The Power of Collective Impact Takes Center Stage at Engage Lake County: A Community Conversation to Inspire Action
Nearly 200 philanthropists, civic leaders, change-makers and community members gathered at the University Center in Grayslake on January 16 for Engage Lake County: A Community Conversation to Inspire Action. Hosted by The Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF), in partnership with University Center of Lake County, College of Lake County, and William Blair, Engage Lake County welcomed Paul Schmitz, nationally acclaimed author of Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up, as the keynote speaker.
Paul Schmitz is an author, speaker, trainer, and consultant whose work focuses on leadership development, collaborative culture, racial equity, community engagement, and result-based strategies. Schmitz's book, Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up (Jossey Bass, 2011), is based on lessons learned from 21 years leading Public Allies, an innovative leadership development program that helped more than 5,000 passionate and diverse young leaders across the country begin careers working for community and social change.
During his keynote address, Schmitz presented a new definition of 'leadership,' which highlighted everyone's ability to harness his/her leadership potential and turn it into action. Schmitz's thought-provoking presentation also referenced key messages from his book about the power of collective impact and how working together as a community can ensure even more positive change.
"Our hope is that participants will help us spread Paul Schmitz's important message about leadership and recognize their own potential to make a difference in their community," said Maggie Morales, Executive Director of The Lake County Community Foundation. "As event-goers reflect upon the event and identify the unique and valuable contributions they can make to shape the future of Lake County, we hope they will also look to their friends and neighbors to support these efforts and build our collective leadership muscles as a community."
Before and after the presentation, guests were able to transform their inspiration into action at an on-site volunteer fair. 30 non-profits from across Lake County welcomed event-goers and shared myriad opportunities for them to get involved and make a difference in the communities where they live, work and play.
For more information about The Lake County Community Foundation or ways to support the organization, please visit www.lakecountycf.org or call 847-377-0520.
ABOUT THE LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF), an affiliate of The Chicago Community Trust, brings together philanthropists and donors, dollars and ideas to build permanent funds to benefit Lake County, Illinois - today and for generations to come. Since 2003, LCCF has grown to $13.5 million in assets, and has served as a catalyst for generosity and change; a connector of people and organizations; and as the permanent steward of charitable funds dedicated improving the lives of the most vulnerable residents of Lake County.
LCCF has awarded grants totaling $5.5 million to nonprofit agencies serving the residents of Lake County and beyond. The organization provides leadership on key issues, insight on emerging trends and helps donors learn more about local needs to make their giving as effective as possible. Through collective philanthropy and by partnering with others, LCCF's donors help make a greater impact together than any one organization can make alone. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.lakecountycf.org/.