About the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara

Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara (MLKSB)
Position Paper: Alignment with External Organizations

Purpose
This position paper outlines the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara’s stance on aligning with external organizations or advocacy groups. It reflects the collective intention of the Committee to remain focused on its core mission and to avoid affiliations that may compromise the integrity, neutrality, or public perception of MLKSB.

Background
The MLKSB was established with a clear mission: “to foster positive relationships between the many diverse groups in our community and to sponsor programs and events which exemplify the teachings of Dr. King.” This mission is grounded in a vision of unity, education, nonpartisanship, and community service.
During the formation of our bylaws and mission statement, the Committee intentionally chose to avoid political entanglements or affiliations that could create division or misrepresent our goals. This principle was embedded in the very foundation of the organization and has served to guide our actions and programming since our inception.

Position
MLKSB maintains that it is in the best interest of the organization and the community it serves to refrain from formally aligning with other organizations, regardless of whether they profess values aligned with those of Dr. King. This decision is based on the following considerations:

Clarity of Mission
Our mission statement does not reference formal alignment or partnership with external organizations. Rather, it centers on our responsibility to the Santa Barbara community and to the promotion of Dr. King’s legacy through events and education that we plan and oversee.

Risk of Dilution or Misrepresentation
Affiliating with one organization can set a precedent, making it difficult to decline future requests for partnerships from others. Without thorough knowledge of their internal policies, mission, or reputation, we risk associating with groups whose actions may not reflect MLKSB’s values, potentially harming our credibility.

Preserving Neutrality and Nonpartisanship
The Committee has always agreed to avoid political endorsements or advocacy. Section 3.02 of our bylaws clearly states: “No substantial part of the activities of this corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and this corporation shall not participate in or intervene (including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.” Aligning with advocacy organizations—even those not directly involved in elections—can lead to public confusion regarding our stance on political issues and compromise our nonpartisan reputation.

Donor and Community Trust Conclusion
While MLKSB supports and encourages individual members to participate in causes and events aligned with their personal beliefs—including initiatives that honor the spirit of Dr. King—it is the position of the Committee that the organization itself must remain unaffiliated with external groups.
This approach safeguards our integrity, sustains our mission, and ensures that our voice remains clear and consistent in service to the Santa Barbara community. We respectfully affirm our commitment to Dr. King’s teachings by continuing to lead through example, hosting inclusive and empowering events, and remaining a trusted convener of unity and dialogue.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee
Board of Directors
July 25, 2025