Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Membership Consideration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Colorado Communities for Climate Action outlines services; Littleton board to consider recommending membership to council
Summary
Jacob Smith of Colorado Communities for Climate Action briefed the Littleton Environmental Stewardship Board on CC4CA’s advocacy, membership structure and services; board members asked staff to prepare a recommendation and do donor due diligence before presenting to council.
Jacob Smith, executive director of Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA), presented an overview of the coalition’s work and membership model to the Littleton Environmental Stewardship Board and answered questions about benefits, governance and cost.
Smith described CC4CA as a coalition of roughly 44 cities, towns and counties that advocates for stronger climate policy at the state level, provides regulatory and legislative support, offers grant navigation and hosts trainings. Smith said membership gives jurisdictions a coordinated voice at the state legislature and regulatory bodies and that CC4CA has provided direct help on grant strategy and regulatory proceedings. “If you get a bunch of jurisdictions together and speak with one voice,” Smith said, “that was the premise, and it's really played out that way.”
Smith said member dues are population-based and estimated Littleton’s base-level annual dues at about $5,300. He described CC4CA’s staff as a small team (six people, three FTE-equivalents core staff) and said roughly half the organization’s revenue comes from member dues with additional philanthropic support for specific programs. He emphasized that philanthropic donors do not have seats at the policy table and that members adopt a policy statement; changes to policy positions require unanimous consent among members.
Board members expressed interest in potential benefits—grant support, legislative tracking, training and networking—but asked the staff to perform due diligence on CC4CA’s funders before sending a recommendation to council. Laura Rosenbaum said staff can prepare a resolution and memo for council consideration and noted the board typically makes a recommendation to council before staff advances membership. Several board members suggested it would be appropriate for an elected official to be the board’s voting representative to CC4CA, with a staff member serving as backup.
Norton and Rosenbaum said they will prepare a draft communication and recommendation for council that includes membership cost and the CC4CA policy statement; they plan to bring the item back to the board for a brief discussion before sending to council.
