Lobby Day in Sacramento

In May, Sierra Club California held a Lobby Day. Around 20 Club members came, from eight different chapters. They had several commonalities: they cared about protecting California's environment; they cared enough to "show up"; they wanted to learn more about the legislative process; and they wanted to learn to be more effective when lobbying their elected representatives. (Does this sound like you? Sign up for our next Lobby Day in August.)

On Sunday these folks attended a training session on the bills to be lobbied for and the legislative process. Monday morning everybody showed up bright and early for breakfast and last-minute instructions, and off they went to meet legislators.

Rafael Reyes of the Loma Prieta Chapter reported back, "Lobby Day is a great experience to learn how the Capitol works and make a difference." Andrew Christie of the Santa Lucia Chapter says, "It is fun to fly/drive to our fair state's seat of government, spend a Sunday afternoon getting a briefing on pending legislation, spend the evening going over the details, and then hit the ground running on Monday morning hustling support from senators and assemblymembers." Irvin Dawid: "It's a most rewarding experience."

Come to our next Lobby Day on Aug. 8 - 9. For information or to sign up, contact Marianne Batchelder at: or (916) 557-1100, ext. 107.

Sierra Club California was established in 1986 to represent the Sierra Club's 200,000 members and 13 chapters in California before the state legislature, state agencies, and the governor's office. Visit our new website: www.sierraclubcalifornia.org

Sign up to receive our web-based legislative action alerts at: http://cal-legalert.sierraclubaction.org

Pat Veesart, state chapter liaison