Forwarded by Jane Clark at [log in to unmask] CALL FOR NOMINATIONS - SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION COMMITTEE The Sustainable Planet Strategy Team (SPST) is soliciting nominations for a Sustainable Consumption Committee to carry out the recommendations of the soon-to-be-sunsetted Consumption Task Force. Please forward this message to individuals whom you think would be interested and who meet the qualifications described below. COMPLETED RESPONSES ARE DUE NOVEMBER 27. Members of this Committee will serve terms of roughly two years. They will participate in conference calls and communicate regularly by e-mail, but will likely not meet. This is a working committee, not an advisory committee, and each member will take on specific projects to carry out the Committee's charge. BACKGROUND AND COMMITTEE CHARGE In the spring of 1999, the Sustainable Planet Strategy Team (SPST) established a Consumption Task Force (CTF) with the goal of developing a message and programs designed to carry out Sierra Club policies regarding consumption. Those policies include statements about consumption of specific resources as well as general statements, such as recognizing that "all developed nations, including the United States, being the countries with impact on the world environment disproportionate to their population sizes, have an obligation both to end their population growth as soon as feasible and to substantially reduce their consumption of this planetıs non-renewable resources." The CTF held numerous conference calls; issued a discussion paper, bibliography of resources, and activist packet; sponsored a "mini-conference" and strategy meeting which featured leading thinkers and activists in the broader movement to reduce consumption; and surveyed roughly 150 Club leaders and activists regarding the issue of consumption. They built on the work carried out in past years by the Population Program, the SPST, and many chapters and groups; that work included education, organizing, and advocacy work on many different aspects of consumption. SPST accepted the CTF's recommendation that the new Sustainable Consumption Committee be charged with the following: 1) Organize an education campaign inside and outside the Club to increase individual awareness of the environmental impacts of consumption choices and to provide individuals with information to enable them to make thoughtful choices as consumers (in cooperation with the Club's Global Population & the Environment Program). This can include education about the "life cycle" environmental costs of particular kinds of consumption. 2) Launch or participate in projects to encourage environmentally friendly consumption regarding: -- Energy use in transportation and homes (in cooperation with the Club's Challenge to Sprawl Campaign and Global Warming Program) -- The environmental impacts of food consumption (in cooperation with the Club's CAFO/Clean Water Campaign) -- Reducing wood use (in cooperation with the Club's Ending Commercial Logging Campaign and Wildlands Campaign). 3) Develop a Sierra Club "Sustainable Consumption Network" of individuals and committees working at the group, chapter and national levels. 4) Advocate specific changes in public policy that will promote more sustainable levels and types of consumption practices. The program recommended by the Task Force is broad and substantial. Unfortunately, due to funding constraints, the Sustainable Consumption Committee is likely to have a budget of roughly $4,000 a year. One of its tasks will be to determine how it can be as effective as possible within the limits of its budget. QUALIFICATIONS The SPST is looking for candidates with: -- experience in one or more conservation campaigns at the local, state, or national levels, including familiarity with message development, public education, grassroots organizing, and coalition building. -- experience with the Club's chapters and/or groups. -- sufficient flexibility in time commitments to allow for participation. -- knowledge about consumption in general and about one or more of the specific areas of consumption identified above - - access to e-mail. FOR MORE INFORMATION To receive a copy of the final report of the Consumption Task Force and the results of the survey of Club leaders, contact Kevin Finney at [log in to unmask], Send completed application form to SPST member Faith Teitelbaum at [log in to unmask] or mail to her at 118 Roberts Road #101, Alexandria, VA 22312. COMPLETED RESPONSES ARE DUE NOVEMBER 27. If you want to nominate someone else, send that person this entire e-mail message. The Committee will be appointed by the Sustainable Planet Strategy Team, whose members are Judy Kunofsky (chair), Faith Teitelbaum (liaison to Sustainable Consumption Committee), Dick Fiddler, Hank Graddy, Rich Isaac, and John Wade. ************************************************************** APPLICATION FORM FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION COMMITTEE THE SUBJECT OF YOUR MESSAGE SHOULD BE " SUST. CONS.: <your last name here>" PLEASE DELETE ALL TEXT ABOVE THE ******* 1) Name, address, phone(s), e-mail address, and best times & means to reach you: 2) Sierra Club experience, including length of membership, volunteer positions held, Sierra Club campaigns worked on: 3) Other relevant experience and qualifications you would bring to the committee, as related to the qualifications for the Sustainable Consumption Committee described above. 4) Why do you want to serve on the Sustainable Consumption Committee? 5) What are your thoughts about the final report of the Consumption Task Force and the results of the survey of Club leaders? If you have not read these, please do so before completing this application form. 6) Describe your general availability for conference calls, and regular e-mail contact. 7) Names, phone, and e-mail addresses of two references, including best times to reach them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]