January 2026 Meeting Minutes

Posted On January 22, 2026

1) Board Composition, Bylaws

Board reviewed current director count and bylaw requirements. Members expressed concern about even-number voting and bylaw compliance (tie votes; odd-number preference).
Clarified later in discussion that bylaws currently allow a range of 9–17 directors, but the odd-number issue remains a concern for votes.

Resolution: confirm exact board size when all possible candidates have come forth

Proposal: Donate $500 in memory of Chester Kropidlowski to Misericordia

Motion Passed

Proposal: Co-host with North Halstead Business Alliance a “Kit Kat Club” event on February 10.

Board confirmed this is primarily marketing support / promotion, while remaining ELVN-led.

Motion Passed

Board discussed structure for attendees and membership conversion:

Consensus:
- Members: free
- Non-members: $20, either as a one-time payment or as yearly dues for joining on the spot.
Cost: ELVN will pay for food and gratuity; space is donated; cash bar.

Need a third-party RSVP mechanism due to website limitations.
Options discussed:
- Google Form + QR code (Erika B. Caldwell leads)
- Eventbrite (Maureen Martino leads; Chamber pays fees)
- A free tool being tested via someone in Maureen’s office (to be investigated)

Strong consensus: event should be limited to people within ELVN boundaries.
Invite language should explicitly state boundary eligibility (live within boundaries).
Noted issue: website boundary map is currently wrong; board wants an accurate visual map for clarity.

Discussed possibility of amending bylaws (rather than rewriting) at the annual meeting if needed.
Could amend all the issues that keep arising: board size, requirements for joining board (drop the owning property part)
Mentioned that ELVN “should” have a standing bylaws committee.

Confirmed the nominating committee as Brian, Christina, and Eric.
Plan: keep board-size decisions open until closer to the annual meeting; decide based on how many strong candidates are recruited.
People mentioned as potential candidates:
- Mike Rafferty
- Will McIntree (noted potential ethics/lobbyist conflict; needs verification re: city grants/eligibility constraints)
- “Young Gentleman” who spoke at meeting expressed interest (name not captured)
- Outreach to block party applicants in the catchment area as candidate pipeline
- Possible interest in “Kelly Park” organizer (name not captured)

Consensus direction: Leave board size open until Feb 9, then finalize based on candidate slate.

Discussed latest date to become an ELVN member and still be eligible for meeting voting/participation.
Tentative agreement: 14 days before the meeting (to verify against bylaws).

Action: Confirm bylaw language; publish cutoff date in communications.

Reviewed online donation/grant request form and test submissions.
Confirmed real submissions include:
- The Night Ministry
- Not By Sight Media
- Anticipated: Legacy Project submission expected soon
Confusion noted around incoming email routing; ELVN may not have a dedicated Gmail account. Suggestion raised to create one, but noted “too late” for this cycle; needs cleanup next year.

Plan to drive awareness via:
- ELVN reminder email (send tomorrow)
- Ask partners (e.g., Ald. Bennett Lawson’s newsletter) to include the call for applications – Erika B. handling
- Coordinate with Angela Clay’s office – Erika B. handling

Maureen will put it in the Chamber newsletter
Offer made by Maureen to create a simple “we have money” graphic/visual for newsletter inclusion.

Consensus direction: Promote the funding opportunity more broadly to increase qualified applicants.

Discussion on supporting 44th Ward Dog Park fundraising.
Idea: purchase a commemorative brick (possibly in Chester’s name or organization’s name).

Action: Follow up with dog park fundraising status and location (Erika B. with Alderman Lawson)