From our early childhood, we likely remember wanting to belong to a team or to fit in with friends and schoolmates.  Whether it was where and with whom you sat with at lunch to being picked for an after-school game of basketball, we inherently had the desire to want to be part of the group however it was defined.

The need to belong refers to our human emotional need to affiliate with and be accepted by members of a group. This may include the need to belong to a peer group at school, to be accepted by co-workers, to be part of an athletic team, or to be part of a church or professional group.  Many will recall the work of Maslow when he suggested that the need to belong was a major source of human motivation. He thought that it was one of 5 human needs in his hierarchy of needs, along with physiological needs, safety, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

As an adult, nurturing a sense of belonging takes time and effort.  For those who have school age children, often belonging evolves as part of parent/teacher organizations or volunteering in your child’s classroom.  Others will find this sense of belonging through work, volunteering for a cause you’re interested in or joining a club that is focused on one of your interests.  Whatever your means of seeking this sense of belonging, it’s important to not only think about WHO you belong to and WHAT you belong to, but also WHO and WHAT belongs to you if you want to increase your sense of connection and acceptance.

At ELSC, it’s the passion for sailing that brings members together, and it’s the sense of community that helps to forge the relationships that make it home and improve our overall health and happiness. When you see your connection to others at the club, you experience a sense of belonging and shared life experiences.

Here are my top 3 reasons why I choose to belong to the sailing club and what it means to me. 

  • A shared interest in sailing – finding a club like ELSC with its diverse membership and sailing experiences is like uncovering a hidden treasure.  I’ve learned the finer points of sailing and have sought the advice of more seasoned sailors in the club who readily give of their time and knowledge.
  • A community I can rely upon – being part of the ELSC community has allowed me to forge deep friendships among members and a trust and ccreliance on others that I know I can call upon when needed.
  • A good laugh and fun – sharing stories over a beer after sailing or reveling in another’s winning race, together we share, we laugh, we enjoy the esprit-de-corps that is part of belonging to ELSC.

What’s your reason for belonging to ELSC?  As we embark on our Spring membership drive at ELSC, share those thoughts with your friends, family and coworkers who might also want to belong to Eagle Lake Sailing Club and share in that special magic that we’ve discovered.   And remember, we’re running a special promotion this Spring.  Any prospective member who submits an application before June 1st is eligible for a $50 reduction in first year dues.  Simply put “50OFF” in the promo code of the application.