Policy

Introduction
Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter often hears from its members that they wish to engage in political activities related to environmental activism and are motivated by the same values and beliefs that motivate them to be active in the Sierra Club. The purpose of VOCAL is to share with Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter members information known to the Club about such activities that are available for them to participate in.

Policy
Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter provides this service (VOCAL) to members as a courtesy, providing information related to opportunities for our members to independently engage in the political process in support of candidates and organizations that advocate for environmental policies and positions which are aligned with Sierra Club’s mission and values. Through the service, members are able to search for and view details related to opportunities which members of the public have shared with Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. VOCAL is provided as a service to our members who frequently express interest in finding opportunities to extend their environmental advocacy beyond their affiliation with Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter and into the electoral process. Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter believes this service is a valuable way for us to communicate to our members institutional information that is relevant to their interests and needs.

Volunteer opportunities may be added to VOCAL by members of the public, including by candidates and their representatives. Users will be required to create an account before submitting information about volunteer opportunities so that Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter may verify the source of the information. Not all volunteer opportunities submitted to VOCAL will necessarily be shared with members. Information submitted must not include solicitations for political contributions and must not link directly to any webpage or other content that solicits contributions. Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter reserves the right to review all submissions and only share with its members those opportunities which in its sole discretion it believes would be of interest to its members and are consistent with this policy and with the Club’s mission, visions, priorities, and other considerations. Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter also reserves the right to delete accounts of, and prohibit further use by, any user who violates the terms of use of the Database or otherwise abuses this service.

Only official members of the Club are eligible to create accounts on the service that are capable of viewing publicized opportunities. To use VOCAL, members must create a password-protected account and sign into the service each time using that password. Members must safeguard their account password and not share it with any other person, in particular not with anyone who is not a member. Members with an active account may view publicized opportunities for their information and personal use. No user participating in a volunteer opportunity shall represent at any time that their participation is done at the direction of or on behalf of Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. By publicizing opportunities, Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter does not recommend or endorse any particular opportunity or candidate for office.

For users adding opportunities

DISCLAIMER
By using this service, I certify that the information I am provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and information. I share this information for the purpose of publicizing an opportunity that members of Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter may participate in on a volunteer basis in their individual capacities. I acknowledge that Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter reserves the right to decide whether or not to share the information I provide with its members and I will have no recourse if Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter ultimately decides not to share the information. I also acknowledge that Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter reserves the right to block my access to the service in the event that I use the service for any inappropriate purpose.

For members viewing opportunities

DISCLAIMER
I certify that I am a member of Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter, accessing this service using my own unique password-protected account, and that I have not shared my password with any other person. I further certify that I am using this service for the purpose of identifying opportunities to engage as a volunteer for a political candidate or cause, and that I will use the information provided through this service to participate as a volunteer in my individual capacity, not as a representative in any way of Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter. I understand that Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter makes no representations as to the accuracy of the information provided or the appropriateness of participating in any opportunity publicized therein. I acknowledge that Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter does not recommend or endorse any particular volunteer opportunity or any candidate for public office by virtue of making this information available to me.