SJC Exchange Library

Civic engagement has become a habit in Decatur, Ga. Over the past 12+ years, more than 1,000 people – out of a population of 19,000 - have met to decide how to build a sense of community, and to find common ground for solving conflicts.

It was not necessarily an easy decision to involve residents and local officials in dialogues, according to Mayor Pro Tem Jim Baskett. “Reluctant commissioners were not sure what might come out of the conversations. The idea was hard to get our arms around,” Baskett said. In fact, the commission voted the effort down initially. They changed their minds when the plan was connected directly to a needed 10-year strategic plan.

Residents started seeing changes. The city recreation department appointed a volunteer coordinator, increasing the number of volunteers connected with the city. The city also redoubled its efforts to recruit people onto boards. Decatur neighborhood associations began meeting regularly with city staff.