Guide to the Commonwealth North records
1979-2007
Collection number: HMC-0992.
Creator: Commonwealth North.
Title: Commonwealth North records.
Dates: 1979-2007.
Volume of collection: 64.8 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials in English.
Collection summary: Papers of an Alaskan public policy forum.
Organizational history:
Commonwealth North (CWN) was co-founded in 1979 by two former governors of Alaska: Walter J. Hickel and William Egan. Commonwealth North acts as a non-partisan group funded by individual memberships and private sector funds. Their purpose is “to educate its members and others on significant public policy issues affecting Alaska and its future, and to assist in their resolution,” (Commonwealth North 2009). Commonwealth North strives to achieve this goal in a variety of ways. They hold monthly forums with speakers from a variety of disciplines to provide insight into Alaskan matters. In addition, they form study groups to research Alaskan issues and publish their findings and recommendations. http://www.commonwealthnorth.org has more information on the activities and publications of Commonwealth North.
Collection description:
This collection contains administrative records created during the planning and execution of their speaker programs; research material used and records created by each study group; administrative records of former executive directors; Board of Directors records, and membership files. These records vary in type and include publications produced by CWN, correspondence, meeting notes, audio recordings of speeches, and video and photographs of speakers and events. In addition, the collection contains plaques and awards given to Commonwealth North. Collection is primarily arranged by event or group/committee that created the records.
Arrangement: Most of the series reflect the way CWN grouped, ordered and named their records. The series that reflect CWN’s original order and naming conventions are: speaker/program files, publications files, information files, membership files, award dinner files, and Board of Director files. A portion of the collection did not arrive at the archives in a proscribed series. A majority of that portion of the collection falls under the created series “Artifacts and Audiovisual Materials.” This holds artifacts and multimedia documenting CWN’s accomplishments and events. In addition, there are audiocassettes and videocassettes integrated within the other series.
Alternative formats: CWN publications and reports found in the collection can be accessed on the Commonwealth website.
Rights note: Commonwealth North retains copyright to all materials in the collection.
Preferred citation: Commonwealth North records, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory:
Commonwealth North. “Who we are.” Commonwealth North. 2009. http://www.commonwealthnorth.org/index.cfm?section=aboutandpage=Who-we-are (accessed October 15, 2008).
Acquisition note: Commonwealth North deposited the materials with the Archives in 2007. A deposit agreement was signed at that time.
Processing information: Arrangement of files and series and box titles derive from CWN’s arrangement of files and series and box titles. This collection was arranged and described by Mariecris Gatlabayan in 2008.
Container list:
Series 1: Speaker and program files; 1983-2003. 30.4 cubic feet.
This series contains records created in planning and hosting speakers. Examples of the types of materials in the collection are financial records, correspondence, scripts for the event, and audio recordings of the program. (If no audio recording is present within the files, there may be recordings in series 7: Artifacts and Audiovisual records.) Files are arranged chronologically by date. For a list of speakers, please visit Commonwealth North’s website.
| Box | Description | Date |
| 1 | Speaker program files | 1983 July-1985 July |
| 2 | Speaker program files | 1985 August-1986 July |
| 3 | Speaker program files | 1986 August-1987May |
| 4 | Speaker program files | 1987 March-1987 December |
| 5 | Speaker program files | 1988 January -1988 August |
| 6 | Speaker program files | 1988 September-1989 March |
| 7 | Speaker program files | 1989 April-1990 March |
| 8 | Speaker program files | 1990 January-1991 January |
| 9 | Speaker program files | 1991 March-1991 December |
| 10 | Speaker program files | 1991 April-1992 July |
| 11 | Speaker program files | 1992 August-1993 March |
| 12 | Speaker program files | 1993 April-1993 December |
| 13-14 | Speaker program files | 1993 July -1993 December |
| 15-16 | Speaker program files | 1994 |
| 17 | Speaker program files | 1995 |
| 18 | Speaker program files | 1996 |
| 19 | Speaker program files | 1997 |
| 20 | Speaker program files | 1998 January-1998 July |
| 21 | Speaker program files | 1998 August-1998 December |
| 22-23 | Speaker program files | 1999 February-1999 December |
| 24-25 | Speaker program files | 2000 |
| 26 | Speaker program files | 2001 |
| 27 | Speaker program files | 2002 |
| 28 | Speaker program files | 2003 |
| 29 | Speaker program files | 2004 |
| 30 | Speaker program files | 2005 |
| 31 | Speaker program files | 2006 |
Series 2: Report committee files and publications; 1996-2010. 18.0 cubic feet.
This series contains the research materials, meeting minutes, and the resulting publications of the work group. The series is roughly organized by workgroup and date. CWN arrangement of records retained as much as possible. For a list of CWN publications and reports, please visit their website.
| Box | Description or title | Date |
| 32 | Compass North research | 1996-1997 |
| 33 | Alaska’s asset portfolio: managing for maximum return, Return on Assets study group records | 1998 |
| 34 | Return on Assets study group records; Partners in Alaska’s future: Team Alaska Phase II study group records | 1994-1998 |
| 35 | Permanent Fund earnings study group files | 1995-1999 |
| 36 | Agenda 2000 study group records | 1995-1997 |
| 37 | Agenda 2000 study group files (Agenda 2000: paths to resolution subsistence fighting for dependence) | 1996-1999 |
| 38-39 | Higher education committee files | 1991-1997 |
| 40 | Budget conference back up study group files. | 1993-1994 |
| 41 | Alaska’s Long range fiscal plan, going in flames—“No copies on hand” | 1986-1996 |
| 42 | Health Care: finding an Alaskan prescription, study group records and Partners in Alaska’s future: Team Alaska 2 Phase II drafts | 1994, 1995 |
| 43 | Workforce development in Alaska study group records. | 2003 |
| 44 | Education and the state’s workforce report and Urban rural unity study research records | 1996, 2000-2006 |
| 45 | Shall there be a Constitutional Convention? committee records and Bringing Alaska’s North Slope gas to market: framing the issues committee records | 2000- 2002 |
| 46 | The University of Alaska: A key to Alaska’s future, a time for ALL to invest committee records | 2002-2003 |
| 47 | Putting Alaska’s Assets to work for Alaskans, study group records, 2003 | 2003 |
| 48-49 | Alaska primary health care–opportunities and challenges, records | 2004-2005 |
| 50 | The potential and the promise of the Arctic: a special report to the people | 1970 |
| 50 | Solutions to the national energy crisis: why not Alaska? | 1979 |
| 50 | North Slope natural gas: transportation alternatives and the promise of a world scale petrochemical industry | 1980 |
| 50 | Articles of incorporation and bylaws of Commonwealth North | 1981 |
| 50 | Investing in Alaska’s future: the capital investment fund | 1981 |
| 50 | Moving North Slope natural gas to market: a positive alternative | 1981 |
| 50 | The new Alaska Railroad | 1984 |
| 50 | Alaska’s budget crisis: facing the facts–closing the gaps | 1986 |
| 50 | Using the Permanent Fund as a positive counter-cyclical force in the Alaskan economy | 1988 |
| 50 | The Alaska Railroad and its future | 1988 |
| 50 | Redesigning the front door to Anchorage through the relocation of the Anchorage railroad yard | 1988 |
| 50 | Fire Island: a north Pacific maritime center (executive summary) | 1991 |
| 50 | Fire Island: a north Pacific maritime center | 1991 |
| 50 | Shall there be a Constitutional Convention? | 1992 |
| 50 | Commonwealth North’s Testimony to the Senate Transportation Committee on SB148, An Act Relating to the Alaska Railroad: March 30, 1993 | 1993 |
| 50 | Breaking the fall: budget recommendations for Alaska | 1994 |
| 50 | Partners in Alaska’s future: Team Alaska Phase II | 1995 |
| 50 | Agenda 2000: Alaska’s future in a new world | 1997 |
| 50 | Quality of Life (Compass North II) | 1997 |
| 50 | Economic stability in the 21st century: realities and aspirations | 1997 |
| 50 | Education and the state’s workforce | 1997 |
| 50 | Alaska’s asset portfolio: managing for maximum return (Executive summary pamphlet) | 1998 |
| 50 | Alaska’s asset portfolio: managing for maximum return | 1998 |
| 50 | Urban rural unity study | 2000 |
| 50 | Bringing Alaska’s North Slope gas to market: framing the issues | 2001 |
| 50 | Shall there be a constitutional convention? | 2002 |
| 50 | Alaska’s Jobs for Alaska’s people | 2003 |
| 50 | Putting Alaska’s assets to work for Alaskans | 2004 |
| 50 | Commonwealth North 2010 Briefing Book | 2009 |
| 50 | How to Select a Candidate: Some Questions to Ask | undated |
| 50 | Commonwealth North Annual Report 2009 | 2010 |
| 50 | Energy for a Sustainable Alaska: The Railbelt Predicament | 2010 |
| 50 | Commonwealth North Annual Report 2010 | 2011 |
Series 3: Information records; 1980-1999. 5.4 cubic feet.
The title for this series comes from CWN’s inventory. This series contains administrative records of former CWN executive directors and CWN research materials on varying Alaska related subjects. CWN arrangement of materials preserved as much as possible.
| Box | Description | Date |
| 51 | Patty Ginsburg- CWN Executive Director | 1997 |
| 52 | Becky Parker- CWN Executive Director | 1995 |
| 53 | Alaskan View of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) committee information files and records | 1989-1992 |
| 54 | Information/research files (some administrative records): Bering Sea fisheries; Permanent Fund; Alaska Railroad; ground fish; North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); Seward Sealife; economic education; Alaska pipeline; Tony Knowles 1995 budget speech | 1993-1997 |
| 55 | Information/research files: Alberta budget, UAA and land grant, Alaska telemed project, Bering Sea pollock | 1995-1997 |
| 56 | CWN history | 1980-1999 |
Series 4: Board of Directors files; 1980-2004. 4.0 cubic feet.
This series contains the meeting minutes, nominations, biographies, rosters, election ballots, and administrative files. Election records are missing for 1993-1995 and 2000. Files are in chronological order.
| Box | Description | Date |
| 57 | Board of Directors | 1980-2004 |
| 58 | Board of Directors: minutes and agenda | 1980-1989 |
| 59 | Board of Directors: minutes and agenda | 1990-1996 |
| 60 | Board of Directors: minutes and agenda | 1997-1999 |
Series 5: Membership files; 1990-2002. 1.0 cubic feet.
This series contains invitations to membership, registration information, lists of members from 1990-2002. Files are in chronological order.
| Box | Description | Date |
| 61 | Membership, ‘old’ | 1990-1998 |
Series 6: Award dinner records; 1999. 2.0 cubic feet.
This series contains records created while planning and hosting award dinners.
| Box | Description | Date |
| 62 | Hickel Award Dinner and Jay Hammond Award Dinner | 1999 |
| 63 | Take Flight Stevens information | 2000 |
Series 7: Artifacts and Audiovisual records; undated, 1979 -2005. 8.0 cubic feet.
This series contains artifacts, photographs, and multimedia materials. Artifacts consist of plaques and awards given to CWN. Photographs are of speakers and the board of directors. Audio and video materials are of CWN speaker programs and events. There are a variety of formats within this series. The materials consist mostly of audio cassettes and videotapes but more recent materials are on DVD, Dvcam, or zip drives. Arranged approximately by date.
| Box | Title | Date |
| 64 | Plaques, awards, and copies of scanned reports | undated |
| 65 | Commonwealth North: pictures 1979-1991; speakers and Board of Directors | 1979-1991 |
| 66 | Audiovisual tapes of events and speakers | 1990-2000 |
| 67 | Audiovisual tapes of events and speakers | 1991-1997 |
| 68 | Audiocassette tapes of programs and Board of Directors | 1999-2003 |
| 69 | Events and study groups photographs | 1999-2004 |
| 70 | Events and study groups photographs | 1999-2005 |
| 71 | Audiovisual tapes of events and speakers | 2004-2006 |