I attended one of three Neighbourhood Engagement events put on by the city as part of the Great Neighbourhoods initiative. The speaker was -Jim Diers “a respected author, inspirational speaker, and former Director of the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods”

Much of what he says really just looks like common sense when it’s written down  -but I think it is quite different from the approach that is often taken.

A few points that I jotted down:

• neighbourhood development starts with neighbours -not with city funding / programs etc.
• don’t just look at you needs - start with an inventory of assets
• neighbourhood groups are big enough to make a difference - and small enough to actually allow people to get involved
• if you do things that are actually enjoyable - people care.  host community parties - not meetings.
• there are all sorts of valuable networks (sports, faith-based, groups, societies etc) that already exist. Find them and utilize them.

Overall I was very impressed with what he had to say …I just could have used a little less Anthony-Robbins-Motivational-Chanting-Group-Imposed-on-the-Audience.