The mission of Fresno Citizens for Good Government is to provide a powerful, non-partisan voice for citizens who wish to encourage our elected officials to exercise community stewardship in pursuit of solutions that are in the best interests of the totality of our community.

The Fresno area has been undergoing a renaissance for the past decade that has accelerated in the last couple of years. Fragmented goals and competing agendas have started to yield to shared visions and collaboration. That progress is threatened by the influence of single interest groups and by the difficult economic conditions facing our state. History tells us that tough economic times often lead to regression and that interest groups fight to protect what they perceive to be theirs, even at the expense of the greater good. We see that happening today throughout our State, and we cannot afford to let it happen in Fresno. If we are to continue to make progress, especially through the economic storm that lies ahead, we must find a powerful stimulus to protect against regression and continue to build a better Fresno.

C-PAC is shorthand for Fresno Citizens for Good Government Community Political Action Committee. It will raise political contributions from citizens who subscribe to the Fresno Community Agenda and Fresno Community Values and wish to help elect candidates for office who adhere to this Agenda and Values. C-PAC will make direct contributions to electoral campaigns and it will also host fund-raisers for FCGG-endorsed candidates. How will FCGG and the C-PAC be governed? The Board of Directors of FCGG will consist of twelve people who have a demonstrated commitment to the Fresno Community Values and Agenda, experience in the civic sector, an understanding of the political sector, a history of community stewardship. A subset of the FCGG Board of Directors will also oversee the affairs of the C-PAC. Board members will receive no compensation for their service. The initial Board of Directors will consist of four directors elected for three years, four directors elected for two years and four directors elected for one year. Thereafter at the annual meeting, the membership will elect each director for a term of three years. The Board will meet as frequently as warranted by events and, in any case, not less than four times per year. Modifications of the Community Agenda or Community Values, will require a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. Candidate endorsement and funding will require a two-thirds vote of the C-PAC governing board.

FCGG will initially focus on governance of the City of Fresno, but may weigh in on any state or local election that has a direct impact on the future of our region. FCGG will support candidates for elective office who adhere to the Fresno Community Values, initially developed by the Fresno Area Collaborative Regional Initiative, and support the Fresno Community Agenda. FCGG will, from time to time, evaluate the performance of elected officials against the Community Agenda and Values, and communicate our findings to FCGG members. It is not the intention of FCGG to subject candidates to a series of litmus tests -- reasonable people can disagree on the best approach to serve the public interest -- but rather to observe whether a pattern exists of constructive, values-based engagement in the advancement of our community goals vs. obstructionist or diversionary actions in pursuit of narrow agendas. FCGG will conduct an annual meeting for all FCGG members. It will occasionally write white papers and submit Op-Ed pieces on issues of importance to our community and will also organize candidate forums. Support of candidates will come in the form of endorsements and financial support from the C-PAC.

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