Dear Members and Friends:
I want to thank you for your membership and support of your Federation of Citizens Associations of the District of Columbia. This will be our 107th year of continuous service. Your participation allows us to speak with the voice of a choir when talking to our Mayor, Council and department heads of our government.
In 2016, we brought before our general assembly members of the City Council, Health department, media and a charitable organization. We spoke out against bills that would increase digital signage and lessen the opportunities for associations to weigh in on issues. We welcomed new members; River Terrace Civic Association, Deanwood Civic Association, and the Congress Heights Civic Association. At our December luncheon, we heard from and questioned our first elected Attorney General, Karl Racine. The Federation honored Marilyn Simons as a Citizen Activist and for her long service and commitment to our city as well as the Palisades Citizens Association to celebrate their centennial year and for hosting their 4th of July parade for 50 years. We also chose Pathways to Housing DC as our charity partner and collected baskets of household goods for the newly housed long term homeless.
2017 promises to be especially challenging for our city. We will continue to question our elected officials and hold them accountable. However, we will support them if Congress tries to overturn legislation voted on and passed by our citizens. We will continue to grow our membership. This past year, I sat in on many different associations meetings, and I was struck by how similar the problems faced by all of us no matter the neighborhood. The Federation is committed to connecting our member organizations to one another for mutual support. We also want to hear what you want us to concentrate on this year.
In the next couple of weeks, you will receive a short survey which will set our priorities for 2017.
W. Earl Williams,
President,
Federation of Citizens Associations of the District of Columbia.