Send in nominations by September 15th! The Sierra Club is a volunteer-led environmental advocacy organization with entities at the national, state, and local level with the mission of “Explore, Enjoy & Protect.” Each entity is governed by an Executive Committee of members elected for their commitment to protecting our planet, and willingness to collaborate within our organization to make a difference.
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. In addition, the Chapter ExCom sets and manages the Chapter budget and hires the Chapter Director. The ExComs meet monthly and participate in annual leadership retreats. Sierra Club members in good standing are eligible to run.
This fall, three of the six at-large seats on the Maryland Chapter ExCom are up for election for two-year terms. If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) to run as an at-large candidate for the Chapter ExCom, contact Chapter Nominations Committee Chair Michael Brandt (240-281-3208) or michael.brandt@mdsierra.org
Roughly half of the seats on the ExComs of the local Sierra Club Groups will also be up for election this fall for two-year terms. If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) to run for your local Group ExCom, please contact the following chairs of the Group Nominations Committees:
- Anne Arundel Group: Deirdre Suddeth deirdre.suddeth@gmail.com
- Catoctin Group (Carroll & Frederick Counties): Kerri Hesley, kerri.hesley@mdsierra.org
- Greater Baltimore Group (Baltimore City & County; Harford County): Rich Norling, rich.norling@mdsierra.org,
- Howard Group: Aria Ma, ariaa.ma07@gmail.com
- Lower Eastern Shore Group (Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester Counties): nominations@mdsierra.org
- Montgomery County Group: Carrie Witkop, carriewitkop@gmail.com
- Prince George’s Group: Kathy Bartolomeo, kbartolo30@gmail.com
- Southern Maryland (Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s Counties): Julia Nichols, juliamargaretnichols@gmail.com
- Washington County Group: Lorraine Blaydes, blaydeslh@aol.com.
Note: Maryland members who are not in one of the active Groups above may still run for the Chapter ExCom.
Send in a Nomination by September 15th if You Would Like to Serve
The deadline for receipt of nominations for Chapter or Group Executive Committees is September 15th. (The deadline for submission of names for petition candidates is October 7 in most cases. Specifically, it is 2 weeks after their Chapter or Group nominating committee submits names of the nominees to the relevant ExCom.)
Candidates must submit to the relevant Nominations Committee their contact information and a statement of no more than 250 words total that addresses these three questions:
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What would you like to accomplish as an Executive Committee member?
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What skills, experience and/or new ideas will you bring to the Executive Committee?
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How will your role on the Executive Committee reflect diversity? (Diversity can include ethnicity, age, regions within Maryland, affiliations with under-represented groups, etc.)
The election will be held via electronic ballot (and for those without email, paper ballot) from November 1 – December 6, 2024.
More Volunteer Opportunities
The Maryland Chapter’s issue committees develop policy recommendations, educate the public, and advocate for legislation on issues such as energy, moving beyond gas, natural places, pesticides, public health, water, and zero waste. The Chapter also has committees for outings, membership engagement, diversity, fundraising, legislation, and to vet candidates for election endorsements. Unlike many other environmental groups, much of the work in the Sierra Club is done by volunteers, supported by a small number of our incredible, hardworking staff.
The local Sierra Club Groups have similar committees that operate on the county or municipal level and collaborate with the Chapter on state-wide campaigns. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Groups, click here to access your Group website, or contact the chairs of the Group Nominations Committees (listed above) by email to schedule a phone call.