December 2003 Volume 93, Issue 4

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Earlier this year I made a communications mistake I don’t want to repeat.

Near the end of a letter to Municipal League members, I added one more request to a list that was already too long. The goal was to seek your help in building our organization. I hoped to add to the ranks of Municipal League supporters. We need more people who share our commitment to active citizenship to join.

I know I made a communications mistake because a lot of the envelopes came back with early renewals from current members. Welcome indeed! Thank you to everyone who signaled continued support in such a tangible way.

But, we still need more people who share our commitment to active citizenship to join the Municipal League—and the annual membership drive is upon us.
Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and other interesting studies of American community life, has documented a great falling away from civic engagement throughout our country. The Municipal League certainly has felt those trends over the years.

At the same time, there are thousands of people in King County who want to make our governments more effective, our elected officials more responsive, and our policy choices more clear. In other words, hundreds of people who share our goals but are not yet members of the Municipal League.

I think the best way to reach those people is through your help. During the Municipal League’s 2004 membership campaign, please take a minute to talk to a neighbor, a co-worker, or an acquaintance from a community project or a campaign and ask them to support the Municipal League. Every person who says ‘yes’ represents a vote of confidence that active citizenship continues to bring strength and value to our communities.

Everything about joining the League is on our website. Or ask them to call 206-622﷓8333 (ext. 4) and leave a message. We’ll take it from there.

The Municipal League enjoyed a great year. With support from hundreds of members and volunteers, the League made real contributions to better government throughout the county. During our membership drive, we decided to publish some of these experiences. So be sure to read the articles from CEC volunteers and share this newsletter with others committed to active citizenship.

Thanks for helping others learn about the League.

Putnam Barber

Chair

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