Its election time again! We are pleased to announce we have four candidates running for the opportunity to fill one of the five vacant positions on the Piasa Palisades Group Executive Committee. Incumbents Amitie Flynn and Chris Krusa as well as members Sara Lyons and Susan Murray are seeking election. The board positions are a term of two years and the committee works hard to set policy and make other important decisions for the group. Please participate in the democratic process and show your support for our group leaders by voting. A ballot can be found below, and is due in the Alton office by Thursday, December 31, 2015. Ballots will also be available and accepted at the December 14th Speaker Series.
Chris Krusa
After I retired from 30 years service in US Government maritime labor and training programs, I volunteered for work with the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Maryland and lobbied there for legislation to reduce greenhouse emissions. Since my wife Lorraine and I moved to Glen Carbon from Maryland in the summer of 2007, I have enjoyed the activities and camaraderie of the Sierra Club. I have an abiding interest in protecting the environment and promoting the climate protection goals of the Sierra Club—reducing carbon emissions in particular. My primary activity as Executive Committee member has been promoting the establishment of the Cool Cities program in Metro East. I established Glen Carbon as a Cool City and assisted residents in Edwardsville and Granite City in like efforts which bore fruit. I have also represented the Piasa Palisades Group at Sierra Club Chapter meetings and in local Group political activities in the last year’s election. In addition, I worked the past year as Program Chair to provide meaningful and interesting presenters for the Group’s monthly programs and related activities. I am also a member of the Metro East Green Alliance subcommittee to fight dirty coal. Your continued support is appreciated.
Amitie Flynn
Born and raised in Jerseyville and now a resident of Alton, I feel fortunate to be a part of the incredible community of environmental stewards and nature enthusiasts in our Piasa Palisades region. I became involved with the Sierra Club about 6 years ago when my “favorite” professor (Wayne P.) introduced me to our organization. I had just interned with National Great Rivers Research and Ed Center, an experience which encouraged me to develop a deeper sense of place, and love and respect for our environment and our region's natural history. Since then I've had the pleasure of being part the ExComm, Community Cultivators board (Discovery Garden and Grassroots Grocery), working for the Sierra Club and 1 Mississippi, and volunteering, collaborating, and organizing alongside many of the outstanding non-profits in our community. During down time, my happy place is outdoors recreating on local waterways, playing in the woods, gardening, or relaxing with a local brew while staring at the evening sky. I hope to continue my work as an elected member of the ExComm; organizing events, improving our communications, promoting activism, and most of all helping to foster a sense of place, educating, and nurturing a love for the environment among others.
Susan Murray
Early this year I joined the Sierra Club, hoping to help preserve and protect the outdoors so future generations could have the same experiences I have valued. Now I find myself running for the Executive Committee. While new to the club, I believe that my experiences and training will enable me to continue the tradition of offering fun and interesting outings. My interest in the outdoors began with family camping. Later, backpacking became a big part of my life—my husband and I became engaged on a backpacking trip to the River of No Return Wilderness Area in Idaho. When we didn’t backpack we often went north, sometimes chartering an airplane to drop us in the Canadian wilderness with our canoe, backpacks, maps and compass. I have shared my love of the outdoors through teaching at Becoming an Outdoorswoman programs and becoming a Leave No Trace instructor. My 25 years as adult education manager with the Girl Scouts included developing outdoors courses and taught me organization skills. I would welcome the opportunity to become the Sierra Club outings director and develop activities to help members learn about, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.
Sarah Lyons
My name is Sarah Lyons and I've lived in the Riverbend my entire life. Being a long-time devoted observer, lover and protector of nature, it would be a genuine honor for me to serve on the Executive Committee of the Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club. I've been a member of the Sierra Club for over 10 years and have greatly enjoyed participating in and volunteering for events, contributing in whatever way I could. My favorites have been the Mississippi Earthtones Festival, Earthday Fest, and river clean-ups, and I look forward to being involved with more. I am excited and ready for an opportunity to take on a more active and proactive role in accomplishing & furthering the mission(s) of Sierra Club, as well as my personal mission to be a steward of the land, the planet as a whole. A little more about me: Growing up on the river, I feel a personal connection with it and the life and culture it has and continues to support and nurture. I'm an avid kayaker, hiker, camper and lover of all things nature. My favorite place to visit is still Yosemite National Park, and its surrounding forests. I greatly appreciate your consideration for a position on the Executive Committee.
Right-click on the image below, print, fill out, and return to the address on the ballot.
