Neighborhood Action
October 20, 1999

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GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

MAYOR WILLIAMS CALLS UPON CITIZENS TO SHAPE CITY'S FUTURE
Neighborhood Action invites all to "come together, work together, succeed together"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Mayor Anthony A. Williams and members of the City Council are inviting District residents to join together to shape the future of our city and produce visible change in our neighborhoods. The announcement was held at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in the Brookland neighborhood of Ward 5.

"So many people in this city give their hearts and souls to improve the neighborhood they Jove, the place they call home," said Mayor Williams. "I want everyone to know that this government will do its part to support their efforts. I want to work directly with citizens so that their priorities are heard. There is much to do — together."

Neighborhood Action will empower citizens to improve their communities by mobilizing and coordinating the resources of government, business, nonprofits, the faith community, neighborhood leaders, and most importantly the citizens themselves. Neighborhood Action will build on existing neighborhood plans, set realistic but aggressive timelines for visible results; align the District's budget priorities with citizen's priorities; and develop a strong working partnership that will provide long-term sustainability.

A cross-section of community leaders and residents are actively involved in planning and implementing Neighborhood Action. (A list of community partners is attached.)

The Neighborhood Action initiative begins with a Citizen's Summit, which will be held on November 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Washington Convention Center. At the Summit, District residents will be asked to review, discuss and provide input to the goals the Mayor has set for his administration. Participants' input will shape the government's 2001 budget request and the manner in which it delivers its services to those communities. Citizen Summit participants will then begin the challenging task of developing neighborhood based action plans based on citywide goals.

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to get involved in Neighborhood Action first by participating in the Citizen Summit and continuing in the weeks and months ahead to improve our neighborhoods. Mayor Williams understands that Neighborhood Action will require a commitment of time and energy from many, many citizens. This kind of citizen engagement in planning has been very successful in other cities.

"Through Neighborhood Action, we will bring together a broad spectrum of our city residents, businesses, universities, the faith community and others," said Williams. "We will build upon the work that so many have already done in our neighborhoods. We will establish a vision for our city and develop a concrete plan to accomplish that vision. Finally, and most importantly, we will roll up our sleeves to come together, work together, succeed together."

More than 1,000 District residents are expected to join the Mayor and other community leaders in establishing priorities for the city.

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Anthony A. Williams, Mayor
District of Columbia

The Nation's Capital has hosted many summits, but none more important to the future of our city than the . . .

CITIZEN SUMMIT

Roll up your sleeves and join Mayor Anthony Williams to make the District a stronger, better city.

To register call Neighborhood Action @ 202.727.0882
or e-mail @ neighborhoodaction@dcgov.org
For more info, visit webpage @ http://www.neighborhoodaction.dcgov.org

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Overview

The Need for Change

The District of Columbia has undertaken a number of neighborhood planning initiatives, but these efforts have traditionally not been coordinated as part of a citywide vision. Citizens have worked hard to improve their communities, yet feet they received little support from city government. Government agencies have worked to improve neighborhoods, but have not always responded to the priorities of the community. Over the years, we have worked in good faith for our city, but not in unison.

Mission Statement

The mission of Neighborhood Action is to empower citizens to improve their communities by mobilizing and coordinating the resources of government, business, nonprofits, the faith community, neighborhood leaders, and the citizens themselves. Together, we will:

• Build on existing neighborhood plans;
• Set realistic, but aggressive, timelines for visible results;
• Align the District's budget priorities with citizen's priorities; and
• Develop a strong, working partnership that will: provide long-term sustainability.

Making An Impact

• The Mayor's FY 2001 budget requests will be shaped by citizen priorities.
• The delivery of city services will: be realigned according to goals and needs of citizens.
• Citizens, community groups, the faith community, businesses, universities, schools, nonprofit institutions, and others will: be full partners in Neighborhood Action and support implementation of neighborhood goals and priorities.

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TIMELINE

Stakeholder Workshops October - November 1999

A series of workshops will be heed through the fall to gather and incorporate previous work on neighborhood and citywide planning.

Citizens Summit November 20, 1999

Citizens will come together at the Convention Center to establish clear goals for the city and begin developing plans to implement those goals. Mayor Williams will: present his priorities and the Government's preliminary strategic plan, asking citizens to come together — building on past planning efforts — and help shape citywide priorities and goals Citizen recommendations will: become an integral part of the government's strategic plan, which will: be implemented early in 2000. Neighborhood Action participants will: then begin the challenging work of developing Neighborhood Action plans based on citywide goals.

Neighborhood Forums Begins in January 2000

Neighborhood forums will be heed to develop detailed Neighborhood Action plans to implement citywide goals All stakeholders will: be strongly encouraged to participate. Specifically, these forums will address:

• What are the specific needs of individual neighborhoods to fulfill the citywide goals. For example, a certain neighborhood might need a new or refurbished recreation facility or an after-school program as part of a goal to revitalize neighborhoods.
• Which individuals, institutions, or agencies should respond to a particular need — who will: take the lead, who will: provide support, and who will: be accountable.
• What the District government can do through its strategic planning process, its agencies, and its budget.

Action plans must be concrete, with measurable goals and deadlines.

Finally, a "rapid response" mechanism will: be built into these forums to ensure that any immediate needs brought up by citizens may be acted upon by city agencies.

Implementation Begins in January 2000

Implementation of Neighborhood Action means that citizen goals. and priorities will: change how government delivers services. Input gathered at the Citizen Summit will: be fully incorporated into all parts of Mayor Williams strategic plan, which will: be implemented early in 2000. Then neighborhood forums will: allow citizens to plan for further neighborhood-based implementation.

City Budget Process March - June 2000

The Mayor's FY 2001 budget requests will: be designed to support and act upon goals. and priorities set by citizens and neighborhoods.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What outreach efforts are underway to build support and interest in Neighborhood Action?

Neighborhood Action is not a single event — it is an ongoing initiative. Efforts are underway to seek individual and community participation and support for this initiative. Outreach efforts try to get all segments of the community involved — civic organizations, nonprofit and business Leaders, neighborhood associations, youth groups, senior citizens, grassroots workers, and the faith community. After the Citizen Summit, the initiative will: continue to engage citizens in setting priorities and goals. for improving the quality of life in the District and implementing neighborhood plans.

What will happen at the Citizen Summit? What happens after the Citizen Summit?

The Citizen Summit is a two-day kick-off for Neighborhood Action that begins the evening of Thursday, November 18, with the announcement of the Mayor's strategic priorities. On Saturday, November 20, citizens from throughout the District will: participate in a daylong session of citywide and neighborhood-based planning. The morning will: focus on citywide goals and the afternoon will: begin to address specific neighborhood issues and plans.

After the summit, a series of neighborhood-oriented meetings will: get underway to seek broader input from interested residents. The results of the work at the Citizen Summit will: be shared and expanded upon. All Neighborhood Action activities will: feed into the City's budget preparation, the agency's strategic plans and service delivery commitments.

What will Neighborhood Action produce?

Neighborhood Action will create actions plans that are developed by District residents and all the stakeholders that are critical to implementing successful plans: government, business, community leaders, faith community, nonprofits and others. These plans will: allow citizens to hold government accountable.

How will government be responsive to the goals and priorities of citizens?

First, the administration will channel citizen input into the government's FY 2001 budget priorities; second, citizen priorities will be reflected in the city's strategic plans; and Finally, neighborhood-level service delivery will be improved to more effectively address citizen needs.

What is the District of Columbia's Strategic Planning Process?

The District of Columbia is undertaking an ambitious strategic planning effort that brings together ale District agencies to define priorities that will provide a framework for agency operations. Neighborhood Action will build on the District's strategic plan so that citizen priorities, goals and plans are integrated into the city's planning priorities.

How will Neighborhood Action differ from similar community planning efforts?

This initiative is distinct for many important reasons.

• The initiative will build upon prior planning efforts and reflect the valuable contributions that District citizens and organizations have made in the past.
• An executive branch committed to accountability and results is leading the effort.
• The results will: be directly integrated with agency strategic planning.
• The initiative is comprehensive, including youth, family, health, public safety, economic development, land use, and other issues that affect quality of life in neighborhoods.
• The initiative will: emphasize the importance of holding all parts of the District community accountable for their role in contributing to the city's reemergence as a world-class, neighborhood-friendly city.

How will Neighborhood Action affect the lives of citizens?

Neighborhood Action will: affect citizens' lives by:

• Improving communication among all sectors of the community, and creating a partnership between government, business, civic organizations and citizens;
• Developing a unified plan for the District;
• Providing better, more responsive service from government; and,
• Most importantly, by changing how we work together as a community.

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NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

(Effective 10/19/99)

Adolphe Edwards President, DC Federation of Civic Associations
Alethea Campbell Chairperson, DC Commission on Aging
Barbara Zartman Member, Federation of Citizen Associations
Beatrice Otero Executive, Director Calvary Bilingual Multicultural Learning Center
Ben Jennings Executive, Director United Planning Organization
Betsy Kim Chair, Mayor's Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders Affairs
Carmen Ramos Chair, IBERO Chamber of Commerce
Clark Lobenstine Executive, Director Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
Dorothy Height President, Emeritus National Council of Negro Women
Dr. Julius Nimmons President, University of the District of Columbia
Eugene Kinlow Sr. Board Member, District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and
Management Assistant Authority
Father Mark Poletunow Executive Director, Spanish Catholic Center
Fred Taylor Executive Director, For the Love of Children
Jackie Massey, Public Housing Activist
James Berry President, Civil Advisory Commission
Jeffrey Gildenhorn Owner, American Diner
Jim Gibson President, DC Agenda
Josh Williams President, Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO
Jourdinia Brown Chair, ANC4A
Kevin Williams Vice President, Byrant Bryant Williams PC
Linda Lee Vice President, South Island Restaurant Inc.
Lisa Williams Vice President, Capital City Initiative Fannie Mae Foundation
Lori Kaplan Executive Director, Latin American Youth Center
Lorraine Whitlock 1 st VP, Far Northeast/Southeast Council Inc.
Loyal Snyder President, Gertrude Stein
Marie Johns President & CEO, Bell Atlantic Washington DC
Marty Mellett Executive Director, Community Development Support Collaborative
Maxine Baker Executive Director, Freddie Mac Foundation
Maybelle Taylor Bennett Director. Howard University Community Association
Nicole A. Johnson Youth Mayor, Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute
Pamela McKee Director, Community Business Partnership - Greater Washington Board of Trade
Rev. Frank Tucker President, Church Association for Community Services
Rev. H Lionel Edmonds President, Washington Interfaith Network
Stacey Davis Steed President, Fannie Mae Foundation
Stephen Trachtenberg President, George Washington University
Terri Freeman President, Community Foundation for the National Capital Region
The Honorable Carol Schwartz, At-Large Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Charlene Drew Jarvis, Ward 4 Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable David Catania, At-Large Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Harold Brazil, At-Large Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Jack Evans, Ward 2 At-Large Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Jim Graham, Ward 1 Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Kathleen Patterson, Ward 3 Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Kevin Chavous, Ward 7 Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Linda Cropp, Chairman Council of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Phil Mendelson, DC At-Large Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Sandy Allen, Ward 8 Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Sharon Ambrose, Ward 6 Council Member of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Vincent Orange, Ward 5 Council Member of the District of Columbia
Theresa Travis Chair, Persons with Disabilities
Travis Hardmon Executive Director, National Child Day Care Association
Tyrone Parker President, Alliance of Concerned Men, Inc.
Vincent Gray Executive Director, Covenant House Washington
W. Retta Gilliam Executive Director, East of the River CDC
Wilhelmina Rolark President & CEO, United Black Fund Inc.
Winnifred Freeman Chair, ANC8D

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NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION

"So many people in this city give their hearts and souls to improve the neighborhood they love — the place they call home. I want them to know this government will do its part to support their efforts. There is much to do — together. Through Neighborhood Action, we're going to ask local businesses, our foundations, the faith community, and most of all, the citizens, to be involved.

Mayor Anthony A. Williams

Over the years and across the District of Columbia government agencies, community organizations, businesses and residents have worked to improve their neighborhoods. Despite our best intentions, these efforts have not produced the real, comprehensive change our community needs.

It's time to put our plans into action. That's what Mayor Anthony A. Williams new initiative — Neighborhood Action — is all about.

Neighborhood Action will: mobilize and coordinate the efforts of the entire community to improve our neighborhoods — one block at a time, one street at a time, one community at a time. It will build on past planning efforts to create a unified vision for our neighborhoods, and then hoed all sectors of the community and the government accountable for success.

Neighborhood Action will help to provide better, more responsive government services, improve communication among all sectors of the city, and create a partnership among government, business, civic organizations and citizens to increase our quality of life.

It all starts with the Citizen Summit.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead

Neighborhood Action kicks off with a keynote address and reception on Thursday, November 18. Mayor Williams will: present his strategic agenda and ask District residents to participate in the Citizen Summit on Saturday, November 20. Both events will be held at the Washington Convention Center.

At the Citizen Summit, participants will: take part in facilitated discussions to review the Mayor's agenda and provide insight into their communities' needs. Their input will shape the government's 2001 budget request, help to establish program priorities, and decide the manner in which government services are delivered.

Citizen Summit participants will: build on existing neighborhood plans to set concrete goals for their community.

Neighborhood Action will: produce:

• clearly defined priorities for the city — defined by the citizens;
• clearly defined priorities for the neighborhood — defined by the neighborhood;
• a clearly defined responsibility for the government, so that you can hold your Mayor and your elected leaders accountable; and
• a clear partnership among businesses, citizen groups, foundations, nonprofits, the faith community and you.

Join Mayor Anthony A. Williams Council members and your neighbors to make the District a stronger, better city! Come participate and be a part of the:

CITIZEN SUMMIT — KICKOFF & RECEPTION
Thursday, November 18, 1999
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
CITIZEN SUMMIT
Saturday, November 20, 1999
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER
900 9th Street, N.W.

Sign up now to be part of this unique opportunity to effect positive change for our District. Use this registration form to reserve your place at both the kick-off reception and the Citizen Summit.

The heart of the District of Columbia can be seen in our people and our neighborhoods. An improved city can be achieved by strengthening our neighborhoods. To that end, the Mayor and the Council of the District of Columbia understand and support the need for a unified approach toward the revitalization of Washington, D.C., through our neighborhoods.

It is important that the vision for our city include all segments and available human resources from the public, private and individual sectors. We now have an opportunity to improve our neighborhoods through a strong partnership between our residents and your government. With the addition of hard work and improved service delivery, the future for our beautiful Washington is even brighter.

Our individual voices can be heard and our collective efforts can be utilized to transform our neighborhoods as we approach the 21st century. We all have a part to play in the improvement of our neighborhoods and our city. Working in concert, we can make a better District of Columbia a reality. NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION.

Linda W. Cropp, Chairman, Council of the District of Columbia

We appreciate the generous support of the following organizations:

Wolfensohn Family Foundation
Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation
The Fannie Mae Foundation
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
and The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Municipal Management

Neighborhood Action
441 4th Street, N.W., Room 920S
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: 202.727.0882
Fax: 202.544.4527
E mail: neighborhoodaction@dcgov.org
Web: http://www.neighborhoodaction.dcgov.org

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Slide Presentation

Mayor Anthony Williams’ Neighborhood Action for the District of Columbia
Lafayette A. Barnes, EOM/OPE
DC Government

Vision and Mission Statements

• “I envision a city, energized and enthusiastic, with its citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government working together toward a common vision for hte District. I believe we can and will meet the challenges of the enxt millenniums if we rely on our greatest strength — each other” Mayor Williams
• Neighborhood Action’s mission is to empower citizens to improve their communities by mobilizing and coordinating the resources of government, private, nonprofit, and neighborhood residents themselves.

Mayor Williams’ Six Mayor Goals

• Unity of Purpose
• Building Communities
• Strengthening Families
• Making Government Work
• Enhancing Economic Development
• Improving Outcomes for Children and Youth

Neighborhood Action Goals

• Build upon and integrate existing neighborhood action strategies (e.g. Comprehensive Plan 1998, and Economic Development Plan for Washington 1998)
• Transform unified plans into action steps at the neighborhood level
• Align neighborhood resident’s prioties with the Mayor’s annual budget request
• Establish cross-sector partnerships to sustain Neighborhood Action

NA’s Partnership Criteria

• Level of commitment to Mayor’s Neighborhood Action goals
• Ability to attract and promote diverse voices
• Availability to promote and support the initiative
• Community building expertise
• Ability to provide capacity building support in our neighborhoods
• Commitment to a long-range vision for the District

Partnership Categories

Advisory Board
City Council Members
Ethnic Groups
Philanthrony
Seniors & Youth
Business (Small & Corporate)
CDCs
Faith-Based
Public Policy
Special Interests
Civic & Citziens Groups
Education
Gay & Lesbians
Public Safety
Neighborhood Residents

Expected Outcomes

• District agencies head respond to neighborhood priorities with their existing capacities to deliver services
• Mayor aligns FY 2001 and subsequent budget requests with neighborhood priorites
• Continue planning and implementation process during neighborhood forum in 1Q2000
• Establish long-term partnerships to sustain neighborhood action

How You Can Support Neighborhood Action

• Inviting a Neighborhood Action representative to speak with your organization
• Helping to recruit delegates, facilitators, and volunteers
• Committing to send at least ten delegates to the Citizen Summit
• Publishing an announcement about Neighborhood Action
• Sharing your mailing list or labels to invite broad spectrum of citizens and stakeholders