The Sierra Club Ohio Chapter held its annual retreat at Deer Creek State Park on January 27th and 28th, 2018. This year was particularly notable, as the Ohio Chapter is celebrating 50 years! The two day event consists of 2017 highlights, focused breakout sessions, a dinner and keynote speaker, and 2018 goals and planning.
Saturday morning was kicked off with a chance for each conservation committee to highlight victories from 2017. The Water Committee highlighted the capacity of the Water Sentinel Program, the Connect the Dots Training, many stewardship events, and the Fellowship Program. The Energy Committee spoke about the progress in Cleveland on the Ready for 100 campaign, as well as updates on other Ready for 100 efforts around the state. They also highlighted work with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and federal and state level focuses. The Nuclear Committee covered efforts at Davis-Besse and Perry, among others. They also included information on radioactive waste and the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The Pipelines and Moving Beyond Dirty Fuels Committee highlighted their massive presence across the state including presentations, press hits, an interactive pipeline map, and a lawsuit. They also noted their growing partnerships and participation as they build a movement. The Transportation Committee spoke about the Volkswagen Settlement, National Drive Electric Week, the Eastern Corridor Project, and the Three Foot Rule victory. Forests and Public Lands discussed the Bioblitz in Shawnee State Park, as well as their work in Wayne National Forest. There was also a legislative update given to the group.
Above: Conservation victories presentation.
Participants were then able to join a hike before two groups of breakout sessions were offered. The first included sessions on Ready for 100, using social media to engage new people, the 411 on 401s, and PAC fundraising for your Sierra Club Group. After attending the session of their choice, the next round of break out sessions offered the topics climate reality, engaging new communities, Sierra Club Student Coalition, and messaging. These sessions offered a chance for participants to engage with staff and volunteer leaders to gain more focused knowledge.
Top: Students enjoy the rainy afternoon hike. Bottom: Participants attend a breakout session covering messaging.
The evening was concluded with a dinner and program. The first speaker was Treasurer Enid Nagel, who highlighted the 50th year celebration. Enid spoke about the history and founding of the Ohio Chapter, as well as paid tribute to past chapter chairs that have helped lead throughout the years.
Below: Past Ohio Chapter Chairs
Our keynote speaker for the evening was Sierra Club President Loren Blackford. She spoke about the difficult climate we currently face, and how to tackle all that entails. Finally, the evening was closed with volunteer awards, and a slideshow documenting members exploring and enjoying the planet over the past year.
Top: Transportation Committee Chair Akshai Singh recives an award. Bottom: Sierra Club President Loren Blackford speaks.
The focus of Sunday was committee planning for the year ahead. Participants chose a committee of interest, and committee chairs and staff lead planning sessions to prioritize goals, discuss challenges, and assign tasks for the upcoming year. This is a vital part of the weekend, and allows participants to directly steer and engage in the work that will be focused on. Participants come from all over the state, and this offers a chance for productive planning to occur in person.
Kevin Barnet highlighted an important takeaway he gained from the retreat by writing “Using electromagnetic technology to view the invisible emissions of a pipeline compressor station is just one of many eye-opening experiences I had at the Ohio Sierra Club retreat last weekend, which celebrated the club’s 50th anniversary. It was an honor to attend the retreat and meet the people, many of whom are volunteers, who fight to make sure our air and water are clean and safe. They are the watchdogs for our environment. The Ohio Sierra Club’s Herculean effort to spread information is made even more admirable when you consider the uninformed and disdainful tone of President Trump’s administration toward environmental issues."
If you are interested in working with a specific committee, please sign up to volunteer under the Get Involved tab.