Attention all Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group members.
Please vote for the candidates running for the SEMG Executive Committee for the 2025-26 term. It is important that you vote even though there are only five candidates for five positions.
Every Sierra Club Southeast Michigan Group member in good standing can vote. The link to the ballot is here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZrml5WBwmiJELUrLs1RJzAtZz7weXKAcHKFmPeJurDIdbvQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
The ballot is will be open from October 1st, 2024 through December 1st, 2024 at the end of the day.
Elected candidates will take their positions in January of 2025.
Candidate statements about the nominees are listed below and on the SEMG Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ClubSEMG /
To vote, you need to enter your 8-digit Sierra Club Membership number which is the eight digit number above your address on the back page of The Mackinac newsletter. If you cannot locate your membership number, you may call the Michigan Chapter office at 517-484-2372 and request assistance.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Dave Richards at rodavidrich@gmail.com
CANDIDATE STATEMENT OF David Hotz
As a dedicated environmental advocate and passionate supporter of the Sierra Club’s mission, I am running for a position on the ExCom Board to help strengthen our fight for climate action, conservation, and environmental justice.
We face an unprecedented time in our world as we surpass the point of no return to limit human impact on our environment. More, now than ever, we need strong organizations who can educate the populous and advocate for all of humanity. My goal is to ensure that the Sierra Club continues to be a driving force in protecting the planet for future generations. I’m looking forward to helping boost recruitment and become a positive addition to creating a healthier and more sustainable future.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT OF Ed McArdle
Currently serving on the SEMG ex-com. also a member of the Chapter
Conservation Committee and a voting member on the Political Committee.
I think I could bring experience and knowledge of a number of state and national issues that affect our region. I am currently working on some energy and nuclear issues.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT OF Garrett Dempsey
I am the volunteer chair of the Sierra Club Detroit Inspiring Connections Outdoors and a member of the SEMG Executive Committee. My vocation is connecting youth with the outdoors so that our future generations will have a strong relationship with the natural world. I appreciate the advocacy and activism of the Sierra Club and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this work.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT OF Gerald Hasspacher
Sierra Club
Member of the Sierra Club since 2005
Co-chair of the SEMG Executive Committee
Chair of SEMG’s annual Green Cruise bicycle ride
Has given over 220 environmental presentations
Initiator of the effort to designate Belle Isle a Dark Sky Park
Member, Citizen’s Advisory Committee to the RTA since 2014
City of Warren
2009 founding member, Environmental Advisory Committee.
Greenspace / Conservation Plan Committee
Active Mobility Plan Committee
CANDIDATE STATEMENT OF Jane O'Neil
Jane ONeil has been a member of the Sierra Club since 2008, and has been working to make a contribution toward addressing climate change for many years. She has been a member of the SEMG Political Committee since 2017 and has served as chair for 2023 and 2024. She received a Sierra Club Service Award for her work with Turn Oakland County Green.
Currently ONeil is a member of the Turn Oakland County Green steering committee which is promoting and demanding action by Oakland County to address climate change. The group has engineered the hiring of a Chief Sustainability Officer, put on an Earth Day event in Royal Oak which drew a thousand people, helped
promote the recently passed transit bill, and pushed for a County Climate Action Plan and the passing of a budget for sustainability that includes three devoted staff.
At Birmingham Unitarian Church, ONeil has chaired the church Environmental Action team since 2016. Current projects include installation of solar panels and expansion of native plantings on church property.
ONeil is a member of CASE-OU, (Campus Alliance for Sustainability and the Environment) at Oakland University where she serves on the Steering Committee. CASE which interacts with the administration, faculty student body and community members on a variety of environmental issues such as preventing the destruction of an ecologically valuable marsh and resisting unnecessary new development on campus.