The Cambridge Civic Association was formed in 1945 by the same people who worked to bring to Cambridge the Plan E Charter, including the city manager form of government and proportional representation elections. The CCA has been an active participant in Cambridge civic affairs ever since, far longer than any civic organization in the history of the city. The CCA and its predecessor organization, the Committee for Plan E, have endorsed candidates for City Council and School Committee in every election since 1941 and will again endorse a slate of candidates for City Council and School Committee in 2003.
The principal purposes of the CCA as outlined in its by-laws are as
follows:
1. To promote businesslike, honest, and efficient conduct of local government, open to public scrutiny.
2. To induce residents to take an active interest in the affairs of the City of Cambridge.
3. To encourage and support the candidacy of men and women seeking election to public office and to support intelligent, wholesome leadership in public affairs.
4. To assure that the best qualified persons are appointed to positions in the City government after consideration of all qualified candidates.
5. To promote among the citizens of Cambridge equitable distribution and benefit of public services and equal opportunity for economic security, education, and social advancement.
Though the CCA has taken positions on a wide variety of issues over the years, including some very controversial issues, the basic tenets of the organization have never changed. Recent years have been challenging ones for the CCA, as with most civic organizations nationwide, but we have recently elected a new president and new Board members and we are committed to doing our part to assist qualified candidates for public office who seek and receive our endorsement. It is hoped that we shall continue from there as a year-round presence in civic affairs in Cambridge. As has been the case since 1945, the CCA takes an interest in many issues pertaining to the public schools, municipal finance, public health and the environment, and all of those things that fall under the category of "good government."