Message from the Co-Chairs
At its meeting last month, OPALGA’s Board of Directors approved a Nominating Committee consisting of five individuals: Susan Anderson, Kim Hefner, Jim Kelly, Dan Salotti, and Davida Williams. Anderson, Kelly, and Salotti are the non-Board members, while Hefner and Williams are the two representatives from the Board of Directors. Together, these five will seek and present candidates for the various Officer and Board positions that need to be filled this year. In other words, they will be looking for candidates for Female Co-Chair, Secretary, and four member-at-large Board of Director positions.
Some members may wonder—why a Nominating Committee? Not only is the provision for a Nominating Committee found in our by-laws, but virtually every not-for-profit organization uses some form of a committee or a very similar process. At OPALGA, the Nominating Committee looks for candidates who have the appropriate background and experience, have a willingness to devote the time necessary to serve, and will project a positive image of OPALGA. In addition, the Nominating Committee must do this while also considering male/female balance, diversity, and other necessary considerations.
It is no surprise, then, that this year’s Nominating Committee is something like OPALGA’s own version of a “Dream Team.” These five individuals (which include two former Co-Chairs) possess a wealth of knowledge of OPALGA and its history and have records of accomplishment in serving our organization. Moreover, they are of impeccable integrity and share a common goal of finding the best available candidates for the positions.
There can be no better way to serve an organization than by sitting on its Board or serving as an Officer. So, if you are interested, please submit the form you will receive from the Nominating Committee. If you receive a call from a member of this committee, we likewise urge you to step forward. OPALGA will only continue to grow and strengthen itself as a result of the participation and involvement of those individuals most qualified to do so.
On a somewhat related note, most of you know that OPALGA is approaching its 20th anniversary next year. As the times have changed, so has the organization, with one glaring exception: our by-laws. Governing the organization has faced additional challenges with a document that has now become somewhat outdated. We are pleased to tell you that Bruce Broerman, a member of the Board of Directors, agreed at the July Board meeting to lead a committee that is going to study the by-laws and make appropriate recommendations for revision. This is a lengthy and detailed process, and the revisions will not be submitted to the members until the fall of 2009 for approval. Nevertheless, it is important that you know the process is under way, and you will be hearing more about it in the coming months.
Finally, elsewhere in this issue, you will see an article that describes OPALGA co-sponsoring the Wright Ride with the Oak Park Cycle Club, the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Downtown Oak Park. It is very important in the fulfillment of our mission that we work closely with other individuals and groups as appropriate. Some things we do you are probably aware of; and others possibly not. To give you a few examples, we co-sponsor a float in the Chicago Gay Pride parade with the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. We jointly worked on pending legislation with the ACLU and Equality Illinois. We annually participate in “A Day In Our Village” and the 4th of July parade here in Oak Park. We frequently talk to BUNGALO and its members about items of shared concern. We co-sponsored a brunch at Hemmingway’s Bistro last year with the Center On Halsted. We have joined with Steppenwolf Theatre and the Village Players Theatre to bring you top-quality events. Each year, we have our own “Donut Day” at the Pilgrim Congregational Church. These events are merely a sampling, but you get the idea—in order to be an integral part of the community, OPALGA needs to reach out throughout the community and work with others whenever possible. Sometimes we ask, and sometimes we are asked—in either case, the result is usually the same: we stand stronger together than if we stand alone. This month we are riding bikes, so grab your helmets and join us on the Wright Ride on Sunday, August 17. If you don’t want to ride, come on out to our booth and say hello.
I wish I had read this earlier, I would have taken that ride or atleast came by the booth.
Shauna Baggett
Posted by shauna3930 on 08/18/08 at 02:55 PM
