Muni News
January 2002 Volume 92, Issue 1

League Plans for 2002

I am pleased to tell you that the Municipal League is doing well and has a clear focus for 2002. We have three primary goals: first, to shift as an organization from being project oriented to being program oriented; second, to build in the ability to transition leadership as a matter of course; and third, to increase our opera-ting budget to $150,000 for 2002 (from $100,000 in 2001).

Achieving these goals will result in the strongest, most effective League any of us has seen in years.

Programs, not just Projects

By shifting from a project to program orientation, we can gain from each effort and build momentum. For example, until 2000 we performed our candidate evaluation work (CEC) as an ad-hoc effort every year. We would recruit a committee, start the process, do the work, and then shut it down every year. Now we treat CEC as a program which the League is committed to. We have a committee of trustees and members that works throughout the year. During the off times they plan, revise the process, and recruit. This allows the quality of the effort and product to get better each year, compounding our gains.

We are applying this approach to everything we do and have organized ourselves into five standing steering committees: CEC, Studies and Projects, Events and Programs, Communications, and Development. All steering committees are open to members, members, and we hope you will volunteer.

Leadership Transition

Difficulty handling leadership transition has caused headaches for many organizations, including us. So, beginning with this year, the Board of Trustees and every standing steering committee will have a vice chair who will serve as chair the following year. This isn’t rocket science, but it sure makes a difference.

The League currently has only one paid staff person, Tom Page, our executive director. Tom does a wonderful job and has no plans leave, but this is a precarious situation. So our draft budget for 2002 includes funding for a part-time administrative person. This will not only provide the additional office support that we sorely need but also give us two-deep staffing, allowing us to have a transition in either staff position and still retain some institutional memory.

Increase Operating Budget

In order to fund the efforts out-lined above, we need to increase our revenues (memberships, sponsorships, and gifts). Even though our Development Steering Committee will plan and coordinate this effort, fundraising is really done by everybody. This includes you.

We have worked extremely hard to use the funds given to the League in the most effective way possible. We are ready for the next step. With more, we can and will do more. I am certain you will hear from us soon asking for your support. Please help us now, and send in a check to:

The Municipal League Of King County
810 Third Avenue, Suite 224
Seattle, WA 98104-1651

Please write “2002 Fundraising” in the memo section. Or save the stamp and donate online at: www.munileague.org/donate.htm

Thank you for your financial support. Achieving these goals will make us the strongest, most effective League any of us has seen in years. It’s about time. We have so much work to do!