The challenges facing Pennsylvania are immense. Our cities and towns are being drained of vitality. Pennsylvania is growing very slowly in terms of population and jobs, yet consuming land for development at a rapid pace. According to the Brookings Institution, Pennsylvania is building two new homes on average per every new household. The social, economic, and environmental costs of current trends are enormous.
Our Commonwealth must begin to make better land use decisions, and return our focus to established towns and cities, while enhancing rural resources and communities.
To do this, leaders at every level of government must become better educated in the issues, and in the enormous social, economic, and environmental consequences of the direction of current policies. They must recognize the rising groundswell of support across the state for positive action and constructive alternatives.
But the job is too big for one organization or group to do alone. It has become clear that we must join together if we are to have the strength, the clout, and the resources to have a significant impact statewide.
10,000 Friends is bringing together a broad spectrum of organizations and individuals from across our Commonwealth under one banner.
The challenge is immense. With 2,565 municipalities, a fragmented legislative and bureaucratic structure, and thousands of leaders across the state to reach, the task ahead of 10,000 Friends requires leadership, commitment, and involvement.
THAT'S WHY 10,000 FRIENDS INVITES YOU, as an individual or an organization, to become a Friend of Pennsylvania or a Friend of Pennsylvania Organization.
If you share our deep concern about the issues that face our Commonwealth and wish to have your voice heard, simply click here. There is no cost or obligation involved, although we certainly need and appreciate every dollar of support. We will keep you informed about our progress on important legislative and policy issues.
As a Friend of Pennsylvania Organization, your organization will be prominently listed along with many other supporting organizations in our printed materials and mailings as an endorser of this effort and these principles. Your support will encourage others to take a serious look at important issues and actions our state desperately needs.
As you read over the following web pages, if your organization supports one or more of our objectives and action steps, we hope that you will join with us and add your name to our efforts by endorsing 10,000 Friends. Click here for a form created specifically for this purpose. All that is needed is for your Board or Membership to pass a simple resolution endorsing the overall agenda and fax or mail a copy to us. It’s that simple. There is no fee or cost involved.
In addition, our hope is that you and your organization will be willing to talk with local, county, and state leaders in your communities to advance those principles which are important to you, and perhaps to sponsor a forum or discussion. We will provide materials and assistance to help your organization.
We will provide Friend Organizations with educational and informational materials for use in their areas. This past year, we worked on proposed land use legislation, multi-municipal planning and implementation tools, and downtown revitalization measures, and kept our more than 240 Friend of Pennsylvania Organizations informed about these efforts through regular updates and alerts.
Additional components of our overall communications strategy will be developed, and as a Friend of Pennsylvania, you will receive our materials at no cost. If you wish additional copies for your leadership or members, we can also furnish them for a nominal cost.
In total, over 240 organizations representing over 310,000 Pennsylvanians have already joined the effort. To review the list, click here.
The alliance has eight task forces already working on education and outreach, tax reform, agricultural policies, historic preservation, urban issues, natural resources, housing, and infrastructure. If you or any of your members are interested in participating, please call, fax, or email us and let us know soon.
There are signs of hope in the new development occurring in our downtowns, and in activities to preserve our farmlands and open space, but we're still losing the battle. Every day, more land is lost and more decline occurs in our established communities.
Become a Friend of Pennsylvania today. And ask your organization to become a Friend of Pennsylvania Organization. Just take a vote, and then sign and return the appropriate form today by mail or fax. Those easy steps could make a real difference to Pennsylvania.
Together, we can save our communities, our countryside, and our rich heritage. We would be pleased to have you join us.
