Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
Election Results Announced at Annual Meeting
On November 6, more than 30 OPALGA members gathered at The Oak Park Art League for OPALGA’s 18th Annual Meeting. Guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres and beverages and informal presentations from Co-Chairs Brad Bartels and Cheryl Haugh, Nominating Committee Chair Liz Stallone, Youth Program Director Susan Abbott, and Treasurer Mike Cochran.
Attendees were welcomed to the meeting by Bartels and Haugh, who presented our mission statement, a brief history of the organization, our priorities and accomplishments for 2007, as well as a thank-you to our professional staff, current board members and officers, youth program volunteers, and programming committee volunteers who are so crucial to our success.
A highlight of the meeting was the announcement of the election results for the 2008 Board of Directors and Officers for the organization. Lisa Pearson, Davida Williams, and JoAnn Ziebarth were re-elected for two-year terms as Board Members-at-Large. Current Board Member-at-Large Anita Csuk was elected as Treasurer, while Mike Cochran, current Treasurer, was elected as Male Co-Chair, both for two-year terms. OPALGA members Kim Hefner and Bruce Broerman were elected as Board Members-at-Large for two-year and one-year terms, respectively.
As mentioned in the Message from the Co-Chairs on page 2, in November, the OPALGA Board reluctantly accepted the resignation of Cheryl Haugh as Female Co-Chair. The Board unanimously appointed Liz Stallone to serve out Cheryl’s remaining one-year term as Female Co-Chair. The Board will appoint a replacement for Liz’s Member-at-Large position, and current Board members Secretary Sherrie Wolfe and Members-at-Large Lee Latham and Rick McVey will continue to serve out their terms.
We thank everyone who attended the Annual Meeting, and we look forward to your participation in our activities and events throughout 2008.
OPALGA Board Votes to Hire Professional Consultant
At its monthly board meeting on August 21, the Board of Directors of OPALGA voted unanimously to retain the services of Carol S. Goldbaum, Ph.D., to assist the Board as it moves toward the vital step of hiring the organization’s first Executive Director.
In the past 18 years, OPALGA has experienced tremendous growth as it has continually worked to fulfill its mission of serving the LGBT community. Yet growth presents additional challenges, and OPALGA, like many other not-for-profit organizations, is now experiencing typical growth and maturity issues as it seeks to transition to the next level.
The efforts of Chris Mitchell led OPALGA to contact Dr. Goldbaum. After an initial meeting with Susan Abbott (Youth Program Director) and Mike Cochran (Treasurer), it was obvious that she was an excellent fit for the organization. “Carol possesses a breadth of background that is both diverse and accomplished, “ stated Cochran. “Furthermore, she is a member of the LGBT community who is familiar with our organization, knows many of our members, and is passionate about our mission. She will be a tremendous individual for our Board to work with, and I am eager to get the process started.”
The process necessitates additional work hours for the OPALGA Board and staff. Dr. Goldbaum will hold a series of meetings with the Board and staff, and she will meet with members at large during a public open focus group where both past OPALGA leaders and members of the community will be invited to share their thoughts and ideas. Through close collaboration with the Board, the result of this process is expected to be a specific project plan with detailed action steps, job descriptions, and a business plan.
After meeting with Dr. Goldbaum, both Brad Bartels and Cheryl Haugh, Co-Chairs of OPALGA, were equally enthusiastic. “I did not know what to expect initially,” said Bartels, “but I was pleasantly surprised. It was very apparent at the outset that she would tailor this project for OPALGA, and I liked that.” Echoed Haugh, “After checking one reference, it became apparent to me that Dr. Goldbaum would hold each of us on the Board directly accountable for our tasks, and yet she would do so with a sense of humor and enthusiasm.”
If all goes according to plan, the Board would receive its final work product on or about December 31, 2007. Yet knowing the amount of work awaiting them actually added to the Board’s willingness to proceed. “We are all in for a more hectic fall schedule,” stated Board member JoAnn Ziebarth, “but this is a very exciting time for OPALGA and a great step forward.”
Any OPALGA member wishing to have input into this process should call Mike Cochran, Treasurer, at 708-848-8025. The progress of this project will be reported in future issues of Empower.
Message from the Co-Chairs
The end of summer always brings transition and the promise of new and exciting challenges. For some, the end of summertime’s pleasures and intensity is fraught with sadness; for others, it’s a time of relief! For OPALGA, there are many activities to look forward to in the coming months—the picnic, the house walk, Octoberfeast, and the annual meeting. In addition to these fondly anticipated events, we will be cooking up a fall stew of delicious change and new possibilities for OPALGA.
You will read this month that the OPALGA Board of Directors unanimously voted to retain a highly recommended consultant, Dr. Carol Goldbaum, to advise and guide us as we consider our readiness to take some of the next steps in the development of the organization and enter a strategic planning process. Are we ready to hire an Executive Director? How has our programming evolved, and how should it change? Dr. Goldbaum will help us all to participate in clarifying our organizational direction and in establishing a strategy for the next stages of our growth. She will meet with the Board and staff to gain a clearer view of our expectations, and she will hold a public open focus group to obtain different points of view as well as historical perspective.
Facing that unknown is as intriguing as it is daunting. With the vast diversity that we have cultivated in our “family” over the years, how will we find a purpose and direction upon which we can agree? Will we all be inspired by the outcome? Do we have the organizational strength to accomplish new goals? Will there be membership support? How can we manage changes in our funding? Where will the money come from? How will we determine our priorities and celebrate our accomplishments?
As the months of 2007 come to an end, we are also closing the leadership cycle with Co-Chair Brad Bartels, who has served so ably since 2003. As we have designed such transitions, one co-chair leaves while the other continues for another year to bridge the transition. Brad’s tireless work and thorough approach to his directorship will be sorely missed. Brad has been instrumental in leading the Board to establish the groundwork for hiring an Executive Director. A successful and productive term of service from a creative, professional, and dedicated man will come to an end.
As is also the design, several other Board positions are vacated for reelection or replacement at the end of 2007. Nominations for these open positions have been called for. Talk with your friends and colleagues about the leaders you recognize among us, and call The OPALGA Center with their names.
Volunteer Spotlight
Given the hundreds of volunteers that OPALGA counts on annually to do the amazing work that we do, we decided that everyone should get to know each other a little better.
This month, we are highlighting volunteer member Andrea Kemp.
Q: How did you hear about OPALGA?
A: I got hooked on OPALGA through Women Like Me. (Women Like Me is a drop-in group for women who are involved in a heterosexual marriage or who are separated, divorced, or coming out later in life. The group meets on the fourth Sunday of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center.) I felt an immediate connection with the group facilitator, Bobbi Allen. She nurtured me out of my nervous shell and into the OPALGA community. Thank you, Bobbi!
Q: How long have you volunteered with OPALGA?
A: February will make two years since I have been an OPALGA member and volunteer. My first volunteer task was working on the drag show two years ago at Temptations. It was a blast, and I felt so welcomed into the OPALGA community—I was sold! Now, my volunteer work is primarily centered on planning events with the Programming Committee, and my solo task is coordinating the OPALGA book club. This job is made easy by the wonderful book club members we have who keep the choices interesting and keep our meetings lively! (The book club meets on the third Sunday of each month from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center. Upcoming book titles are available on the calendar on the OPALGA Web site, www.opalga.org, and are announced each month in Empower.)
Q: Are you involved with other LGBT organizations?
A: Not in a volunteer capacity, but I remain a supporter of groups such as Amigas Latinas and the LCCP.
Q: What about you?
A: I am originally from Belize, and I currently live in Oak Park with the love of my life, my 11-year-old son, Ryan. He’s my favorite sidekick, for as long as he’ll allow me to be—his friends seem to be cooler! I am a physician, subspecialized in Maternal Fetal Medicine, high-risk pregnancies, at the University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago. I also have 28 other children at work—I’m the assistant residency director in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UIC. My work and teaching role with the residents is just as, if not more, important to me than my clinical practice—they keep me grounded.
When not working I can most likely be found either playing some crunchy-granola song on my guitar, reading the latest Harry Potter novel with Ryan, or planning our next ski and snowboarding trip!
Thank you Andrea, and thank you to all of our volunteers! You might be next in the spotlight….
Message from the Co-Chairs
Well, another OPAL Gala has been attended and enjoyed. Many people, sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, staff, attendees, and committee members all contributed to the success or failure of such an organizational event. Although the numbers aren’t all in, by attendance and preliminary estimates, the evening was a financial success. For this and a great evening, we must thank this year’s Gala co-chairs, Donna Karpavicius and Dan Salotti.
The Gala is OPALGA’s primary fundraiser. Many other events have a small cost or are free to members. But we plan and host this event with the intention of accumulating funds for the execution of duties and the fulfillment of the organization’s mission.
Feedback from the Gala is always an interesting mix of extremes. “Loved being back at the Elmcrest…it wasn’t the Holiday Inn of Hillside…dinner was great…dinner was awful…glad that we are back to Friday…music was fun to dance to…who does disco anymore? …prime rib was outstanding…the beef was pot roast…” and our favorite, “I guess you have to sleep with a co-chair to get a big award in OPALGA! “ (You have to talk to the OPAL Committee about that one.)
One thing is always consistent. Those of us who have attended more than one of these Galas bring expectations of the evening. We want it to be magical, perfect, and better than the year before. And we know that anyone who contributes to the current year’s evening plans to surpass the previous year’s: co-chairs, number of silent auction items, value of silent auction items, menu, entertainment, auctioneer, number of table captains, number of guests, and the music. We fantasize about the schmoozing, the dinner conversation, winning an auction, smoking outside, and, when the music ends, waiting for the valet to bring the car around when the evening is over. We end up satisfied or disappointed with the actual event. With this comes contentment or tension.
But here’s the thing. When we let all of the expectations fall away, we are left with an evening that we spent with friends, in which we see people whom we may only occasionally see, and in which we honor the Oak Park Area Leadership (OPAL) award recipients and celebrate the organization that we all care enough about to donate our time and money. In the end, we all want what’s best for OPALGA. While we may each contribute in different ways, we share a belief in its mission. For us, that’s enough to make every Gala special. Donna and Dan, you did a great job, and we are indebted to you both for choosing to volunteer for this important and exceptional event.
Message from the Co-Chairs
It’s been good to see members attending more events sponsored by OPALGA. The programming committee, who organizes and hosts many of these events, works diligently to offer both new activities and those that we look forward to every year. Coming up this month is a unique opportunity to exercise and lounge with other people who like to canoe or kayak. The Moonlight Dinner Paddle will take place on July 28. Expertise is not necessary.
The event to which many of us look forward all year, the OPAL Gala, will take place on July 13 at Elmcrest Banquets by Biancalana. Joe Langley, Reverend Elizabeth Ritzman, and our local chapter of PFLAG were selected to receive this year’s revered Oak Park Area Leadership award. Both of us are proud and excited about the choices for recipients this year! Past recipients, as a part of the broader Gala planning committee, comprise the group that selects honorees. They may select one person or organization or more, depending on the wishes of the committee each year. The OPALGA board and the Gala planning committee hope that you will accept our invitation to join the festivities on this magical “Friday the 13th.”
Thanks to everyone who participated in Donut Days at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market last month! It is an early morning for those folks who get the donuts to the throngs of people who lust for the cinnamon or powdered sugar once a week. (Gotta eat ‘em the same day.) It’s a big production, and many hands were available to do the work. It is one of our best events for volunteers. It’s good to see and be seen at the Farmers’ Market! We exceeded last year’s production, and, because we worked it alone, we received all of the spoils. So that we have it in writing, Susan Abbott said, in front of witnesses, that she would always spearhead Donut Days. We have it in writing, Susan…
It takes many people giving many hours to plan and orchestrate an event of this magnitude. Similarly, it takes many people willing to donate countless hours of their time to see that the organization thrives and grows. We can’t express our gratitude enough for these contributions. Many people do this work without much visibility. Beginning next month, Empower will offer an opportunity to meet a volunteer each month. We will interview a person who does something that benefits OPALGA. We look forward to getting to know the many people who make it possible for this organization to serve our community.
