Trade, Human Rights, and Environment Team Charge.docx

 TRADE, HUMAN RIGHTS & ENVIRONMENT TEAM CHARGEContact:Suzanne Yorkslyork27@510-517-4082A. Outcomes Goal:The Sierra Club establishes the Trade, Human Rights and Environment Team to work toward the goal of these environmental outcomes:The mission of the Trade, Human Rights & the Environment Team is to educate Sierra Club members, the public, and decision-makers about the environmental, social and economic implications of global trade policies being promoted with little citizen input. We seek to build public support for model fair trade agreements that protect communities, workers, human health and the environment.B. Core Team Members:The Sierra Club empowers the following core team with the responsibilities and authority defined in Section C and D. The team leader (or chair) is accountable to the Activist Network Coordinating Pair for the success of the team:Suzanne York (Chair)Jim MaysJoan HoltzChris KennedyFred HeutteAndrew ChristieRachel Ackoff Jim Diamond C. Team Responsibility:1) Enlist OthersEnlist a wider circle of activists who will contribute to the work of the team in various ways, including additional issue expertise, local volunteers, and diversity in the Club.2) Informational MaterialsDevelop informational materials for the Sierra Club that are made available online to help others understand the issues the team addresses as well as pros and cons of various proposed solutions.3) Provide AssistanceProvide assistance and consulting to others within and outside the Club who want to learn more or take specific action toward the goals the team is working for.4) Work TogetherWork effectively together as a team to achieve results, using effectively your time, the time of others, and the resources of the Sierra Club that are available to you.5) Keep Website CurrentKeep team's Activist Network website current, including accomplishments, work in progress and opportunities for volunteers to get involved.D. Team Authority:Teams and team members are responsible for following the policy "Jurisdiction Within the Sierra Club" as well as all other relevant Club policies.Charge to Act on Behalf of the Sierra Club:As outlined below, this team is specifically authorized to act on behalf of the Sierra Club with regard to: promote education about the environmental, social and economic implications of global trade policies being promoted with little input from civil society.Limit of Authority: work within the limits of the Sierra Club’s mandate, coordinate with Club staff (Margrete Strand) on any major projects we might want to undertake.1) Federal Agency ActionsSubmit official comments that establish Sierra Club positions regarding proposed federal agency actions. Lobby federal agencies on behalf of Club positions.Limit of Authority: Authority of team is limited to commenting and lobbying at the federal agency level specific to the charge and limitations above. Team is not authorized to take positions or lobby on agency actions at the state or local level without consulting with relevant chapters or groups. 2) Federal LegislationTeam is authorized to review proposed federal legislation and submit recommendations to the Vice-President of Conservation, who is charged with establishing Sierra Club positions on federal legislation. Team is authorized to develop lobbying plans, within limitations below, for federal legislation that the Sierra Club supports.Limit of Authority: Lobbying Members of Congress and U.S. Senators can impact the Club beyond the purposes of any individual team. Therefore, team actions to lobby on behalf of federal legislation requires consultation and coordination with relevant staff. Team is not authorized to take positions or lobby on legislation at the state or local level without consulting with relevant chapters or groups.3) Identify Intersecting Public Policy ImpactsTeam is encouraged to identify public policy decisions at the federal, state and local level where team's outcomes intersect with, and can be impacted positively or negatively by, those that others have been authorized to act on for the Club. Limit of Authority: Reach out and consult with those who are authorized to take positions and/or comment for the Sierra Club in these arenas. 4) Strategic ThinkingProvide strategic thinking for team's issue, develop projects, and seek funding or other support from the Activist Network Support Team for strategically prioritized work.Limit of Authority: Resources may not be available for all work prioritized by team. 5) Legal Actions Initiate new matter forms for approval of legal action relative to team's outcomes. Limit of Authority: Legal actions pertaining to a specific site within the boundaries of a single chapter must be coordinated with the relevant chapter.6) Other OrganizationsConnect with the leadership of other national organizations similarly working to achieve the team's stated outcomes, and represent Sierra Club's existing policies and positions in meetings and forums with other organizations. Limit of Authority: Team does not have authority to prepare, or sign-onto, joint materials with other organizations, such as reports, web sites, media ads, press statements, etc. unless the team has consulted in advance with the Coordinating Pair and joint work with another organization has been specifically approved as a project.7) Media Team members are authorized to act as Sierra Club spokespersons regarding the team's charge and work. Teams are authorized to develop media plans, within limitations:Limit of Authority: The Club's national media staff are responsible for implementing media strategies and messaging nationwide. Team must consult and coordinate with national media staff regarding contact with national media, and with chapters regarding local media. Teams are expected to work with local activists as spokespersons in local media. Part 2: Trade, Human Rights and Environment Team Team Work PlanContext and Scope of Work Trade, Human Rights and Environment Team plans are:Today’s trade rules favor multinational corporations, threaten democratic governance, significantly increase the emissions causing global climate change, and are not designed to protect workers, the environment or consumers. There is a clear need for change. We need to adopt trade policies that support, rather than undermine, environmental and labor standards. We must move away from unchecked trade liberalization and towards policies encouraging progress in developed and developing countries alike. Trade must allow for the evolution to green economies, protection of natural resources, and increased workers’ rights. The purpose of the Trade, Human Rights & the Environment Team is to engage Sierra Club members, and the public, in advocating for the transition to a society which promotes social justice and human rights, communities and open spaces with healthy environments, and a green economy. Our strategy consists of:EducationHelping Sierra Club’s traditional environmental members make the connection between trade, environment and labor policies and other state, national, and international environmental issues, particularly climate change. Main tools will be distributing materials, conducting presentations, and networking at Sierra Club events, meetings, house parties, and conferencesAlliance and Community BuildingPutting a face on the impacts of climate change and unfair trade policies by linking our members with affected communities both here and abroad; and building strategic alliances to strengthen our overall efforts.? OutreachUsing powerpoint presentation and informational materials to broaden our base and to make effective use of social media and networking tools at our disposal. Specifically attract Sierra Club members with an updated AN page, especially the blog.B. Past Accomplishments Organizing a border tour in San Diego/Tijuana so participants could get a first hand look at the impact of NAFTA in the border region, meeting with factory workers and community leaders and hearing first-hand the story of toxic trade and what can be done to fix this failed model. Assisting SC program staff with the event Faces of Forest Loss: Environmental Heroes in the International Fight Against Illegal Logging, featuring international leaders in the fight against the trade of illegal timber. It featured two former Goldman Environmental Prize winners, as well as other logging activists. Organizing a “Trade and Environment” panel discussion with the Los Angeles Chapter's Fair Trade Committee to educate local Sierra Club members on this issue, which also included a hike. Held an event on Quechan Reservation in the desert of SE California to educate Club members on the effects of corporate-driven free trade agreements on indigenous communities and the environment. This unique outing also brought together two indigenous communities directly affected by mining. Both the Quechan tribe and Mayans of Guatemala were battling the mining company Glamis Gold and dealing with its destructive impacts on their lands and cultures. It was an inspiring, and for some, life-changing event, and a successful Sierra Club attempt in solidarity building. Subsequently hosted local premieres of the documentary film “Sipakapa is Not for Sale,” telling the story of the struggle of the Quechan and Mayans against Glamis Gold. Presentation of “Trade & Global Warming” PowerPoint to meeting of the Club’s California Nevada Regional Conservation Committee. Sending participants every year of the Blue Green Alliance’s “Good Jobs, Green Jobs” conferences. The conferences discuss the link between economic opportunity and the necessity of environmental protection and ways to quickly move our country toward a leadership role in a new green economy. Each of the last 5 years “Good Jobs, Green Jobs” brings together policymakers, labor, environmentalists, workforce development specialists, business, and others, who presented effective strategies to support investment in sustainable/renewable energy that create job growth. Participating in outreach calls to fellow Sierra Club members to encourage calls to their Congressional representatives on upcoming free trade agreements. House parties - using PowerPoints, factsheets, and films to aid in our educational efforts on breaking down trade issues, and also for people to see how trade fits into other Club campaigns. Contributed to successful advocacy campaigns on passing legislation to create greater transparency in extractive industries (Publish What You Pay) and combating the illegal trade of wildlife (Lacey Act) Participation in protest of the Free Trade Areas of the Americas [FTAA] including the event in Miami where the FTAA effectively died. All of these events involved extensive program planning & the logistics of moving members to venues.D. Tasks/opportunities for new volunteers: Tasks/opportunities for new volunteers:Letters to the editor, letters to elected officials, phone banking, outreach calls to fellow Sierra Club members to encourage calls to their Congressional representatives on crucial votes related to our mission, tabling at events, assistance with mailings, lobbying members of Congress, posting pertinent reports and links to the Club’s Activist Network site.Tasks/opportunities for experienced volunteers:Same as above, but also serve as local contact persons for strategic partners and new activists, perform research for publications, edit factsheets and reports, write articles, contribute to AN blog, give presentationsTasks/opportunities for leaders:Create greater integration/cooperation with other teams, recruit new team members, maintain/contribute to AN team page, alliance buildingE. Team Leader Responsibility and AccountabilityTeam members share all these responsibilities, but the team leader is ultimately accountable to the Activist Network Coordinating Pair for the following:?Attract a core team of 5-7 activists willing to carry out the full range of responsibilities of the team.?Set expectations for fellow team members and replace team members who are disruptive or not contributing.?Maintain a collegial working relationship both within the team and with other Club entities.?Meet deadlines and expectations of the Activist Network leadership (ANST and coordinating pair) and regularly communicate with Activist Network leadership.?If grant money is received for a project, make sure that someone on the team has responsibility for carrying out the project, reporting on the results and fully accounting for all funds.?Grow the activity of your team as measured by the number of activists you interact with.?Provide opportunities for involvement by activists who want to get involved.?Take primary responsibility for making sure that all issue team actions are in full compliance with all Club policies.?Take primary responsibility for consulting with other Club entities when a proposed action of your team has other stakeholders who need to be involved.?Measure team activity and accomplishments so that it can report back to the coordinating pair.?Develop a succession plan so that another team leader is ready to take over whenever you step down.?Bring problems to the attention of the ANST in a timely manner so they can be addressed.?Attract team members who will take responsibility for internal and external communications to engage as many activists as possible.?If there are any proposed actions or activities that pose a high degree of risk (financial, legal, media, reputation) flag them in advance for the coordinating pair. ................
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