Emulating the wildlife it works to protect, the Sierra Club is evolving to succeed in a changing world. In May the Club adopted an updated Diversity Plan and an initiative called Project Renewal that will make it easier for volunteers to pitch in at the national level. In the Club's old structure-last revamped in 1995-governance committees advised the board. Charged with both planning and execution, they oversaw the work of 100-plus committees. They often became mired in day-to-day operations, and the mix of responsibilities led to confusion. "Project Renewal was needed to carve out space for the directors to think strategically," says board president Allison Chin. The new system separates planning and implementation. Now the board will be advised by "upstream" volunteer-driven "think tanks." When the board approves a plan, separate "downstream" teams, designed by pairs of volunteers and staffers, will do the work.
展开▼
