Guest commentator: Kenneth S. Anderson, Esq. , Manager, Government Affairs, Philadelphia Gas Works

Every Thursday morning, I enter the Gilded Age behemoth that is Philadelphia’s City Hall. The gigantic municipal structure – once the tallest building in the world – is the workplace of Mayor Cherelle Parker, a host of judges and civil servants, and Philadelphia’s City Council. It is a place that buzzes with activity as the City of Brotherly Love’s nexus of power and decision making. As a member of Philadelphia Gas Works’s (PGW) government relations team, I observe Council sessions on the organization’s behalf. Before Council meets for its weekly session, Councilmembers convene in the Caucus Room to set the agenda for the upcoming meeting and announce legislation. The occasion is filled with two hundred years of traditions, and yet remains beautifully casual, as Councilmembers engage with those assembled in the room – overtly displaying democracy at work. All members of the public are invited to attend, granted unfettered access to their local representatives and the workings of their government. The meeting is brief and efficient – but makes a powerful statement.   

Following Caucus, I rush across the hallway to the Council chamber to participate in local democracy at work. I’m surrounded by fellow government affairs professionals, journalists, Council staffers, Philadelphia powerbrokers, and the everyday citizens and residents of Philadelphia. Depending on the day, the residents can be vocal, wearing their opinions on shirts or holding signs for a variety of causes. The meeting typically begins with an invocation from a local spiritual leader and the Council session begins. Each week, I have a front row seat to legislative decisions that impact development throughout the city, strategies to alleviate Philadelphia’s gun violence and opioid epidemics, and a host of other local issues that impact every one of us. Each week, I leave meetings better informed and better connected with the city I call home.  

While I attend Council sessions in a professional capacity, by virtue of our residency in Philadelphia we millennials and “Zoomers” (Google’s actual term for members of Generation Z) are all invited to attend these meetings each week. Private citizens of all ages, backgrounds, and education levels are provided with an opportunity to comment publicly on issues that affect our city. Moreover, we have direct access to our representatives – a luxury not granted to others in different big cities. Unfortunately, many members of our generation eschew participating in local government and elections, focusing their attention on national causes and candidates or even more troubling – not voting at all. In this election year, I highly encourage each one of you to vote in national elections. But I urge you to do the same depth of research you might do for a presidential or congressional candidate for your local councilmember, your judges, and other “on-the-ground” officials. These officials will impact your daily lives no matter how apolitical you may be. I think many of us would be surprised to know how much access we have to our local government and how much we can voice our opinions.  

In this very political year, get engaged in your community! Write your op-ed, read local journalism, attend City Council, introduce yourself to other engaged people, join community groups, share local news with your friends and families, and speak up. Engagement in the community is beneficial to us all but also can provide a sense of personal accomplishment that empowers.

Lastly, getting involved just hits different! As we work to maintain good mental health, engagement can foster a sense of purpose and is one of the best ways to fight the cynicism and frustration that comes with our current political climate and can work toward achieving the changes that we seek. Involvement cultivates a sense of ownership in your community. It is the armor that protects us as we enter the physical and metaphorical spaces from which some of us were actively excluded for centuries. Ultimately, engagement on the local level can incrementally break down the systemic problems our generation is passionate about dismantling today and create the blueprint for our better tomorrow.   

Remember, you don’t have to be in government relations to understand and engage with your government. I hope to see you at City Hall next week!

Help Recognize Civic-Minded Organizations with Civic 50

Update (March 4, 2024): The 2024 Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia survey is now open and accepting submissions. Complete the survey here.

The Chamber is excited to announce the 2024 Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia will launch on March 4, 2024, with the submission window closing on April 19, 2024. The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia recognizes civic-minded businesses that are using time, talent, and resources to drive social impact in their communities. Participating organizations can be ranked among the top 50 civic-oriented businesses in the region. The no-cost Civic 50 self-assessment and benchmarking tool gives participants key insights into their own community engagement efforts, along with a deeper understanding of how these activities align with best practices in the field and those undertaken by similar organizations.

You can learn more about the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia and this year’s timeline by referencing this one-sheeter.

Did you miss last week’s virtual information session about the 2024 Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia? Join the next one on 2/22 to learn about your opportunity to participate, this year’s timeline, and more here.