Get Involved! You Will Feel Better

Rick Haeseler-MO Chapter ExCom

When I lived in Connecticut years ago, I became involved in the government of the small town I lived in. Being at many committee and board meetings, I noticed that out of a population of 5500 people, only about 200 people had any involvement in the government at all. Many of the same people were involved in 2 or more committees or civic groups.

As I became actively involved in Sierra Club early last year after years of “quiet” membership as the saying goes “it was déjà vu all over again”. I went to various committee meetings and noticed many of the same people involved in multiple committees.

My best estimate is that slightly over 200 members, out of approximately 5000 Eastern Missouri Group (EMG) members, are actively involved in Sierra Club activities. I don’t mean 200 on committees; I mean 200 total including lemonade brigade, road cleanup, outings participation and general meetings attendance. Although my experience is with the EMG, I’m sure it applies throughout Missouri.

I bring up these matters because, for many environmentally concerned citizens, the last 7 years have been painful.

I found that I was becoming almost reclusive in response to my frustration. Those of you who know me will realize that I’m not the reclusive type! I finally became so frustrated that I got off the couch and started attending general meetings and then a few committee meetings. By doing this I met a number of intelligent, nice, environmentally concerned people. Just meeting and talking to similar minded people can remove some of the helpless feelings from your shoulders. It’s nice to be able to say what you’re really thinking without having the listener try to find the exit or the nearest psychiatrist.

I wonder what Missouri Sierra Club could do if, instead of 4% of our members being actively involved, 8% or 10% of us were participating.

A doubling of active participation would allow members currently on 3 or 4 committees to concentrate their efforts on 1 or 2. This is important because over-commitment leads to burnout. When burnout occurs, we often lose a valuable member from multiple committees all at once. Over-commitment also weakens the focus on the specific issues, preventing individuals and committees from effectively making progress.

A doubling of active participation might allow us to have a much greater influence on the political process. We would be able to attend, and testify at, more hearings. With higher participation, we could contact many more lawmakers regarding key issues and votes. Sierra Club would be on the minds of many more legislators.

I realize that most of us have many demands on our time that make serious involvement in a formal committee difficult; however we can become involved in other ways.

If you have an interest in a specific subject (global warming, renewable energy, wilderness, water quality etc.), but can’t attend committee meetings, you can help by doing research for a committee from your home. This may involve calling to get information or doing research on your computer, for a committee or your entire group.

Other needs might be contacting our members to ask for information including their email address and areas of interest or expertise. Frequently there is a need to let members know about an issue coming to a vote. Without their email addresses, we don’t have any way to communicate quickly with all of our members. Currently we have email addresses for less than half our members.

Cool Cities is a Sierra Club program to fight global warming. You can help form a group to get your town to join the Cool Cities program.

Another way to help is to call your friends and other members to let them know that their support is needed on a particular issue. This can be a call to request that they contact their elected officials regarding a crucial vote or an agency head regarding proposed regulations.

If you’re upset with an anti-environment legislator, volunteer to work for their opponent. That might involve stuffing mailers, making or receiving phone calls or many other activities. If you’re the social type you may want to hold a fundraiser.

Many children don’t get to know the outdoors as they grow up. Bring a child on an outing to let them experience the joys of nature. Helping a child to find an appreciation for the outdoors is a lifelong gift to the child and the environment. If your children and grandchildren see you working for a cleaner, safer environment, they won’t feel helpless.

A child who loves the environment is likely to become an adult that works to protect it.

As you can see, there are many ways you can contribute to making the world a better and healthier place through Sierra Club.

If you’re feeling the frustration I was feeling, contact a committee chair (listed in your group’s newsletter) and ask what you can do to help. When you step up and volunteer you will be helping the environment, Sierra Club and yourself.

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

• Manages the Chapter finances and budget;
• Takes care of Chapter business having to do with office, staff, and correspondence;
• Endorses political candidates after recommendations from the Chapter Political Committee;
• Ensures that the Chapter committees have • leadership; and
• Helps set the conservation direction for the Sierra Club in Missouri.
   

1. Attend chapter meetings (4 to 6 per year), and
2. Participate in email and conference call discussions.