VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT AND REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS The Sierra Club's Sustainable Planet Strategy Team (SPST) is currently seeking nominations to fill one vacancy on the national Genetic Engineering Committee (GEC). Please review the material below regarding the mission, duties and operations of the GEC. If you would like to nominate yourself for membership on the GEC, please send the completed application to: Sanjay Ranchod (SPST Liaison to the GEC) e-mail: [log in to unmask] 2240 Lombard St., Apt. 302, San Francisco, CA 94123 (415) 923-1852 (until 10pm PST) If you would like to nominate someone else, please forward this message to that person, and send their name, contact information, and a brief description of their qualifications to Sanjay Ranchod via e-mail. THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE COMPLETED APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 15, 2002. If you have questions about the work of the GEC, contact Laurel Hopwood, chair of the GEC, preferably by e-mail at <[log in to unmask]>, or by phone at (216) 371-9779 before 8pm EST. If you have questions about the SPST nomination process, contact Sanjay Ranchod. OVERVIEW OF THE GENETIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE: The mission of the GEC is: (1) to provides national leadership to the Sierra Club in implementing the Club's Biotechnology Policy, and to coordinate the Club's response to genetic engineering issues; (2) to provide information, advice, and assistance to grassroots Sierra Club leaders on the release of agricultural and aquacultural transgenic organisms into the environment, patenting, biopiracy, and other issues covered by the Club's Biotechnology Policy; (3) to keep abreast of the environmental implications of developing genetic engineering technology and to convey that information to Club leaders and members; and (4) to propose changes to the Club's policies regarding genetic engineering, as needed. Current projects of the GEC include: * Working on legislative efforts at the federal and state levels for mandatory labeling and safety testing * Working with our organizational allies (attending meetings, participating in conference calls) * Preparing comments for submission to regulatory agencies * Working with Club grassroots (mailing educational materials; mailing GE pamphlets; responding to inquiries from members; writing newsletter articles; running a listserv and website; engaging grassroots to support our actions, supporting actions at the group/chapter level) * Creating a public presence; responding to media; conducting radio and TV interviews * Responding to information requests from students and professors * Running a campaign on the agricultural release of genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) into the environment targeting Kraft Foods * Actions opposing the release of GE fish and trees * Actions opposing the patenting of life forms * Actions opposing bioprospecting * Working with the Club's Responsible Trade Campaign Current membership of the GEC, as of 3/1/02: Laurel Hopwood, Chair Neil Carman, Ph.D. Jim M. Diamond, M.D. Thomas Mathews Ingrid Northwood, Ph.D. Kate Weber Members of the GEC are appointed by the SPST. Currently there are no term limits, although membership is reviewed annually. QUALIFICATIONS FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Applicants should have knowledge of and familiarity with one or more of the GEC's issues or projects described above, and a broad interest in genetic engineering issues. In particular, Applicants must clearly demonstrate their willlingness to commit the time and energy necessary to help the Committee carry out its responsibilities. Experience in promoting GE issues at the group and/or chapter level is desired. Applicants must be Sierra Club members. COMMITTEE MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES: * Attend annual meetings of the GEC. (Travel costs are reimbursed.) * Maintain an active role in one or more issues or projects of the Committee and report thereon as requested. * Maintain regular contact with the chair and the Committee via e-mail or other appropriate means, and participate in the Biotech listserv. CURRENT NEEDS: The Committee could especially benefit from members with strong experience and/or interest in: * Grassroots organizing. * Event planning and organizing. ************************************************************* GEC NOMINATION FORM PLEASE DELETE ALL TEXT ABOVE THE *******. Send completed form to Sanjay Ranchod, SPST Liaison, at: <[log in to unmask]>. Please label the subject of your e-mail: "GEC NOM.: <your last name here>". THE DEADLINE TO RECEIVE COMPLETED APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 15, 2002. 1) Applicant name: 2) Applicant contact information (phones, e-mail, and best times & means to reach you): 3) Sierra Club experience, including length of membership, leadership positions held, campaigns worked on (with dates): 4) Other environmental experience (at any level) and relevant non-environmental experience (please be specific): 5) Why do you want to serve on the GEC? 6) Describe your general availability for Committee meetings, conference calls, and regular e-mail contact. 7) Names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of two references (preferably including one leader of your local Club group/chapter), including best times to reach them. Erin Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]