Board Business

Highlighting Today, Envisioning Tomorrow

Never before has the Stamford Partnership had a better opportunity to reflect upon its rich history and to look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead than this 30th anniversary year.

Seizing upon the moment to celebrate the Stamford Partnership’s role in many of the City’s most significant accomplishments, more than 150 people gathered in May, in the GenRe Auditorium and later in the sun-bathed Grand Concourse of the University of Connecticut’s Stamford campus to hear Partnership founders and past and present Board members regale us with stories of the organization’s humble beginnings, stumbles, strengths and triumphs. Tears and laughter were shared, along with great insights, hopes and aspirations about our City’s future and the important role the Partnership continues to play. The day was capped by an incredibly inspirational talk by Dannel Mayor Malloy.

And so we should recognize some of our most recent accomplishments. Though the Partnership has been very active this year, two activities in particular show the breadth, diversity and impact of our work. First, the seeds planted over the past several years on the West Side, as part of our Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force effort, have taken deep root. The coalescing of the community around the new neighborhood organization has allowed the West Side to become an important voice in its own revitalization and development. The benefits of these efforts will be felt this coming year and beyond.

The second is the Entrepreneurial Task Force which was formed last year with a mission to help stimulate the spirit of intrepid free enterprise. It held its first two events in 2008, both on the UConn Stamford campus. The first panel discussed Economic Factors Affecting Business Development in Fairfield County and was co-sponsored with the Connecticut Venture Group. The second, ‘China After the Olympics’ enlightened the audience about the importance of understanding Chinese cultural differences in a business environment. Each event, featuring knowledgeable and engaging panelists, attracted an enthusiastic and growing audience. The task force is planning to continue this series.

From a financial perspective, as is often the case with small nonprofit organizations, the Stamford Partnership has historically survived on a budget that has no surplus. We have redoubled our efforts to find alternative revenue sources and have enjoyed some degree of success. However, given the current economic climate, we know there will be more organizations vying for fewer available grants and awards. The outstanding results the Partnership consistently demonstrates is our most compelling reason for the City of Stamford, leading and progressive corporations and grant issuers to continue to provide financial support.

Our staff must be thanked for their exceptional service to our organization. Julia Wade completed her first full year with us during the past year, and by all accounts has hit the ground running – fast. Julia’s work with our task forces, and particularly with the West Side, has been a key factor for the successes the Partnership has enjoyed. Kathleen Walsh, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has become a fixture in the Stamford community. Her efforts on behalf of the Partnership are thoughtful, selfless and tireless. She is an incredible asset, and I and the other members of the Board enjoy each and every interaction we have with her.

Clearly this coming year will present new challenges for Stamford. The City has disproportionately benefited from the strength of the financial services and real estate sectors over the past decade, and as a result is more exposed as those sectors contract in this troubled economy. But it is exactly these challenges that excite the Board of the Stamford Partnership. Our mission remains to help make Stamford a better place to work and live. We are certain Stamford will rise to the challenge of the times, and the Partnership will provide thought leadership and a forum for discussion and debate to advance the best interests of our community.Our Anniversary Symposium in May 2008 provided an opportunity to reflect on the truly interesting times since the Partnership’s inception in 1979. Our friends and funders, colleagues and community partners, past and present board members—along with the iconic David Anderson, our first President—looked back at the key issues and events in which the Partnership’s engagement contributed to making Stamford the highly successful city it is today. Not resting on our laurels, we heard Mayor Dan Malloy outline a vision for the city’s future in the region and the world that energized us for the challenges to come.

Throughout the next pages, you’ll see highlights of program activities that thoughtfully address our strategic plan objectives, making real differences in the lives of Stamford residents and workforce. Encouraging innovation and building resilience are among the strategies we’ll continue to employ in the coming year—whether we’re working with entrepreneurs, families and youth, or changing the city’s physical environment.

Helping to shift the paradigm from auto-centered to pedestrian and transit-usercentered circulation in the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods is a key role for the Partnership during the coming year. From “pedestrian master plan” design to “parking demand management” strategies, the Partnership—uniquely—can bring both best practices and a broad range of community stakeholders to the table for discussion. “Connecting people and ideas” on these topics will help shape Stamford’s urban form and functions into the future.

As Chairman of this great organization, I cannot thank you enough for your support of the Stamford Partnership. I continue to be excited about the opportunities that – together – we have to enhance the quality of work and life in Stamford this year and in the future.




Eric Dale
Chairman

May you live in interesting times

Our Anniversary Symposium in May 2008 provided an opportunity to reflect on the truly interesting times since the Partnership’s inception in 1979. Our friends and funders, colleagues and community partners, past and present board members—along with the iconic David Anderson, our first President—looked back at the key issues and events in which the Partnership’s engagement contributed to making Stamford the highly successful city it is today. Not resting on our laurels, we heard Mayor Dan Malloy outline a vision for the city’s future in the region and the world that energized us for the challenges to come.

Throughout the next pages, you’ll see highlights of program activities that thoughtfully address our strategic plan objectives, making real differences in the lives of Stamford residents and workforce. Encouraging innovation and building resilience are among the strategies we’ll continue to employ in the coming year—whether we’re working with entrepreneurs, families and youth, or changing the city’s physical environment.

Helping to shift the paradigm from auto-centered to pedestrian and transit-usercentered circulation in the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods is a key role for the Partnership during the coming year. From “pedestrian master plan” design to “parking demand management” strategies, the Partnership—uniquely—can bring both best practices and a broad range of community stakeholders to the table for discussion. “Connecting people and ideas” on these topics will help shape Stamford’s urban form and functions into the future.





Kathleen Walsh
President & CEO