SEATTLE — September 21, 2010 — Seattle CityClub begins its Community Matters Campaign on October 26 with nearly six weeks of programs and events centered on the elements of a healthy civic community. The Seattle Housing Authority will serve as a co-presenter of the campaign, which presents a portfolio of programs and tools to motivate individual and communal civic engagement.
The campaign has an annual theme – a topical issue or issues of vital concern to the well-being of King County residents. CityClub’s 2010 Community Matters Campaign will explore public trust. What do we mean when we say public trust and why is it an urgent community need?
The Resident Action Council – an organization that represents residents from throughout Seattle Housing Authority high-rises – has also agreed to participate in the campaign by hosting a series of community dialogs on public trust. The Housing Authority will also host a dialog among its employees.
A new Pew Research Center survey finds that by almost every conceivable measure Americans are less positive and more critical of government these days. The survey reveals a perfect storm of conditions associated with distrust of government – a dismal economy, an unhappy public, bitter partisan-based backlash, and epic discontent with Congress and elected officials.” According to the same survey, 32 percent of 18-29 year-olds trust the government to do what is right, compared to only 20 percent among all older age groups.
The CMC dialogues at the heart of this campaign are free of charge and occur in community centers, churches, schools and homes throughout King County. This program design reflects a strategic commitment to reach and represent the diversity of our community.
The Community Matters Campaign opens with United Way’s Day of Caring (September 24, 2010) and ends with Election Day (November 2, 2010). In 2009, over 7,200 individuals, organizations and community groups participated in the campaign.
While the community dialogs referenced here are for residents and employees, there are many available for the public at large. Check the Seattle CityClub Website at www.seattlecityclub.org for details.