Gretchen Colon
V.P. of Advancement & Marketing
As Lakeside celebrates its 150th Anniversary, we’re exploring seven dynamic practices that nurture a vibrant community.
Our visiting speakers, preachers, artists, authors and performers will encourage us to dive deeper into and live out the essence of community. Each program and experience this summer will help you reflect, learn, explore and expand your perspectives about the seven community practices.
Decade after decade, leaders, staff, board members, volunteers, individuals, families, homeowners and supporters have deepened their connection to the Lakeside community and the timeless mission. Through community, we flourish and become our best selves.
Building community deserves our best thinking, care for one another and our best human effort. Join us on a journey as we explore community this Chautauqua season.
Seven Practices of Building Community
1. Appreciate Our Story & Heritage
For 150 years, Lakeside has created a thriving community. Through learning about and appreciating our foundation, we develop a stronger connection to our values, heritage and culture as we continue to build momentum toward a vibrant future. Reflective Moment: What is the very essence that keeps people returning to this sacred place?
2. Nurture Caring Relationships & Create a Sense of Belonging
Lakesiders engage with and care for one another as we grow meaningful relationships and create a sense of belonging in our community. When we come together at Lakeside, we feel at home. Reflective Moment: How do we strengthen relationships and invite new people to connect?
3. Create Harmony & Respect Differences
We recognize the unique dignity, individuality and equal humanity of all in our community. Through meaningful dialogue and civil discourse, we seek to understand one another and find common points of agreement while also honoring the rights of each person to respectfully disagree. Reflective Moment: How do we invite diverse perspectives and respect the individual offering them?
4. Engage, Collaborate & Give
We engage and collaborate together to nurture a vibrant community by investing our time, talent and treasure to support and sustain the Lakeside experience. In doing so, we ensure that current and future generations will continue to flourish and be blessed here. Reflective Moment: What are ways we can invite people to strengthen their community commitment?
5. Lead with Compassion, Integrity & Transparency
Our Board of Directors and staff strive to faithfully steward the founders’ vision for Lakeside. Through our community forums, one-on-one meetings and community messages, we experience our Lakeside leaders in action as they seek to lead with compassion, integrity and transparency. Reflective Moment: What are ways we can broaden compassionate leadership throughout Lakeside?
6. Steward & Honor Places & Spaces
Throughout our history, Lakeside has created timeless places and spaces that invite us to slow down and cherish the beauty of our community. We continue to ensure safe, well-designed and aesthetically pleasing spaces and a healthy ecosystem in which we gather and live. Reflective Moment: What spaces and places help people connect, and why do they create connection?
7. Practice Spiritual, Intellectual, Cultural & Physical Well-Being
The founders of Lakeside pitched the first tent on our shoreline and gathered together to grow in their spiritual journeys. To help us build community today, we too can challenge ourselves to step away from the hustle and bustle to refresh and renew – spiritually, intellectually, culturally, and physically. Reflective Moment: Why do we flourish when we deepen our well-being?
