Lesley Schack

October 24, 2011

As a volunteer for the Sierra Club North Star Chapter, I see firsthand the chapter’s effectiveness in protecting Minnesota’s wilderness and communities. After just two years with the land use and transportation committee I have witnessed our volunteers:

• pressure legislators to successfully override Governor Pawlenty’s veto of a tax increase that now provides new funding for transit in Minnesota
• help organize and attend field hearings on keeping transit affordable
• organize an event to help residents of Dakota County better understand comprehensive planning
• plan and execute Tour de Sprawl, the chapter’s annual “conference on wheels”
• launch “Transit to Green Space,” a series of outings that make it possible to visit our region’s parks without ever getting into a car

What is most amazing to me is that activities like this are driven almost entirely by volunteers with help from a small staff of organizers. Their collective passion, savvy, and intelligence are inspiring. Without philanthropy, however, they would not have the space, resources, or organizer support needed to be as successful as they are today.

That is why in addition to giving my time as a volunteer, I give my financial resources as a donor.

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