“Community Council” to Discuss Valuing & Visioning Island Life

Sunday, Dec. 11 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall

By Gretchen Krampf

Once upon a time, not so very long ago (about 20 years, really) used to be a Sunday gathering, held late in the afternoon.  Islanders, from all four zip codes, gathered in the Madrona Room at The Orcas Center for an hour, or an hour and a half.

For several years these monthly moments called together our Island’s citizens, creating space for conversations about what was needed, of concern, requiring support. It was a Community Council… a dialogue of what was on the hearts and minds of the community.

Today, our concerns are more often shared on the Internet, with our closest connections, in a FB post or Tweet.

Community meetings are called to discuss issues that impact property rights, environmental concerns and how we should manage our trash. We are an island community that leans into self-reliance and sufficiency.

And we are an economy that is connected to the outer realms through the infusion of tourist revenues. We have natural beauty, and a way of life that citizens of the world are longing for.

How we choose to live our lives, in our community, on this beautiful green island, is what attracts people from around the globe to visit Orcas Island. We believe there are many among us who have wonderful ideas about what we, as a community, can do, hold dreams of what we can become, and can share insights on how they believe all of us can thrive on this island.

In November we held our inaugural gathering of the 21^st century version of the Orcas Community Council (OCC) at the Oddfellows Hall. Our intention is to host 2012 gatherings, on the second Sunday of the month, around Orcas Island, in community spaces in Olga, West Sound and Deer Harbor as well as in Eastsound.

The next Council, “Valuing and Visioning our Island Life”, is planned for December 11th, from 4:30-6:00 PM, at the Eastsound Fire Station meeting hall.   Facilitation provided Leadership San Juan Island alumni Gretchen Krampf and Michael Green berg.

The O.C.C. is held in the model offered by Peer Spirit, Inc., a process shared by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea, who have drawn upon traditional council principles.