The Capital Trails Coalition recognizes long-standing and current societal inequities that have their roots in generations of unjust structural barriers, policies, practices, attitudes, language and cultural messages have disproportionately impacted many minority groups.

Therefore, the Coalition will promote an equitable trails network by analyzing the unique challenges and circumstances impacting specific populations’ mobility, safety and connectivity needs.

The Coalition will use this information to offer and advocate for solutions so that the trail network more effectively serves all residents, including current and potential trail users.

The Coalition will also use this lens proactively to influence its own structure and decision making framework.

Coalition Members are responsible for promoting the goals of the Capital Trails Coalition, most importantly by working to complete a comprehensive trails network in the Washington region. They do this by participating in Coalition meetings and activities, and keeping the Coalition informed about issues in the trails community.  

Coalition Advisory Members are responsible for advising the Capital Trails Coalition, most importantly by working to complete a comprehensive trails network in the Washington region. They do this by participating in Coalition meetings and activities, and keeping the Coalition informed about issues in the trails community. Advisory members will not advocate/participate in any advocacy efforts, and recuse themselves from any decision in which there is a conflict of interest.

Duties and responsibilities are listed below. Advocacy-related duties and responsibilities that apply only to Coalition Members are denoted with asterisks ***.

1. Prepare for each Coalition meeting by reading material distributed prior to the meeting (meetings are held quarterly or 4/year).

2. Attend regular and special Coalition meetings and participate in Coalition-sponsored activities.

3. Serve on committees and/or working groups as needed.

4. Maintain knowledge of current programs of the Coalition, and be informed by the trails community.

5. Make a personal contribution (not necessarily financial) to the organization.***

6. Solicit the support of public and private parties in the trails community.***

7. Share resources and talents with the organization, including expertise, and contacts for in-kind contributions.

8. Serve as an advocate of the Coalition.

9. Be accessible, at least by phone and email, to other Coalition  Members as needed.

10. Fulfill commitments within the agreed-upon deadlines.

11. Accept majority Coalition decisions and support the mission.

12. Maintain the confidentiality of any information given to  members described as Confidential.

13. Take the initiative and provide leadership.***