Cities can play a key role in a year of change.

America is at the start of a new era, and the potential for great change is reflected in the current presidential election in which--for the first time in 80 years--neither the sitting president nor vice-president is running. There is space for something new in the political landscape, and America's cities, towns and villages are poised to take their rightful place within that new landscape.

But, ensuring that cities are adequately represented in impending changes will take ongoing effort and a realistic understanding of the pace of change. It will also take the commitment of local leaders to act as advocates and change agents. Strategies for cities to engage with a new Administration and a new Congress will be examined during the 2008 Congress of Cities in plenary and workshop sessions.

"The big issues of the day are played out on our streets, in our homes, in our commercial and retail districts," said NLC President Cynthia McCollum, council member from Madison, Ala. "What they do in Washington affects each and every one of us ... and we really are the best gauge of what works--and what doesn't."

There is an opening, say policy watchers, to reframe certain arguments and issues. It is important that cities and towns be part of this expanding political discussion because they are an integral part of the system of federalism in America.

And because, on a practical note, said Carolyn Coleman, director of federal relations at NLC, "We have also seen what happens when the interests of cities and towns are underrepresented at the policy table."

Earlier this year, under the leadership of McCollum, NLC launched the American Cities '08, a multi-media campaign aimed at raising the voice of cities in the presidential and congressional campaigns. The organization and its local elected leadership have made a concerted effort to reach out to the presidential campaigns and to introduce cities as centers for innovative solutions that can address national needs. The organization and its leaders are engaging themselves in conversations at the national level at summits, conferences and even within campaigns.

It is critical, that America's cities, towns and villages do not let this opportunity pass them by. "We have stronger communities when federal, state and local governments are all represented in the policy-making process," says Coleman.

Smart people govern cities and towns across the country and why wouldn't the country leverage their thinking with the federal government to address these challenges?, ask federal relations staff at the NLC.

Local communities are taking the lead on solving many entrenched issues, and city-based solutions can help solve national challenges.

For example, "More than 68,000 taxpayers paid predatory rates and fees to use a Refund Anticipation Loan to obtain their tax refund a few days earlier than using direct deposit. Brainstorming with other NLC members led the City of San Antonio to create an Alternate Refund Anticipation Loan that, in 2008, saved 2,199 taxpayers a total of more than $730,000 in interest, fees and tax return preparation charges," reports Dennis J. Campa, community initiatives director for the City of San Antonio.

Local leaders are important players within policy discussions because they have credibility.

NLC members have proven success stories and expertise in creating local solutions.

As delegates prepare to attend the 2008 Congress of Cities and to engage in critical discussions that will shape the future of cities, the most significant thing they can do to advance a city agenda nationally is to take their successes and share them--share them with other delegates and, most critically, share them with candidates and other state and national policy makers.

While at the 2008 Congress of Cities, delegates will discuss and share many strategies for including cities in a year of change.

But, some of those strategies can be implemented even now.

* If someone wants to influence change, they need to be a good advocate. Share success stories with state and federal policy makers and help them see how a local solution can work for them.

* Share success stories with NLC and make sure they are provided to NLC's City Practices database. This allows stories to be more easily shared with media, policy makers and other local leaders.

* Understand the process of change--it will take time to see the fruits of the advocate's labors.

* Figure out how to be of help to a new Administration; so, that they can be of help to the local community.

* Understand that challenges to implementing meaningful change experienced by local leaders are the same as those experienced by state and federal officials. The process for addressing them is also similar:

* New leaders listen to people with good ideas and weigh their options.

* New leaders often inherit challenges that must be addressed before new ideas can be fully vetted.

Details: More strategies, ideas and insights into the year of change will be addressed at the 2008 Congress of Cities. For up-to-date information on programs and events at the conference, visit www.NLCCongressofCities.org.