Fall 2008 Challenge

Exciting News from Maryland Chapter Chair Ron Henry:

Donor Offers A Challenge to Our Members

Between now and November, few Maryland Chapter activities will have more impact in protecting our environment than organizing our Groups and mobilizing our members to elect environmentally sound candidates; to defeat the opponents of strong action that would address the challenges of climate change and environmental protection; and to use our collective voice to help pass strong clean energy legislation in Congress.

At stake are more than just votes in Congress.

We are in a position to help determine whose voice will be on the other end of line when Federal facilities or activities take a call from a Congressman about facility management in their district. We are in a position to help determine what Maryland's members of Congress will advocate, or oppose, when Federal agencies allocate resources or make decisions that will affect the Bay, its watersheds and Maryland's environment.

The Club's membership can be a decisive resource during this fall's campaigns.

However, our ability to mobilize that resource is limited by the fact that staff organizational and political activity must be funded by non-deductible 501 (c) (4) funds. Our staff can't perform the chapter and group organizational support activities needed to increase our groups' effectiveness; or help organize the phone banks and membership get-out-the-vote activities needed to ensure our members' voices are heard, unless we raise non-deductible funds to pay salary, travel and communications expenses.

An anonymous donor has stepped up to the plate and will match, up to $5,000, the (c) (4) money we raise to fund Group and member organization and mobilization and move us forward on legislation. This effort will provide an added long-term benefit to our Chapter by strengthening the volunteer base for our local Groups.

The ball is now in our court.

We have an opportunity, let's seize it.

Please write your non-tax-deductible check to the Maryland Chapter/ Sierra Club. Mark it for "the c-4 challenge."
and mail it to:                         

                                    Sierra Club Maryland Chapter
                                    c/o Chapter Coordinator
                                    7338 Baltimore Ave, Suite 101A
                                    College Park, MD 20740.
Sincerely,

Ron Henry
Chair,
Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club
7338 Baltimore Ave, Suite 101A
College Park, MD 20740
Office: 301-277-7111
Fax: 301-277-6699
ron.henry@mdsierra.org