Jim Diers is driven by a passion to get people more involved in their communities and in the decisions that affect their lives. Over the past 40 years, he has served as a grass roots community organizer, community developer, and founding director of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. Jim now shares the lessons from that work in his courses at the University of Washington; in international consulting through the Asset-Based Community Development Institute; and in his book, Neighbor Power. He has been recognized with an honorary doctorate from Grinnell College and as the Public Employee of the Year by the Municipal League of Martin Luther King County.
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@jim-diers
• 2 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
Helper, Utah - The Little Town That Could
Helper, Utah - The Little Town That Could
It was early morning as we drove from Moab to Salt Lake City during a recent vacation in Utah. I was tired, so I exited the highway when I saw a sign advertising...
@jim-diers
• 2 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
Better to Give AND Receive
Better to Give AND Receive
“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” said Jesus. Most of us have experienced that truth. In giving, not only do we feel blessed, but we gain a deeper sense...
@jim-diers
• 3 years ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new blog:
Moving from Police to Community
Moving from Police to Community
Confronted by unanticipated expenses and greatly reduced revenues due to COVID-19, local governments are searching for a way to balance their budgets. Fortunately,...
@jim-diers
• 3 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
Social Connection Needed in Battle Against Coronavirus
Social Connection Needed in Battle Against Coronavirus
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, public health officials are warning us to practice social distancing. That seems like good advice given the contagious nature...
@jim-diers
• 4 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
Neighborhood Revitalization Without Gentrification
Neighborhood Revitalization Without Gentrification
Where we once dreamed of livable cities and revitalized neighborhoods, we now bemoan gentrification and displacement. As neighborhood conditions have improved, the...
@jim-diers
• 4 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
Hippocratic Oath for Community Workers
Hippocratic Oath for Community Workers
“First, do no harm.” This dictum is frequently but mistakenly associated with the Hippocratic Oath. Although it was disconcerting to learn that our physicians are not...
@jim-diers
• 4 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
You Can't Build Community Without Doing The Bump
You Can't Build Community Without Doing The Bump
Community is built on relationships and people develop relationships through frequent contact with others. So, if you want to build community, you need places to bump...
@jim-diers
• 5 years ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new blog:
Social Justice Is Not As Easy As ABCD
Social Justice Is Not As Easy As ABCD
As a proud practitioner of Asset-Based Community-driven Development (ABCD), I’m convinced that every person and every neighborhood has abundant and often...
@jim-diers
• 6 years ago
• comments: 0
Updated a Blog:
Building Inclusive Community
Building Inclusive Community
I like to think of myself as a community builder, but I know that community isn’t necessarily a good. A community is simply a group of people who identify with and...
@jim-diers
• 6 years ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new blog:
BUILDING 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY
BUILDING 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY
At the turn of this century, Robert Putnam wrote the most depressing book for those of us who believe that there is no substitute for community. Putnam cited all...
@jim-diers
• 6 years ago
• comments: 1
Posted a new blog:
IF YOU WANT TO BUILD COMMUNITY, START WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE
IF YOU WANT TO BUILD COMMUNITY, START WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE
A fundamental principle of community organizing is to start where the people are. The closer you engage people to where they live, the more likely they are to get...