Muni News
VOLUME 90, ISSUE 1 -
JANUARY 2000
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THE STATE OF THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
New League Chairman, Tom Albro, shares highlights and challenges
Dear friends and fellow members,
The New Year is an ideal time to take stock and plan for the future. At the
Municipal League, this is precisely what we’ve been doing. We have also made a
few resolutions. First and foremost among them is to communicate with our
members more openly and more frequently. To that end you will again receive The
Muni News regularly, this being the first issue.
To be frank, the Municipal League has seen better days. We have been
experiencing a slow, steady decline for the better part of the last decade. The Board of Trustees believes that in order to be
faithful to the League’s legacy we cannot allow it to erode further. We must
either rebuild or shut down. The Board passed a resolution recognizing this on
November 15, 1999 setting a goal to raise at least $50,000 by March 31, 2000 and
committing that if we fail to reach our goal we will close down the League
shortly thereafter.
We absolutely believe that the mission of the League is as relevant and
worthwhile today as it ever was. The Municipal League exists to “build
stronger communities by connecting people to the local governments that serve
them.” We have been doing this as a non-partisan, good government watchdog for
90 years. For the good of our communities, we need to continue doing it for the
next 90 years.
We are going to succeed and here is how:
- Reconnect with members through regular issues of Muni News and by
providing opportunities to serve on Municipal League committees.
- Build our membership through an ongoing membership campaign.
- Stabilize our finances by raising at least $50,000 by March 31. The
fundraising campaign is now underway and as of January 10th we have already
raised $10,900.
- Re-evaluate and reinvent our candidate evaluation process, with the
focus being on whether this is the best way to be sure qualified people are
running for elective office.
We also plan to pursue the following projects in 2000:
- A joint transportation forum and study group on post I-695 issues with
the League of Women Voters, which is now underway (see this issue for more
details).
- “Take the Pulse” - a census of community views toward government
and the identification of major community issues. The work plan is to be
developed in January and February, with the project scheduled to begin by
the end of March.
- “Money in Politics” - a study of the influence of money on the
political process. The work plan is essentially complete; the project will
be pursued once grant funding is secured (April at the earliest).
Our primary theme for projects for the foreseeable future will be to delve
into the looming crisis resulting from the chasm between people and government.
We are rebuilding the League and are focusing on the important issues that
affect our daily lives, but we can’t do it without your help, please:
- Renew your membership or become a member today.
- Invite a friend or local business to join the League.
- Consider making a special financial contribution.
- Call us if you are interested in volunteering.
I firmly believe that the Municipal League will end 2000 as a vibrant,
effective, relevant, and financially stable organization. If you would like to
share your thoughts and perspectives with me I would like to hear them. I can be
reached at chairperson@munileague.org
or by phone at (206) 930-4004.
Until next time…
Tom
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