances are the key for any democracy, and believe that the staff arm and the volunteer arm help maintain this balance. However, I believe it important that staff are valued, as their role is to carry out the functions of the Sierra Club that allow it to operate at its fullest potential. Since Sierra Club members are volunteers, we need engaged and present staff to stay vigilant in our blind spots.

Question 7

Question 7

 Sierra Club has faced challenges around restructuring, staffing, and finances. As  a Board Director, what actions would you take to address these challenges? 

The challenges that face the Sierra Club are not new or unfamiliar. As a legacy organization, we have to be aware that what we are facing is the natural ebb and flow that comes along with longevity. The first action I would take as a Board Director would start with our finances. By having a solid understanding of our revenues and expenditures, we would be able to formulate a solid plan on which direction we should take. By understanding our projected numbers, we can decide the best way to restructure staffing and operational costs in a way that would be a better fit for the organization as a whole. 

I do not have the exact numbers, but I read there may be a $40 million dollar deficit. While I do value staff, if necessary, we may need to restructure and consolidate the core staff roles. We may also need to develop a training and promotion for volunteers to assist in areas that may be appropriate. In the meantime, I would work with the Board for ways that we can increase our membership and donation intake to offset deficit and increase budget so that we can become more financially sound.

Question 8

Question 8

Given that Sierra Club has limited resources, what would be the specific  environmental issues and priority areas that you would focus on as a Board  Director and why? 

Due to limited resources, specific environmental issues I would focus on would be open space preservation, water protection, clean energy, and increasing protection for animal populations. These core issues are the foundation of the Sierra Club and can be expanded upon without reinventing the wheel. For example, we just celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, 1.5 million acres of public lands were conserved under President Biden, plus the cancellation of all oil & gas leases in the Arctic. These are all major recent victories that can be continued through political strategy versus head-to-head costly litigation. 

These new victories, along with countless prior ones, can be referenced and repurposed to continue to build and expand upon without the high start-up costs associated with a new frontline battle. However, these issues still require funding and we can use the positive progress as a tool to not only raise awareness, but increase our donation funding as the environmental champions who made these victories possible.

Question 9

Question 9

What do you see as the role and use of data in the Sierra Club's mission and  health, and how would you advance the goal of furthering data-informed, values driven campaigns? 

The role of data within the Sierra Club will become a lead indicator and necessary pulse identifier as we navigate our 131-year-old green group into the next 131 years. As the world becomes more technologically driven, we can use this as a way to stay in tune with our close to 4 million members in a way that could never be done before. 

I think it would be smart for the Sierra Club to develop an interactive app. Since we already have such a large membership base, it would only enhance engagement and areas of interests to be expanded upon. Areas of interests would be such things as environmental issues, calls to action, nearby open spaces to enjoy nature, upcoming events, etc. From this, we will have not only a target audience, but a focus group that we can utilized to further our collective interests.

Question 10

Question 10

How do you view the role of outings fitting into the goals and objectives for Sierra  Club?

The role of outings should be the main objective that the Sierra Club resuscitates. Not only was Sierra Club founded on this principle, I think it may be the most sustainable initiative that we have. Regardless of race, age, religion, sex, or occupation – we all inhabit and hopefully enjoy this Earth that we call home. 

Every action taken by the Sierra Club is to ensure that this human right does not become a thing of the past, and an act that every person has access to enjoy. Our goal should be to increase outings, so that members and non-members alike gain a better understanding and visceral response towards the works that the Sierra Club does to sustain our planet.