By Teresa Bell
The Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter runs on people like you - volunteers are the heart of our work. It’s up to volunteers to help set policy, make change, and represent a movement that speaks for all of us. Our Chapter and Group Election season is starting now, meaning that you have a big opportunity to make change in the Sierra Club.
The nomination period for Executive Committee candidates of the Toiyabe Chapter is now open until October 2, 2023. If you are interested in serving, contact the nominating committee at toiyabe.volunteer@sierraclub.org. The Executive Committee terms are 2 years, starting January 2024.
What Are Sierra Club Executive Committees?
The Toiyabe Chapter and its four groups all have Executive Committees (ExComs) that represent their community’s Sierra Club members in deciding local conservation policies, endorsing political candidates, and administering programs and activities. The ExComs perform essential functions that require a sustained commitment from its volunteer leadership.
Key responsibilities: Each Executive Committee member is expected to be actively involved in an aspect of the chapter or group’s work — from administration and conservation to fundraising and outreach. Executive Committee members at either the chapter or group level attend regular meetings, help determine local Sierra Club positions on critical environmental issues, and take an active part in making the chapter or group function well.
Chapter Executive Committee: The Chapter-wide Executive Committee supervises the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter’s essential functions from fundraising to conservation. It oversees an annual budget and staff, as well as facilitating the work of volunteers.
Group Executive Committees: The Toiyabe Chapter is divided into 4 regional groups: Great Basin Group, Tahoe Area Group, Range of Light Group, and Southern Nevada Group. Groups address environmental issues at a more local level within our neighborhoods, parks, and streets. Group Executive Committees supervise the work of the Group Conservation and other committees. Groups speak up to and keep tabs on local city councils, county commissions, and other decision-making bodies. Groups can sponsor events and actions in their regions, and host gatherings so members can share interests and issues.
2023 Chapter Elections Calendar
Here are key deadlines and dates for the 2023 elections cycle.
Saturday, August 26th – Nomination period opens. Candidates must be registered as Sierra Club members. Join or Renew
Monday, October 2nd – Close window for nominations, and Nominating Committee submits its report of candidates.
Thursday, October 12th - Executive Committee approves the slate of chapter candidates.
Monday, October 16th – Deadline for receipt of petitions from applicants for nomination by petition.
Thursday, November 9th - Election postcard materials sent to printer by Elections Committee
Monday, November 13th - Retrieve the election ballot mailing list from national database and forward to printer.
Monday, November 20th - Mailing of electronic ballot link and instructions on postcard to chapter elections mailing list to all eligible voters.
Friday, December 29th - Closing date for acceptance of electronic ballots and paper ballots at chapter PO box
Tuesday, January 2nd - Vote count — electronic (and paper, if any)
Thumbnail photo by Kristine Anderson/Alamy.