Once you’ve participated in volunteer activities, you can contribute even more by leading these activities, and taking part in the planning and operation of your group or chapter. You can volunteer for a committee, lead an outing, write stories or take photos for the chapter or group newsletter, attend public meetings representing the Sierra Club, help plan fundraising activities or help recruit volunteers.

Decision-making in chapters and groups is democratic. Members vote for executive committee officers, who in turn appoint leaders to serve other roles. Groups send delegates to chapters; chapters send delegates to national.

The national board of directors is elected by the entire membership and appoints volunteer leaders to the many roles that keep us vibrant and effective. All conservation policies are approved by the board of directors. Occasionally, members vote on policy initiatives. In 1996, Club members voted in support of a policy calling for an end to commercial logging on federal public lands.

The Sierra Club is inclusive and participatory and has all the messiness that comes with a democratic decision-making structure. Leaders love and hate this democracy. We love that we have a voice; we don’t always love that others do, too. With so many voices, decision-making can take longer and conflicts can arise. As a result, the Club culture has a high standard for treating others respectfully, finding common ground, and moving forward to fight the polluters and despoilers, not each other.