By Eric Sandhusen
Hello, welcome to my inaugural column, and thanks for voting me in as president of the Society. At least a couple of people have offered me their condolences, which I gratefully recognize as wry humor, as well as recognition of the serious commitment the job will entail.
There could be no more auspicious beginning to my term than Community Weekend, attended by many members and families. After the weekend, I am fully aligned with those who’ve offered me their sincere congratulations. I am genuinely looking forward to serving this community that has served me, and my family, so well, and am excited about what lies ahead for us.
Keeping our sights on the new and exciting
Indeed, in my 17 years as a member of this Society, I cannot remember a time I have felt as hopeful for our Society as right now. We have an experienced and energetic leader. We have a strong and creative Board of Directors and Program Council. We have a kind and caring membership who are generous in both resources and spirit. I am truly “looking forward,” not only in the sense of positive anticipation, but also in the sense of keeping our sights trained ahead toward what is new and exciting, challenging and rewarding. Looking forward, where we see our community continuing to grow in vigor, caring, learning, and impact.
We’ve been through a period of change, and I’m grateful to the many people who have brought us to this hopeful point (if you’re reading this, that includes you!). Curt really hit the nail on the head at the Community Weekend when he spoke about bringing our gifts as a form of medicine. Seeing so many people, young and old, sharing their beautiful gifts in such great measure is incredibly inspiring and healing to me.
Can’t wait to see what we’ll create
So, what am I looking forward to? Well, for one thing, I’m looking forward to next year’s Community Weekend, as I’m still wearing the warm glow of this year’s! I’m looking forward to new formats and elements being developed by the Gathering Committee for how we come together. I’m looking forward to new outreach by our Social Action and our Communications teams, and to seeing our young people grow in size, maturity, and number. Most of all, I am looking forward to seeing the gift that each person brings, assembling–as our “theme song” composed by Jessie Glass so aptly and beautifully captures–the mosaic of our community. Can’t wait!
Eric Sandhusen is president of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County.
