Ever since the election of Larry Hogan, people ask me the same question ten times a day..."How is Sierra Club going to change its goals?"
I give the same answer every time... we are not changing our goals.
We are still committed to restoring the Chesapeake Bay by 2025. We are still committed to transitioning Maryland to 100% clean energy. We are committed to a frack-free Maryland. We are committed to sustainable, equitable transportation, and thriving, vibrant green communities.
But we are changing our strategy.
In campaign planning lingo, your strategy is HOW you reach your goals, and it requires a lot of research and discussion to arrive at a good strategy. Each of our conservation teams - clean water, climate/energy, natural gas - is evalating its goals, such as those laid out above, to think of new creative ways to win in this political landscape.
They key to a good strategy is to not make assumptions. We need information. About our new Governor and about our newest members of the General Assembly. This election, there was a turnout of more than 25% of the entire general assembly in Maryland. This is a great opportunity for us to educate and engage new folks. In the coming months, we will be asking many of you to help us in reaching out to these members, and the senior members, to discuss our top priorities, to learn more about them, and to help us craft a winning strategy.
As for our Governor-elect Larry Hogan, we simply don't know very much. Some of what we know gives us reason to be concerned. We know he is committed to opening Maryland to fracking, and rolling back the polluted-runoff fee. But what else do we know? Are there places we can find common ground? Or re-frame our issues in a way that he might better understand?
For example, in our research we found several statements where Larry Hogan committed to not cutting the budget of the Maryland Department of the Environment. That is something we can work with. Another volunteer pointed out his concern about the pollution coming from the Conowingo Dam. This could be starting point to find some common ground.
Additionally, we will challenge ourselves to look at how the overall landscape has changed, and to push beyond the simple ""left and right" narrative. What does the election reveal about how people are feeling? How will other organizations strategies change? Maybe someone who was an opponent last year could become an ally this year? Or vice versa. In Georgia, the Sierra Club partnered with the Tea Party to oppose a wasteful transportation bill. To be clear, I'm not advocating that we merge with the Cato institute, but to consider that political shifts can create the opportunity for non traditional alliances.
One thing that won't change in Sierra Club's strategy is our true source of power - our membership. In other words, YOU!
In fact, we will need even more citizen involvement, more local action, more grassroots lobbying, in order to win. We hope, as you reflect on the impact of this election, that you decide to become even more a part of our organization, help us craft our new strategy, or simply be ready when the request for support comes your way. Once the despair has passed and you are are done licking your wounds, get back up and join the fight. The landscape just got tougher, but our goals remain, and we need support, and your strategy, now more than ever.