Asset Based Community Development
ABCD

PROJECT UPDATE:
Asset Based Community Development—KI Sawyer and Beyond.
Gin Wasmiler, Community Organizer, July/August 2005 issue of The Church in Hiawathaland, page 2.
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is a community organizing process that asks “What do we have here that brings us together and builds us up?”, rather than starting with either “What do we need?” or “What can we, who have, give you, who don’t have?” This method was introduced here by its founder, John McKnight in 1998 and has been used by some congregations, especially Trinity, Gladstone’s after school program.

As reported in the May 2005 issue of The Church of Hiawathaland, "...the Council and Core Team began to explore what it might mean to do mission in an ABCD model, and to think about how we might staff such a project. At its March meeting, Diocesan Council approved the hiring of Virginia (“Gin”) Wasmiller, a member of St. John’s, Munising, to be the diocesan Community Organizer in the Sawyer project. Also approved was the diocese engaging the consulting services of Mike Green, of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), to provide training and guidance to Gin and other diocesan leaders. Council endorsed the funding of this ministry by monies which have been set aside for New Work, through the sale of properties in L’Anse, Sidnaw, Ewen, Ralph, and Nahma. After those funds are expended, this ministry will draw upon grants from outside sources, which Mike Green will help identify. Thus, importantly, this project will not draw upon the diocesan regular operating budget."

DISCERNMENT FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS
Gin Wasmiller, the Diocesan Community Organizer, is ready to set up workshops for the Team of Community Organizers. Click on the links for more information:

Please visit the following related websites for more information on this important project: Update 06/29/05

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