The Loma Prietan
October 2001
Letters To The Editor
More words on the rift
Editor:
Jay Michlin is right about one thing (see Letters to the Editor in the September Loma Prietan): the “professionals” have taken over the club, and the members have taken the back seat. However, this is nothing new.
I resigned from the Loma Prieta Chapter Executive Committee almost ten years ago because the Ex Comm had merely become a rubber stamp for the Conservation Committee. The “professionals” on the Conservation Committee sent their directions up to the Ex Comm, where the “professionals” there comprised a voting majority. Unfortunately, a healthy debate never took place on important issues ranging from logging practices to land use.
In the intervening years, many of those “professionals” have moved on, “members” have joined up and then let their membership lapse, yet the debilitating mechanism remains in place. The problem is that only a small minority of the Club membership participates in the elections.
To motivate members to vote, a “member” candidate has to go to the hikes and potlucks and convince people to spend the money on a stamp to send in their ballot. This is the only way a “member” stands a chance of getting elected.
The “professionals” don’t have to do that. By knowing ahead of time that only 100 or so votes are cast in Chapter Elections, all they have to do is vote for each other.
Stan Bogosian
Response from Loma Prieta Chapter Director Dan Kalb:
Unfortunately, some people may be confused about the qualifications and qualities necessary to be effective Chapter leaders. All Chapter leaders, of course, are members. And as far as I can tell, virtually all Chapter leaders partake in one or more outdoor activities that are such a vital part of the Club’s purpose. Many leaders also are involved in the all-important conservation advocacy that is so essential to furthering the Club’s mission. It is gratifying to observe that most Chapter leaders whom I’ve worked with are grass-roots activists who care very deeply about many environmental issues. For better or worse, only a few leaders are directly involved in fundraising for the Chapter. No Chapter leaders are paid for their work with the Sierra Club. I think it is inappropriate and inaccurate to imply that most leaders—past or present—are something less than or different from full-fledged, environmentally passionate Sierra Club members. I hope all Chapter members take the time to vote in our Chapter elections each and every year. Look for your ballot on page 2 of this newsletter.
Loved the May/June LP
Editor:
Belatedly, thanks for the wonderful May/June edition of the Loma Prietan. I have to admit that I had not been finding time to read the newsletter lately, but will do so regularly as a result of this issue.
Every article was of interest to me and gave me new hope. I’d followed Amory Lovins’ work for many years and was delighted he’d given the keynote address at the “Energy Summit” last March. The article on Lovins’ talk by Dale Mead was excellent, as was the one Mead co-wrote with Kurt Newick on alternative energy. I hope there will be many more like this. The letters from members on the proposed airport expansion were well documented and thought out.
Last but far from least I appreciated more than I can say being able to read the Sierra Club “Environmental Justice Principles.” In addition to a beautiful introductory statement and absolutely essential principles, I was thrilled to see included “The Rights of Native Peoples.” “The Right to Know” is terribly important today, I believe, because I fear the news media are becoming as beholden to corporate interests as are our politicians. Keep up the good work and maybe something will finally come of it!
Nancy Rogers
Mega-development in San Benito
Editor:
Just received my copy of the Loma Prietan, which reminded me of a question I’ve been meaning to ask. Who in the Chapter is following the new town (read mega-development) that developers are trying to push through in San Benito near Hollister? If you could pass my name to whoever that might be, I might have some useful information.
Paul Saffo