GO BEYOND BOUNDARIES: JOIN THE NLC NETWORK

by Sharpe James — Mayor, Newark, New Jersey
President, National League of Cities

Whether you serve in a small town or a big city, you know that the challenges of effectively serving your community get tougher and more complicated every day. But you don't have to do it alone. As a member of your state municipal organization, you already know how valuable your league is in providing advocacy, information exchange and training services. Membership in the National League of Cities (NLC) — America's largest and most representative organization serving municipal leaders — can be just as rewarding and just as important to the future of your community.

No other national association gives equally to ALL elected and appointed municipal leaders — from communities of ALL sizes — the opportunity to share experiences about governing, to discover practical ideas and programs and to build leadership skills for your community.

With NLC membership, you can tap into a network of thousands of other local officials across the country, each of whom grapple with the same issues you face every day. You can learn what other cities and towns in America are doing, save time and money, and put proven programs to work in your community. Through national conferences and regional seminars, guidebooks, research, and information services, NLC can help you find solutions fast, without "reinventing the wheel."

What's more, NLC membership reflects a rich mix of municipalities of all sizes. Seventy-five percent of NLC's more than 1,400 member communities have populations under 50,000 — and of those, fully one-third have populations under 10,000.

This diversity is a source of strength for NLC and small cities, towns and villages play an equal and invaluable role in the organization. No matter what size community you serve, NLC membership is an investment that will pay for itself in efficient, cost-saving ideas.

NLC is your voice in Washington

Membership in the National League of Cities gives you the power to make a difference beyond the boundaries of your own backyard. As a member, you gain an opportunity to actively shape policies that safeguard the rights and advance the interests of municipal government as a whole, well into the future.

NLC members determine which issues affecting cities and towns deserve national legislative attention — and the best way to ensure that issues important to your community are included on that agenda is to become a direct member and participate.

Whether the goal is curbing crime and violence in our cities and towns ... reducing the burden of unfunded federal mandates ... creating jobs and strengthening local economies ... achieving equitable health care reform ... or securing a lane for local government on our nation's developing "information superhighway" ... NLC is dedicated to vigorously advocating your priorities in the nation's capital. Still, the success of NLC's advocacy efforts on your behalf stems directly from the continued and increasing direct participation by municipalities of all sizes.

Join the NLC network TODAY

If you already belong to the National League of Cities as a direct member, I encourage you to continue playing an active role in the programs offered by NLC and to share that experience with your colleagues and your constituents.

If your community is currently a member of your state municipal organization but not a direct member of NLC, please take the initiative and invest the dollars to join NLC.

There's never been a better time to join, because the price of membership has actually gone down. Due to the end of a building fund surcharge, NLC dues this year are 11 percent below 1993 levels!

One of the best ways to experience the full value of the NLC network is to take us on a "test drive" by coming to NLC's Annual Congress of Cities and Exposition. Set for December 1-4 in Minneapolis, this year's conference will bring together more than 4,000 of your peers to discuss the latest issues and innovations in municipal government.

But even if you can't make it to Minneapolis, I hope that you will call the NLC Membership Office at (202) 626-3190 to request a membership kit. Then put NLC membership on your next council meeting agenda — and make a decision to join. It's one of the smartest investments you can make in your community's future.

The Benefits of NLC Membership Direct membership in the National League of Cities includes:  Reduced registration fees for the annual Congress of Cities and Exposition, the Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. and leadership training events  Free inquiry and online research assistance from NLC's Municipal Reference Service for information on specific ordinances and examples of programs at work.  Free Copies of Nation's Cities Weekly newspaper and reduced rates on other NLC publications  Opportunities to participate in NLC constituency and member groups such as Women in Municipal Government and the Small Cities Council  Full voting rights and leadership opportunities in elective offices, task forces and policy steering committees All municipalities, regardless of size, are eligible to became members of NLC if they are also members of their NLC-affiliated state municipal league. Dues are scaled according to population. For more information, call the NLC membership Office at (202) 626-3190.

Page 4 / Illinois Municipal Review / October 1994