Community Connections: Judie Dunken
We were able (and lucky) to connect with Judie Dunken, a real estate dynamo in Portland, who serves as the Pearl District Neighborhood Association’s (PDNA) Livability and Safety Committee Chair, Clean Team Chair, and Emergency Team Chair. All of these, we might add, are volunteer positions. Her dedication to the Pearl is legendary. She works to ensure that the Pearl is the amazing place to live in that we all know it to be.
”I fell in love with the Pearl the first time I discovered it in 1996. I loved the low-key vibe. No one really knew about it then and I felt it was my own little secret. As the Pearl has grown and changed, I have grown with it. The Pearl has been good to me as I have specialized in RE condo resale and it is a good livelihood for me. I felt it was time to give back and rolled up my sleeves and haven’t looked back.”
Judie doesn't just work in her community; she actively supports it. As head of the very popular Clean Team, Judie oversees "about 60 volunteers and growing," who clean up litter and graffiti in the Pearl. The Clean Team is a more streamlined version of Polish the Pearl, Judie told us, "which became too cumbersome to organize, so I thought by dividing it up into seven zones, it could be more manageable, which it really is." Judie’s not one to be stopped by bureaucracy, or, for that matter, a pandemic.
The health crisis and shutdown impacted the neighborhood's clean-up efforts, but now, as things have opened up, Judie is moving to get it back up to speed. "After the pandemic was announced, we had to stop picking up trash from March until mid-June. Many people didn't feel safe coming out, so we added COVID safe practices and started with about 25 people. We are now up to about 60 volunteers and growing. People sense that they want to help the effort to "come back" after COVID."
The safety efforts incorporated into this efficient system led to "a groundswell and new members every week."
Pearl District Neighborhood (PDNA) Committees
Volunteering is easy with the PDNA’s many committees:
The Planning & Transportation Committee
Emergency Preparedness Committee
Image: The Clean Team in Action!
The Livability and Safety Committee, which oversees many other smaller committees related to cleaning up the city and safety, is focused on building stronger ties between Portland Neighborhood Associations and the PDNA. Of this collaboration, Judie said, “It makes sense to keep communication consistent between associations. For Portland to “restart,” we need collaboration.”
The Earth Day Graffiti Removal Event on April 24th was an example of neighborhood cooperation. Volunteers throughout Portland came together to clean up the city. A total of about 155 volunteers showed up from the downtown core and the Pearl to clean up graffiti in both areas.
“It was totally amazing that so many showed up and stood in the rain for an hour to sign the waiver. Since then, people are asking for another event. Downtown and Pearl are pretty clean right now. We are organizing another event to take to other neighborhoods that aren’t keeping up with their graffiti, such as Hawthorne District.”
“Restarting” Portland
Of her many PDNA duties, Judie most enjoys running the Livability and Safety Committee. As a people person, she enjoys connecting and supporting the efforts of others. "We all get to share what we are doing and share our accomplishments," she said, "It is a time to commend other volunteers for their efforts.”
Image: Judie and County Commissioner Sharon Meieran
Judie's commitment and volunteer efforts may seem extraordinary, but she believes anyone can get involved at any level.
"The best way to get started when volunteering for your community," Judie said, "is to roll up your sleeves and buy in to get on the street. The sum is greater than its parts."
“My goal is basically always the same; building community for the good of all - - building relationships. When you are participating, it is an opportunity to learn more about the individuals you are working next to. Relationships deepen, and overcoming obstacles like keeping your neighborhood/city clean are rewarding and sharing those rewards with your co-volunteers.”
Expert Advice for Work and Life
Judie, outside of her work for the PDNA, is a long-time real estate guru, has the following advice garnered for her years of success: “Build relationships. I have made life-long relationships with most of my clients. Know your product well. Never gloss over the details when you are representing a client and property.”
“My Real Hobby is People”
A genuine globe-trotter, Judie has been all over Europe and to Bali and New Zealand! When she travels, she travels! While she's also a weightlifter and jazz fan, her real hobby lies with her skill and passion -- people. “I like to learn their backstories,” she said, “my real hobby is people.”
It’s that sort of empathy and skill that makes Judie not just a savvy real estate professional, but a wonderful community leader.
Thank you!
Thank you, Judie, for all you do to make this community better. And thanks to all the Pearl District Neighborhood Association volunteers, who work to keep our neighborhood safe, clean functioning, and thriving!
The Pearl District Portfolio Team
