Ways to Get Involved in the "Club": Attend Meetings - Student Volunteer Program - And More

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Dr. Jane Goodall

Attend Conservation Committee Meetings

Please consider attending a Napa Sierra Club Conservation Committee meeting via Zoom. We meet every 3rd Monday of every odd-numbered month, at 6pm. This group addresses several environmental issues facing Napa County. We have sub-committees that focus on Water and Land use issues. Climate Change issues are addressed regularly. No prior experience necessary. Check the calendar for the Conservation and Executive Committee meeting dates. (Pictured, Excom members, past and present: Nick Cheranich, Scott Thomason, David Campbell, and Chris Benz. Student interns Kate Bit, Liliana Karesh, and Paulina Zambrano.)
 
For more information, contact the Conservation Committee.
 

Can't Attend? Then Please Consider DONATING to the Napa Sierra Club Group. CLICK HERE to DONATE

Join Our Student Internship Program

NSC interns

 

Mentorship and Project Work

We currently have openings for our student internship program.

Interns are mentored by members of our Executive Committee to help set and achieve personal objectives. (Pictured above at a recent Sierra Club outreach event: student interns Maia M., American Canyon High; Liliana K., Napa High; Natalie C., Justin-Siena High; Kate B. American Canyon High; and Arya A., Vintage High.)

Internship commitments:

  • Typically, interns complete 5-6 projects throughout the year, which can be integrated into their class assignments.
  • Working on projects in collaboration with other student interns is encouraged.
  • Students learn about the importance of acting in a professional manner.
  • Participation in at least five Conservation Committee meetings is mandatory, providing an invaluable educational experience on the various local environmental issues we are currently working on. (Our meetings are held every 3rd Monday of every odd-numbered month, from 6pm to about 8pm.)

Examples of Previous Projects

Alicia's art

Past interns have:

  • Written articles for our newsletter or the Napa Register on topics like climate change, climate justice, and recommended hikes (Digital artwork, right, by Alisa Karesh, 2021 Student Volunteer.)
  • Represented the Napa Sierra Club at public hearings or meetings, including the Napa County Climate Action Committee, County Board of Supervisors
  • Engaged directly with legislators and elected officials
  • Created and maintained an Environmental Blog
  • Helped staff Napa Sierra Club booths at local events such as Earth Day or Meet Me In the Streets
  • Developed educational environmental programs for younger students in classrooms or local libraries
  • wetlands filming with interns
  • Starred in professionally produced public service videos (Photo, right)
  • Conducted creative activities related to the environment, such as drawing, painting, photography, authoring poems or songs. 
  • Helped manage our social media pages
  • Conducted environmental research and presented their findings

 

What Will You Pursue?

We encourage students to think creatively about the types of activities or projects they would like to pursue related to the environment. (Photo: Kate B. demonstrates how sea level rise affects the wetlands at the American Canyon Earth Day event.)

Benefits

Participants will receive a $500 stipend and a letter of recommendation for college admissions or future employment. We will pay for a one-year Sierra Club membership. We will also cover any costs associated with projects that are done by the intern (after first being okayed by the Club).

For more information and access to our Online Student Volunteer Application, please contact us.

Want a Way to Fight Climate Change Now? Join us at the Napa County Climate Challenge, aka RegenerationNapa.org

RegenerationNapa.org Sign InWe sometimes wonder what we can do about Climate Change. Well there is something we can do right now without waiting for politicians to change policies (though it's still important to seek policy change from our elected officials). 

We would like you to please consider joining RegenerationNapa.org and make a difference--Now. It is a tool that allows you and your household first to calculate your carbon footprint, and then guide you in how to cut those emissions via dozens of easy, moderate, or more difficult Actions.
 
RegenerationNapa.org ActionsStart by joining our Climate Challenge/Regeneration Napa Sierra Club Community, here. See how your actions can earn points for our team, and save you money. Oh, and possibly help save the planet too.
 
If you need assistance, watch this tutorial. Or, please email me with any questions you have (Nick: napavalleysierraclub@gmail.com). Thank you.

Want to Be an Outdoor Trip Leader?

Minimum Requirements for outdoor trip leaders for all Sierra Club programs: 

  • Sierra Club Membership and be at least 18 years old 

  • Complete a basic (or higher) first aid class 

  • Possess skills appropriate for the activities of the trip 

  • Complete additional training as required by your Outings Chair 

  • Be an assistant leader on a trip 

  • Receive approval to lead outings from the Outing Chair or delegated authority of the entity sponsoring the outing  

Next Steps: 

Leading Youth Groups 

Additional Requirements to lead trips specifically for groups of youth: 

  • Sign the Youth-Oriented Volunteer Application, Code of Ethics, and Volunteer Agreement 

  • Complete CARP - Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention Training annually 

  • Pass a criminal background check every four years 

  • If driving youth participants, leaders must pass a motor vehicles check every four years 

  • Complete the Unaccompanied Minor Module  

Adopt a Park

A group of Sierra Club volunteers has been assisting the cultivation of young native plants at Napa’s Trancas Crossing Park, on Trancas and Soscol. Our work parties go out for a couple of hours at a time, weeding and mulching, while enjoying the cries of hawks, and the graceful soaring of swallows. To join our volunteer group, contact napavalleysierraclub@gmail.com.

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