By Caroline Pufalt
We know the Sierra Club from the ground up. We read the local newsletter, attend a local outing, learn about state legislative issues and gather information on national environmental issues to help out at that level. We vote for group and chapter volunteer leaders in Missouri. We all have the option of voting for the Club’s National Board of Directors too.
But the Club has 750,000 some members and it operates on the national, regional and even international scene. There are campaigns, committees and task forces that fall between the national and local level. How do we all communicate, make decisions and take action? Sometimes it is not easy, but one entity that helps is called the Council of Club leaders.
Briefly the Council of Club Leaders (CCL) is made up of a representative from each chapter in the Sierra Club and a member from the Sierra Club Student Coalition. The CCL functions as the official communication link between the chapters and the Club’s National Board of Directors. The CCL meets once a year, usually in September in San Francisco in a joint session with the National Board of Directors. In addition to meeting with the Board of Directors the CCL meets separately and considers a variety of measures affecting chapters and groups as well as national level issues within the Club.
Each chapter selects a delegate to attend CCL, it is often but not always the chapter chair. Our chapter chair, Jim Turner is our delegate. But Jim’s schedule kept him from attending this year and instead, Cheryl Hammond, chapter executive committee member, attended for the Missouri chapter. It was at the Sept 2007 CCL meeting that the Missouri chapter’s resolution regarding Sustainable Life Choices was adopted. See page 1 for article re sustainable living. Evaluating resolutions regarding conservation related issues is only one task the CCL completes. It also considers issues regarding Club finances at the national and local level. For example it might advise Club staff on what tools would help local level treasurers. It advocates for improvements in technology and communications to address chapter and group needs. It helps resolve problems that arise. The CCL advises the National Board of Directors on Club operations and direction. To learn more about the CCL, visit their website at:
http://clubhouse.sierraclub.org/people/committees/council