It's that time of the year again! The Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter is made up of over 100,000 members and supporters, all supported by by a group of volunteer leaders on the Chapter's Executive Committee. These leaders come from all over the state and help the Chapter reach its conservation, political, and organizational goals in support of our mission. This year, we have five candidates running for three At-Large positions. Members will receive online and mailing ballots starting on December 1st. Read on below to learn about these leaders and help us pick our incoming Executive Committee members for 2020.
Voting instructions:
- Please select three out of the five candidates to serve on the Chapter's Executive Committee.
- If you have a joint or household membership, please submit two votes — one under each name.
- A voter may not cumulate votes for any candidate.
- After successfully voting, you will be redirected to the Sierra Club PA Chapter's homepage.
- If you have any questions or issues, please contact us here.
- Voting will close on December 31st.
Thomas Au
I have been a member of the Sierra Club for over 30 years. Hiking, biking, and getting outdoors helps me gain perspective on protecting our natural heritage. As the conservation chair of the Pennsylvania chapter and of the Governor Pinchot Group, I believe that strong advocacy produces needed changes. Over the past several years, I have worked on climate change, water issues, air research, coal, energy, public lands, wildlife, and oil and gas issues. We have sponsored conferences, provided training and funds, submitted comments, organized rallies, testified, and participated in face-to-face meetings with legislators. I seek to involve all members of the chapter in these activities. Our strength lies in the depth of knowledge of our members, who are willing to participate in club activities. Sierra Club has forcefully pushed for meaningful protection under the state's environmental rights amendment. Sierra Club’s message should be easy to understand and should communicate our values to public officials and the media. I served as an environmental attorney for 28 years before retiring in 2004 and becoming a more active volunteer in the Sierra Club. I try to respond to the chapter's needs -- from stuffing envelopes to picking up trash along highways. Every kind of volunteer work contributes to a healthier environment.
Xavier Care
As the Climate Justice Organizer for Make The Road PA, volunteer with Planned Parenthood, and a leader in Reading For 100, Xavier celebrates diversity & amplifies the voices of the silenced & ignored communities affected by disastrous storms like Hurricane Maria. Xavier can be found in Reading and beyond talking with the public at their doors, on our sidewalks, and in open meetings, expanding conversations on the Climate Crisis to everyone. We include those who have historically been most detrimentally affected by climate change. Xavier understands that no conversation about us, without us, is for us. He stands with community leaders in Reading, Berks County, and Pennsylvania as we work toward environmental, social, and economic justice and 100% clean energy. As a member of the Sierra Club Chapter’s Executive Committee, he commits to continue his passionate advocacy for the health of our minds, communities, and wild lands.
Dave Hemberger
I was fortunate to spend my formative years in an area that provided unrestricted access to nearby natural environments: a field, creek and woods. Spending time exploring and discovering wildlife proved crucial in establishing an enduring respect and reverence for nature. I have always felt an inner loyalty and kinship to the natural world and now seek opportunities to protect these natural places and resources. Although a Sierra Club member since 1987, my active involvement with the group and Chapter started upon my retirement in 2011. Since then I have served several roles with the Kittatinny group, including secretary, political chair, outings chair and alternate delegate to the Chapter executive committee. I currently serve as the Kittatinny group chair. At the Chapter level I serve on the personnel committee, and have been the Chapter’s political chair for the past 6 years. Solutions to our national and global environmental problems will unfortunately continue to rely upon the actions of our political leaders, who are uniquely positioned to promote solutions by enacting proactive environmental legislation. My priority will be to continue efforts to assist our 10 groups in the identification of political candidates for endorsements, ultimately filling our legislatures with “environmental champions”
Robyn Weaver
My name is Robyn Weaver and I live in a small town in southern Lancaster County. Growing up, I was fortunate to have easy access to beautiful outdoor spaces and dreamed of being an ecologist, isolated in the wilderness somewhere counting snails. Though I still have an appreciation for snails and isolation, I am realizing that my role in environmental advocacy is much more people-oriented than I imagined as a child. In early 2017, I began volunteering with the Sierra Club PA Chapter in hopes that I could put my love for people and my desire for a safe and healthy environment to use. Later that year, I transitioned into a leadership role as Chapter Equity Chair and worked with other Chapter leaders and staff to build a team to support equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives across the state. I believe that the Sierra Club’s mission to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet can only be realized if we implement change that represents and benefits everyone, and gives voice to those who are most vulnerable to the harms of environmental degradation. Over the past few years, I have met many wonderful Sierra Club supporters, volunteers, and staff members who make the PA Chapter an influential advocate in efforts to protect clean water, air, and wilderness in our state. I would be honored to continue my role in these efforts by serving as an at-large delegate. We are lucky to have such wonderful leadership in both volunteers and staff in our Chapter and, if elected, I plan to support the current leadership however I can, while carefully considering the needs of all Pennsylvanians. Thank you for your consideration.
Jim Wylie
I am currently the chair of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Group. I helped to establish Ready For 100 teams in all 5 counties around and including Philadelphia to advocate for increasing the demand for clean renewable energy by setting municipal goals for transitioning to 100% renewable energy community-wide. To date there have been more than 25 communities that have set goals with more considering and participating in developing energy transition plans. Over the last 10 years I have held roles as group conservation chair, political co-chair and communications and web admin. I’ve been the SPG delegate to the chapter ExCom and have a good relationship with the PA chapter staff. I look forward to working with the chapter ExCom during 2020, which will bring many challenges and opportunities for Sierra Club members in PA.