T
he Annual Meeting of the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society was held on Wednesday, February 10, at the Devon Bank, at 7:00 p.m. Once again, we would like to thank Devon Bank for graciously hosting us for this annual event, as it has in so many years past.After making his “State of the Society” presentation, President Jonathan Dixon yielded the floor to Alderman Joe Moore (49th), who updated us on the efforts to secure the firehouse at Greenleaf and Clark for our new home.
After presenting the “State of the Society” report to commence the meeting, President Jonathan Dixon yielded the floor to Alderman Joe Moore (49th) who updated the attendees with the status of the efforts to secure the firehouse at Greenleaf and Clark for our new home. Alderman Moore continues to be very supportive of our making a permanent home in the firehouse. Updates on this continuing process will be coming as the City plots its course on this matter. Alderman Moore pledges to continue to shepherd us through this process with the City.
As with every annual meeting, one of the most important items of business was the election of our board of directors. This year, we were pleased to announce that our new bylaws had been unanimously approved by our membership. One of the new provisions of the new bylaws is that the Society’s four officers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary) are now to be elected by the Board of Directors from among their ranks. To that end, a slate of directors was presented to the membership in attendance at the meeting for a vote. Those members slated were: Paul Bluestone; Jonathan Dixon; Glenna Eaves; Marcia Hermansen; Sr. Sue Kidulski, O.S.B.; Nancy Jane Lauren; Carl Lingenfelter; Hank Morris; Colleen Sen; and Karen Tipp.
The slate of directors was approved. The new bylaws charge them to select the four 2010-2011 officers at the first meeting after the annual meeting, which would be Monday, February 22. And according to the new bylaws, approximately half of the directors will serve for one year while the remainder will serve for two. So, beginning in 2011, alternate halves will be presented for election to two-year terms, starting with those directors serving one-year. In 2011, those directors serving a one-year term will come up for reelection to a new two-year term. Those directors serving a two-year term will come up for
election in 2012. The entire membership of the Board of Directors will never again be voted on at any one annual meeting.
Your Society honored those volunteers who worked so hard to keep us going throughout the last year. We could NOT function without members donating their time and talents to keep us functioning. As you read this, you might consider how you could help us keep the momentum going. No matter your interests or talents, we have need of your participation. There are plenty of projects that need attention and help. Let us know you’re interested.
Continuing a feature we instituted at the 2009 annual meeting, Glenna Eaves made a presentation to the audience. This year she discussed the geological history of our area, spanning from primordial glaciations, to pre-Columbian times, up through the present. Many were not aware of how significantly our local landscape has been altered through time.
Those who attended will agree it was worth braving the weather to come to the meeting for important Society business, enlightening presentations and discussion, and good fellowship.
