by Diane Albright
The idea for this article has been rattling around in my brain for the past nine months, like a persistent pest. The word, volunteer, popped in one day and then refused to leave. It occurred during one of those non-defining moments. As mundane as the moment was, however, the significance of the topic was the sort that can sit you on your seat.
That reflective moment was followed by more as I thought about the years I had been a Sierra Club member and what I had observed and experienced in three states and three Groups. It is a treat to witness the Club’s vitality due to volunteers and their talents. Take the volunteers away and you have an organizational name with a slogan, mission, goal and vision statement, but that is all – not much happens. Add the people and the organization begins to roll.
The Sierra Club started as a group of outdoor enthusiasts. By October 2001, the total U.S. membership was 746,224. By the time you read this, the number is expected to exceed 750,000. Today there are 480 paid positions of which 398 are full time staff. Despite the fact the Club is predominately made up of volunteers, it continues to be the premier environmental organization. Competent environmentalists continue to rise from the ranks of its volunteers. Volunteers fight environmental battles every day.
I distinguish between participants and volunteer activists by saying that all volunteer activists are participants, but not all participants are volunteer activists. The Sierra Club needs all levels of involvement, but essential to its function are the volunteers. It is only after much time spent participating and then volunteering that I have begun to recognize what it takes to have a organization like the Sierra Club. How different my life would be and how different the country I live in would be without the efforts of the Sierra Club volunteers.
Why do people join and then become volunteers? Is it the pay? Don’t think so...there isn’t any pay. Is it the fact they have nothing else to do with their time? Doubt that…most are very busy people. Is it because they have limitless energy? Oh, yeah! Is it the fame and prestige garnered? That will be the day! Is it because they have no social life? No, that happens only after they volunteer their free time away.
I think the reasons for volunteering vary for each individual, but don’t include any of the above reasons. I joined to spend time in the outdoors. Now, why I stayed and became a volunteer is another tale. Suffice it to say that I believe my high school Government teacher would be proud that I have become a more conscientious U.S. citizen: a direct result of my association with the Sierra Club. The “Unwise” Use movement probably wishes I had stayed uninformed and unmotivated. Meanwhile, I sleep better knowing that I belong to an organization that works for clean air and water, healthy forests, rivers, soil, deserts, plains, and these benefits don’t exclude unwise people who think differently.
What goes on behind the scenes for something as seemingly simple as leading a hike is really a time consuming ordeal. Volunteers donate their time to locate an area, set aside the day and plan for participants’ safety. The outing may require the leader to scout the area prior to the event. Phone calls with the participants are another time commitment. Without participants there would be no need for outings, so everyone has a part.
Volunteers give their time to issues, forming special interest groups or committees. Recently, I had the opportunity to observe how generously volunteers gave of their time, expertise and resources. They did it with a pleasant attitude, too, despite hectic work schedules. They work on Sierra Club issues in the evenings and weekends, and on occasion use their vacation time. Researching issues, organizing meetings and preparing presentations require dedication. Frequently, volunteers are up against special interest groups with deep pockets, full-time staff and/or agencies that again have full-time staff and bureaucratic procedures. The odds can be daunting. These are the folks that inspire me.
The Groups and Chapters function because volunteers agree to serve on the Executive Committees (Excoms). I have served on Excoms in two different states, so I can speak in a limited way about them. The tasks aren’t flashy: often it is tedious day to day activities of keeping the organization running as smoothly as is possible. Then there are the crisis and policy questions. As a direct result of having functional Executive Committees, other volunteers can pursue the important conservation issues.
At another level of volunteering is the person that attends state, regional and national activities. Some costs are covered at the regional and national level, but state and regional meetings aren’t and these are paid for out of pocket by the volunteers. In an organization that was founded on volunteer input, the traditions can only remain as long as people are willing to step forward.
Next time you participate in a Sierra activity, take a moment to think about all the volunteer effort that went into making it happen. These days, I’m convinced that volunteers are the Sierra Club’s most valuable resource.