Strategic Plan

CityClub Strategic Plan for 2008 - 2011
(adopted by the Board of Governors May 2008)

Methodology
We consulted almost 400 people over the course of our strategic planning process—CityClub founders, former trustees, members, program participants, community leaders and funders. Their questions, advice, challenges, and praise motivate the decisions and priorities represented in this document.

Big Ideas
The following concepts were discussed throughout the strategic planning process. We define them below not only to indicate their contextual meanings but also to emphasize their importance to CityClub.

Civic Capital
Activities, momentum, associations and actions that contribute to mutuality and the common good in a community. Inspired by Robert Putnam’s broader concept of social capital, CityClub’s primary purpose is to build and utilize civic capital.
Civic Education
Knowledge and skills for active democratic participation. Includes in-depth information, analysis and the civil exchange of diverse perspectives to guide citizens towards full civic expression. CityClub’s programs provide civic education.

Civic Expression
Active participation in community life, including dialogue, advocacy, volunteerism, voting, and philanthropy. CityClub moves citizens from civic education to civic expression.

Collaborate
Co-developing projects and building constituencies based on shared goals. Requires mutual trust and support, shared resources, and an openness that leaves the question of “how” on the table for participants to decide together. CityClub’s collaborative partnerships and networks are both an important means and an end for our work in the community.
Convene
Calling together individuals and groups to address vital community concerns and foster collaboration. CityClub’s regional focus, broad volunteer base, non-partisanship and track record provide a platform to convene people and organizations across sectors and across the political spectrum throughout King County.

Feedback Loop
The relationship between civic education and expression and leader responsiveness and accountability. CityClub fosters that reciprocity through direct access to and ongoing exchange with leaders, community reporting and monitoring of civic decision- and policymaking.

Influentials
Civically informed, skilled and engaged citizens. CityClub exists to expand the diversity, number and efficacy of King County’s influentials.

Three Key Questions
1. How has the civic landscape changed since 1982?

When we asked our community for a summary of the salient factors shaping the 2008 Seattle civic landscape and how they might affect CityClub’s programming, we heard:

Seattle is part of a complex metropolis with numerous urban centers, and there is a need for regional connectivity.
Seattle’s annual influx of newcomer residents (thirty-one percent) is the second highest nationally, making Seattle a "first move" city. Seattle is getting younger and more transient. These newcomers are not informed about local issues or engaged locally.
Seattle is an increasingly global city, welcoming large influxes of new residents and developing economic and philanthropic ties with countries from around the world.
There are distinct differences in generational patterns of civic engagement and communication. Fostering participation in younger constituencies requires new modes of civic dialogue and action, including a commitment to sophisticated electronic communications and social networking.
Our political sphere has become more factionalized and contentious. Political discourse is less civil. Opportunities to build consensus and find commonality across political difference and sector are rare. Can CityClub help “connect the dots” among these silos within the community?
There are fewer opportunities for dialogue between political leaders and citizens. CityClub could serve an important function by collecting citizen input and making it available to policymakers and leaders. This function would expand CityClub’s role as a strategic convener.
Participation in Seattle’s civic life does not reflect the demographics of our community. People of color, immigrants, refugees and those in lower income brackets are underrepresented. CityClub was founded on the principle of inclusiveness, making sure there is a place at the table for everyone to participate in the community’s civic life. What does that mean in light of the community’s changing demographics?
There are now many groups offering civic information and education—albeit not in exactly the same manner—e.g. Town Hall, Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, Seattle Works, Leadership Tomorrow, Leadership Eastside, Community Development Round Table. There is more competition for attention at noontime downtown while at the same time, budget, traffic, and time constraints are increasing.

2. What is CityClub poised to do?
Out of a diversity of perspectives, two sentiments emerged from all of our conversations and surveys: first, that the people who are involved in CityClub greatly value its current programs and, second, that they are eager for CityClub to become an even more effective player in the civic landscape of this region. Put differently, we heard a call for change and a great deal of support to carry it out.

CityClub programming provides a unique space for discussing controversial issues—a safe, respectful environment in which people with diverse perspectives can meet and have a real, face-to-face exchange. In an increasingly polarized political climate, our constituents cherish CityClub’s non-partisan commitment to bridge divides in opinion around critical civic issues. Community leaders tell us that our reputation for effective, balanced, informative programming is a position not to be squandered Community leaders tell us that our reputation for effective, balanced, informative programming is a position to be leveraged.

3. What should CityClub undertake?
Growth opportunities fall under the broad umbrella themes of “audience” and “impact.” Regarding audience, concerns focus on inclusiveness, both in terms of making CityClub’s informative programming available to more people, and ensuring that leaders and panelists interact with an audience of diverse perspectives.

Feedback regarding CityClub’s “impact” identified “connecting the dots” between individual events as a key area for CityClub growth.
Moving individuals from opinion to informed action was the second resounding theme. Respondents suggested a searchable CityClub website with links to action-oriented organizations, as well as collaborations with such organizations to promote regionalism.

Results
CityClub’s Board of Governors outlined three strategic goals to realize its vision and fulfill its new mission. Strategies, tactics and outcomes for the next three years will inform CityClub’s implementation plan and budgeting priorities.

Vision
Along with natural wonder, innovative business and vibrant culture, the Puget Sound region is defined by informed citizens engaged with their leaders in effective democracy.

Mission
CityClub informs, connects and engages citizens to evaluate complex issues, make sound judgments and contribute to solutions that address issues vital to our region.

Values

Passionate Non-Partisanship

Opportunities to evaluate diverse perspectives on issues vital to our region

Leader Access and Accountability

Active exchange among citizens, leaders, experts and policy-makers to facilitate citizen influence and leader accountability

Diverse People and Ideas

Civic dialogue reflects the community—across political ideology, race, professional and cultural background, generation and class

Respectful Civic Discourse

Creating open, respectful space that cultivates fair, authentic and lively debate

Convening, Collaboration, Connection

Building bridges that connect people and ideas to address critical regional issues

Engaged Citizens

Serving as a recognized advocate and monitor of citizen engagement

3) Increase CityClub’s capacity to fulfill its mission and serve the community