CALL FOR MEMBERS OF CAC SHAREHOLDER ACTION TASK FORCE The Sierra Club's Corporate Accountability Committee (CAC) has formed the Shareholder Action Task Force (SATF) as one of its subcommittees to promote an important tool in holding corporations accountable that can be used in conjunction with Club campaigns. The Sierra Club has purchased a select number of targeted stocks in order to file shareholder resolutions, attend annual meetings, and dialogue with these corporations regarding issues raised in the resolutions. The SATF was initiated several months ago with an informal membership and now is preparing to establish a formal membership. CAC is especially interested in candidates who have experience in shareholder resolutions, corporate annual meetings and Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) interactions. CAC is one of five national Sierra Club issue committees that report to and advise the Environmental Quality Strategy Team (EQST). The CAC will select task force members and will strive to achieve diversity in geography, ethnicity, and gender. CAC will take into consideration the applicant's relevant experience as described above and their understanding of long-run implications for the environment and for environmental justice of corporate power exercised by transnational corporations. Candidates should be willing to remain active on the task force for at least two years and to participate in monthly conference calls and communicate by e-mail. Also, ability to travel occasionally to meetings or conferences, as well as dialoguing with corporations and/or attending annual corporate meetings is helpful. Members will be reimbursed for travel and lodging expenses, as well as telephone calls related to approved SATF business. We would encourage members in Texas, Delaware, New York, southern California and the Chicago area to apply because this is where many annual corporate meetings take place. If you are interested in applying, please read and follow the instructions completely. We are only accepting self-nominations. If you know of others you think may have an interest in serving on the SATF, please pass this announcement on to them. Applicants must be current Sierra Club members. Sierra Club of Canada members are not eligible to apply. Please contact Sierra Club Canada at [log in to unmask] for information on Canadian participation as liaisons in these committees. For more information on serving as part of the SATF, please feel free to contact David E. Ortman at [log in to unmask] or Ruth Caplan at [log in to unmask] DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS MAY 15, 2003 A copy of the completed application found at the end of this posting should be sent (email preferred) to these members of the Search Committee: NAME: David E. Ortman, Co-Chair SATF ADDRESS: 7043 22nd Ave N.W., Seattle, WA 98117 PHONE NO: 206-621-8868 (w) Email: [log in to unmask] NAME: Ruth Caplan, Chair of CAC ADDRESS: 3407 34th Place NW, Washington DC 20016 PHONE NO: 202-244-0561 (w) Email: [log in to unmask] The reasons that the task force is concerned about the corporate accountability and shareholder action include: * Corporations wield power, resources and influence that exceed that of many countries. * Corporations have been granted status by our court system as "artificial persons" with many benefits but little responsibilities. * Corporations are too often the major obstacle to implementing Sierra Club policies, programs and campaigns. * Shareholders have the ability to vote directly on corporate policy. The Shareholder Action Task Force is being formed to respond to the problem by educating Sierra Club members and the larger public about the roots of the problem and by promoting corporate accountability and challenging the basis of corporate power. Specifically, the SATF will --Gain experience in using shareholder resolutions to go after rogue corporations as part of ongoing Sierra Club campaigns --Develop winning strategy on at least one resolution --Develop an approval process for proposed shareholder actions. ************************************************* SHAREHOLDER ACTION TASK FORCE APPLICATION FORM Name: Membership # (required): Contact information Address: Phone number(s): Fax: E-mail: Best times to reach you: Sierra Club activities and leadership positions held, with dates: Environmental and related public interest work (community, state, national, and/or international level): Statement reflecting interest in and experience with corporate accountability, and shareholder actions. References (3), with phone numbers. Your Chapter Chair must be included as one of the three. Note: General guidance is that responses to questions should not be over 75 words. *************************************************** Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] www.iowa.sierraclub.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]