Lisbon School Committee member and Discover Lisbon President Len Lednum.

Len Lednum first got the “volunteer-itis” bug in 2013 when his son started kindergarten. Since then, the Lisbon resident of 19 years has been active in the school and business community, alongside his family, he said.

“It’s strange to say ‘I’, as my wife and kids are always right alongside whenever I am helping in the community,” he said.

First becoming active in the school system through the PTO and currently holding a seat on the School Committee, he is also the president of Discover Lisbon, helping organize events such as A Very Merry Main Street, he said.

He does this all while running a manufacturing company that makes scale model kits for model railroad hobbyists through Bar Mills Scale Model Works, he said.

What motivated you to run for the School Committee? My main motivation was to share and help offer solutions based upon my experiences as the father of four students in the district. Having two children with “IEPs” (individualized education plan) and two “mainstream” children, I felt (and still do) that I could give a more balanced viewpoint from someone who has experienced nearly every aspect of public education. Public education must be the foundation of any great society and I feel very strongly toward ensuring a system that helps every student succeed.

How do you connect with residents on School Committee matters? Connecting with residents means being in and being a part of the Lisbon community. I often tell fellow community members that “I would rather you yell at me, than not speak to me at all.” While it can be a harsh reality sometimes, it’s important that all stakeholders feel as though they can be heard. Often I’m approached at community events, sometimes I reach out to folks that I see with questions. At the end of the day we all want the same result — students graduating with an education that truly prepares them for a successful future. While we all may have different viewpoints on how that happens, it is a journey every stakeholder has a responsibility to help our students navigate.

What inspired you to start volunteering? Community. The future. It may be cliché, but I feel that every generation has a responsibility to build upon the structures that were left for us. Each day should be an effort to preserve and honor the histories and struggles of those who came before us, but also to do our part to continue to push toward the “shining city upon a hill.” There is no greater reward than the feeling of playing just a small part in bringing a smile to a kiddo’s face at a school dance or watching families enjoy a chilly fall afternoon at events like the Discover Lisbon Harvest Festival. No one is truly alone, but sometimes we need to knock on our neighbor’s door and remind them of that.

How do you balance your volunteer efforts and holding a local office with the demands of running a manufacturing business? We all have something to balance, right? In my case, I am surrounded by the best (and forgiving) family and friends one could have. Each person around me plays a small part in helping achieve whatever crazy idea pops in my head. A schedule is key and someone (my wonderful wife) to remind you of said schedule is even more important. At the end of the day if I know that I am putting my heart and efforts in the right places, all else will fall into place. Pro tip: A good florist is always helpful when needing to say “Oops, I forgot!”

Despite what I’m sure are some really long days, what keeps you motivated to give your time? Once again, this answer comes back to the smiles I’ve seen and the examples of compassion and caring I’ve seen throughout the Lisbon community. Through laughter and through tears, I have seen all that community truly means – and that is all the fuel I need.

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