by Jim Turner, Chapter Chair
As a delegate to the Sierra Club's Council of Club Leaders in September 2010, I heard Michael Brune and Carl Pope make statements on strategy. By then it was apparent that the fossil fuel industries were effectively blocking federal policy changes that would reduce their economic dominance. So Brune and Pope said the Club will need to exert ourselves on work at grassroots and state chapter levels, to rally the people power that is needed. And since then, the Club has been establishing processes for our Chapters to participate more effectively in national Club tactics. This February, Brune announced an important development in Club strategy. Since 1970, organized labor has supported our work on legislation for clean air and water. In recent years, in our Blue- Green Alliance, labor unions and the Club have combined efforts toward more green energy jobs. At its February meeting the Club's Board of Directors approved a strategy to support federal and state legislation that supports labor unions' vigor, so that the unions can continue to be effective advocates for our common interests. On Friday, Feb 25, the Club released this statement of policy to guide chapter activists: “Union members and environmentalists share a common vision of creating healthy, safe, prosperous communities across America.Together, our movement fights for policies that ensure clean air, water and lands, and decent wages, health care, and a secure retirement for working families.” This policy is right for our times! We have seen that Governor Walker's proposed bill threatens the interest of workers and of environmentalists. The bill would authorize the governor to privatize some electric power plants owned by the Wisconsin state government.Who will doubt that the Koch brothers are likely beneficiaries of that? Organized labor and the Sierra Club have a common foe - the Koch brothers and their kind who would cripple government so that it can protect neither the middle class nor the environment.
Missouri Chapter leaders find ourselves well positioned to help advance this national Club policy. Our Chapter Director John Hickey has many years of experience as director for a coalition of progressive organizations, including organized labor.
On another topic, long-time Missouri Sierrans remember that in earlier years the Club funded regional Sierran Conservation Committees. Those committees provided important arenas for development of leaders who in due course stepped up to leadership in national Club committees. The good news is that the Club has awarded a grant to support chapters of the Midwest to send delegates to a conference at Chicago in May. Conservation Chair Cheryl Hammond and I will attend the conference.
Finally, I can also report that beginning on March 23, Michael Brune will host a series of quarterly phone conferences for Chapter Chairs and Council of Club Leaders' delegates from each chapter. It will provide a good way for local ideas to rise to the attention of the folks “inside the San Francisco beltway”! Let me remind you that, notwithstanding the growing help from the national Club, Missouri Chapter's effectiveness will depend upon your vigorous donations and investment of time in our work!