Courtesy of Putneypucs @ flickr. Creative Commons

In talking with guests at CLF’s holiday party last week, I was reminded of something simple and powerful: In this movement, we’re all leaders.

Helping New England thrive is a group effort.  It’s also CLF’s vision. To make it happen we work with  our colleagues, our allies, and our friends – many of whom were present at the party.

These guests included elected officials, heads of state and government officials, business and nonprofit CEOs – even an international delegation. CLF staff and alumni were there. Board members, families and friends joined us.  And also many dedicated people who help New England thrive by doing their part – sometimes small but always heartfelt – every day, week or month.

Talking with many present, I was reminded of what I have often thought: To succeed, we need each other.

I was also reminded of the story of an 8 year old girl with courage and a voice, but struggling against acute asthma. At a hearing for a proposed project in western MA that would aggravate her asthma and further threaten her community, she was sitting with my colleague Sue Reid, vp and director, CLF Massachusetts. She had in her hand a one page handwritten statement she was prepared to deliver that said, among other things, “It’s not fair!” After the committee spoke, she turned to Sue and said: “This really isn’t fair!”

She was right. We have followed her lead, and are working hard for fairness and justice for her community. We all should learn from her, and be inspired by her. She is a leader in our movement.

Reflecting on our holiday season, this message seems appropriate: we are sustained by the work of our allies and friends. In this movement, it does take a village. And everyone truly is a leader.

To all those who have worked with us, to our donors, sponsors, and allies, and to our friends and family, thank you. Without your leadership, we couldn’t do what we do.

May have you have a wonderful Holiday season.

Photo credit: Red9898, flickr

Who doesn’t want to live in a Great Neighborhood? On June 23, join some of your neighbors — whether you share a block, town, state or region — along with CLF and the MA Smart Growth Alliance at the Great Neighborhoods Summit 2011: Placemaking in Action. This event, to be held in the Campus Center Ballroom at UMass Boston, brings non-profit organizations, political leaders, academic and policy experts, grassroots activists, and community leaders together to discuss the importance of placemaking and to share ideas about how to inspire collective action that transforms communities and drives local and regional change. Notable events include:

• Opening Remarks by the Honorable Thomas M. Menino, Mayor of Boston
• Metropolitan Issues and Collaboration Across Sectors
• Great Neighborhoods: Regional Change through Local Action
• Panel Discussion: Five Examples of Placemaking and Transformation in Greater Boston
• Keynote Address by Fred Kent, President, Project for Public Spaces: Creating “Place Capital”

Click here for a full schedule of events and speakers.

Great Neighborhoods are active, environmentally friendly and welcoming places where community and business leaders, residents, and public officials work together to create affordable homes, job-generating offices and stores, and recreational spaces close to public transportation. Residents are able to spend more time interacting with neighbors, biking or walking and less time commuting. Massachusetts is leading the way with this groundbreaking initiative that serves as a model for smart community and regional planning, and we need your help.

Great Neighborhoods Summit 2011: Placemaking in Action
Thursday, June 23, 2011
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
UMass-Boston Campus Center, 3rd Floor Ballroom
100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston (map and directions)

All are welcome. Register today!

Visit www.ma-smartgrowth.org for more info and the latest news and updates.