Sierra Club

Bits and pieces of information about the Florida Chapter and the Turtle Coast Group

Chapter

The Florida Chapter covers the entire state of Florida and currently has a membership of approximately 33,000. There are 17 groups within the Florida Chapter (See Map). When a person joins the Sierra Club, the dues go to the national organization. National then sends a portion of the dues to the Chapter. The Chapter then sends a portion of that money to the 17 groups. The amount is based on the membership numbers of a group. Not all Chapters in the country are as generous to their groups as is the Florida Chapter.

The money disbursed comes from two sources: tax deductible dollars [501 (c)(3)] to the Sierra Club Foundation and non-tax deductible money [501 (c)(4)] from dues and fund raising. Tax deductible dollars are restricted and may not be spent for any political purposes.

During the month of March, National Sierra Club refrains from doing any fund raising in order to give the chapters the opportunity to raise money that will stay within the chapter. This is sometimes referred to as the “March Window of Opportunity.” A portion of the money raised through this “March Fund Appeal” is shared with the groups. It is a complicated formula based on the contributions from within the various groups. The Florida Chapter also gives the groups permission to opt out of the Chapter effort and to conduct their own fund raising during this window. If a group chooses to go it on its own, the group still must rebate to the Chapter a portion of the moneys that it collects. By appealing to its own group directly, sometimes it is possible for a group to beat the odds and raise more money than the amount owed to Chapter.

The Florida Chapter Executive Committee (known as FlexCom) is the decision-making body for the state. It consists of one delegate from each of the 17 groups (very large groups may have a second delegate) plus the Chapter Officers (which number 9). The officers of FlexCom and all the groups, group delegates, committee chairs, FlexCom meeting dates, etc., are published in a Chapter Directory at the beginning of each year. Meetings of the FlexCom are held five times a year, with a different group hosting meetings throughout the state.

The Florida Chapter publishes a newsletter called The Pelican three times a year. The fall edition contains the ballot for election of Chapter officers.

The Florida Chapter also hosts an annual Conservation Conference in the fall. This is an all day Saturday event with Chapter awards being given out that evening. Chapter awards are designated for the public at large (such as media, legislators, government folks) and to members who have performed exceptionally well at the Chapter or group level.

Group

The Turtle Coast's area covers Brevard and Indian River Counties and currently has a membership of approximately 1500 people. The group Executive Committee (Excom) consists of 11 members, 5 elected one year for a two year term and 6 elected in the alternate years. Meetings are generally held bimonthly.

At the beginning of each year, national Sierra Club sends out the so-called “Blue Sheets” (somewhere in the past, they must have been printed on blue paper). Each group is responsible to fill out the forms listing new officers, FlexCom delegate, committee chairs, etc. The Chapter Directory is complied from the Blue Sheets.

Turtle Coast group publishes a newsletter called The Loggerhead . This is sent out to members on a monthly basis, except for July; the November and December issues are combined into one issue. We have a bulk mailing permit at the main Melbourne Post Office. A copy of all newsletters is kept in a binder as part of our archives. The person who picks up the newsletters from the printer and who hosts the newsletter labeling event is the one responsible for maintaining the binder.

Throughout the year, Turtle Coast group participates in environmental fairs and celebrations by displaying the board with information and pictures depicting some of our activities and by passing out literature about the Sierra Club. All Excom members are expected to take turns assisting with this activity. The membership chair obtains printed materials from national Sierra Club.

Turtle Coast is part of the "Adopt a Seashore" program through Keep Brevard Beautiful. As such, we do a quarterly canoe clean up in Turkey Creek Sanctuary. There is a beautiful sign to this effect on the shore at the canoe dock.

From time to time, Turtle Coast engages in litigation about an environmental issue. Permission to do so must come from the Chapter. The group must fill out a “New Matter Form” which lists the parties involved, the statutes, the attorneys, etc. It is now recommended by Chapter that an attorney be involved from the beginning. Some matters must also be granted permission to proceed by National Sierra Club.