Three factors brought members of the local Sierra Club together last Tuesday - potluck, pantry and personalities.
The Sierra Club's Thomas Hart Benton (THB) Chapter of Kansas City met at the Discovery Center (4750 Troost Ave.) for a gathering dubbed "3 P's: Potluck, Pantry and Personalities."
The potluck brought Kansas Citians interested in the environment together. Some attendees had been members of the Sierra Club for more than 45 years and others were attending their first meeting.
In addition to getting to know each other, attendees were encouraged to bring canned food donations for Della Lamb, a community service organization based in Kansas City.
After the meal, Eileen McManus, member of the THB Sierra Club's executive committee, guided the group through an introduction circle where members and other interested parties shared why they joined, why they are interested and what they have done through the club.
During introductions, members shared their favorite activities, ranging from "outings" to newsletter mailing parties.
Sierra Club organizes and offers outings such as day or weekend hiking trips around the Midwest.
Jan. 2, the Sierra Club will be hiking at Lake Jacomo in Blue Springs.
Members say the hikes remind them of how beautiful and precious nature really is - as well as how awful it is that the environment can be traded for profit.
The Sierra Club hopes to become more active with UMKC in the future.
McManus said she would like to see more students working with the club.
As a volunteer at the Discovery Center, she said the center is interested in offering internships for students.
The Sierra Club acts as a political interest group in Kansas City, defending and appreciating the environment.
When discussing what they do, members said they continually come together "to work on issues" and "make it happen."
The next meeting will be held Jan. 5, 2010.
Guest speaker Matt Orlovick, a member of Representative Emanuel Cleaver's office, will discuss "Climate Change Legislation: Where We've Been and Where We're Headed."
General meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at the Discovery Center.
More information regarding meetings, outings and joining are available on their Web site, http://missouri.sierraclub.org/thb.
rherndon@unews.com
