A Brief Overview of the Committee of Seventy
Mission
The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan organization conducting a permanent campaign to improve the Philadelphia region by demanding ethical conduct of public officials, promoting government efficiency, educating citizens and safeguarding elections. More on our mission
Status
The Committee of Seventy is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
History
The group was formed in 1904 by Philadelphia’s civic and business leaders to fight corruption and to reform a political system that was victimizing immigrants and the poor. In the last few decades, the Committee of Seventy has focused primarily on monitoring Election Day activities. More on our history
Recent Accomplishments by Seventy
Click here to view a brief video about Committee of Seventy's Election Oversight Program, and election reform efforts.
Demanding Ethical Conduct:
On January 2, 2007, Seventy delivered an Ethics Agenda to all 2007 Philadelphia Mayoral candidates and potential candidates urging their commitment to three overarching principles and 28 specific reforms.
In April of 2006, Seventy's form Chair filed a lawsuit against active 2007 Mayoral candidates to seek compliance with the City's campaign finance restrictions. As a direct result of the Committee of Seventy's public stance, candidates are accepting, and donors are contributing, few dollars. This effort was done to drive down the opportunity for pay-to-play and the cost of elections.
Seventy was a key force behind legislation to create an independent,Charter-sanctioned Board of Ethics, with prescribed powers and duties. In May 2006, 80% of voters approved this measure.
Seventy helped lead the most successful ballot question campaign in Philadelphia history, where 87% of voters in November 2005 supported a change in how the City awards non-competitively bid contracts.
Safeguarding Elections: Seventy is upgrading its already well-recognized Elections Oversight program by expanding volunteer recruitment, and training efforts, improving field operations to better identify problems requiring swift resolution, strengthening methods for analyzing and publicly reporting Election Day information an making essential voting information available in Spanish.
Seventy's Citizen Access Center enables voter to easily find their polling place, political districts and names of their elected representatives both online (www.seventy.org/cac) and through our automated phone system by calling 1-866-268-8603.
Promoting Government Efficiency:
Seventy is heavily involved in helping to improve Fairmount Park by establishing a better governance and funding structure to attract more public and private investment in this major regional asset.
Seventy is examining the City Home Rule Charter to develop an agenda of changes to create a more efficient and accountable governing document for the 21st Century.
Delivering Civic Education:
Seventy is supplementing its "How to Run for Political Office" manual with civic education program for current and prospective candidates for elective office on all levels. Nearly 3,000 people attended the programs in 2006 and more are being planned for 2007.
Seventy's Citizens Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that contains voter information, explains the political structure of Philadelphia and provides contact information for all Philadelphia elected officials and even expands into the suburbs. Call (215) 557-3600 to get your copy.
Seventy is committed to bringing more young people into the political process. Aggressive voter registration campaigns are being conducted with Campus Philly (local college students), Student Voices (an Annenberg Public Policy Center initiative), Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, the Philadelphia School District and the League of Women Voters.
Staff Leadership
Zachary Stalberg, who ran the Philadelphia Daily News for 20 years, is the new President and CEO of the Committee of Seventy. During his tenure, the newspaper won two Pulitzer Prizes and went from bankruptcy to double-digit profitability and he earned a reputation as a powerful advocate for a better Philadelphia. He is a lifelong Philadelphian. More on Seventy's staff
The Meaning of the Name
The name, “Committee of Seventy,” has biblical origins. The reference was used in New York City in the 19th Century by an organization that fought Boss Tweed and the corrupt stranglehold of Tammany Hall. Several years later, legendary business leader Samuel Fels borrowed the name again when he led the creation of a Committee of Seventy in Philadelphia.
Governance
A small Executive Committee oversees the management and policy decisions of the Committee of Seventy. Several very prominent business and community leaders will soon join the Executive Committee in order to show their commitment to clean government and to improve funding and results. More on our structure
There also is a set of about 60 Board members who have hands-on involvement in determining policy, in development and in other matters.
Funding
Currently, our work is primarily funded by local foundations and by the contributions of board members and their employers. Corporate support will represent a growing part of our financial base moving forward. In 2006, we will launch a mass membership drive. More on how we're funded
Diversity
The group has been dominated in recent years by members of the legal community. We honor this tradition, but are working to diversify the Board, the Executive Committee, the staff and our ever-changing body of interns in every possible way – from race, gender and ethnic background to age and occupation.
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