Send in nominations by September 13th!
The power of the Sierra Club rests with its many volunteers who make significant contributions to exploring, enjoying and protecting our environment through outings, issue teams, government legislation, clean energy, zero-emission transportation, preservation of natural places, and by building community. As a volunteer-led environmental organization with entities at the national, state and local levels, the Maryland Sierra Club is governed by executive committee members elected for their commitment to protecting our planet, and willingness to collaborate within our organization to make a difference. Members just like you are making extraordinary accomplishments with their friends and fellow members within an inviting and safe environment for all. We are looking for volunteers for Executive Committee openings.
The Maryland Chapter and local Group Executive Committees (“ExComs”) set priorities; pursue environmental objectives; organize a program of outings, educational and activist events; recruit and communicate with members; endorse political candidates; and raise funds, in accordance with Sierra Club policies and bylaws. In addition, the Chapter ExCom sets and manages the Chapter budget and hires the Chapter Director.
The ExComs meet monthly and participate in annual leadership retreats. Sierra Club members in good standing are eligible to run.
This fall, three of the six at-large seats on the Maryland Chapter ExCom are up for election for two-year terms. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to run as an at-large candidate for the Chapter ExCom, contact the Chapter Nominating Committee at nominations@mdsierra.org
Roughly half of the seats on the ExComs of the local Sierra Club Groups will also be up for election this fall for two-year terms. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to run for your local Group ExCom, please contact the following chairs of the Group Nominating Committees:
- Anne Arundel Group: Deirdre Suddeth, deirdre.suddeth@gmail.com
- Catoctin Group (Carroll & Frederick Counties): Cindy Poole, cpoolemd@gmail.com
- Greater Baltimore Group (Baltimore City & County; Harford County): Lizza Lewis, elizagee1@gmail.com
- Howard County Group: James (Ward) Morrow, wardesq@aol.com
- Lower Eastern Shore Group (Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester Counties): Natalie Bush, howdynatalie@gmail.com
- Montgomery County Group: Rich Reis, rich.reis1@gmail.com
- Prince George’s Group: Jim Lawson, jimjim7@gmail.com
- Southern Maryland (Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s Counties): Sandra Gwynn, sgwynnpersonal@gmail.com
- Washington County Group: No election this year
Note: Maryland members who are not in one of the active Groups above may still run for the Chapter ExCom.
Send in a Nomination by September 13th if You Would Like to Serve
The deadline for receipt of nominations for Chapter or Group Executive Committees is September 13th.
Candidates must submit to the relevant Nominating Committee their contact information and a statement of no more than 250 words total that addresses these three questions:
What would you like to accomplish as an Executive Committee member?
What skills, experience and/or new ideas will you bring to the Executive Committee?
How will your role on the Executive Committee reflect diversity? (Diversity can include ethnicity, age, regions within Maryland, affiliations with under-represented groups, etc.)
We also ask that candidates submit a current headshot photo from the last 5 years. Please complete the model release form at sc.org/mdelectionmodel and ask your photographer (who can be yourself) to complete the photo upload & licensing form at sc.org/mdelectionphoto.
Nominating Committees evaluate nominees on their statements and on other criteria such as their experience, knowledge, values that align with the Club's and Group's, leadership abilities, and teamwork. If the Nominating Committee does not select someone as a candidate for the ballot, they are still eligible to be a petition candidate. (Signatures in support of petition candidates must be submitted to the Election Committee by October 5, 2026.)
The election will be held by electronic ballot (and paper ballot for those who require it) from October 30th – December 4th, 2026. More timeline details are available here.
Thank you for your interest! Now, more than ever, we need your talent, your energy, and your commitment to help the Maryland Sierra Club protect our state for future generations.
More Volunteer Opportunities
The Maryland Chapter’s issue committees develop policy recommendations, educate the public, and advocate for legislation on issues such as energy, moving beyond gas, natural places, pesticides, public health, water, and zero waste. The Chapter also has committees for outings, membership engagement, diversity, fundraising, legislation, and to vet candidates for election endorsements. Unlike many other environmental groups, much of the work in the Sierra Club is done by volunteers, supported by a small number of our incredible, hardworking staff.
The local Sierra Club Groups have similar committees that operate on the county or municipal level and collaborate with the Chapter on state-wide campaigns. To learn more about volunteer opportunities in Groups, click here to access your Group website, or contact the chairs of the Group Nominating Committees (listed above) by email to schedule a phone call.