For the past three months as Sierra Club Ohio’s State Director, it has been a privilege to align my commitment, dedication, and passion to equity and social justice together with our remarkable members, outstanding volunteer leadership, and dedicated staff. Our work is critical as we all face the many challenges to our environment and frontline communities. I am looking forward to our collective work ahead as One Sierra Club Ohio.
We are delighted to offer a monthly newsletter to all members and supporters across Ohio!
Our Steering Committee, Staff and Volunteers work hard on so many issues, campaigns, events and initiatives, and we want to share that transformational work with everyone. We hope you’ll enjoy reading about all the ways you can get involved and stay in the know on how Sierra Club Ohio is creating statewide and local environmental movement.
We are proud to announce the following Steering Committee role election and appointment effective May 31, 2022 - SeMia Bray
On May 31, 2022, the Sierra Ohio Steering Committee unanimously voted to elect SeMia Bray as Chair. This is a great step in our rebuilding process.
The Steering Committee was appointed in November 2020 with the purpose of assisting to rebuild Ohio’s Chapter of the Sierra Club. Much has been completed already towards accomplishing this objective but a great deal still remains to ensure our chapter emerges as a vibrant, dynamic, place-based hub that works in solidarity and mutuality with our communities to connect people to nature, and build local grassroots power, and achieve environmental victories.
We are ready to kick off Strategic Planning as one key element in the rebuilding of Sierra Club Ohio. Our first step will be to bring together staff and Sierra Club Ohio leadership to discuss the Roles and Responsibilities of Team Ohio. Summer plans permitting, this will take place in the July / early August timeframe. We have a Core Team for Strategic Planning which includes: Lisa Rooney, Chair, Strategic Planning, Ericka Copeland, Chapter Director, SeMia Bray, Chair, Ohio Steering Committee, Allison Chin, National Board Member and Whitney Pearson, Director, Office of Chapter Support. In addition, we will have a broader Advisory Team to help support the process. Stay tuned for more details as we begin to develop the framework for building a strong Chapter in Ohio.
Committee Updates
Equity & Social Justice Committee
The ESJ Committee has spent a lot of time getting to know and understand each other, learning to appreciate each member for the gifts brought to the table, and working to build our Mission as we move forward. Recently we spent time discussing the Jemez Principles. As part of the Sierra Club’s journey to becoming a more just, equitable, and inclusive organization internally and externally, the Sierra Club Board of Directors adopted the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing in 2014.
Additionally, Sierra Club Ohio volunteers participated in the mass Poor People's and Low-Wage Workers' Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls in D.C.
Statewide Plastics Committee
Plastic Free July
Take the Plastic Free July Pledge! Join Sierra Club Ohio, along with over a million people around the world, by participating in Plastic Free July. Together we are creating a healthier, less polluted environment by pledging NOT to use single-use plastic items this month.
"Understanding the Impacts of the Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Hub Planned for the Ohio River Valley"
Join us July 7th at 7pm for a discussion of the hydrogen and carbon capture 'hubs' proposed for construction in the Ohio River Valley and the threats they pose to your pocketbook, your community, and the regional economy.
A group of our current leaders and volunteers in Ohio got together at the beginning of June to learn about the Sierra Club's endorsement process and ways they can get involved this year. Later in the summer our Ohio Political Committee will be recruiting volunteers to help with supporting endorsed candidate campaigns. If you have an interest in interacting with our Political team and actions in Ohio please reach out!
Around the State - Group News
Portage Trail Group
YOU are welcome to join the Portage Trail Group Sierra Club for monthly zoom meetings the 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, a “bring your own basket picnic" Tuesday, July 19 at 6 pm, and for a fund-raising dinner/auction Saturday, August 27 at 6 pm.
Our event is in person at Liberty Park Tinkers Creek Shelter House, 10303 Aurora-Hudson Road, Twinsburg OH.
Miami Group - Loveland Garage Loses Bid for Federal Funding
The US Economic Development Administration has denied a request to partially fund a proposed parking garage in close proximity to the Little Miami River Bike Trail. The city of Loveland, which has acquired land near the banks of O’Bannon Creek, had sought more than $3.1 million in American Rescue Plan funding, nearly half of the projected $6.3 million cost to construct the garage.
In its grant application, the city had asserted that garage project involved no environmental impacts. The Miami Group and other local organizations have opposed the garage on grounds that no study had been conducted on likely impact to water quality and wildlife habitat, as wells as reported evidence that an indigenous mound had once existed on the site. Subsequently, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources conducted an environmental study and recently suggested a range of environmental concerns that should be mitigated in the event that the garage is constructed.
Loveland officials have indicated they will continue to seek funding for the garage. Parking has been an issue for many years due to the popularity of the Little Miami Trail, which runs though the city.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Volunteer with our Communications Committee!
Marketing Cloud Email Developer: Help keep our members and the public up to date on all Sierra Club Ohio activities by developing and maintaining regular email sends through the Marketing Cloud portal.
Social Media Volunteer: Assist in keeping our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages updated with news, events, and photos related to our varied activities in Ohio.
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.
