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.
Volunteer Spotlight
Given the number 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 Jan Grillos.
Empower: How long have you been a member of OPALGA?
Jan: I joined the organization over 15 years ago, attending the potlucks and enjoying the social aspect (I am a vegetarian, so I eat dinner before arriving since I have such a strict diet).
Empower: How long have you volunteered with OPALGA?
Jan: For over seven years.
Empower: In what capacity do you volunteer with OPALGA?
Jan: I assist with Spectrum and Prism youth, ensuring that any of the kids who arrive are given attention by other kids or by us.
Empower: What first inspired you to become active and involved with OPALGA; that is, how did you first become a volunteer?
Jan: I wanted to invest time in helping youth to cope with issues that they encounter in their daily lives and in school due to their not conforming to general society’s expectations—especially with the bullying and shaming issues.
Empower: How would you encourage others to become active volunteers with OPALGA?
Jan: Simply ask a Board member where help is needed and determine whether you have the interest and time to assist the organization in that capacity.
Empower: There are so many organizations with volunteer opportunities in the Oak Park area; what made you choose OPALGA as the organization with which to volunteer?
Jan: I was familiar with OPALGA since I have been a member for so long—it was natural to consider opportunities right here.
Empower: Are you involved with other LGBT organizations?
Jan: Yes. I attend many of the West Suburban Gay Association functions—it is strictly a social organization. In addition, I give major support to the Gay Liberation Network, which is a gay rights activist organization, and I will be volunteering with Howard Brown’s Broadway Youth Center as a mentor for youth. I have also met with a number of GSAs (gay-straight alliances) for middle schools, high schools, and colleges, and I support PFLAG, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU, to name a few others.
Empower: What do you find most satisfying, rewarding, or inspirational about being an OPALGA volunteer?
Jan: The opportunity to have an impact on youths’ attitudes toward themselves and gay society in general. It is also good to see new attendees be accepted and helped by other members.
Empower: What is your professional background?
Jan: My background includes many years as a systems developer. Later, I was a professional sales representative, selling for management consultants, systems integrators, and software companies (I have a business management and marketing degree). I recently changed careers. I am now spending most of the time investing in real estate.
Empower: Is there any other personal information you would like to share with our readers? (Where you live, what your hobbies are, etc.)
Jan: I live in Elmhurst with my partner Chuck (who is from Oak Park). (Living in Elmhurst, one day Susan Abbott asked me “Are you okay?”
I am a vegan vegetarian (due to health reasons) and work out six days per week (three days swimming laps at the YMCA—I’m a member of their 100-mile club, swimming more than 100 miles per year—and three days working out at home for an hour). I am a modern art collector and have painted a number of modern art pieces myself, and I have collected a number of modern sculptures to decorate outside by the deck as well as in the house. And I am very interested in architecture, having seen many of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses as well as being a member of the Mies van der Rohe Society. I enjoy bicycle riding with Chuck and helping him to prepare something fabulous for dinner each night (he’s a great cook; I’m the gofer).
Thank you, Jan, and thank you to all of our volunteers! You may be next in the spotlight!
Message from the Co-Chair (January, 2008)
As I sit down to write my first column as Co-Chair of OPALGA, I am acutely aware of the huge responsibility that I have agreed to assume, and it is both humbling and gratifying. Although I am faced with a great deal of hard work, I am genuinely looking forward to the coming months. These are very exciting times for OPALGA, and we are on the verge of some significant accomplishments.
First, however, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my predecessor, Brad Bartels. His devotion to the organization was nothing short of amazing, and his generosity with his time and talent serves as an example for us all. Brad has left a legacy that touches virtually every aspect of OPALGA, and we are all better for it.
In addition, Brad’s Co-Chair, Cheryl Haugh, recently decided to step down as of January 1 for personal reasons. Cheryl originally stepped up when Ethel Cotovsky passed away, and OPALGA will always be grateful for her willingness to help. The time involved in serving as Co-Chair is enormous, and I salute Cheryl for helping OPALGA as she did.
The Board of Directors chose extraordinarily wisely in selecting Liz Stallone to serve out the remaining year of Cheryl’s term. I had the privilege of serving as Co-Chair of the 2006 Gala with Liz, and we had a great time working together. Liz brings a combination of enthusiasm and energy that combines with her work ethic to make her an absolute pleasure to work with. I am very happy and excited that we have the opportunity to serve together as Co-Chairs.
So, what exactly are some of the “significant accomplishments” that I mentioned earlier? For starters, consider that OPALGA is presently involved in the following:
• The Board of Directors is nearing the end of its four-month strategic planning process with Dr. Carol Goldbaum, which will better position us for future growth;
• The Board is in the midst of creating its first-ever Policy Manual, which will be an invaluable aid for the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers; and,
• The Gala moves to Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook and promises to be a Gala unlike any other before it.
In addition, we are planning our holiday brunch for Sunday, January 27, 2008, at Trattoria 225 in Oak Park, and then on Friday, February 1, 2008, we have a spectacular evening of theatre as we join the Steppenwolf Theatre Company for a benefit production of “Good Boys and True.” (Both of these events are described in detail elsewhere in this issue of Empower.)
Moreover, we are mindful that gay and lesbian rights are at the forefront of the upcoming election, and issues such as marriage equality, civil unions, and domestic partner benefits are in the news daily. These issues affect all of us, and we must make certain that we do whatever possible to advocate for these rights on behalf of our members in as effective a manner as possible.
If this seems like a lot of activity to you, it is. While the Board is in great shape with the addition of new members Bruce Broerman, Kim Hefner, and David Rappaport, the Board simply cannot do it alone. We need your help. Pick out an activity that appeals to you, and get involved. While you are at it, talk to some non-member friends and get them involved; tell them what a great organization we have, and invite them to join you as members. Our monthly potlucks are a great opportunity to bring prospective members to a free event where they can see for themselves what OPALGA has to offer. In short, whatever your interest(s), we welcome your participation. If there is an activity that you feel we should be offering that we are not at present, please give me a call or drop me a note at . I again thank you for the opportunity to serve as Co-Chair, and pledge to each of you that I will do the best job possible. Please join me for some exciting times ahead!
Board Awaits Final Strategic Planning Report
Now that the holiday season has come and gone, the Board of Directors is about to turn its attention to a huge task awaiting it in 2008—acting upon the information that will be contained in the final report from its strategic planning consultant, Dr. Carol Goldbaum. The process has gone very smoothly. The last major step was an all-day working session held on December 1, 2007, during which the Board discussed the priorities of our goals and the action steps needed to achieve each of these goals.
“This has been an incredibly thorough process, and each Board member has benefited from the opportunity to participate throughout,” said OPALGA Co-Chair Mike Cochran. “Thanks to Carol and her dedication to OPALGA, however, the Board is getting more than it originally asked for. We thought we would get a document showing us how to proceed toward the eventual hiring of an Executive Director, but we are actually going to receive that as part of an overall three-year strategic plan. I cannot emphasize enough how much this means to our Board as we work to deliver the best services and events possible.”
The Board of Directors, upon receiving the final report, will most likely spend a portion of its annual retreat (usually held in February of each year) in discussing the strategic plan and how best to implement it. According to Cochran, this timing couldn’t be better for the organization. “The new Board took effect on January 1, and we now have the benefit of additional input from our three new directors—Bruce Broerman, Kim Hefner, and David Rappaport. These individuals bring an impressive array of experience to the Board, and I am very excited about their addition to the mix. When you add these three to the incredibly strong Directors that we already have, it can’t help but produce great results.”
“Dr. Goldbaum has given us an incredible foundation on which to build,” Cochran concluded. “It is now up to each of us to move forward in an effective and efficient manner as we help OPALGA transition itself to the next level. People will be hearing great things from OPALGA in the future!”
Message from the Co-Chairs (December)
Sooner than we may want, the new year will be upon us. Next year, 2008, will bring new challenges for OPALGA with new and renewed enthusiasm to meet them. Several Directors will return for new terms. Lisa Pearson, Davida Williams, and JoAnn Ziebarth will continue serving as Directors. Kim Hefner and Bruce Broerman will join the Board as new Directors. Anita Csuk will become Treasurer, and Mike Cochran will become Male Co-Chair. Brad Bartels will complete a four-year stretch as Male Co-Chair at the end of December and will serve as “past Co-Chair” for the next year.
By design, one Co-Chair remains, while the other is replaced. Last month, the Board of Directors reluctantly accepted the resignation of Cheryl Haugh as Female Co-Chair. Cheryl is saddened to leave the Board but feels that she will best serve the organization in other capacities. She finishes having served two years as Co-Chair—one year in finishing Ethel Cotovsky’s term and one year in which she was re-elected. At the November Board of Directors meeting, Liz Stallone was unanimously appointed by the Board to complete Cheryl’s term.
The re-elected and new Board members will be joining Secretary Sherrie Wolfe and Members-at-Large Lee Latham and Rick McVey. The Board will appoint a Member-at-Large replacement for Liz Stallone to serve out her Board term.
We leave our posts as Co-Chairs in good hands. Liz has been a part of the Board for three years and served as the OPAL Gala Co-Chair in 2005 and 2006. She received the Brian Findlay Award for outstanding and long-term commitment last May. She also provides many of the printed materials for OPALGA, including Empower each month. Mike Cochran served with Liz as the OPAL Gala Co-Chair in 2006. He received the Carol Zientek Award for distinguished service last May and has served as Treasurer for the past two years. Mike was instrumental in establishing the Board working committees this year, which have continued to be productive avenues for accomplishing our goals. He has also largely been responsible for organizing the work being done with our consultant, Dr. Carol Goldbaum, who is currently guiding us through a strategic planning process that will yield dividends for years to come.
Now, we both reflect on our time served together on the OPALGA Board as very positive for the organization. It has been a time of growth, expansion, and many great memories. We came together to say goodbye to Ethel Cotovsky and Rob Ward, whose leadership and sage advice we miss. In collaboration with the Board of Directors, we moved from an inside office space to a visible storefront. We continued to conduct, modify, and support our youth programs. We identified and honed goals and continually worked toward specificity and reproducibility of policies and procedures. Two things that are always talked about among OPALGA stalwarts are the purchase of our own building and the hiring of an executive director. We have not realized these goals yet, but with hard work and a little luck, our leadership will direct us toward these aspirations.
We all choose to be part of OPALGA for different reasons, but we hope that we share the belief that, as a community, we are better off because of our existence. Some have compared us to that little train, chugging up that long hill, trying to reach the top, while gravity tries to force us backward. Yet, each year, we get a little stronger—our fire is stoked, and our resolve becomes tougher. As an organization, we will get to the top of that hill and the mountains beyond. We will because we believe that we can. We know that it’s too important not to succeed. We owe it to ourselves, to our families and friends, to those who haven’t been able to make the full journey with us, and to those who have yet to join us.
As for both of us, we are richer for having had the opportunity to serve as your Co-Chairs. We look forward to what the future brings, and we take comfort in knowing that success is the only track that the organization is running on—now and for years to come. We may have climbed aboard many years ago, but our tickets are punched for the final destination, and we are looking forward to the trip.
Much love,
Brad and Cheryl
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.
