A recent letter to the editor made some pretty ridiculous comments about the restructuring process currently underway at the Western Colorado Congress. The author, Becky Raney, tried to make the case that the financial issues facing WCC somehow were evidence that WCC and its message are “obsolete.” That is nothing more than wishful thinking on her part. The truth is somewhat different from Ms. Raney’s observations.

Western Colorado Congress has been defending the communities of western Colorado for 28 years. In that time it has grown from a group of 30 ”founding humans” to a powerful force of 3,000-plus members, representing nine distinct community groups. From Steamboat Springs to Telluride to the San Luis Valley, Western Colorado Congress has steadfastly responded to the needs and concerns of the communities and people it represents. Its accomplishments are many and cut across a broad spectrum of community and environmental issues.

Ms. Raney tries to make the case that the financial challenges facing WCC are somehow a weakness in the group’s message of community empowerment. The fact is, the economy in many parts of the country is not propped up by the oil and gas industry. Times are hard and many across the country who have supported WCCs’ public lands work are hard pressed to continue their support at previous levels. In fact, the worlds’ largest insurance company, AIG, and the biggest banks on Wall Street are reeling. Surely, Ms. Raney is not suggesting that insurance companies and investment banks are “obsolete.”

Unlike Club 20, WCC is not supported by the oil and gas companies, whose massive profits have actually served to drain resources from practically every other sector of American commerce. Giving to political campaigns has dramatically exacerbated the funding problems faced by all non-profits, not just WCC. Even so, WCC has raised significant funding from folks all over the United States and Colorado, and the major issue has not been how much funding, but when. The issue at WCC has been cash flow, not adequate funding.

The board of directors of WCC has decided to revamp the business model to become more efficient, stable, and able to manage its cash flow needs. WCC welcomes this opportunity to restructure its management principles and practices to allow the organization to be even more responsive and efficient and to accomplish even more with their resources.
Ms. Raney and her ilk would be happy to see the WCC stop defending our community from the “drill, drill, drill” and “development at any cost” group. She is going to be very disappointed. Far from being “obsolete,” WCC is on the move to being even stronger and more effective than ever.

DUKE COX, Chairman
WCC Oil and Gas Committee
Palisade

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 9:00 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.