Question 5

The role of the Sierra Club Board is unique among nonprofit boards generally in that we are elected and guide an organization substantially volunteer led in collaboration with an extensive professional staff. The role of the Board is to both represent and lead the membership in partnership with the staff. To have both oversight and be engaged.

I bring to this a long career of working in non-profits with very substantial roles for volunteer leaders. Having served in all levels of staff from entry level to Executive Director and in between. That has necessitated working directly with non-profit boards. Within the Sierra Club I’ve long filled the corresponding role of volunteer leader. Also, in my six-year term as the Grassroots Network liaison to the Board I was present and participating regularly in Board discussions so I bring an acquaintance with the Sierra Club Board that is of unique advantage, having viewed the Board up close while retaining an outsider’s perspective.

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.

The Board makes governance decisions. The staff puts those decisions into action. That can be a tangled mess. It’s important that the Board focus on high-level strategy and policy, rather than trying to micromanage the Executive Director. But it’s equally important that the Executive Director answers to the Board, and the Board answers to the volunteer leadership.

The most important thing that I bring to this task is experience. I served on the Board in the aughts, working with Carl Pope during the late George W. Bush and early Obama years. I served on the Board Executive Committee when Carl announced he would step down and we selected Mike Brune as the new Executive Director.

The additional value I bring is a decade of critical distance. I know how the Sierra Club works, but am not invested in the current internal disagreements. I think it will be helpful to add a Board member who understands the Club’s culture and values, but can ask “Wait. What are we really arguing about right now?”

As someone who has been in the role of a nonprofit Board of Directors for over 20 years, I view the role with the utmost respect and as a role of accountability, transparency, honesty, and fiduciary responsibility.

I bring over 20 years experience of non profit experience as a Board Chair, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. I have also held roles as Audit Committee member.

Like other Boards, the Sierra Club Board of Directors has an important role in safeguarding the financial health of the organization. However, the unique responsibility of a Sierra Club Board Director accompanies immense, grassroots volunteer power. Sierra Club Board Directors have a unique responsibility to balance typical organization priorities—fundraising and budgeting—with the unique asset of having one of the largest volunteer bases of any organization. In particular, the Sierra Club Board of Directors must create and monitor systems that enable and empower volunteer infrastructure.

As a Group Chair, a Chapter Executive Committee member, and a volunteer with the grassroots network, I have developed strong connections with staff and volunteers at every level of the Club structure. Through this work, I have demonstrable experience in building relationships and bringing people together. During a time when many feel the organization is fractured, or at least under tension, uniting the Club is the most important goal for a Board Director.

Furthermore, as an environmental organization, I also believe that the Sierra Club has a responsibility to pursue the most up-to-date and holistic scientific information in its advocacy. As a scientist, I would bring to our organization a keen attention to detail and a prioritization of data.

The role of Board members is to act in such a way so the good of the organization is uppermost in mind and guides all decision making. By taking their charge seriously, Board members enable the organization to run as a well-oiled machine. A working knowledge of nonprofit structure, bylaws, procedures and also limitations, is necessary. Trust among all entities is built only if those at the top are acting with honesty, integrity, civility and transparency. It is imperative that Board members keep their finger on the pulse of the organization by actively engaging, being present and approachable. The negative impacts which arise with the appearance of a conflict of interest or act of malfeasance, may cause great harm to the organization, especially if checks and balances are not in place and there is not sufficient accountability.

Since my high school days as a student council officer, I have served on several nonprofit boards, mostly advocating for environmental causes. I have gained much experience through my roles as president, vice president, secretary, programs coordinator and also as a founding member of 2 environmental nonprofits which are currently functioning. I have attended various nonprofit workshops which enhanced my understanding of grant writing and the functions and roles nonprofits play in our society. My experience leads me to be honest as I share the realities of sitting on boards which, while very rewarding, can also be stressful. Being on a board requires flexibility and the ability to work with others.

The Sierra Club Board of Directors is the governing body for the organization, setting and guiding policy, overseeing staff and volunteer activities, ensuring sound fiscal management, and working closely with the Executive Director to implement the priorities we collectively set.

I had the honor of being elected to the Board in 2021 and was promoted by my colleagues to the Executive Committee in the position of Board Secretary in both 2022 and 2023. In this capacity, I work closely with President Allison Chin (and previously President Ramon Cruz) setting agendas, ensuring meetings are productive, participatory and reflect the priorities of the organization to advance our critical work.

I dedicate a significant portion of my time to the Sierra Club Board and bring deep environmental policy and governance experience to the Board from my previous work in local government and community organizing.

I have previous national Board experience as one of the founding members of Local Progress. And I have experience as a Board Director for governing bodies including Clean Power Alliance, Southern California Association of Governments, Metro Expo Line Construction Authority, Mobile Source Reduction Committee, Westside Cities Council of Governments, as well as grassroots groups like Bike Culver City, my local neighborhood association, and Transition Culver City.

These experiences have helped me develop critical skills that make a good Board Member: listening to constituents, collaborative policymaking, good governance, organizational management, fiscal responsibility, budget oversight, running productive meetings with respectful dialogue, and showing up!