SierraScape September 2012 - February 2013
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CANDIDATE STATEMENTS

Executive Committee (ExCom) members meet once per month to authorize club actions and assist activities of other Eastern Missouri Group (EMG) members.

There are seven voting members on the ExCom. Four persons will be elected, each to fill a two-year term. Voting instructions are given on the ballot (see page 7).

The following are statements by candidates for the ExCom, listed in alphabetical order.

     Frank Lorberbaum

I have been a Sierra club member for 18 years. On the local level I have been the chair of Inner City Outings for three years. I have been on the EMG ExCom for the last two years and have acted as our group representative to the Chapter EXCom

On the national level I have led two service trips to El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico, three to Viers in St. John's, US Virgin Islands and one to New Orleans. I will be leading another trip to St. Johns' and New Orleans this fall. Last year I was a delegate from the Sierra Club to the Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen.

I was a founding Board Member of the local Chapter of US Green Building Council and chair of the Homes Committee. I have given several talks around St. Louis promoting Green Building. I was the first LEED Accredited Professional in St. Louis.

Recently, I have been very involved in starting a local chapter of Architecture For Humanity (AFH). I have been the House Leader for the construction of three houses for Habitat For Humanity.

For thirty years I owned and operated by my own design-build firm in St. Louis. I specialized in high end residential and light commercial construction. I have brought business experience to the board.

I would like to be elected to the board so that I might continue my service.

     Sarah Merida

I have been a member of the Sierra Club since I was in high school. I became very active during my undergraduate studies at Truman State University, where I completed a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies emphasizing Environmental Studies. While there, I was secretary and then president of the school's Sierra Student Coalition group, Sierra@ Truman.

Now that I have moved back to the St. Louis area, I have become active with the EMG. I have particiapted in Conservation Lobby Day, assisted with trail maintenance, worked as a judge at the whitewater races, attended mailing parties, and worked the lemonade booth. My biggest project has been the Trivia Night and Silent Auction we are holding this October as an EMG fundraiser.

I would like an opportunity to serve on the ExCom so that I might continue to play an active role in protecting our resources for future generations.

     Mark Ostendorf

I have been a member of the Sierra Club since 2008. Since graduating in May, I have been looking to increase my involvement with the Sierra Club. Currently, I am helping organize the upcoming Trivia Night fundraiser.

My activities and education speak to my passion for sustainability. As a college student, I was active in environment-oriented organizations. On numerous occasions, I helped coordinate Earth Day activities (organized green organization fairs, showcased hybrid cars, moderated a panel discussion on sustainability in education, and gave an educational student presentation). I just graduated from SIUe with a Master of Environmental Sciences. My undergraduate degree at MSSU emphasized Sustainability. I am now working with living wall systems and volunteering at Shaw Nature Reserve in an effort to learn about and promote native and natural landscaping.

I am seeking election as a member of the EMG Executive Committee. Please consider voting for me. Regardless of position, I seek to remain active in the Sierra Club and continue to promote John Muir's ideals.

     Paul Stupperich

I have been a member of the club since the mid 70's. Outings, Missouri Wilderness, Alaska Wilderness Issues, and the Ozark Trail are just a few of ways I have helped the Sierra Club over the last 30 years . With your support I will be a strong voice for the Ozark Trail, Wilderness, and other Public Land Issues in Missouri as we face many new challenges over the next few years.