HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBLE TRADE COMMITTEE: REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS The Sierra Club's Sustainable Planet Strategy Team (SPST) is seeking to fill two (2) vacancies on the Sierra Club's Human Rights and Responsible Trade Committee (HR&RT). We are especially interested in candidates with a strong interest in trade and human rights. In particular, applicants must clearly demonstrate their willingness to commit the time and energy necessary to help the Committee carry out its responsibilities. Appointments to the Committee are made by SPST, based on applications and phone interviews with prospective candidates. Interviewers will represent the HR&RT and the SPST. If you are interested in applying, please read and follow the instructions completely. We are only accepting self-nominations, so please, pass this announcement on to others whom you believe may have an interest in serving on the Sierra Club HR&RT Committee. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: January 15, 2006 A copy of the completed application should be sent (email preferred) to these members of the Search Committee: Primary Eric Thompson, SPST member 126 St Augustine Dr Greeenville, SC 29615 864-454-0855 Liaison to HR&RT Email: [log in to unmask] Suzanne York, Chair Human Rights and Responsible Trade Committee c/o The International Forum on Globalization 1009 General Kennedy Avenue, #2 San Francisco, CA 94129 Tel: 510-517-4082 Email: [log in to unmask] HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBLE TRADE COMMITTEE The Sierra Club’s Human Rights and Responsible Trade Committee (HR&RT) provides volunteer oversight, coordination and action for the Sierra Club’s Responsible Trade program. This program works to change the course of trade policies and to make sure that trade is safe and fair and allows countries to maintain and improve environmental and health standards, not take steps backwards. New trade agreements are being negotiated that continue along the same failed path as NAFTA and the WTO. The U.S. in particular wants to expand the failed NAFTA trade model, first to Central America through the Central American Free Trade Agreement, on to the Andes with the Andean Free Trade Agreement, and then to the rest of the Hemisphere through the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The Sierra Club is not opposed to trade, but we want trade that is clean, green and fair. The current trade model represented by NAFTA and the WTO doesn't make the cut and instead we need a new direction for our trade agreements. The HR&RT Committee works to shape messages that will enable Sierra Club members and others make the connections between globalization, trade, unsustainable consumption and the need to protect the rights of environmental defenders around the world. Service on the Human Rights and Responsible Trade Committee requires a genuine commitment of time and energy. To learn more about the committee’s work, please review our website at http://www.sierraclub.org/trade or contact Suzanne York, HR&RT Committee chair (contact information above). Committee Member Responsibilities • Maintain an active role in working on one or more issues or projects of the Committee, preferably including the group and chapter levels • Maintain regular contact with the chair and the Committee via monthly conference calls and email • Attend annual meeting of the Committee (travel costs are reimbursed) Members of HR&RT Committee are appointed by the SPST for two-year terms. The Sierra Club has adopted six-year term limits for all national volunteers. QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT We encourage people of diverse ethnic backgrounds, and activists of all ages, to apply. Ability and willingness to use electronic mail and to participate in conference calls are required. Also, ability to travel occasionally to meetings or conferences is helpful. In evaluating applications, the SPST strives to build closer connections with grassroots leadership (which means that current or recent-past Chapter or Group leadership is a plus), to expand the Club's influence (which means a demonstrated ability to communicate with and motivate people external to Sierra Club is a plus), and to increase our ability to communicate more effectively within the Club about the issues and the accomplishments of activists at all levels. HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBLE TRADE COMMITTEE APPLICATION FORM 1. Name: 2. Membership # (required): 3. Contact information (address, phone(s), email, & best times to reach you): 4. Sierra Club activities and leadership positions held, with dates: 5. Environmental work (community, state, national, and/or international level): 6. Statement reflecting interest in and experience with trade issues and human rights: 7. Three references; your Chapter Chair or other Chapter leader must be included as one of the three: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp