Make Illinois Greener - Volunteer with Sierra Club!
There are a million and one ways to get involved with Sierra Club. We're tackling climate change, protecting the wild parts of Illinois and keeping our lakes and rivers clean. But we can't do it alone — we need your help! No matter if you just have an afternoon to spare or want to become involved with one of our campaigns, your skills are needed and passion for the environment is welcomed. Fill out our survey for personalized opportunities and more details!
- Fill out the Volunteer Interest Survey
- Check your inbox for a follow up email!
- If you prefer a phone call or a text, please indicate that in the survey.
- View our welcome packet here.
Our most successful volunteers have the following traits:
- Self-starters: they propose ideas and work to make them happen. When they get stuck, they ask for help!
- Reliable: while your volunteering is done in your free time, we need to be able to count on you to be able to include you!
- Strong sense of equity and justice: they use the Jemez principles to guide their work and work inclusively
- Politically minded: they know the environment is more than just trash clean up, it's about policies
We're looking for people to fill some specific roles in our organization. Below are specific volunteer roles we're hoping to fill.
Lobby Team Application
The Sierra Club's Lobby Team works to build local relationships with state representatives and senators in the Illinois General Assembly. It was created on the premise that we have the most power to improve our everyday environment when we advocate at the state and local level. The stronger our relationships are with legislators, the more likely they are to consider, support, and even champion environmental initiatives. Members of the Lobby Team meet with each of their legislators once a year to speak on behalf of the Sierra Club. Potential Lobby Team members must be able to commit to a one and a half hour training webinar and a daylong issues briefing. Join us as we work to advocate for a cleaner environment, justice for communities most impacted by pollution, and a better future for Illinois. Apply here.
Youth Activist Team
The Youth Activist Team is an all-volunteer state-wide group within the Illinois Sierra Club Chapter comprising of young activists below 26. The Youth Activist Team looks to build an atmosphere for young people to share their experiences within environmental spaces as well as meet each other. While also working towards broader Sierra Club campaigns such as the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
We also strive to give opportunities to young activists to build connections and resumes within the environmental movement. Allowing for the future leaders of this movement to have their fist stepping stones.
How to get plugged in:
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sierrailteens/
GroupMe: https://groupme.com/join_group/66705186/8XuNf9pv
Volunteer Media Team
An attack to our environment can come at any time and any place. We're building a volunteer media team in Illinois to rapidly respond to any threats to the environment here in Illinois. We're looking for volunteers with strong written and verbal communications skills and who are willing to learn about the most important environmental issues in our state. We meet virtually on Wednesdays at 1pm. Contact Peter Chung and Hannah Flath to learn more.