Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mount Vernon Group?
The Mount Vernon Group is a local chapter of the Sierra Club, serving parts of Northern Virginia. We have approximately 4,400 members who live in the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church; Arlington County; the southern part of Fairfax County; and the northernmost section of Prince William County. We are the largest of the 13 local Sierra Club groups in the state of Virginia.

The Mount Vernon Group is concerned about the environment and its impact on quality of life in the D.C. area. This includes alternative/renewable energy sources; conservation of open space; smart growth; air quality; and mass transit. The Mount Vernon Group is involved in many types of activities to support a better quality of life and a cleaner environment in our area. These activities include:

  • Educational initiatives: We coordinate events for the benefit of the general public in our area, and provide information about current local and national environmental issues to MVG members through our newsletter and our listserv.
  • Social events: We sponsor a number of social gatherings each year to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of our area.
  • Political activities: We endorse candidates campaigning for local office in Fairfax, Alexandria and Arlington. We regularly meet with local elected officials on issues of concern. We speak at local public hearings and/or submit written feedback on pending local legislation.
  • Volunteer activities: We volunteer our time to work for local environmental causes, often in partnership with other local civic and environmental groups. These activities can include park and river clean-ups; flyer or brochure distribution; collecting petition signatures at local public events; and canvassing neighborhoods affected by activities like Beltway widening.
  • Community partnerships: We work with local civic associations, smart-growth organizations, and groups concerned with public transit and air quality improvement in the D.C. region. Some of these organizations are listed in the Contacts section of this web site.

    How is the Mount Vernon Group related to other Sierra Club entities (national, state, local)?
    The national Sierra Club organization has chapter organizations across the country to afford Sierra Club members the opportunity for hikes and other local outings, activism on local and state issues, and much more.

    Most often the chapters are organized at the state level, though in some cases they are regional (Idaho and east Washington state, for example). Some states like California have multiple chapters.

    The Mount Vernon Group is one of 13 local groups organized within the Virginia Chapter. The Virginia Chapter has offices in Richmond and a small full-time staff devoted to working on state-level issues. These include endorsing candidates for governor, the House of Delegates and the state senate; advocating for environmental causes in the state legislature and the state budget; and educating Sierra Club members on state issues. If you are a Sierra Club member and live in VA, you probably get a Virginia Chapter newsletter mailed to your home.

    The Great Falls Group is another local chapter, serving the northwest portions of Fairfax and Prince William counties, as well as in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties. We work with the Great Falls Group and the Washington, D.C. Chapter on shared issues of concern.

    What sorts of issues does the Mount Vernon Group work on?
    The primary areas of focus for the MVG include global warming, air pollution, alternative/renewable energy, and transportaton/mass transit. We have also been active in efforts to promote local food purchasing (CSA's, farmers markets, etc.); improve waste management and recycling; preserve open space and parkland; and support pedestrian and bicycle routes through our area.

    For more information about local issues we're currently involved in, visit the Local Issues section of this site.

    How is the Mount Vernon Group funded?
    The national Sierra Club organization passes along a percentage of individual member donations to support state and local chapters and groups. The Virginia Chapter receives funds from the national organization based on the total number of Sierra Club members living in our state; in turn, the state chapter passes along a percentage of this money to the 13 local groups, based on the number of Sierra Club members living there.

    The Mount Vernon Group supplements this money with its own fundraising activities, including past events like a silent auction. We also support our newsletter mailings through advertising in each issue--we encourage you to patronize these businesses!

    How is the Mount Vernon Group governed?
    The Mount Vernon Group is governed by an Executive Committee elected from its general membership. The Group holds elections each fall. The call for candidates is announced in the August issue of the newsletter each year. Candidate statements and ballots are then distributed as part of the November newsletter. Following each year's election, the Executive Committee holds a planning retreat in January and then meets every 1-2 months to coordinate the Group's activities.

    For more information about the current Executive Committee members, please visit the Contacts section of this Web site.

    How can I get involved?
    The Mount Vernon Group welcomes new members and volunteers!

    For more information about how to get involved, please visit the Volunteer Sign-up form on this web site, or e-mail any Executive Committee member.