Becky Beissel

I hosted our second annual Community Summit on Tuesday, April 23. This event stems from a recommendation outlined in our 2022 Comprehensive Plan update. The goal of the Summit is to provide a platform for the Village of Ellsworth and our community's civic organizations to reflect on the progress of the Comprehensive Plan, share upcoming initiatives and projects, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Attended by approximately 36 community organizations, the Summit gathers groups dedicated to enhancing the Ellsworth community through various projects and quality of life initiatives. While the criteria for participation in the Summit are broad, organizations typically align with the goal of bettering our community.

Reflecting on the evening, I couldn't help but recall the insights shared in Adam Grant's book, "Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success." Grant delineates three types of individuals: givers, takers, and matchers. The individuals present at our Community Summit undoubtedly exemplify the spirit of "givers" — actively contributing to positive change in Ellsworth, rather than merely identifying problems.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each participant for their invaluable contributions to our community. However, amidst the shared achievements, a concerning trend emerged — a decline in volunteer and active member numbers across many organizations. Some groups are facing the difficult decision of dissolution due to a lack of successors to their aging leadership.

This trend warrants collective attention and action from us all. If you find yourself with some spare time, I encourage you to consider getting involved with these organizations. Alternatively, if your schedule is already full, I urge you to reflect on your priorities and contemplate the impact of contributing to our community's vitality.

Ellsworth's greatness hinges on the collective efforts of its residents to give back and foster a thriving environment for all. Should you need assistance in connecting with any of these organizations, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at becky@villageofellsworth.org. Your involvement can truly make a difference.