Core Principles

The Council’s service in Washington is based on the following core principles:

Membership on the Council is limited to those top business, professional and civic leaders who have evidenced a concern for the Nation’s Capital, who desire to work through the Council to improve it, and who are in a financial position to help support the Council’s operations.

The Council retains a small, high caliber staff to keep its members informed as to where the City needs assistance and to advise on how such help might be provided.

The Council generally responds to requests for guidance or assistance from public officials. From time to time, however, after careful study, it will take the initiative to urge a particular course of action.

The Council recognizes that it can devote itself to only a few major issues at any one time; therefore, it must set priorities. In general, the following guidelines determine priorities:

Is the project important enough to warrant the Council’s special attention? With limited staff and resources, the Council must be selective.
Is there any other organization that is willing or able to take on the project? The Council does not wish to duplicate what others are or should be doing.
Is the Council’s assistance likely to help expedite a solution? The Council does not take positions on issues simply for the sake of making a record.

The Council avoids taking on operational responsibility for a project, but this is rare. In its main capacity, the Council’s role is that of a catalyst, providing short-term assistance to expedite improvements in the Nation’s Capital.