Southeastern Pennsylvania
Network News      May  2008
In This Issue
First Suburbs Issues Convention May 31
Water Conference May 22
10,000 Friends of PA
Greetings!
10,000 Friends logo
We would like to draw your attention to two upcoming events. They are great opportunities you won't want to miss!
First Suburbs Issues Convention May 31
10kf logoMay 31, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bishop McDevitt High School
 
125 Royal Avenue, Wyncote PA 19095
 
Admission $15.00
 
Join the hundreds of leaders working to improve our communities by addressing policies that unfairly constrain our older cities and towns in their ability to grow and thrive. Help to adopt a prioritized issue agenda and launch a strategic campaign for the First Suburbs.

At the First Suburbs Summit on December 7, 2007, more than 300 community leaders from the first suburbs of Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties were issued this challenge as they began to strategize how to harness their collective power to influence positive change, restore prosperity and to increase competitiveness in our region.

Participants identified four common challenges that could serve as primary issue areas -- equitable education funding, declining infrastructure, an unbalanced regional approach to housing, and social services that fail to meet our residents' needs.

Since the Summit, the leaders who attended continued to develop a platform to address these problems with issues that will become part of a strategic campaign. Participants have conducted research and crafted recommendations into one-page issue "white papers." On May 31, the four "white papers" will be presented and prioritized. Everyone present will have a say in how they get prioritized and what the campaign will look like moving forward into the fall.

Please join us for this historic event. If you have questions, please contact Marilyn Wood or RSVP to firstsuburbsproject@gmail.com with your name, address, organization, phone number and email address.
Water Conference May 22
faucet
Pennsylvania is blessed with abundant water resources. However, our communities face multiple demands relating to management of stormwater, safe and efficient handling of sewage, public water supplies and land uses. In response, many Pennsylvania municipalities are implementing collaborative solutions and experiencing increased efficiencies.

Learn more about the challenges, opportunities and innovations at Saving $ - Managing Water: Regional and Collaborative Approaches to Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Management. The one-day conference is May 22 at the Hilton Harrisburg (PA), and is sponsored by The Environmental Law Institute and 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, with support from The William Penn Foundation and The Heinz Endowments. RSVP to hoang@eli.org or call 202-989-3822.
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders. Visit our website.