T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F S I E R R A C L U B F L O R I DA

Florida Legislature 2010

Time to Get Involved
The 2010 session of the Florida
Legislature opened on March 2 and runs
through April 30. Every year Sierra Florida
watchdogs the proposed bills and spurs
our grassroots effort to communicate with
legislators about bills that affect Florida’s
environment and human health. The issues
claiming center stage include: off/ near
shore oil drilling, waste minimization,
growth management, transportation, and
water allocations. To view our platform visit:
Spring 2010 florida.sierraclub.org, and click on “Ramp up
for 2010 Legislative Session.”
Inside this issue The budget will attract a lot of attention
again this year because Florida’s income
Spring Outings 2
is projected to fall $2.6 billion short. This
Volunteers Wanted 3 means environmental programs will continue
to be at risk. Sierra Club volunteers made a
Sierra Club in Action 4-5 difference during the last legislative session
Florida Panther 6
and are doing the same for 2010. Please
consider taking part.
New EPA Standards 6 - continued on page 3
Growth Mgmt Committee 6
Last year Sierrans made hundreds of calls,
sent emails, wrote letters to the editor, and
personally contacted their legislators. This
activism was instrumental in several cases and
our best defense against the huge lobbying
effort developers and others make to get
“their” laws passed. Legislators tell us they
need to know that their constituents care
about the environment.
To help Sierra Florida have an impact in
2010, sign up for our listserv, FL-FLORIDA-
REPORT to receive updates on our progress
and alerts when immediate action is needed.
Sign on at: www.sierraclub.org/memberlists
(have your membership number available).
Bills can move fast, especially near the
end of the session, so it’s important that all
Sierrans participate to let your legislators
know your views on specific bills. For
example, we are closely watching House
Memorial 563, which would have the state

Recycling 7 Reflections
FHD 7 on COP15
Speaking for Sierra 8
by Joseph
Manning
New SC Director 8
Two years ago the world
decided at the UN Climate
Change conference in Bali
that by December 2009 a
treaty would be established
to ensure a comprehensive
strategy regarding how
the world would deal with
climate change. As a result of this decision, Student Coalition, I was among the partici-
during two weeks last December more than pants. Accredited by the Sierra Club, I arrived
40,000 people gathered in Copenhagen for in Copenhagen with 18 other youth organiz-
the United Nation Convention’s 15th annual ers, and about 30 Sierra Club volunteers and
Conference of the Parties (COP15). staff. I was full of hope, and prepared to take
As a 17-year-old organizer with the Sierra
- continued on page 7
florida.sierraclub.org 1
 Get Outdoors
Sierra Club welcomes non-members to join us on our outings.
All participants are required to sign a standard liability waiver.
To read the waiver, visit sierraclub.org/outings/chapter/forms
or call the Outings Department at 415-977-5528 or ask the trip
leader for a copy.
March 20 - 21 Fisheating Creek camping paddle (Palm-
dale- north of LaBelle). Downstream paddle for the paddler
who wants to experience a true wilderness experience. This is
one of the most pristine areas through which to paddle in SW
Florida. Cypress trees overhanging this creek provide partial
shade. You can jump in the shallow water along the way to
cool down, but we will also see many gators! We will paddle
downstream, primitive camp along the river Saturday night,
and get a shuttle ride back on Sunday. Limited to 6 partici-
pants. Leader Ben Berauer, 727-392-2821 or bfberauer@aol.
com. (Suncoast)
March 27 – 28 Overnight backpack trip to Mossy Island
Campsite - Myakka River State Park. We will explore this
beautiful park and learn a little about what Florida’s prairie was
like. An easy backpack of only about 5 miles total. Limit 6.
Leaders: Ben Berauer, bfberauer@aol.com, 727-392-2821 or
Mike Pici, 727-798-9227 (Suncoast)
April 24 – 25 Overnight backpacking trip in the Ocala
National Forest, Juniper Springs Wilderness Area. Easy
total 9 mile trip. Learn about forest fires and forest manage-
ment. Primitive camping. Limited to 10 participants. Leaders:
Ben Berauer, bfberauer@aol.com, 727-392-2821 or Mike Pici,
727-798-9227 (Suncoast)
April 24-25 Wilderness First Aid Class, Paynes Prarie
State Park Park, FL. The University of Florida College of
Medicine is hosting a class on Feb 6 & 7. This will be held at
Payne’s Prairie State Park near Gainesville from 9:00- 5:00 each
day. Cost: $150. Reserve space at: 727-726-8375 or rudy@
adventuresworldwide.com. Visit the following website for
directions www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie.
May 7-9 Cayo Costa Weekend Kayak and Camp, Ft.
Myers, FL. Weekend at one of the state’s premier island
state parks. This Gulf Coast paradise west of Fort Myers (Lee
County) has one of the top-rated beaches in the nation. On
the island, hike through native oak hammocks, pine forests and
large stands of sea grape; the park service has gone to great
efforts to eradicate exotics such as Australian pine. Paddle out
Friday morning with a stop at legendary Cabbage Key restau-
rant for lunch, and paddle back on Sunday. Primitive cabins
and tent sites available. For those who wish to take it easy,
there is a ferry—Tropic Star (239-283-0015; www.tropicstar-
cruises.com). Rated moderate to strenuous because of open
water and possible wind conditions. Be sure to reserve early.
Contact Don Kirkley at 941-493-3085.
(Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST37115)
2 florida.sierraclub.org
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering Ellen Winchester
We sadly report that a most rare of creatures—a National
Sierra Club director from Florida— passed away on
December 1, 2009 in Tallahassee, at the age of 86.
Ellen Winchester was a formidable force at the local, state
and national levels. She was a primary founder of the Big
Bend Group, served as chair of the Florida Chapter for the
1973 term, and was elected to the National Board for the years
1977-80. Joe Fontaine, a past director who served with Ellen
said, “She was an outstanding Director and did a good job of bringing
the issues she cared deeply about before that board.”
In her time, she chaired national issue committees on en-
ergy and nuclear waste, and hers was one of the first informed
voices speaking out against nearshore drilling off Florida’s
coasts. Ellen was a model for citizen activism; she identified
critical issues, became knowledgeable about those issues and
stayed active for the long term.
- Frances Coleman
The Pelican, Vol. 43, No. 1
Kathy Criscola, Managing Editor
The Pelican is published by Sierra Club Florida, 405 Inglewood
Drive,Tallahassee FL,32301, and mailed to Florida Sierra Club
members. Annual membership dues include $1 for the Pelican
newsletter. Address all inquiries to PO Box 575, Tallahassee FL
32302-0575 or email editor@florida.sierraclub.org. Send change of
address information to address.changes@sierraclub.org
Steering Committee
Linda Bremer, Jacksonville
Craig Diamond, Tallahassee
John Swingle, Altoona
Betsy Grass, Miami
Tom Larson, Jacksonville Beach
Marian Ryan, Winter Haven
Rudy Scheffer, Safety Harbor
Communications Committee
Liz Cantarine, Bradenton, ecantarine@tampabay.rr.com
Kathy Criscola, Tallahassee, editor@florida.sierraclub.org
Betsy Grass, Miami, webmaster@florida.sierraclub.org
Ron Haines, Lantana, ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net
Frances Howell-Coleman, Winter Haven, fcoleman@tampabay.rr.com
Corbett Kroehler, Orlando, corbettkroehler@yahoo.com
Rosalie Shaffer, Bradenton, Shaffer_us@yahoo.com
Visit florida.sierraclub.org
 SC Florida Committees
Sierra Club Florida
Wants YOU
Volunteers are the heart of the Sierra Club. We have
volunteers working statewide on issues like Florida legislation,
growth management, waste minimization, and coastal preser-
vation. You can join them in working on interesting projects,
with as much or as little time as you have available, and usually
without even leaving home. Local group or state leaders and
staff will provide any training and advice needed. Here are
some current opportunities.
Web Designer: Dreamweaver experience needed for short-
term setup project. Redesign florida.sierraclub.org. We have
some outlines and suggestions, or submit your own. For more
info, email Betsy Grass, webmaster@florida.sierraclub.org.
Pelican layout: Someone trained in InDesign and newsletter
production, to be available as a backup person to do the layout
for the Pelican newsletter. Send an email to Betsy Grass, web-
master@florida.sierraclub.org.
Data entry/MS Excel skills: One time project to set up
an Excel spreadsheet with information we have from sign-in
sheets. Call Linda Demler of the Waste Minimization Commit-
tee, or email Linda.Demler@sierraclub.org.
Legislative liaisons: We are looking for Sierrans who can
keep their local state legislators and local Sierra members
abreast of pending legislation important to Sierra Club. They
would help mobilize the local members to act when needed.
Most activities are by email and phone. No experience neces-
sary. We will provide you with what you need to know. This
is a short-term position. The Florida legislature is in session
March through May. Please call Kathy Cantwell, Sierra Florida
Legislative Advisory Committee chair, 352-395-7441 or email
kacmd@aol.com.
Former Sierra Leaders: Are you a Sierran who used to be ac-
tive in the club but have been away from the scene for a while?
Do you have skills that would help Sierra Groups (organizing,
fundraising, educating, training new activists), that you would
like to share? The Group Advisory Council is looking for
volunteers. We are planning conference calls, picnics, and other
activities to help groups strengthen and grow. If you have
some time to help on a project, or have an idea for a project,
email Debbie Matthews, treehuggerdeb@gmail.com.
Researcher: For a short-term research project on various
waste disposal methods. Email Linda.Demler@sierraclub.org.
florida.sierraclub.org 3
Facebookers: We need someone to help us finish and freshen
our Facebook page. If you are on Facebook anyway, how
about helping us out? Email the Waste Minimization Com-
mittee, Linda.Demler@sierraclub.org
Florida
Legislature
- continued from
page 1
legislature urge Congress to support the removal of moratoria
prohibiting exploration and production of oil and natural gas
in federal waters surrounding Florida. Ask your representatives
to oppose this bill, or to let them know you want funding
restored for the Florida Forever program.
In addition to joining the Report list, now is the perfect
time to meet with your legislators in their district offices to
let them know what is important to you. You can find their
contact information at www.myfloridahouse.gov and
www.flsenate.gov.
The Legislative Advisory Committee of Sierra Club
Florida works with our lobbyist, David Cullen, to research and
prioritize issues, craft arguments, and educate our legislators.
The newly appointed committee chair is Kathy Cantwell.
Other members are: Dwight Adams, Cecilia Height, Lisa
Hinton, Terry Janssen, Tom Larson, Drew Martin, Demetra
McBride and Rosalie Shaffer. To volunteer to help with our
lobbying efforts e-mail Kathy Cantwell at kacmd@aol.com.
- Dave Cullen
Newsletter Survey
Can you spare 5 minutes to help us?
The Sierra Florida Communications Team is looking ahead
and wants to be able to meet all Pelican readers’ needs in the
future. To help us we’re asking each of you to spare 5 minutes
to let us know - how you want to receive this newsletter:
by mail, by email or not at all?
Please send us a note stating your preference. Include your
name, address and email address. You can mail your com-
ments to Kathy Criscola PO Box 575, Tallahassee, FL 32302-
0575, or send an email to PelicanSurvey@gmail.com.
Sierra Club Florida spends a great deal of money mailing
out this newsletter, so let us know what you think of it, and,
if you would like to see an online version or prefer to keep
getting the hardcopy.
 Sierra Florid
Loxahatchee horse sense: Loxahatchee Gro
Chair John Koch and Program and Events Chair K
Gates showed up at a meeting of the Port Authority
Palm Beaches with a horse and a cart to make visu
the Authority members they were “Putting the Cart
the Horse” in approving use of an area vital to Ever
Restoration as a site for a huge warehouse and dis
complex. The concept of such an ‘Inland Port’ is du
enough, but to prematurely designate a site for it th
existing rail and road access before the restoration
is complete is truly putting the cart before the horse
Department of Environmental Protection Secretary
and Department of Transportation Secretary Steph
Kopelousos have urged the Port to hold off until fur
study on where such a transport complex might go
and whether it is needed.

Photo by Palm Beach Post

Sarasota-Manate
& FHD: Manatee Cou
Commissioner Joe McCl
Jan. 20 became the firs
county commissioner to
Amendment 4 that will b
Nov. 2 ballot. Sarasota-M
Sierrans came out to sup
the commissioner at his
conference where he an
his endorsement .Backe
Club, Amendment 4 is a
amendment to the Florida Constitution sponsored by Florida Hometown Demo
non-partisan, grass-roots group. Over 1 million Florida voters signed the FHD
qualify this important citizens’ reform for the November 2010 ballot. Amendme
ne Florida voters a vote on growth in their communities. Sandra Ripberger, Mana
iz Cantari Conservation Chair of the Manatee-Sarasota Group, helped arrange the news
Photos by L

4 florida.sierraclub.org
da in Action
oup
Kay
y of the
ual to
Before
rglades
stribution
ubious
hat lacks
n plan Photos by Miami Group
e. Even
y Mike Sole
hanie
rther
o
Struttin’ in Miami: Miami
Sierrans dressed as NRA
members, wild animals, back-
packers and trees at the annual
Mango Strut in Coconut Grove
to portray the absurdity of a new
policy that allows guns in national
parks. The Strut is Miami’s major
“alternative” parade of the year
and the Miami Group always gets
into the spirit. In tune with our
theme, “Thanking Congress for
Allowing Guns in National Parks,”
ee
everyone was armed (with toy guns)
unty
and shooting at everyone else as we
lash on
walked the parade route Dec. 28. A great time was
st Florida
had by all, and the audience got the message.
endorse

NOT PICTURED?
be on the
Manatee
pport
news Send us your best shots: Do you want your group featured on these pages?
nnounced Then focus those cameras and get ready to shoot your group’s 2010 Earth
ed by Sierra Day activities. Send your best shots (high-res) to the Pelican for consideration
proposed in our next (Summer) issue. Deadline for submissions is June 30. Be sure to
ocracy, a state the name of your group and the name of the event as well as who shot
petition to the photo(s). We love pix for the Pelican that show off our members and what
ent 4 will give you do to explore, enjoy and protect the planet! Send photos to Ron Haines
atee (County) at ronaldhaines@bellsouth.net. Our feature pages in the next winter issue
s conference. (submissions due Sept. 30) will celebrate Sierra outings, and will include
outings that span the generations. So this is a heads up to Inner City Outings
folks as well as all outings leaders.

florida.sierraclub.org 5

Sierra Takes Legal Action to
Protect Florida Panther Habitat
Sierra Club has filed suit to protect the Florida panther from
the danger of extinction. The U.S. Dept. of the Interior (DOI)
is required by law to designate critical habitats for endangered
species. The suit filed says that DOI’s and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service’s (FWS) failure to do so in Florida runs
counter to their duty “to properly conserve and protect the Florida
panther.”
Today there are fewer than 100 Florida panthers left.
They are rapidly declining as a consequence of urban sprawl
encroaching deeper into the panther’s habitat each year. New
homes come with thousands of cars which cut across panther
pathways, leading to many tragic collisions. Last year alone, out
of 24 total deaths, a record 17 of the big cats were killed by
cars. Habitat fragmentation due to development combined with
the threat of additional habitat loss due to global warming may
wipe out these rare animals. Sierra Club is now urging FWS
to expand the Florida panther’s habitat to protect the species
from the these threats.
“In the face of global warming, protecting the places where panthers
live right now just isn’t enough,” Sierra regional representative Frank
Jackalone said. “We need to help the few remaining panthers migrate,
adapt, and survive.”
Other environmental groups are also calling on FWS to
designate critical habitat for panthers. The Center for Biological
Diversity, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
(PEER), and Council of Civic Associations filed a formal 60-
day notice in December.
EPA Proposes Limits on
Florida Water Pollutants
Recognizing the pollution levels of its water bodies, the
new limits to curb sewage and fertilizer pollution proposed
recently by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency repre-
sent a historic first step toward cleaning up Florida’s waters.
“These standards aren’t as stringent as we would like, but they are a huge
improvement,” said David Guest, attorney for the public interest
law firm Earthjustice. “All you have to do is look at the green slime
covering lakes, rivers and shorelines during our warm months to know it is
worth the investment to reduce fertilizer runoff, control animal waste better
and improve filtration of sewage. The most cost-effective way to handle this
problem is to deal with it at its source.”
While nitrogen fertilizer costs well under $5 per pound at
the hardware store, it costs communities $235 to clean each
pound of nitrogen out of lakes and streams once it is depos-
6 florida.sierraclub.org
ited there by stormwater. And the economic damage caused by
toxic algae outbreaks can reach into the hundreds of millions
of dollars.
This is the first time anywhere in the U.S. where the EPA
has been forced to impose such standards on a state. The
change in federal policy comes more than a year after Earthjus-
tice, representing Sierra and four other environmental groups,
filed a major lawsuit to compel the EPA to set strict limits on
nutrient poisoning in public waters. A 2008 Department of
Environmental Protection report concluded that fully half of
the state’s rivers and more than half of its lakes had poor water
quality—a dangerous reality for a state with an economy based
on tourism and water-based recreation.
In addition to the economic and environmental damage,
exposure to these algae toxins—when people drink the water,
touch it, or inhale vapors from it—can cause rashes, skin and
eye irritation, allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, serious
illness and even death. The problem is compounded when
nutrient-poisoned waters are used as drinking water sources.
Earthjustice filed the suit in July 2008 in the Northern Dis-
trict of Florida on behalf of the Sierra Club, Florida Wildlife
Federation, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Envi-
ronmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, and St. John’s
Riverkeeper. The suit challenged the unacceptable decade-long
delay by the state and federal governments in setting limits for
nutrient pollution.
Sierra Club representative Frank Jackalone said, “For our fish
and wildlife, which are being poisoned by excessive fertilizer runoff and
sewage spills, the new rules will mean the difference between life and death.
For the people of Florida, this action promises to make our drinking
water cleaner and our economy stronger.” For more information and
photos see: www.earthjustice.org; type nutrient pollution into
search box.
- Earth Justice
Growth Management Update
The Sierra Florida Growth Management Committee moved
its agenda forward in three areas this winter. First, we have
been identifying point people in many of our Sierra local
Groups. Second, we have a liaison with the State Legislative
Committee so we can help them with growth management leg-
islation, which is expected to be critical in the current session.
A number of bills are being considered that would seriously
compromise the ability of the Department of Community Af-
fairs (DCA) to enforce the state’s Growth Management Act.
The third area of activity supports the campaign for
adoption of the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment
(FHD)—Amendment 4 on the November 2010 ballot. Materi-
als explaining FHD/A4 have been sent to all group newsletter
editors. The committee is also working with the FHD, Inc.
organization in a number of areas.
There are still openings on the committee. Anyone with
growth management knowledge interested in participating
should contact Linda Bremer at linda@bremer.net. We are still
looking to identify growth management point people in each
of our 18 groups, to communicate on growth issues and assist
them with issues in their communities. To reach us, email Bob
Weintraub, rweintraub@bellsouth.net.

Florida Hometown
Democracy
The Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD) campaign is a
grassroots effort to win voter approval of Amendment 4 in
the November 2010 election. This amendment to the state
constitution will require that land use changes to county and
city comprehensive plans go before voters in referenda once
they are approved by local commissions and the Department
of Community Affairs.
The opposition has raised millions of dollars for an
advertising campaign. Unable to match this financial muscle,
the FHD campaign strategy is to reach voters on a person-
to-person level. FHD coordinators have been established
in Florida’s largest counties and the effort is continuing to
recruit activists throughout Florida. Coordinators are building
organizations to take the issue directly to the people. FHD, Inc.
is also opposing a proposal that would enable county and city
commissions to use taxpayer money to fight Amendment 4,
something currently prohibited by state law. A fight about this
issue is expected during the current state legislative session.
More information about FHD/A4 can be found at
www.floridahometowndemocracy.com. To get involved,
contact your local Sierra Group, or Robert Weintraub,
rweintraub@bellsouth.net.
Recycling:
Legislate Waste Reduction Now
Sierrans must seize the opportunity this spring to help
shape and move real recycling legislation through the state
legislature this year. Senator Lee Constantine, (R) Altamonte
Springs will introduce waste reduction legislation in the Senate.
Representative Michelle Rehwinkle-Vasilinda, (D) Leon County
will file a companion bill in the House.
There have been many twists and turns over the past year
with the draft recommendations prepared by the Depart-
ment of Environmental Protection (DEP) as mandated by
F.S. 403.7032 (2008) for presentation to the legislature this
session. DEP staff did a terrific job and are to be commended
for moving out of Tallahassee to gather comments mid-state,
answer questions and synthesize them all into cogent, strong
recommendations. But an astonishing incident happened
when the draft retail bag recommendation, which was incred-
ibly comprehensive and worthy of full support, mysteriously
disappeared from the DEP Web site after being up for only
24 hours. The explanation given was “it needed more work.” The
truth was, there was tremendous behind-the-scenes industry
pressure to take it down.
We must continue to apply counter-pressure to make sure
resources are conserved and protected, and we reach the 75
percent goal by 2020. Articles and editorials have been pop-
ping up around the state regarding the need for plastic bag re-
form, and the drum is beginning to beat for a bottle bill. Some
of the loudest drum beats are coming from former industry
foes of the 1980’s bottle bill, when many of us tried to get
florida.sierraclub.org 7
deposit legislation passed. These are exciting times for those
of us who live in large cities that still do not have curbside
recycling and who faithfully bring bags with us everywhere. We
know the grassroots has the power to make effective change.
What you can do right now to help us reach the 75 percent
recycling goal:
• If you are on Facebook join us at: www.facebook.com/
group.php?gid=71200026130&ref=ts.
• Contact your state senator and house member and tell
them you support the 75 percent recycling goal.
• Go to our Web page at florida.sierraclub.org/waste-
min.asp and download key articles and flyers such as
“Incineration is not recycling” and, “The problem with
plastic bags,” for your meetings and tabling events.
• Volunteer to be the group liaison to the Waste Mini-
mization Committee by contacting Beth Connor at:
bethyconnor@verizon.net
Copenhagen Report
- continued from page 1
the conference by storm. I couldn’t wait to carry a message
calling for a fair, ambitious, and binding deal from the people
of Florida to the U.S. and international negotiators at the Sum-
mit.
However, the world didn’t get that deal out of Copenhagen.
What was produced is being called the Copenhagen Accords,
but unfortunately they are neither scientifically based nor bind-
ing in nature. The Accords were acknowledged by the COP,
but not ratified – meaning that negotiations will resume this
year and we will continue to push for a real deal. I’m disap-
pointed, angry even, at the failure of the negotiations process.
But even as I acknowledge this, I also realize that I saw people
work together at the Summit who had never worked together
before. This recognition gives me hope that with a little more
time, something substantial will actually result from the COP.
What I took away from COP15 was the story of activists
and young people from around the world standing together
and calling on the delegates to deliver a moral treaty - one that
incorporates the rights of indigenous people, and one that ac-
knowledges the necessity for survival of all life on this planet.
During the 15 days I was in Copenhagen, the youth delegates
(Youngos) spoke out. Young people at this conference served
as a voice of moral reason, and they called for action on the
part of our leaders, while reminding them that our future is in
their hands.
It’s funny, how differences – in each country’s economy,
policy, ideology, and self-interest – kept the conference from
being successful. Yet, those differences brought the youth of
the world together around our common purpose: survival. For
us, comprehensive action on climate change must be a neces-
sity—not a maybe or a luxury.
As Americans, we need to educate and mobilize ourselves as
a cohesive movement, and to pressure our leaders in Congress
to take action domestically on climate change. To accomplish
this feat, we must all work together—NGOs, labor, indigenous
people, minorities, environmentalists, conservationists—all of
these different interests must start to show a united front about
what we want to happen.
Sierra Club Florida NON-PROFIT
The Pelican ORGANIZATION
P.O. Box 575 U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Tallahassee FL 32302-0575 TALLAHASSEE FL
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One Sierra Club

Sierra Club has a New
Executive Director
A year ago, Carl Pope announced he was stepping down
from his position as Executive Director, and the search began.
The Club is now very pleased to announce the new director is
Michael Brune.
Carl’s announcement stated, “Mike comes to Sierra from
Rainforest Action Network (RAN) where he has served as Executive
Director for seven years. He has been called ‘a hard-nosed activist with a
twist.’ At age 26 he led a winning campaign to convince Home Depot to
stop selling wood from endangered forests, which Time magazine called
‘the top environmental story of 1999.’ Under Mike’s leadership, RAN
won more than a dozen landmark commitments from America’s largest
corporations...”
Not only does the Executive Director run the operation
of the Club, but on national issues the director is the face of
Sierra. Most Americans became very aware of Carl Pope and
Sierra during Ken Burns’ series on National Parks, which aired
on PBS this past year. Carl will be a hard act to follow, but the
Board of Directors has made an excellent choice to lead our
organization through a challenging period.
Speaking for the
Sierra Club
Members speaking on behalf of the Sierra Club, in
Florida and elsewhere, assume significant responsibility to
accurately represent established policies and positions as well
as follow the decision- making processes of the club. Anyone
who purports to officially represent the Sierra Club must be
authorized by the Club entity that has jurisdiction over the
subject matter and/or the area involved.
Any member can speak consistently with positions that have
already been taken, to take advantage of the clout of the Sierra
Club. You can find out what our positions are by working with
existing Sierra leaders in your local group and by using the
Sierra Florida and national Web sites. For more guidance on
position taking see: florida.sierraclub.org/PosTak.asp.

8 florida.sierraclub.org