News | HomePage

Welcome to the second February 1999 issue of !



In this issue:

- Chebucto Group ELECTION update and call for VOLUNTEERS

- news from CASS ELLIOTT, former Chebucto Group Conservation Chair

- SYDNEY TAR PONDS news from Sierra Club, Cape Breton

- from Elizabeth May: Nova Scotian joins Sierra Club international cte



-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND ELECTION UPDATE



RSVP TO LOLA DOUCET, 902-455-6365, OR TO PAUL FALVO,


FOR MORE INFO OR TO VOLUNTEER FOR ANY OF THESE POSITIONS



Dear Chebucto Group member,



Do you have a little time you can spare for the environment?  A lot of
time?  We're looking for both types of volunteers! 



Chebucto Group currently needs volunteers to serve on its Executive
Committee (ExComm).  We also need volunteers for the Nominating and
Elections Committee. 



First, some background.  If you are a member of the Sierra Club and you
live in Atlantic Canada, then you are already a member of Chebucto Group,
the Club's local group.  Chebucto Group is governed by a 6 member ExComm
(steering committee). 



The Group's by-laws require direct election by the Group's members of the
ExComm.  The Group came into existence in 1997 and an election (by
acclamation) took place that year.



In late 1998 the Group's then leaders attempted to run a second annual
election.  However, despite commendable efforts, the results of that vote
were inconclusive.  On February 15, 1999 the leaders of the Eastern Canada
Chapter (the regional body of which Chebucto and other local groups form
part) decided by consensus that the Group's 1998 election must be redone. 



We are therefore looking now for volunteers to run the election, and for
volunteers to stand as candidates in the election. 



NOMINATING COMMITTEE:


At least 3 volunteers are needed for a Nominating Committee that will
search for and recommend a minimum of 7 candidates to run for the 5
positions open on the Group's ExComm.  This is a short term position that
ends when its work is done -- ideal for someone with some energy right
now, but who can't commit to a long term. 



ELECTIONS COMMITTEE:


Three or more volunteers are needed for this committee, which will prepare
and count ballots -- in other words, the actual operation of the election. 
Again, a short term commitment. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (ExComm):


The big one!  If you want to be fully involved in the Sierra Club, this
position is for you.  No special skills required -- on the job training is
provided!  But, this is a serious time commitment.  The ExComm is
responsible for the day to day o perations for Chebucto Group; it is the
body that speaks for the Sierra Club in Atlantic Canada.  Members commit
normally for a two year term; it is from the ExComm that the Group Chair
and other officer positions are chosen.  This job is demanding, but can be
intensely rewarding.  You have the opportunity to make a real difference
in the growth of the Sierra Club.



If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Lola
Doucet, Paul Falvo or any member or office of the Eastern Canada Chapter
ExComm. 



Selection by the Nominating Committee is not necessary for candidacy to
the ExComm.  Petition candidates may also run in the election.  Pursuant
to section 2.6 of the Group's by-laws, "The name of any member of the
Group proposed in writing by 10 members of the Group, and who gives
consent, shall also be included on the ballot . . ."  The Group's by-laws
of course supersede any statements contained herein; for a complete copy
of the Group's by-laws, please contact the Chapter Office. 



- by Paul Falvo, for Lola Doucet - Interim Group Chair



-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-


From:  Cass Elliott



Hi, My name is Cassin Elliott and I am the new Gaia Project intern. I just
moved here from Halifax where I am the past chair of the conservation
committee for the Chebucto Group of the Sierra Club. I was also involved
with a group called Youth for Social Justice which worked on a wide range
of social and environmental Issues. I enjoy hiking and canoeing and
traveling, last year I drove to El Salvador and since then I have toured
around Canada living in a couple different places.



But at the moment I am working in the Gaia Project / Sierra Club office
here in Smithers and then I will travel to El Salvador where I will work
for our partner NGO CESTA. There are two main objectives of my 6 month
internship. The first task is update and integrate the 2 existing Gaia
Project web pages and CESTA^Òs web page.  The other objective is to work
on an alternative transportation campaign. On the Web side of things the
plan is to have a site called "Eco-Centro"  that will have a totally
graphical interface. For example the first group of interns here worked on
a project that retrofitted a school bus into a traveling Sustainable
Living education tool. On the Eco-Centro page it would have pictures of
the bus and if you clicked on the straw bale wall it would give you
information on straw bale housing. The Eco-Centro Page will only be a part
of the Gaia Project web page, there will also be information on Gaia^Òs
other educational campaigns. The Gaia Project Page and the Eco-Centro Page
will have links to CESTA^Òs web page that will have information about all
of their ongoing projects. 



As for alternative transportation, I am going to be involved in a 20 day
educational bicycle tour around El Salvador. The tour will spend at least
a day in each small community and facilitate workshops on alternative
transportation as well as alternative technology. I am in the process of
networking with NGO^Òs here in Canada to try to get a similar tour
happening in June of this year. 



If you would like to become involved with the bicycle action, or if you
have any information on where I could get free or cheap computers to take
to CESTA in El Salvador please contact me.



                                  Cassin Elliott  

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-


From:  Sierra Club, Cape Breton -



The environmental "Nightmare on Frederick Street," Sydney, Nova Scotia has
9 families trying to get relocated.  All work to clean up surface mess and
some derelict buildings at the coke ovens has been stopped due to
residents' complaints of ill health since work began. 



On January 6 it was announced that the contract for this work had been
cancelled by the province which created anger and concern for some in the
JAG process (Joint Action Group on Environmental Cleanup.)  Apparently the
province of Nova Scotia cancelled the contract without any consultation
with JAG which has been mandated to find remedial options for the cleanup
of the Muggah Creek Watershed, aka North America's worst toxic waste site. 



The tar ponds still remain in the center of the city, creating a septic
mess in the summer and leaching out into the harbor/Atlantic Ocean with
each and every tide. 



Read all the details on the environmental nightmares in Cape Breton at:

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/2727/




Submitted by Sierra Club, Cape Breton



-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-


From:  Elizabeth May

Subject: Environmental Quality Strategy Team



Dear all,



I am writing to share some good news.  We now have a Canadian Sierran on
the Environmental Quality Strategy Team!  It is chaired by a remarkable
Club volunteer, Ross Vincent of Colorado.  He managed to persuade Clotilda
Yakimchuk of Sydney (whom anyone at the Board meeting in June met) to join
the team.  The EQ Strategy Team covers a number of areas where Clotilda
has expertise: environmental justice issues, toxics, and health.  For
those of you who don't know her, tune in to Vision TV on March 19th for
the Sierra Club documentary "Toxic Partners" in which Clotilda is
interviewed.  For those on email, for the next little while, Clotilda's
emails will be routed through our office  or you can reach
her by phone 902-562-7280. 



-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-


You received this because you are subscribed to "sierra-news", the Sierra
Club's Atlantic Canada newsletter. To unsubscribe, send email to
 with "unsubscribe sierra-news" (without quotes) 
as the body of your message. For help with this list contact




To contact the Sierra Club's Chebucto Group, email 
or call (902) 455-6365



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sierra Club is North America's most effective grass roots environmental
group.  Chebucto Group is the local branch, covering Atlantic Canada.  To
subscribe to our bimonthly email newsletter, and receive regular updates
on conservation activities, outings, and get-togethers just send a message
with only the words "subscribe sierra-news" to 



Return to Chebucto Group



Comments to:
Chebucto Webmaster