About Us
We are one of fifteen Illinois groups that form the Illinois Chapter. Illinois' 25,000 Sierra Club members are involved in national campaigns of the Sierra Club that affect the environment of Southern Illinois.
Like the Sierra Club's founder, John Muir, our members and Executive Committee don't shy away from political battles when unwarranted development and egregious activities threaten the preservation of our region's natural resources.
Members
We'd welcome your participation in our activities. It has been through the efforts of the Sierra Club's 750,000 members that local groups have more than 100 years of success in protecting the wild places of our planet and promoting responsible use of our ecosystems and natural resources.
Local members also enjoy a busy calendar of club sponsored outings such as hiking, canoeing, wildflower walks, birding, and much more. You need not be a club member to participate. Club members also volunteer on many "service projects" such as Shawnee National Forest trail projects that repair damage caused by man and nature. The Shawnee Group meets monthly in Carbondale for an educational forum. The public is invited to attend any meeting or outing.
Run for the Board!
We need a few good women and men!
Join the board of directors (the executive committee, also known as the ExCom) in overseeing the Shawnee Group's strategic direction and economic health. Board members meet monthly for about 2 hours. Board terms are for two years. We are always interested in potential candidates.
Leadership Opportunities
We can provide a number of opportunities for you to get active in the Shawnee Group. We are looking for:
- Political/legislative/lobbying team members
Attend Illinois Chapter Lobbying training, lobby locally or in Springfield. Respond to legislative alerts. Participate in grassroots political action. Send questionnaires to political candidates.
- Newsletter Team members
Talented people needed to write, edit, proofread, layout and design our quarterly newsletter. Artwork and photographs are also desired!
- Outreach Task Force
Represent the group at public events and to educate the public about important issues. Our goals are to educate and inform; to recruit new members; and to meet current members. We are looking for task force members who will be willing appear at least one public event during the calendar year to connect with current and former Sierra Club members as well as the public.
- Hospitality team members
Provide refreshments for one monthly meeting each year (second Thursday). Contact Hospitality Chair Phyllis Beck OR
Act as a greeter for a monthly meeting or welcome and assist our speaker OR
Select and make reservations at a local restaurant for our monthly “Dinner Before the Meeting.”
- Fundraising team members
Local Sierra Club groups such as the Shawnee Group do not receive any portion of members’ dues and very limited financial support from the national Sierra Club. Our operating funds are entirely raised by our own efforts. We are looking for task force members who can not only brainstorm effective and original fundraising ideas but also organize and implement them successfully. Our goals are to develop fundraising strategies, goals and targets. Our current fundraising activity is the sale of Sierra Club calendars; this is strictly a seasonal event (currently pursued from September to January) and is in need of additional promotional efforts.
Barb McKasson
A special thank you to Barb McKasson who served as Chair of the Shawnee Group from 2005 to 2015! Barb remains a member of the Shawnee National Forest Committee and the Conservation Committee.
Contact Us
Chair, Membership Chair: Jane Cogie
Vice Chair: Carla Womack
Treasurer: Patty Weyhrich
Secretary: TBA
Program Committee: Jane Cogie
Outings Chair: Steve Eberhart
Political Chair, Conservation Committee: Jean Sellar
Conservation Co-Chair: Barb McKasson
Newsletter Editor, Webmaster: Sabrina Hardenbergh
IL Chapter Downstate Field Representative: Sally Burgess
Chapter Delegate: Vacant
Blog: Vacant
Meeting Hospitality: Vacant