The Massachusetts Legislature operates on a two-year cycle. All bills that are considered must be filed within a few weeks of the beginning of the session. The session ends 18 months later; the session ended late last night. While the 2011-2012 legislation session saw some victories, this session will not be known as one that focused on the environment. Many of our legislative priorities, such as the Bottle Bill Update, had overwhelming public support, but were brushed aside under pressure by moneyed interests and to protect corporate profits. Click here for a list of victories and defeats.

The Primary will be
THURSDAY, Sept. 6th

The Secretary of the Commonwealth set primary day for Thursday Sept 6. This was done because many people travel on the Tuesday of that week. and that the second Tuesday this year falls on 9/11, a date fraught with history and emotion.

Go Solar...
with the Sierra Club and Sungevity!
Solar can save you money and displace dirty fossil fuels. Our national Sierra Club developed with Sungevity a Solar Home program that works for its members and supporters. Get a free quote from Sungevity’s professionals to repower your home simply and hassle-free. $0-down, fully prepaid lease, and full-purchase options are available. Each home is different, so visit our Solar Homes page for things to consider when purchasing or leasing solar and compare your options. When you go solar with Sungevity you receive a $750 cash gift card and Sierra Club receives $750. Request your quote now and find out how solar is more affordable than ever.

Special Events

Bread and Roses Heritage Festival
Monday, September 3, 2012, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Campagnone Common, Lawrence, MA
Learn about the roots of the environmental justice movement at this year's Labor Day festival in Lawrence. In 1912, workers went on strike against difficult working and living conditions. Bob Murphy, Sierra Club activist and chair of the Cape Cod and Islands Group, who has long been active in healthy and safety work, will tell the bread and roses story during an afternoon presentation. He'll also tell the story of Ellen Swallow Richards, the pioneer ecologist. This is an all-day festival with food, music, and a variety of family activities. It's free. Contact the festival organizers for more information. Telephone: (978) 794-1655. info@breadandrosesheritage.org

Committee Meetings

Note: Many committees do not meet in August. Be sure to check back in September!

Thoreau Group Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, 7:00pm
Concord Main Library, 129 Main St. Downstairs Meeting Room
The Thoreau Group executive committee meets the first Tuesday of the month.  Group meetings are free and open to Sierra Club members. This group consists of Concord and 11 neighboring towns. Meetings focus on local initiatives, building awareness of and support for Sierra Club programs and capacity building through town team development. Launa Zimmaro, Group Chair launa@zimmaro.com

Massachusetts Chapter Executive Committee Meeting
Thurs. August 23, 2012, 6pm
Chapter Office, 10 Milk Street #632, Boston
Use 294 Washington St. entrance
Free and open to all Sierra Club members. Ask questions, make suggestions, find out what you can do. Learn whether your state senator and representative are environmental leaders. Hear updates on the chapter's varied work to protect the environment. For details contact Dan Proctor; see contacts page for email address. 

We Need Your Support!
We depend on your generous direct support of our statewide initiatives including working towards a clean energy future, curbing climate change and advocating for critical environmental legislation. Click here to donate 

Do You Have Unused Electronics Lying Around?

Check out the Sierra Club's new e-cycling opportunity in partnership with Causes International. "Up-cycle" your unused electronics responsibly and donate to the Sierra Club at the same time! Click here to get started

Other Mass
Chapter Pages

Facebook:
Mass Chapter
Worcester
Framingham
Beyond Coal Mass.
Ban Plastic Bags
Bottle Bill

Blogs
Cape Cod & Islands Beyond Coal

Twitter
@MassSierraClub
@MassBottleBill
@BeyondCoalMA
@banbags

Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways you can get involved with the Sierra Club's activities. Click here for more information.

Political Field Work: Help elect green candidates! Work in a number of campaigns and on pol research.

Social Media Team: Join our twitter-facebook team and help us reach a larger audience!

And there are many more ways to get involved. Click here for more.

About the E-Sierran
The E-Sierran is the electronic newsletter of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club. In an effort to reduce printing costs and the environmental impacts of print communications, the Chapter publishes this monthly e-newsletter to members and subscribers. The print edition of the Massachusetts Sierran is mailed to our members twice a year and also available online. In accordance with our privacy policy the Sierra Club does not sell or otherwise disclose emails or other such user information outside the organization.

Contact Information:

Massachusetts Sierra Club
10 Milk Street, #632
(weekends/evenings, enter at 294 Washington St.)
Boston, MA 02108
Tel:617-423-5775, Fax: 617-890-0338
web: www.sierraclubmass.org
Email: office@sierraclubmass.org