The shouts echoed throughout the city last week for Jim Diers, author and former Director of the City of Seattle's Department of Neighbourhoods, and his enthusiastic presentation about how to make your community vision a reality. Jim was brought to town by the City of Edmonton in an effort to kickstart the new initiatives being brought forward this year through the City of Edmonton. Participants were given an opportunity to hear from Jim firsthand about some of the successes he has encountered as he described how the solution to community revitalization isn't just throwing money at the problems, but people; people are the solution.
If you missed Jim, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of his book (Neighbourhood Power: Building Community the Seattle way) (4 copies available at the Edmonton Public Library call number: 307.14097 DIE)
Even for the most dedicated and energetic community volunteer, Jim would have left them with a new energy and a reminder about the big things that community can accomplish. He cautioned against the "GD" volunteers- the "Grim and Determined"-- those that are bitter and not wanting to hear new ideas and try new events. Some tips from jim include:
1. Have fun: community has to be about fun. That is the point of neighbourhoods, that is why people volunteer. Host parties, not meetings. Even little things like having food at your meetings go a long way to building a positive and enjoyable atmosphere that keeps volunteers coming back.
2. Start where people are: Connect to people with the issues they care about. They have their own networks, their own communities, and it is important to listen to them and see what shared interests you have. Who is missing from your neighbourhood at your league meeting?
3. Focus on assets rather than needs: Those youth? Those seniors? That shy lady at your last meeting? Everyone has assets and everyone comes to the table with different skills and abilities. Refrain from labeling people by what they don't have and instead look with a "glass half full" perspective at your league and your volunteers. By doing an inventory of your community assets you might find people with unique ideas and skillsets you have never heard of!
Until next time, I hope that your league has been infused with some of the energy from Jim's presentation. For more information please ask your CRC or visit www.efcl.org
|