April 2023 Newsletter

April 3, 2023
Greetings, Sierra Club Ohio - Welcome Spring!

We hope that you are as excited about the arrival of the spring solstice as we are! It is a time of rejuvenation, re-energizing, and renewal. The season gives us an opportunity to celebrate Earth Month, and, wow – we’re highlighting many opportunities to engage, celebrate, and support our lands.

Sierra Club Ohio is hard at work with many processes to rebuild our Chapter starting with strengthening support to our staff and volunteers through two initiatives – Strategic Planning and the Cultural Transformation Initiative (CTI). We're excited for these two opportunities to bring leaders (volunteers and staff) together to build shared language, understanding and vision for Sierra Club Ohio’s work together. In addition, our Nominating Committee is actively recruiting new members for our Steering Committee and hopes to begin interviewing prospective volunteers by the end of April, and onboarding them in May.

Read on for all the great news!

Many thanks for your continued support,  

Ericka Copeland
State Director, Sierra Club Ohio
ericka.copeland@sierraclub.org

Updates and News
Update on Strategic Planning and CTI Activities

The Ohio Steering Committee wants to provide an update on our Strategic Plan and the Cultural Transformation Initiative (CTI). We're excited for these two opportunities to bring leaders (volunteers and staff) together to build shared language, understanding and vision for OH Sierra Club's work together. For those who have capacity, we encourage participation in both Strategic Planning and CTI.
 
Visit the full Strategic Planning and CTI update here
We are looking for a few people who live, and love living, in Ohio to join this most important component of all our work in the state. The Steering Committee ultimately has voice over every project we launch. Ohio has one freshwater coast, one National Forest, one National Park, and numerous State Parks and Recreation Areas. Our communities are comprised of families who have been here for decades to folks who have come more recently from countries where life was no longer possible due to corruption and war. All individuals give a valuable perspective to our greater footprint. We are excited to have diverse perspectives and backgrounds represented on this team and welcome all interested parties to apply. 
 
Learn more and apply for the Steering Committee Volunteer Position Here

Celebrate Earth Month With Us!
We have several activities going on around the state to celebrate Earth Day this year. Take a look at some opportunities ranging from film screenings to community Earth Day events including:

​​​​​​April 17th in Cleveland: Microplastic Madness Film Screening and Panel Discussion. 7 pm at Baldwin Wallace University.

​​​​​​April 22nd in Athens: Reusable Bag Drive. 8 am - 12 pm at Athens Farmers Market.

​​​​​​April 22nd in Cincinnati: SpringFest at Burnet Woods: An Earth Day Celebration. The Miami Group will be tabling from 10 am - 2 pm.

​​​​​​April 22nd in Seville: Earth Day Festival. Buffalo Creek Retreat from 10 am - 4 pm.
View all Earth Month Activities Across the State Here

Volunteer Needs and Updates
Marketing Cloud Email Developer: Keep our members and public up to date on our efforts and activities. Develop regular statewide and targeted email sends through a database called Marketing Cloud. You will get full training support for this position.

Treasurer Volunteer Position: 
We are looking for a volunteer to fill this crucial role of helping us maintain Sierra Club Ohio’s financial management systems. The Treasurer's role is to manage and oversee the integrity and accuracy of Sierra Club Ohio's financial management processes and procedures, and to carry out the responsibilities expected.
 

Tell the PUCO to stop coal plant bailouts after corrupt HB6

Ohioans are still paying for corrupt HB6. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has the authority to stop the coal plant subsidies. Join us in Columbus on April 5th for a press conference and postcard delivery to the PUCO. They must act on the audits to stop the polluting coal plant bailouts. More information here.

April 5th 12:30 pm
180 E Broad St 
Columbus, OH

We have already paid hundreds of millions of dollars and are expected to pay up to 1.8 billion by 2030. Our pockets should not be raided so that utility shareholders of OVEC can pay off the debt on their bad investments. 

Young Environmental Leaders Virtual Magazine

Introducing the first of its kind -

Sierra Club Ohio Young Environmental Leaders (YEL) Virtual Magazine. Take a look through this great content developed by our YEL team centered on Women's History Month. We have interviews from women-identified activists, legislative updates, an article on fast fashion, ways to take action, and more!
 
March YEL Virtual Magazine Here

Thank you!

Thank you for all you do for the environment in Ohio. We look forward to hearing from you and connecting on all of our rebuilding activities. Hoping that you and your loved ones are well and safe.