Celebrating and sharing the organizing history, lessons learned, research and analysis of Daniel Burke Leahy.
Dan Leahy was an organizer. He organized people. He organized information. He organized conferences, convergences, and educational institutes. He organized delegations. He organized money to make it happen. A few featured examples:
Lessons: Framework for Organizing
Dan wrote five concise pages titled “Framework for Organizing” as part of a 500-page “Organizer’s Notebook on Public Utilities and Energy” that he produced with the Human Affairs Program he directed in Ithaca, New York.
Portions, Chapter 2: Seattle University
I don’t know where my organizational notions came from, but I certainly had them at Seattle University… It seems to be the beginning of my life long association with three ring binders.
Dan’s Top 25 Books
In late October 2022, Godfather Denny May asked me to make a list of the top 25 books that influenced my life in some way.
I made up the list. It’s in a somewhat chronological order. I know I should annotate it in some small way, but one step at a time.
Talks & Charts
Reviving the Saint Patrick’s Battalion
Tom told me a story. He said there were a bunch of Irish soldiers who switched sides and fought alongside the Mexican army against the US invasion in 1847. I said I didn’t believe him.
Archives: Index
As part of his practice to document and share organizing histories, Dan Leahy compiled, indexed, and established multiple archives based on the hundreds of well-maintained binders in his basement. He created detailed indexes and sent hundreds of pages to various...
Talks: Index
Writing a good talk is about connection. Connecting ideas, connecting causes and effects, connecting to the people with whom you are speaking. One of the first things you notice when you are looking through the binders of talks that Dan Leahy prepared is that he...
Organizing Lessons
Lessons: Why Document An Organizer’s History?
Organizers’ histories are intentionally obfuscated. Our stories are simplified, and our triumphs are turned into passive voice.
Lessons: Framework for Organizing
Dan wrote five concise pages titled “Framework for Organizing” as part of a 500-page “Organizer’s Notebook on Public Utilities and Energy” that he produced with the Human Affairs Program he directed in Ithaca, New York.
Eras of Dan’s Organizing Work: A Chart
This chart reflects a chronology of major campaigns and organizing initiatives in Dan Leahy’s life, spanning over 60 years of dedicated work.
Tributes
Roger Lippman
Dan inspired all of us, and we continue to work in memory of his leadership.
Washington Council of Firefighters
Dan was the keynote speaker for the Washington Council of Firefighters in 2002. He spoke the morning of September 10. Dan was a true friend and a force for intelligence and progress. We miss him dearly. Watch Dan's keynote address here. —Helen Kramer and Mike...
Sara Edmondson
When Dan was the Director of Cornell's Human Affairs Program (HAP), I was a graduate student in Cornell's Department of City and Regional Planning. I met Dan at a party he gave for his friends and colleagues, including one of my professors, Cary Hershey. Cary had...
Portions of Dan’s Autobiography
Portions: Preface
I wanted to tell my sons that life does not proceed in a linear, predetermined fashion. Life, at least mine, is made up of a series of coincidences, guesses and lucky moves.
Portions, Chapter 1: The Seminary
“Dig that man with the crazy tan; he’s our Dan from the Irish clan.” Frankie Warner made that up.
Portions, Chapter 2: Seattle University
I don’t know where my organizational notions came from, but I certainly had them at Seattle University… It seems to be the beginning of my life long association with three ring binders.