By Debra DeHaney-Howard
October 4, 2010

Conference of Mayors President Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz told Conference of Mayors leaders during their Fall Meeting in Washington (DC) that, “These are challenging times for all of us in our cities and in our nation. During these times especially is when we must come together on as an organization to speak to the critical issues we face every day.”

Her September 24 comments underscored the primary purpose of the Conference of Mayors 50-State Membership Campaign, an initiative that seeks to get all U.S. mayors more fully engaged in the challenges before cities and the nation. “Just like the nation, the Conference has been impacted by the national economy, and it is critical that during these times we have a strong organization with a strong membership,” she said.

This new campaign will raise awareness about Conference of Mayors activities and leadership among non-member mayors, emphasizing mayoral engagement and touting member services. “I am calling on each of you – as leaders of this organization – to work with the Conference staff on getting more mayors involved in the Conference of Mayors as members of the organization. It is important that mayors throughout the nation speak in one voice, and speak forcefully and loudly for the issues we care about. We can't do this if we don't have a strong and vigorous membership,” Kautz said.

Having once led the Conference of Mayors membership efforts, Kautz called on her colleagues to contact non-members mayors to inform them about the work of the Conference of Mayors and how their cities can benefit from membership. “We will need mayors everywhere joining with us – the leaders of this great organization – as we take our agenda to the Congress and the Administration.”

Membership Committee Chair Piscataway (NJ) Mayor Brian Wahler briefed mayors on existing membership efforts, praising Kautz for launching this new initiative and continuing support of the organization's membership agenda. “We know these are challenging times and I want to underscore the point that we all have to become more engaged in helping the organization recruit new members because there is so much more work to do to ensure that our cities throughout the nation recovery fully from this national economic crisis,” he said.

He thanked Kautz for her tireless support of the Conference of Mayors membership work, stating, “You have been so very supportive of the work of the Membership Committee and that really makes a difference.”

Wahler also praised the continuing efforts of his Committee members who will support leadership mayors in this new campaign and explained how existing membership program will provide a foundation for a broader 50-State strategy.

“We need all hands on deck if we are to be successful on membership during these most difficult times. This organization is only as strong as its membership,” Wahler said as he reminded mayors the Conference of Mayors was originally formed in the 1930s during one most challenging periods in the nation's history.

Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran then provided a status report, noting that the recession has affected Conference of Mayors membership, like many other organizations. Cochran explained that prevailing economic conditions are forcing all organizations to review their membership efforts and initiate new programs.

Using slides to explain the structure of the 50-State Membership Campaign, Cochran discussed how state teams of Conference of Mayors leadership mayors and staff will come together to lead strategies in every part of the country. “We know that the best way to build our membership is mayor-to-mayor contacts, supported by staff resources,” he said.

Kautz recently joined with Conference of Mayors Trustee Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Cochran to host a special event during the California League of Cities Annual Meeting honoring California mayors.

In her September 15 remarks, Kautz told participants that these are challenging times for California cities as well as cities across the nation. “Mayors are often the leaders who uniquely experience the brunt of these challenges on the front lines, working to make our cities the great places they are.”

At the reception, Kautz recognized California League leaders, including President Robin Lowe, Hemet Councilmember and former Mayor, First Vice President Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour and Executive Director Chris McKenzie. Also participating at the Conference of Mayors sponsored event were National League of Cities President Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge and former Conference of Mayors President Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill.

“As a member of the Conference, I'm always connected with mayors from across the nation that I can share experiences with, whether it's at our national meetings or regional meetings,” Foster said during his remarks. Sanders, whose city hosted the League's meeting, echoed Foster comments on the value of the Conference of Mayors to him in addressing challenges before him in his city.

Kautz with Cochran also met with California officials throughout the Annual Meeting and Expo at the Conference of Mayors exhibit booth, helping initiate expanded organizational outreach efforts in California, a key state in the 50-State campaign.