Andrew Jones

Fall through Spring Internship 2015/2016

GOAL: To assist Sierra Club Maryland Chapter Staff in the daily running of the
office, volunteer co-ordination, and assist with the removal of non-native,
invasive species, as well as learn about them and the factor they play in the local
ecosystem. Get outdoors doing fieldwork and learning about the environment.
Learn how to lead outings. Manage volunteer recruitment and promote invasive
plant removal program. Become part of Maryland Stewardship team.
Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 focuses on non-native, invasive species removal.
Winter 2016 focus on Legislative Session.
Facilitators: Stewardship Coordinators Marc Imlay and Mike Ellis & Chapter
Coordinator Laurel Imlay
RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:
1. Become familiar with Sierra Clubs mission, current campaigns, and
members services through the chapter and group websites, the volunteer
leader support website, written materials and participation in programs
such as Conservation based outings.
2. Venture out weekly to parks and other local areas that may be in
detriment from non-native invasive species and help with their removal
from the local ecosystem.
3. Help to organize, streamline and keep up filing, database, and office
systems. Answer phones, pass on messages, and respond to inquiries.
Recruit and work with volunteers. Assist with mailings. Front desk.
4. Support Maryland Chapter Communications. Update the website.
Maintain calendars. Create or review messages. Make calls to generate
turnout for meetings and events.
5. Schedule regular weekly hours in the office, set up a personal calendar,
maintain a journal & documentation and write a short (1-3 page)
description and evaluation of my internship experience and critique of
organizational systems.
Personal Goals: Learn how the Sierra Club works, gain new experiences, and
understand the native vs. non-native plants of the local Maryland ecosystem. Get
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outdoors doing fieldwork and learning about the environment. Learn how to lead
outings. Become part of the Maryland Stewardship team.
Special Interests: The broader picture of the impacts people make on Earth and
their long-term effects. Learning and figuring out ways to lessen the
anthropogenic effects for better sustainability in the future.
Tools, skills, trainings, activities may include:
1. HELEN on-line database, people search, data entry
2. Clubhouse Leader support website (Clubhouse.sierraclub.org)
3. Phone bank participation & coordination
4. intern@mdsierra.org mdsierra account
5. Fundraising: Thank you cards (Laurel)
General Schedule:
Fall 2015: Weekly stewardship outings with either Marc
or Mike
Winter Break: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11-3 PM in office;
appropriate stewardship outings when they arise
Spring 2016: Wednesdays and Thursdays 2-5 PM in office;
weekly stewardship outings with either Marc or Mike
Start date: September 27th; End Date: Late April (exact date TBD)
Dates of Interest:
January 13th: First Day of Session; head to Annapolis
February 29th: Lobby Night in Annapolis
(More dates to be put in when they arise)
Week 1-11 (September 27th through December 6th):
1. Weekly Stewardship Outings to a park in the College Park vicinity, either
at Magruder or College Park Woods
2. Learn about the various common invasive plants in the Maryland
ecosystem, and the appropriate steps to remove them properly
3. Detect which plants are native to the area, and which ones are not
Week 12 (January 3rd):
1. Help out at office to sort through paperwork and keep organization in the
office
Week 13 (January 10th):
1. Event: MD First Day of Session Jan 13th
2. Continue to Help out at office to sort through paperwork and keep
organization in the office
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Week 14 (January 17th):

1. Help out at office to sort through paperwork and keep organization in the
office
Week 15-28 (January 24th through April 24th (excluding Spring Break)):
1. Help out at office to sort through paperwork and keep organization in the
office
2. Weekly Stewardship Outings to a park in the College Park vicinity, either
at Magruder, College Park Woods, or Paint Branch Trail
3. Continue learning about the various common invasive plants in the
Maryland ecosystem, and the appropriate steps to remove them properly
4. Continue detecting which plants are native to the area, and which ones
are not
5. Attend appropriate events during the semester, of which are TBD