We are looking for candidates for two open positions on the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter Executive Committee!
- Treasurer
- Outings Chair
Sierra Club members in good standing are eligible for these positions on the Maryland Chapter ExCom, which are for a one-year term through the end of 2025. See more information and the job descriptions below.
About the Chapter ExCom
The Sierra Club is a volunteer-led, national environmental advocacy organization with entities at the national, state, and local level. Each entity is governed by an Executive Committee of members elected for their interest in protecting our environment, organizational and leadership abilities, and desire to make a difference. Unlike many other environmental groups, most of the work in the Sierra Club is done by volunteers, supported by a small number of paid staff.
The Maryland Chapter and local Group Executive Committees (“ExComs”) set priorities; pursue environmental objectives; organize a program of outings, educational and activist events; recruit and communicate with members; endorse political candidates; and raise funds, in accordance with Sierra Club policies and bylaws. The Chapter ExCom sets and manages the Chapter budget and hires the Chapter director. The ExComs meet monthly and participate in annual leadership retreats.
Position Descriptions
Treasurer
Candidates for the treasurer position do not need to currently be on the Chapter ExCom or any Group ExCom. If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) please contact Gary Young, gary.young@mdsierra.org by January 31, 2025.
Purpose of Position
- To provide oversight of the finances for all Chapter entities (Chapter, Groups, Activity Sections, ICOs and PACs).
- To communicate and promote adherence to all Sierra Club policies and procedures that relate to grants, investments, tax issues, insurance, contracts, legal services, contract employees, hiring staff, and political regulatory compliance.
- To communicate changes in financial policies and procedures to volunteers and staff.
- To serve as the liaison between the Chapter and its entities and the Finance Department regarding all financial matters.
Responsibilities
- Complete and submit the following year-end financial reports: Consolidated, Chapter-only, Group, Activity Section, ICO, and PAC, as necessary. Ensure that revenues and expenses for the Chapter and its entities are organized in the format defined by the Finance Department.
- Report the Chapter’s financial status to the Executive Committee at least quarterly. Ensure that financial decisions are recorded accurately in meeting minutes and financial data are available for review. Enable a review of the year-end reports for the Chapter and its entities. Submit the results of the review to the Executive Committee for approval.
- Review invoices and other payment requests for accuracy, obtain approval for payment, and pay invoices promptly. Deposit receipts and reconcile bank statements monthly. Ensure that Foundation grants and restricted funds are spent in accordance with donor restrictions and that all expenditures are documented.
- Prepare annual budget and regularly compare financial transactions to the approved budget. The Treasurer may work with the ExCom in developing the budget, or give the outgoing ExCom a report of receipts and expenditures for the concluding fiscal year and anticipated receipts for the upcoming fiscal year.
- Oversee the financial records of each of the Chapter’s entities. Ensure that entities record their income and expenses in accordance with national guidelines. Ensure that all treasurers are aware of the scope of their responsibilities.
- Obtain business licenses, sales or resale tax permits, and postal permits as needed. Ensure that items with tax implications, other regulatory compliance, or legal matters are properly handled. Pay sales tax and personal property tax as required by the state and/or city.
Outings Chair
Do you love to explore the outdoors and help others do the same? We'd love you to be our next Sierra Club Chapter Outings Chair!
This is a volunteer position, see more details below. Please submit your letter of interest by January 31, 2025 to Gary Young at gary.young@mdsierra.org.
Purpose of Position
The Chapter Outings Chair provides leadership, direction, and oversight to the chapter outings program, as well as the outings programs of local groups and sections. The Chapter Outings Chair works to make outdoor activities an integrated and vital element of chapter efforts.
Responsibilities
- Maintain current Sierra Club membership.
- Implement the practices outlined in the Outings Leaders Trainings (OLT) and all national and local Club policies and procedures that pertain to the chapter's outings program(s).
- Ensure all local chapter, group, and section outings are run in accordance with Club policies and procedures.
- Manage and minimize the risks of local outings programs.
- Maintain training and first aid certification requirements for outings leaders, and ensure active leaders meet these requirements.
- Maintain communication with Group Outings Chairs and Activity Section Chairs. Relay information to and from national staff and volunteers as necessary.
- Encourage the creation of new outings programs in those groups where programs do not currently exist.
- Maintain the chapter outings approval process.
- Coordinate scheduling, planning, and publication requirements of chapter outings as required by local chapter and national policies.
- Work with leaders to integrate conservation issues into the outings program whenever possible.
- Maintain recordings as required by the chapter and/or national staff.
- Establish at least a nominal budget for postage, phone calls, etc.
- Delegate tasks to group outings chairs, activity section chairs, and others as necessary.
- Explore and implement practices to increase the accessibility of our outings program for underrepresented populations including communities of color, low income communities, households without access to a vehicle, and people with disabilities.