Traditionally a major intersection of the nation?s waterways, railroads and highways, Indiana served as the crossroads for Advisory Council members during their recent meeting to discuss new accomplishments and continue work in progress. 

During their Congress of Cities meeting, Advisory Council members tackled a wide-reaching agenda including discussion of the next Futures topic and further analysis of the salient trends and changes affecting America?s cities and towns.

Advisory Council Chair Patsy Jo Hilliard, mayor, East Point, Ga., led the meeting, along with Vice Chairs Lou Ogden, mayor, Tualatin, Ore., and Marian B. Tasco, councilmember, Philadelphia, Pa.

Unfurling the Knowledge Strategy for America?s Cities and Towns

During the meeting, NLC First President Anthony A. Williams, mayor, Washington, D.C., brought the Advisory Council up-to-date on his strategy to orient the National League of Cities as a gateway of information for and about the nation?s cities and towns.

The unveiling of the 2004 Futures report, A Knowledge Strategy for America?s Cities and Towns:  Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty-first Century was followed by more detailed discussion with Advisory Council members. 

This Futures Report represents the culmination of a year-long study by the Advisory Council regarding ways to coordinate NLC?s information capacities toward best serving local officials and citizens.

Williams thanked the Advisory Council for its support in helping NLC identify the integral elements of the network as presented in the 2004 Futures Report.  The new NLC website presents one of the most visible and readily accessible accomplishments of the Mayor?s agenda.

Work Underway Toward Creating Inclusive Communities

NLC Second Vice President James Hunt, councilmember, Clarksburg, W.Va., discussed his evolving concept for the 2005 Futures topic, currently titled ?Building a Nation of Inclusive Communities.?

Hunt explained, ?NLC has long encouraged and supported municipal officials as they strive to foster inclusiveness in communities nationwide.  Yet, much remains to be done.? 

Hunt discussed ways to ?utilize NLC?s historical, organizational commitment to inclusiveness.   Around this issue, a vast body of knowledge exists which can be shaped into constructive tools and partnerships for local officials to access.  Achieving inclusiveness may take a variety of forms from increasing affordable housing to strengthening civic participation.?

Trends and Changes - Scan and Assessment

The Advisory Council also discussed the ongoing scan and assessment of trends and changes affecting the nation?s cities and towns.  Through the last year, Advisory Council members have developed this trends and changes analysis. 

The basic framework of the process includes three key elements:  trends and changes scans, assessments of priority topics, and recommendations for future work. 

From numerous brainstorming exercises and group discussions, four priority topics have emerged for further study by NLC: economic vitality; governance, civic engagement and trust; democratic governance; and public safety. The Democratic Governance panel and the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee have agreed to assist in examining the latter two topics, respectively.

As part of this process, the Advisory Council is working to engage members throughout the NLC family.  In Indianapolis, a new brochure CityFutures: Be a Part of It! was issued and disseminated to describe the process.
 
The brochure will be available at www.nlc.org and the Advisory Council welcomes comments and input from NLC members.