The Sierra Club New Member Orientation document provides an overview of the Sierra Club organization and how the Northeast Florida Group operates. It summarizes that the Sierra Club is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the US with over 1.3 million members and supporters. It then outlines the structure and mission of the Sierra Club nationally and within Florida, as well as the priorities and activities of the Northeast Florida Group such as conservation, outreach, and volunteer opportunities.

1. Sierra Club New Member Orientation
Northeast Florida Group

2. WELCOME!
Northeast Florida Sierra Club Group
l History of Sierra
l Who we are – National, Florida, Northeast
Florida Group
l How we are organized
l What we do
l How you fit in

3. John Muir
“Climb the mountains and get their
good tidings. Nature’s peace will
flow into you as sunshine flows
into trees. The winds will blow their
own freshness into you, and the
storms their energy, while cares
will drop off like autumn
leaves.” - John Muir, 1901

4. John Muir
In 1867 Muir walked from
Fernandina to Cedar Key,
Florida: “a reedy coast with
clumps of mangrove and
forests, strange trees
appearing low in the distance
… rickety wharf … shady,
gloomy groves …”

5. What Is the Sierra Club?
• Over 1.3 million members and
supporters
• Oldest, largest, and most
influential grassroots
environmental organization in
the United States
• 30,000 members live in Florida
We work to protect our natural and urban
environments through grassroots activism, public
education and outreach, lobbying and litigation.

6. We Are Committed
To EXPLORE, ENJOY, and PROTECT the
wild places of the earth

7. Our Sierra Club Mission
l Explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of
the earth
l Practice and promote the responsible use of
the earth's ecosystems and resources
l Educate and enlist humanity to protect and
restore the quality of the natural and human
environment
l Use all lawful means to carry out these
objectives

8. One Grassroots Organization - Two Sides
l Non-profit: we are a 501(c) (3) [Sierra
Foundation]
l Lobby and Legal: a 501(c)(4) [lobby and
take legal action]
We speak with One Voice for the Environment

9. We Explore, Enjoy, Protect The Planet

10. Sierra Chapters & Groups
• Sierra Club is in Canada
• 64 chapters and 400 groups, committees and task forces
working on local and national issues in the US
• Active groups working in the 50 US states, D.C. and
Puerto Rico

11. Florida - 30,000 Sierra Club Members
Organized into 16 Local Groups

12. We Walk Our Talk!

13. Core Florida Chapter Functions
l Advance the Club’s Mission
l Provide Service to Members, Supporters
and the Public
l Build Local Resources
l Exercise Effective Governance and
Fiduciary Oversight

14. Florida Conservation Priorities
Three Categories:
l Organizational - Coordinate with National
Sierra Club and Florida Groups
l Legislative - Legislative priorities set and
discussed with legislative liaison
l Conservation - Initiated by individuals or
Groups. Waste minimization, phosphate
mining, and the Everglades organized now

15. Northeast Florida Group
l Hlf
Counties:
- Duval
- St. Johns
- Northeast Clay
1400 Members

16. Grassroots Organization
l Local Membership
l Volunteers
l Team Volunteers (Committee Members)
l Team Leaders (Chairs)
l Executive Committee

17. Committees/Teams
l Environmental Ed Outings
l Inner City Outings Publicity
l Political Fund-raising
l Membership
Conservation
l Newsletter
Legal
l Programs
l Nominating Website

18. Conservation Goals
l Protect parks and aquatic preserves
l Protect wildlife and endangered species
l Preserve and extend our tree canopy
l Expand recycling and minimize waste
l Promote energy conservation and efficiency
l Foster local response to global warming
l Provide transportation alternatives
l Protect critical wetlands and water bodies

19. Programs and Outings

20. Inner City Outings
• Works directly under National
Sierra Club
• Provides outdoor activities for
Jacksonville inner city youth
• Uses volunteers from our group

21. Member Resources
l NE Florida Sierra Website
l Florida Chapter Sierra Website
l National Sierra Website
l Sierra Clubhouse
l Newsletters
l Meetup
l Facebook

22. We make a difference
“Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed people
can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has.”
-- Margaret Mead

23. Thank You!
For being a vital part of Sierra Club!