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L DISCUSSION PAPER Chicago Confe rence 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 me thods will continue ~o undergo change. For this reason The Urban Coalition is under- standably following a flexible course of action. The ideas s e t forth in this discussion paper may be expected to undergo fur t her change a s the y 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 Commitment s adopted at the August Emergency Convocation, The Urban Coalition's program may be restated as follows: 1. To encourage the Congress to respond affirmativ ely t o the n e eds of the cities. 2. To encourage public concern with the needs of the c it ies? 3. To stimulate greater private initiative and effort in deali~g with the problems of the cities, including both inv e s t me n t and technical assistance. \ 4. To stimulate greater support for and interest in ongoing effo r ts to meet such needs as : -- job development and manpower training p r og rams --open housing efforts -- urb an r enewa l and r econstr uctio n . �Page·Two --anti-poverty programs --programs to overcome educational disparitieso \I 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 sue~ majo~ new efforts as the $1 billion investment allocation of the insurance industry f ·o r center city development. 2. It will give support to local urban coalitions. 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. Task Forces hope to serve as catalysts and convenors. The They will serve as clearinghouses of local action. 3. 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 te encouraged to focus greater attention on the ne e ds of cities . Broad public understanding of the need for greater resources, of the complex ities of the problems involved and the n eed for urgent action are essential if the goals of The Urb a n Coalition are to be achieved. �Page·Three 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 ~uch 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 coITLmittees. 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 National Steering Comrni~tee has established seven Task Forces and it is expected that local coalitions will develop counterpart units. guidelines. These are identified and discussed in the attach ed Under consideration for future development is the establishment of a Council of Urban Economic Advisors to assist the Coalition in analyzing the impact of Federal eco~omic, fisc~l, 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 �Page Four and local coalitions. Further additions and modifications in the organization and structure of The Urban Coalition may be expected as experience is gained. "' * * �