ANNUAL REPORT 2018HARNESSING THE COMMUNITY POWER OF THE CLIMATE MOVEMENT TOWARD MOBILIZING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION IN GEORGIA

THE GEORGIA SIERRA CLUB GREW IN BOTH POWER AND IMPACT IN 2018. WE CELEBRATE THAT GROWTH AS WE CONTINUE TO AIM HIGHER FOR 2019 AND BEYOND.

As a member-driven environmental advocacy organization, the Sierra Club sits very near the center of critical public policy debates about energy, transportation, conservation, and the climate crisis. We are also leading the way in fighting for social and environmental justice as our state wrestles with all these complex challenges. Our portfolio of work for clean energy is particularly broad, incorporating national Sierra Club campaigns and local priori-ties to bring Georgia a sustainable energy economy. The Club has worked with the City of Atlanta to develop a 100% clean energy plan by 2035. Athens, Augusta, and Savannah are on their way to developing similar programs. As intervenors at the Public Service Commission and in work around the state, the Club is an outspoken advocate for both pragmatic and progres-sive policies on coal retirement, aggressive deployment of new solar resources, energy storage, and demand management. The transition to clean energy and just energy policies is a critical mission for us. During the 2018 midterm election cycle, the Sierra Club helped 28 of our 32 endorsed candidates for legislative office win their seats. We harnessed the political power of the climate movement and led the mobilization of environmental voters in Georgia. Volunteers and canvassers knocked on doors, made phone calls, sent text messages, and were active on social media.

2018 was also a good year for our organizational health. Mem-bership continues to grow on a strong pace. We also expanded our staff and our revenues, giving us greater reach than ever before and improving the support our professional staff pro-vides to our motivated volunteer activists.

As encouraging as this momentum is, there is still much work to do. We are committed to pushing Georgia into a clean energy future and to changing our political climate. With your support, we will work to protect Georgia’s land, water, and air to secure Georgia’s natural wonders for the enjoyment of future genera-tions. We will continue to educate and motivate Georgians to explore, enjoy, and protect our natural resources. Growing our organization grows our impact. In 2018, we saw some of that growth, but we have to do more. The stakes are high. We count on your continued support in 2019 and beyond as we build on our recent success. Thank you.Jeff Schoenberg, Chapter ChairGeorgia Sierra Club

OUR WORKClean Energy for All Once the dominant source of Georgia’s electricity (and still the dirtiest), coal produces nearly one third of the state’s energy needs today. The five remaining coal-fired power plants operated by the Georgia Power include the single dirtiest coal plant in the nation —Plant Scherer in Juliette, GA. The pollution from Georgia’s dirty coal fleet is the primary threat to our state’s invaluable air and water resources and to the health and well-being of our children and families. It’s time for Georgia’s energy economy to move into the 21st century! Our Clean Energy For All Committee works to stop the development of proposed dirty, dangerous energy sources like coal and nuclear plants, to scale up investment in clean, safe energy, like solar and wind.

Our Wild Georgia The Georgia Sierra Club’s Wildlands & Wildlife Committee is at the heart of the Sierra Club’s mission to explore, enjoy, and protect. We advocate for responsible management and protection of our public lands and wild forests and work to preserve and expand habitats that protect vulnerable wildlife. Not only does this help mitigate climate change, but it also preserves land that provides access to the wilderness experience. National Forests, Wilderness Areas, National Seashores, and all our other precious public lands provide opportunities for us to escape the everyday routine, bond with family, teach children about nature, and experience endless adventures.

Regional Action to Improve Livability (RAIL) The Georgia Sierra Club’s RAIL Committee advocates for transportation choices, such as mass transit and biking, and transit-oriented development in Georgia. We believe that traveling by car should be just one of many options available to Georgians. Burning oil is the number one source of climate-disrupting pollution in the U.S., and most of that comes from cars with only one passenger. Burning oil to power vehicles harms our air quality and public health. That’s why our goal is to cut oil use in half in Georgia by 2030. We work to reduce dependence on cars and trucks by securing more funding for sustainable transportation choices like mass transit, biking, walking, and electric vehicles. We encourage walkable community development for a better quality of life in Georgia and oppose bloated road projects.

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” – John Muir

Capitol Conservation Day 2018, Credit: Georgia Water Coalition

Political The Georgia Sierra Club sees the importance of having environmental champions at all levels of elected office. These are the champions we need to pass laws to protect our water and wild places to expand transit and renewable energy, and to keep us moving forward. That’s why we endorse state and municipal candidates that we believe will be true champions on our issues every year.

Legislative The Georgia Sierra Club works every legislative session to keep Georgia’s lawmakers accountable to the people and the environment. Our top tactic is our in-district lobbying, which involves attending meetings that provide members the opportunity to get to know their state lawmakersand discuss environmental issues. We train volunteer District Leaders to coordinate and lead meetings, so the voice of the environment is heard in the halls of power.

• Celebrated the 35th Anniversary of the Georgia Chapter • Launched Solarize Atlanta • Canvassed for Sierra Club endorsed candidates• Lobbied for passage of the ATL (Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority) during the 2018 legislative session• Lobbied elected officials to get MARTA on the ballot in Gwinnett • Hosted a candidate forum with 2018 PSC candidates• Led trail maintenance volunteer workdays with the Forest Service• Participated in the 2018 Clean Energy Job Fair in Augusta• Participated in 2018 Atlanta Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice• Launched 100% Clean Energy Coalition in Athens• Marched in People’s Climate March with over 200 participants • Engaged Cobb EMC with the PAYS Program • Partnered with Military Outdoors for the 2018 Memorial Day River Run

ACCOMPLISHMENTSWHAT WE DID

BY THE NUMBERS

140KVOTERS REACHED

60,000 Members and Supporters

80Outings with 500+ participants

150Meetings and events

32CANDIDATESENDORSED

622PoliticalOrganizers

staff members and six local groups

Largest number of victories for our endorsement candidates (28 out of 32).

2018 OVERALL EXPENSES

FINANCIALTOTAL INCOME 2015–2018

2015 2016 2017 2018

$279,270 $262,661

$425,882

$843,552

2015 2016 2017 2018

$300,000

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

$50,000

$

C4 Income

National SC Campaigns

C3 Income

PAC

INCOME 2015–2018

54%Conservation

Program

5%Administrative

24%Political5%

Member Engagement, Trainings, and Outings

9%Fundraising

3%Legislative

45%Clean Energy/Beyond Coal

8%Wildlands

2%Water Coalition

16%RAIL

6%Public Engagement

4%Other

14%MembershipEngagement

2%Newsletter

2018 CONSERVATION PROGRAM EXPENSES

WHO WE ARE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jeff Schoenberg, Chapter Chair, At-Large MemberMark Woodall, Vice Chair, Conservation, At-Large MemberDavid Emory, Vice Chair, Administration, At-Large MemberTom Neff, TreasurerSeth Gunning, Secretary, At-Large MemberDan Friedman, Human Resources Chair, Gwinnett Group DelegateNorman Slawsky, Fundraising Chair, Metro Atlanta Group DelegateYeou-Rong Jih, At-Large MemberNancy Daves, At-Large MemberShelby Buso, At-Large MemberMary Miller, Centennial Group DelegateKaren Grainey, Coastal Group DelegateTravis Towns, LaGrange Group DelegateLinda McBurney, Savannah River Group Delegate

STAFFJessica Morehead, Interim Chapter DirectorGina Webber, Development AssociateRicky Leroux, Communications CoordinatorLornett Vestal, Sierra Club Outdoors Southeastern Military and Veterans CoordinatorNeil Sardana, Georgia Beyond Coal OrganizerEliza Stevenson, Quaker Voluntary Service Fellow

LOCAL GROUPS Centennial - Cobb, Cherokee & North Fulton CountiesCoastal - Chatham County (Savannah)Gwinnett - Gwinnett CountyLaGrange - Troup County (LaGrange)Metro Atlanta - Fulton/DeKalb County (Atlanta)Savannah River - Richmond County and surrounding counties (Augusta)

3%Legislative

Our work involves efforts to influence legislative and administrative decisions, as well as political elections that impact Georgia’s environment. We also conduct a wide array of activities to engage members and the public in efforts to explore, enjoy, and protect our shared environment; including outdoor hikes, community townhalls, and service activities.

Georgia Sierra Club has worked to protect Georgia’s environment and natural resources since 1983. Today our priorities range from protecting our forests and coast to advocating for clean energy and transit expansion. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet.

743 E. College AveSuite BDecatur, GA 30030404.607.1262georgia.chapter@sierraclub.org

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