By Debra DeHaney-Howard
July 1, 2002

Trenton Mayor Douglas L. Palmer, Chair of the Conference's Membership Committee, reported to the panel members June 14 on the progress the organization has made during the past year in recruiting and retaining members. "I am very pleased to report that we continue to make progress in our recruitment efforts, particularly among cities with populations of 50,000 and above," Palmer said.

Palmer applauded the committee members for their continued commitment and support of the Conference's membership campaign, encouraging them to continue their aggressive membership efforts. "We've made great strides during the past year to increase Conference Membership, and just as importantly, to encourage our current members to get more active in the organization," Palmer said.

Palmer noted that with the increase in membership "we have a stronger united voice" especially when speaking to Federal policymakers, Palmer added.

Prior to the membership report, the committee members heard presentations on the Conference's public/private partnerships. They included Citiesfirst, a program designed in partnership with the Nehemiah Corporation to address the critical housing needs in cities across the country, Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP), a partnership of the Conference of Mayors and Dupont whose mission is to elevate the importance of science education through hands-on, science-based applications in elementary and secondary schools, the Conference's Government Purchasing Alliance Program that enables cities to increase their buying power while streamlining the procurement process and the USCM Deferred Compensation Program.