Box 14, Folder 17, Document 4

Box 14, Folder 17, Document 4

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DISCUSSION PAPER
Chicago Conference

Mobilizing Urban Coalitions
Chicago Circle Center, University of Illinois October 17th, 1967

Introduction

With any new national effort such as that being undertaken by The Urban
Coalition, it may be expected that organizational structure methods will
continue to undergo change. For this reason The Urban Coalition is under-
standably following a flexible course of action. The ideas set forth in
this Metaiées paper may be expected to undergo further change as they are

subject to continuing review by both national and local leadership. The

views of those interested in The Urban Coalition are invited and welcome.

Goals

Based upon the Statement of Principles, Goals and Commitments adopted at the

August Emergency Convocation, The Urban Coalition's program may be restated

as follows:

1. To encourage the Congress to respond affirmatively to the needs
of the cities.

2. To encourage public concern with the needs of the cities,

3. To stimulate greater private initiative and effort in dealing with
the problems of the cities, including both investment and technical

assistance,
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4. To stimulate greater support for and interest in ongcing efforts to

meet such needs as:
--job development and manpower training programs

--open housing efforts

--urban renewal and reconstruction

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--anti-poverty programs

--programs to overcome educational disparities.

Methods

Among the methods that may be followed by The Urban Coalition are the
following:

1. Be supportive, not operational. It is expected that The Urban
Coalition will support ongoing efforts at both the local and national levels.
It may stimulate new undertakings. It will cooperate with such major new .
efforts as the $1 billion investment allocation of the insurance industry

for center city development. It will give support to local urban coalitions.

2a Stimulate interest in successful examples of action. Through its
Task Forces The Urban Coalition will identify, work with, and publicize

successful efforts to expand employment, extend lower income housing and
equal housing opportunities, new educational programs and the like. The
Task Forces hope to serve as catalysts and convenors. They will serve as

clearinghouses of local action.

BY Work with the mass media. Through its Task Force on Communications
and Public Support and through counterpart committees at the local level,

it is hoped that the mass media can be encouraged to focus greater attention
on the needs of cities. Broad public understanding of the need for greater
resources, of the complexities of the problems involved and the need for

urgent action are essential if the goals of The Urban Coalition are to be

achieved.
Page: Three p

4, To coordinate a national legislative campaign. The Urban Coalition
has called upon Congress for action across a broad front to meet the urban
crisis. Interpreting and emphasizing the need for national action is as
much a local obligation as it is a commitment of the National Steering
Committee. Discussions with members of Congress is as much a hometown

affair as are appearances before Congressional committees.

Structures

The National Steering Committee at the present time consists of thirty-six
members. They are broadly representative of business, labor, local govern-
ment, religion, civil rights and education. It is expected that two addit-
ional members of the Steering Committee will be selected by the Council of
Urban Coalitions. As local coalitions are formed they will be invited to
designate two representatives to serve on the Council and through this
Council provide the National Steering Committee with advice and guidance on
matters of national concern. The Gatioral Steering Committee has established
seven Task Forces and it is expected that local coalitions will develop
counterpart units. These are identified and discussed in the attached
guidelines. Under consideration for future development is the establishment
of a Council of Urban Economic Advisors to se sieu the Coalition in analyzing
the impact of Federal auonomié, fiscal, tax, and budgetary policies of cities.
A second Council of University Urban Studies Centers is being contemplated as
a means of channeling the best research ideas concerning urban development

into the discussions and plans of both the National Steering Committee and


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and local coalitions. Further additions and modifications in the organization

and structure of The Urban Coalition may be expected as experience is gained.