Presentation made by Cormac Russell ABCD Institute faculty memeber, and ABCD Global Consulting at University of Limerick. May 2009. visit: www.abcdglobal.ie email cormac@nurturedevelopment.ie

1. ABCD briefing, Conference Steering Group, March 25 th Cormac Russell Nurture Development; Nurture Development Africa, & ABCD Institute, Chicago

3. Everyone should have the opportunity to be a producer of their own and their communities well-being It takes everyone to build a strong and safe community

6. Associations, Local Government, Business & People

7. Power to Change “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has .” Margaret Mead

8. The Dilemma . . . People and Communities have deficiencies & needs Individuals and Communities have skills and talents

9. Current Approach

13. Active Citizens require a supportive context to grow powerful and connect € NFP NFP € G G

14. Neighborhoods Needs Map Graffiti Environmental pollution Unemployment Gangs Literacy challenges Early School Leaving Broken Families Poor Housing Joy riding Drug Dealing Crime Disability

16. A Sample Community Asset Map Individuals Gifts, Skills, Capacities, Knowledge and Traits of Youth Older Adults Artists People with Disabilities Students Parents Entrepreneurs Activists Institutions Schools Universities Community Colleges Police Departments Hospitals Libraries Social Service Agencies Non Profits Museums Fire Departments Foundations Physical Space Gardens Parks Playgrounds Parking Lots Walking Paths Forests/Forest Preserves Picnic Areas Campsites Fishing Spots Stories Of background and personal history Of what you like to do and contribute Of existing and ongoing skills and capacities Of successful community development Of economic growth Of addressing discrimination Of including those who are marginalized Of recognizing the value of everyone Of a time when you or your group felt appreciated and valued Of a time the community was at its best Local Economy For-Profit Businesses Consumer Expenditures Merchants Chamber of Commerce Business Associations Banks Foundations Institutional-Purchasing Power and Personnel Micro enterprises Local Coops Corporations and Branches Animal Care Groups Anti Crime Groups Residents Assoc Business Organizations Charitable Groups Civic Events Groups Cultural Groups Education Groups Elderly Groups Environmental Groups Family Support Groups Health Advocacy and Fitness Groups Heritage Groups Hobby and Collectors Groups Men’s Groups Mentoring Groups Mutual Support Groups Neighborhood Improvement Groups Political Organizations Recreation Groups Religious Groups Service Clubs Social Groups Union Groups Women’s Groups Youth Groups Associations My Community My Community

22. Person Centered Work The move is from services to clients to supports for citizens Community Centered Work Inclusion

23. The New Paradigm Needs/Deficit Based Asset Based Purpose Changing Community through increased services Changing Community through citizen involvement Method Institutional Reform Citizen-Centered production Accountability Leaders are professional staff. accountable to institutional stakeholders Leaders are widening circles of volunteer citizens. Accountable to the community. Significance of Assets Assets are system inputs. Asset mapping is data collection Assets are dots to connect. Asset mapping is self-realization and leadership development.

24. The New Paradigm Production Resource Money is the key resource. Falls apart without money. Relationships are the key resource. Falls apart when money becomes the focus. Operating Challenge How do we get citizen’s involved? How do we channel and build on all this citizen participation? System Dynamic Tends to spread itself thinner over time. Tends to snowball over time. Evaluation Success is service outcomes, measured mostly by institutional stakeholders. Success is capacity, measured mostly by relationships.

25. Present Policy Proposed New Policy Focus on Deficiencies Focus on Assets Problem Response Opportunity Identification Charity Orientation Investment Orientation Grants to Agencies Grants, Loans, Investments, leveraging euros More Services Fewer Services High Emphasis on Agencies Emphasis on associations, businesses, agencies, churches Focus on Individuals Focus on communities/neighborhoods Maintenance Development See People as Clients See People as Citizens “ Fix People” Develop Potential Programs are the answer People are the answer The New Policy: Community Building

27. Tips on Working with Neighborhoods Ways that inhibit engagement How we work differently with neighborhoods and residents We know who to contact by position We have to research who to contact (sometimes it is not obvious) We give them timelines and deadlines We ask them to give us a reasonable time frame We write things up – give them memos and job descriptions We meet with them and have face to face conversations (preferably in their community) We often take the lead in projects We need to allow the neighborhood to lead us We set up meetings during the day We go to meetings at nights or on the weekends and when appropriate help to figure out childcare and transportation

28. Tips (cont.) Adapted from Untied Way of Metro Atlanta We offer a list of possible roles for our organization We ask how our organization can be most helpful We use our leadership structure to help us make relationships We look to current relationships to help introduce us into new communities We manage projects We negotiate our role, offer suggestions and learn to be flexible We reach our objectives in a way that is most efficient We follow the lead of residents with patience, as work takes much longer, is not efficient, often involves several players and lots of twists and turns We assume authority is in the person with positional power Authority rests in the one with the most relationships