About The Labyrinth Society
The last year has certainly been full of reflection! Having our lives upended by a global pandemic and all the associated changes has led me to think a lot about relationships and our mission in life. A lot of us, myself included, have been very fortunate. While our lives and routines have been upset, we’ve largely been able to weather the storm. But many people have faced health challenges, loss of jobs or starting new jobs, and especially in this pandemic they have faced isolation.
For my part I am extremely grateful for our supportive labyrinth community!
Our community of people has strong bonds, and our common interest and love of labyrinths has brought us together in these trying times. I know that this past year many of you have reached out to check-in and support one another. This caring atmosphere is unique among organizations. It is one of our strengths.
The TLS mission is, “to support all those who create, maintain and use labyrinths, and to serve the global community by providing education, networking and opportunities to experience transformation.” This mission has resonated with people from all walks of life and is reaching a global audience. Our Facebook group has over 11,000 members from all over the world, and there are posts in German, Dutch, Spanish, and other languages as well as English. Each of these people touches countless others.
We have accomplished our 2013 vision: By 2018 TLS will become a global information hub weaving together local and worldwide labyrinth communities. As we continue this work, we dedicate ourselves to our 2018 vision: By 2023 TLS will reflect the abundant diversity, inclusivity, and creativity of the worldwide labyrinth community through its membership, operating structure, and programs.
TLS is staffed primarily by volunteers who give many hours of service because of their love of labyrinths. In addition to the tangible benefits of the various categories of membership listed on our Membership page, by joining us you will receive the larger benefit of knowing that you are part of a diverse and growing community of individuals around the world connected by our love of labyrinths. Your membership supports many TLS initiatives, such as this website, the World Labyrinth Day website, the Worldwide Labyrinth Locator, the Labyrinth Market, various TLS resources and materials, and the annual Gathering.
If you are not yet a member, please join us!
Many thanks to all our members for all the support as well as all the opportunities we have had to meet and collaborate within our community. I have met so many amazing people. Your board of directors continues to look ahead to strengthen and evolve our organization to meet the needs of the labyrinth community. We are looking forward to the next chapter.
Janice Lewis, President
Labyrinth Society
312-607-3560
president@labyrinthsociety.org
The Labyrinth Society Guiding Principles
Mission Statement
To support all those who create, maintain, and use labyrinths, and to serve the global community by providing education, networking, and opportunities to experience transformation.
Vision
October 2018: By 2023 TLS will reflect the abundant diversity, inclusivity, and creativity of the worldwide labyrinth community through its membership, operating structure, and programs.
April 2013: By 2018 TLS will become a global information hub weaving together local and worldwide labyrinth communities.
Core Values
We choose to conduct the business of The Labyrinth Society in alignment with our Core Values:
- Integrity: We are heart-centered, truthful, keep our word, and operate with candor.
- Respect: We create a safe environment where all people and points of view are honored.
- Community: We operate the Society in a circle and continuously build connections among us.
- Diversity: We embrace our differences in all of their manifestations.
- Freedom: We encourage all forms of expression and will not try to limit the labyrinth’s possibilities.
- Creativity: We delight in the fruits of our imagination, intuition, and inspiration.
- Empowerment: We enable each other to be our authentic selves and strive to delegate authority.
- Learning: We promote education, networking, and research
- Spirituality: We honor the labyrinth for its enhancement of our connection to Spirit, the Earth, and the Global Community.
- Trust: We trust the process of the labyrinth.
We use the circle to:
- conduct the business of The Labyrinth Society,
- remind us of the unity we share with all life,
- create a safe and nurturing environment that encourages open and full participation, and
- provide a heart-centered place for conflicts to be resolved and ideas to flourish.
Leadership Philosophy
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the organization. It has the authority to delegate the management and direction of the organization to the Executive Committee and to the committees appointed by the President or designated by the Board.
Like the labyrinth that we honor, we have adopted the circle as our leadership model. We think of ourselves as a leader-full group and use the energy of the circle to conduct all of our business. Our meetings are held in the round. This creates a culture of communication and cooperation amongst the leadership. The Executive Committee, the Board of Directors and the working committees each operates as a circle.
It is our goal that the circles of influence within the organization be an inter-connected web, much like the circuits of the labyrinth, that continually bring us into contact with each other so that we can have the benefit of sharing our questions and our ideas. We are committed to using the power of the labyrinth and the energy of the circle for the highest good of all and we model this in all that we do.