Inspiring Leadership in Seattle
Photographs by Peter Sussman
Board President Andra Lichtenstein
Ashby Village was a hit at the Seattle Village to Village (VtV) Network Conference (October 5-7, 2015). The issue of how a village can nurture and cultivate new and ongoing leadership was a topic of great interest to village leaders from all over the country (twelve people from Ashby Village attended the national conference, which drew 320 participants, of whom 100 were from the state of California.). The room was filled, standing room only with folks spilling into the corridor, as Ashby Village’s hour and a half presentation began on “Inspiring Leadership”.
Neighborhood Group Council Chair Beth Burnside
One after another Ashby Village members and volunteers shared what personally motivated them to become and stay involved. The theme that emerged was that the key to success is passion, gratitude, and the belief that every person is an asset. There was much laughter and murmurs of recognition as each speaker shared the challenges and triumphs that come from contributing to a community where everyone has differing gifts and needs.
Board Member and External Affairs Chair Steve Lustig
Ashby Village Co-Founder Pat Sussman, currently a member of the VtV Board, opened the session with warm words of welcome. Executive Director Andy Gaines then recalled how Ashby Village grew from its initial start in July 2010 (when it was under the fiscal sponsorship of LifeLong Medical), to its independent 501(c)(3) status today as an nonprofit organization with 350 members and 290 active volunteers (note: 40% of volunteers are members!).
Several folks stepped forward to tell their personal stories: new Board member and Communications Leader Rochelle Lefkowitz, IT Team lead Walter Park, and Clarewood Neighborhood Leader Kit Van BusKirk, followed by longtime Ashby Villagers Board Chair Andra Lichtenstein, Board External Relations leader Steve Lustig, Program Leadership Team liaison to the Board and Outreach co-Leader Joan Cole, and Beth Burnside, Co-leader of the Neighborhood Group Council. Finally, Board member Bob Davis and Newsletter Editor Sarah Hawthorne were called on from the audience to share concluding remarks.
IT Team Member Walter Park