Meeting Notes from 6/11/09

[Better Providence]

Dear Friends,

I am attaching the notes from Citizens For A Better Providence Meeting
last Thursday, 6/11/2009.

Our first organizing meeting opened with a brief description of our
vision for Citizens For A Better Providence and a description of the
loose framework for people to get involved in the issue areas that
most interest them -- a City Organizational Chart was provided to
illustrate what issues fall where within the government structure.
Lorne Adrain also emphasized that CBP is envisioned as a truly
horizontal organization and encouraged people to jump on board and
take charge of whatever organizational or policy related element might
inspire them.

The meeting then moved to general discussion of possible avenues for
the group that included expressions of areas of interest and
experience from meeting participants in attendance. A number of
themes emerged:

1. Appreciation for the positive tone of the campaign and rally to
Save the Conference of Mayors and a recognition of the need for a
higher level of civil discourse that stays above the toxic mudslinging
that often accompanies policy debate in our city.

2. The need for (and challenges to) greater citizen attention to and
participation in City meetings, hearings, etc. and the lack of
transparency in current City dealings.

3. The importance of advocating for simplified policies and processes
in the city – for the sake of businesses and individuals.

There were a number of next steps suggested for increasing the reach
of CBP and improving the access of members and Providences residents
to issues related to the City.

1. Coordinate with and piggyback on Neighborhood Associations and
their meetings.

2. Provide links to information on City meetings, hearings, etc. on
the CBP website. Look into a way to create rotating pools of people
to attend and report back.

3. Find good, committed, inspiring people to take on specific areas of
work. Several people in attendance agreed to take on specific roles.

The meeting concluded with a substantive discussion of the tax-exempt
status issue as it relates to the city’s Universities. Al Dahlberg,
Brown University’s new head of Government and Community Relations
joined the meeting at the very end to give Brown’s perspective.
Meeting participants were strongly in favor of Universities
contributing more to the city coffers but there was significant
distrust of Brown, in particular, to hold up any bargain. Al Dahlberg
wondered if there were ways for citizens and Universities to work
together on promoting structural reforms – the funding formula in
particular – which meeting participants agreed would be a great thing
for Universities and citizens alike to take on.

If you were at the meeting and would like to add to this description,
please respond to this email or post it on the discussion board. If
you weren't there on Thursday but you are interested in joining the
conversation, you may do so through this site. And always, if you
would like to take a greater role in Citizens For A Better Providence,
let us know what inspires you. We'd love to have you!

Many thanks,
Lorne Adrain and Meredith Pearson