Notes from the Chairs
July, 2008
John Buchser, Northern NM Group Chair
Ya Hoo! So many victories on our hands! Thanks to all our members for getting out to vote. Every single endorsement we made this year has been part of a success story. I particularly ask for your continued support of Martin Heinrich in Albuquerque, who needs everyone's support to be elected this fall. Contact any of the ExCom if you are interested in sharing rides to Albuquerque to walk the streets, or check out Martin's website for other possibilities.
The Cool Biz campaign is now up-and-running. Check out the website at www.coolbizsantafe.com. The goal is to engage the business community in helping to keep our planet cool! We need everyone's help to save the planet's critters, from the big Polar Bears to the multitude of little ones.
On July 17 the Sierra Club is hosting house parties around the country. Light bulbs are a step to leadership. Check out the Lightbulbs to Leadership website, it has a great video. We expect to have a few house parties in the area, or volunteer your own place! Let an ExCom member know if you'd like to attend one or sponsor one.
Finally, our annual election is creeping up on us. If you have an interest in a leadership role, please let us know.
Dexter Coolidge, Conservation Chair
We continue to fight our battles in both the largest arenas and the smallest. In the largest, Norma McCallan and John Buchser have recently lobbied in Washington for adoption of the Sabinosa Wilderness.
In the smallest, we wanted to sell our hiking books at the new REI store in Santa Fe, but were confronted with an REI requirement that we ship them to a national distributor, who would then ship them back. Primarily because we believe in buying local and keeping shipping to a minimum, we decided not to sell through REI on those terms.
After an initial refusal and considerable discussion, REI accepted our approach, and we will distribute directly to the local store.
I am pleased to announce that David Van Winkle has accepted the position of Chair of the Cool Cities Program in Santa Fe. David had previously led the charge on some major successful campaigns in Dallas. From now on, David will be reporting separately on Cool Cities.