OEVA
January 28, 2022 at 11:34 a.m.
OEVA
By Todd Tracy
Commitees
Have you ever seriously pondered committees? I mean, just sat in a chair, and daydreamed of running one, or running from one? Who creates them? Why do they exist and if they do, who the heck cares? The healthy answers would be no, no idea, and not me.
Have you ever heard a committee joke before? Again, the most likely answer would be no. But I found one that I slightly modified to fit this narrative from Vu-Le. It paraphrases like this: How many committee members does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: It depends on the composition and skillset of the committee. If there is an electrician on the committee, for example, then it may only require one member. However, if there’s a founder on the committee, he might insist that the old bulb is perfectly good and there is no need to change it. If so, another member may be required to create a diversion. If you laughed, you must be on a committee or part of a governing body. Ok, by now, some of you are wondering where the heck this article is going? Me too. But over the years I’ve learned to just let go and follow my fingers, so keep reading and we will find out together.
Part of this story’s direction would be my assigned monthly writing task, to expound on the beauty and value of volunteer-based committees. Specifically, your Old Englewood Village Association committees. The other part would be by my hesitation, after all, it is a very dry subject that nobody in their right mind would be interested in, much less keep reading without some humor tossed in. But then I did some research, listened to some other people’s opinions, (which is painful for writers like me), and finally saw the light… I think.
Per my research, “Committees are important to non-profits for lots of reasons. Smaller, more passionate bodies tend to have subject expertise that makes them uniquely qualified to solve specific problems. Smaller bodies tend to avoid burning out because they do not face larger body distractions.” Makes sense.
I also learned that, like OEVA, typical non-profit committees include categories like: Events, Finance, Governance, Governmental Relations, Marketing, Media, Membership, etc. All of them have generic self-descriptive roles which all, at least to me, seem boring. But did you know that OEVA also has locally tailored committees that even I find interesting. Like: Arts, Beautification, Citizen Patrol, The Englewood Arts District, even Merchandising. Who knows, someday first-edition Dearborn Street tee shirts and coolie cups might be valuable collectables…or not.
The point would be that if you have a community passion, like patrolling a parking lot to keep it from becoming a homeless campground, planting, or tending landscaping, or community art, then you are in luck. Why? Because you can personally focus on what you love doing, with the backing of a respected organization, without getting sucked into a larger body of responsibility.
Best of all, OEVA stands ready to support your ideas and efforts via web-based tools, that include on-line file sharing, committee member communications and community outreach services. The bottom line is that if you have a community passion, then an OEVA committee might be the outlet you have been looking for. Interested? Visit www.OldEnglewood.com/committees to learn more.
Finally, committees can cross-pollinate, seed, and become independent organizations and even be funded, if appropriate. Ideally, committees should be self-supportive, even revenue positive, so the greater OEVA body can support even more ideas. Keep in mind that committees need to respect and adhere to the overall OEVA mission statement and accept reasonable guidance from the OEVA board.
Ok, now on a very personal closing note, my next writing chore is my resignation letter to the OEVA board. While today may end my limited role with our community’s non-profit volunteers, it also reflects my complete confidence in those that continue to serve.
Speaking of service, did you know that: At the OEVA annual meeting, one new board member was elected, then at the next meeting, three board seat vacancies were filled? That those collective seats were filled by an exciting combination of new and long-term community members that have ideas, passions, and the skills, the town will benefit from in the years ahead?
All the above, and much more, make saying goodbye much easier.
In closing: it has been an honor and a privilege to serve the community over the years, but by far, the most enjoyable time on my path has been writing for The Englewood Review. Thank you.