dc aplleseed solving dc problems

DC Appleseed's civic engagement project began with the Solving DC Problems Campaign 2006, undertaken in the months leading up to the local 2006 elections, to provide residents of the National Capital area with a mechanism for bringing their ideas for solving city problems to the attention of city decision-makers--a mechanism we believed was missing. The contest was very successful in generating ideas and dialogue. Nearly 1,500 ideas were submitted by residents of all eight of the District's Wards and surrounding states. In late December 2006, DC Appleseed issued a book presenting a summary of the nearly 1,500 ideas submitted during Solving DC Problems Campaign 2006. The book, including "Forewords" from the Mayor and Mayor-elect, was presented to all of the District's top officials. As a result of the initiative's success, DC Appleseed is now working with the District government to create an ongoing collaboration allowing residents to present ideas directly to top officials as part of the City's strategic plann ing process. Pro bono counsel for the civic engagement project has been provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.