The Hub Fosters Community Connection
Laura Carl is at the helm
By Colleen Gundlach
It has been 11 years since Libby Borden, Pete Anderson and Steve Melville founded The Norfolk Hub and it has been a decade of unprecedented community involvement and support. Over the years, the Hub has had dedicated, strong leaders who have had a passion for Norfolk and for bringing people together. The current director is no exception. Laura Carl took over the reins about two years ago and has since made her mark on the organization through a strong belief in this community and its residents.
Carl said she was drawn to the town initially because it is a beautiful, peaceful place with a sense of community. Her goal at the Hub has been to keep that going and to make it even stronger: “What keeps me energized is seeing how small moments of connection can lead to lasting community impact.” She cites, among other things, the fact that the Hub is a place where people can gather in a friendly environment without any fear of intruding. “We have people who stop in regularly, grab a cup of coffee or tea and spend some time socializing.”
Hub membership is open not only to non-profits, non-governmental organizations and committees; individual Norfolk residents are also encouraged to join. Carl says this is a huge part of the attraction of the Hub. In addition to being able to use Hub rooms for their meetings, members have access to copiers, fax machines, WiFi and other office amenities. She says the open area of the Hub allows members to be able to collaborate with one another easily and efficiently.
Photo courtesy of Laura Carl
Community involvement has always been a huge part of Carl’s life. With a degree in law enforcement, she spent 10 years as a police officer and feels that law enforcement and non-profit, community-centered work go hand in hand. When she put away her badge, she started a family with her husband, the chief of police in East Windsor. They have four children, two of whom are following their parents into the family business of law enforcement.
Being a mother didn’t hold Carl back from community service at all. Following her career in law enforcement, while she was raising young children, she worked for many years as a special education advocate for children with learning disabilities. This was a calling near to her heart, as two of her own children are dyslexic. Since the role of directing the Hub entails all aspects of public relations, negotiations and problem solving, she was well-qualified to step into the position.
One of Carl’s favorite aspects of the job is organizing special events, such as Friday Nights on the Green, Haystack Book Festival and in-house presentations such as Paint and Sip night and Shred It Day. She hinted that a very special event will soon be announced—to be held this summer in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It promises to be a special way to mark our country’s milestone. Stay tuned.
Concerning the importance of the Hub to the town, Carl said, “I think what makes the Hub stand out as a nonprofit is that we don’t just produce programs; we help to strengthen other organizations.” A good example of this community strength is the community bulletin board, located inside the Hub building. It is a very popular space where people post their business cards, offers to give away an item, a service or even to find items they are seeking. It is community in the truest sense. Carl believes that “The Norfolk Hub helps strengthen community life, and my role is to help steward that work into the future.”
So, what exactly does Carl see in the future? She wants to expand the inclusive, accessible programming and to continue to support projects that strengthen Norfolk’s long-term vitality. “I see the Hub’s future as helping Norfolk remain not just a beautiful place to live, but a deeply connected place to belong.”
For more information about the Norfolk Hub, go to norfolkhub.org or stop in and see Carl and her liaisons, Chris Keyes and Jordan Seibert.
