July 29, 2023
Celebrate Elaine's 42 Years of Service
Say Thank You, Elaine, with Your Donation to the Kansas Chapter.
By Mimi Moffat, Kansas Chapter Vice-Chair
Kansas Chapter Chair Elaine Giessel will receive the Sierra Club’s 2023 Volunteer Service Award, which honors Sierra Club volunteers for strong and consistent commitment to the environment or the Club over an extended period of time.
She is the most respected leader in the Kansas chapter, but if you ask Elaine Giessel why she has been a Sierra Club activist for more than 40 years, she would say she doesn’t do it for recognition. And although she has fulfilled with distinction various executive roles in the Lone Star and Kansas chapters, she would say she didn’t join Sierra Club to be an administrator.
So what’s her answer? We have an amazing planet of incredible beauty and diversity but there is no Planet B. She has long-standing relationships with leaders in our adjacent county, the second-poorest in the state with the worst health outcomes.
Her passion is guided by science and commitment to the fundamental values of Sierra Club, to enjoy, explore, and protect our environment. Here are just a few examples of her contributions.
She led the development of a chapter policy in response to legislation permitting inhumane coyote hunting. She spent dozens of hours analyzing the more than 200-page draft state water plan and made specific constructive suggestions for improvement. She and her late husband Richard Voss literally dug in on the Great Prairie Dog Rescue to relocate 500 prairie dogs to prevent the poisoning of their colony.
Our long-time conservation chair, she surrendered the title when she became chapter chair, but she is truly our leader in conservation. She embodies the spirit of the Sierra Club, a long-time member who has remained true to our tradition of enjoying the outdoors yet embraces our definition of environmental justice to include social justice.
Can you give us $42 to continue our environmental advocacy? Please, Honor Elaine with a donation to say thank you for her 42 years of smart, dedicated service to the Sierra Club. If you prefer, send a check to Sierra Club Kansas Chapter, P. O. Box 11415, Overland Park, Kansas 66207-1415.