About 20 years ago, islanders from all four zip codes would gather in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center on Sunday afternoons. For several years this community council dialogued about what was on the hearts and minds of the community.

In November an inaugural gathering of the 21st century version of the Orcas Community Council was held at the Odd Fellows Hall. The group plans to host 2012 gatherings on Orcas on the second Sunday of each month.

“We believe there are many among us who have wonderful ideas about what we, as a community, can do, hold dreams of what we can become, and can share insights on how they believe all of us can thrive on this island,” organizers say.

The next council, “Valuing and Visioning our Island Life,” is planned for Dec. 11, from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Eastsound fire hall. Leadership San Juan Island alumni Gretchen Krampf and Michael Greenberg will facilitate. The council is held in the model offered by Peer Spirit, Inc.