Great letter Bill.  I agree with you the the selection-endorsement-election
process of Sierra Club Board members needs to be revamped.   It appears to
me that there are too many on the Board that have great environmental
credentials, but never have had a day job.  Boards of Directors need more
than just technical expertise.  It needs some experience with finance,
personnel relations, and some business experience.  Not everyone on the
board needs that but some or a few do, and I am not sure that it is the
case.
I threw my hat in the ring for the National Board in 1998 and was invited
out to San Francisco for an interview by the Nominating Committee.   I got
out there only to be told they had a new rule that required anyone nominated
by the Nominating Committee had to have been a Chapter Chair, which I had
not done.
Maybe a good idea but something I had not done.  Could have gone the
Petition route, but since I was spending about 8 months a year in AZ and was
an unknown to the Grand Canyon Chapter that was not a realistic route.  All
was not a waste.  By unusual circumstance, I got to meet David Brower who
was in his mid 80s, but very sharp.  He was interested in visiting and we
did so for about fifteen minutes.
   Best regards from very sunny AZ--96 degrees today.
                 Bob Eidsmoe     Rio Verde, AZ     [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Witt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 1:36 PM
Subject: democracy works--thanks


> If you haven't seen the results, know that the Iowa Chapter's members did
> themselves proud in the Board elections.  Almost 23% of our membership
> returned ballots; that's more than double the previous record turnout.
> Some--maybe many--of the members of this list-serve worked to get out that
> all-time vote.  Thank you:  our Sierra Club did itself proud, and this
> Life Member is grateful!
>
> Now, in typical Club fashion, we're already looking at the NEXT CAMPAIGN.
> A discussion about where we go from here is rapidly taking shape.  How can
> we realize more openness, honesty, and accuracy in our electoral
> communications, whether they apply to referenda or candidate election? Can
> we screen ALL board candidates better?  Can we set minimal candidate
> eligibility criteria, such as 4 or 5 years' continuous membership and/or
> demonstrated volunteer service?
>
> I haven't checked it out yet, but I understand the groundswellsierra
> website is, or will be, hosting a forum on electoral reform.  If you were
> like me and cared about WHO got elected this time, I hope we can all keep
> focusing on HOW we can better elect board members next time.
>
> --Bill Witt
>
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