GPHC Annual Meeting Seconds
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Thursday, October 3, was the Annual Meeting of the Greater Park Hill Community Organization. It was held at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The celebratory event included the presentation of the Babbs Community Service Award and the election of board members.
Opening Comments – LeAnn Anderson, Outgoing Chair
Outgoing Board Chair LeAnn Anderson recognized board members, committee chairs, newspaper staff and the executive committee for their hard work over the past year. She shared a Chinese folk story about life’s ups and downs. Read more about LeAnn’s experience as chair on Page 4.
Award Presentation to the DPD2 – Geneva Goldsby, Safety Chair
Geneva Goldsby, Safety Chair, awarded the officers of District 2 with a plaque thanking them for their work in the neighborhood. Commander Michael Calo accepted the award on behalf of District 2. He discussed the department’s role in the neighborhood.
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Bridget Coughlin, DMNS
The evening’s keynote speaker, Dr. Bridget Coughlin, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Programs, discussed the $56.5 million Morgridge Family Exploration Center expansion which will build an additional 20 percent of square footage onto the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. She said that $1.4 million in collections will be moved into a single climate-controlled location, opening up hundreds of thousands of square feet for exhibits. She said the focus of the design is to make DMNS the Park’s museum, not just a museum in the park. She discussed how the current DMNS Discovery Zone was really just an accident, and through this addition will be bigger and more thoughtfully planned.
Dr. Coughlin discussed early childhood brain development. She described the young brain as a sponge that reaches an optimal point at age 5, after which it begins pruning functions that have not yet been used. This information about brain development is why DMNS gives all youth groups free admission and will also be offering free admission to My Denver card participants.
Director’s Report – Robyn Fishman, GPHC Executive Director
GPHC Executive Director Robyn Fishman offered an overview of the organization’s operations. She discussed the fiscal overhaul of 2010, which implemented changes that have allowed the unrestricted fund to grow from a lean $8,500 to a healthy $100,000, and brought the GPHN from a yearly deficit of $11,000, back in the black, and now to a $53,000 gain in 2013.
She said that there are many areas in the organization that have contributed to that gain, including memberships, the Garden Tour, Evening of the Arts, the Home Tour, and controlling overall expenses. Membership Chair Larry Ricketts generated $17,000 in 2011, $14,000 in 2012, and $14,000 so far in 2013 through memberships – it had never exceeded $9,000 before. The Garden Tour, chaired by Catherine Byrne, had its best-ever year, generating $9,365. The new Evening of the Arts event, chaired by Shannon O’Connell, exceeded expectations and allowed GPHC to show-off its garden space. Finally, the Home Tour, chaired by Roberta Locke, had unprecedented success, clearing $43,939.84 as of printing.
She thanked all those who contributed to the Food Pantry in 2013, including schools and churches who donated in bulk, and volunteers Pam Washington and Becky Richardson. Another thank you went to the volunteer blockworkers and bundlers who get the newspaper out to neighborhood readers.
Board Elections
Outgoing Chair LeAnn Anderson introduced the elections process. According to the GPHC bylaws, elections are for 2-year terms, with the odd districts one year, even districts the next, and three At-Large seats up for election each year. This year’s election candidates represent the even districts (Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and three At-Large seats. Candidates were allowed a 2-minute speech encapsulating their interest and experience. The candidates were Ryan Hunter, Phil Carlson, Tommy Gilhooly, Louis Plachowski, Shannon O’Connell, Keith Brown, and James King. Winners of the board election will be announced at November’s GPHC Community Meeting and featured in the December issue of the GPHN.
Community of Caring Awards – Roberta Locke, Incoming Chair
Incoming Chair Roberta Locke presented the Community of Caring Awards to community members. The award is given out only every few years to recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to the organization.
Larry Ricketts. For his productive efforts as GPHC’s Membership Chair.
Jack and Pam Farrar. The Farrars have been involved in the organization since 1975 and worn many different hats. Jack has been a board member, a district and at-large representative, the public relations chair, he was involved in the Smart Growth efforts, volunteers in the community garden, was a Sector Leader and a longtime contributor to GPHN contributor. The Farrars have sold advertising for the Home Tour brochure advertising for past five years. And, in addition to their work at the Park Hill Community Bookstore, Pam was one of the longest volunteers at Smith Elementary.
Dave Felice. For his efforts in being involved throughout the community’s many different boards and organizations, his passion for the environment and city parks, and his work communicating back to the neighborhood all the information that results from his involvement.
Heather Shockey. For chairing the organization for two consecutive years, during some of the organization’s hardest times.
Shannon O’Connell. For her work taking over the community garden, her involvement in many GPHC committees and for bringing the Evening of the Arts event to fruition.
LeAnn Anderson. For her esteemed leadership and involvement in the organization for the past several years.
Babbs Award Presentation – Tracey MacDermott, 2012 Winner
GPHC Treasurer and last year’s winner of the Dr. J. Carlton Babbs award Tracey MacDermott discussed the history of the Babbs Award. Dr. Babbs was a minister at the Park Hill United Methodist Church from 1955 until his death in 1978. He helped to organize the Park Hill Action Committee, the forerunner of the GPHC, and was a key supporter of integration in Park Hill. Historically, GPHC’s impact on integration, zoning, schools, justice and legislation has been widely recognized. At the time of his death, the neighborhood’s clergy decided that a community service award in his name would be a fitting tribute to one of Park Hill’s outstanding leaders. The award is given annually to a Park Hill resident who has contributed to Park Hill in the spirit and philosophy of Dr. Babbs. The 2013 award was presented to Bernadette Kelly. When accepting the award, Bernadette said she was completely blown away, and that she felt like the people who have come before her with this award have done far more. “I think I just dug my heels in and dug in at a time when I needed it, because I was laid off and this community has given me a place to be, and learn and grow.” Bernadette received a standing ovation from the members. Read Bernadette’s Babbs Award nomination on Page 1.
Closing Comments – Roberta Locke, Incoming Chair
Incoming Chair Roberta Locke thanked LeAnn Anderson, Ryan Hunter and Larry Ricketts for all the work they did on selling the GPHC-owned strip of land by the Quebec hotels this year. The new chair of the Greater Park Hill Community stated it was her goal to bring together people, businesses, city officials and city services to bring development to the 2800 block of Fairfax Street. She said there are already strong businesses on the block, and possibilities for additional economic development. She asked those who are interested in forming a coalition in January to contact her at robertalocke@aol.com. She said that the team in place next year includes: LeAnn Anderson, Past Chair; Bernadette Kelly, Secretary; Tracey MacDermott, Treasurer; and that the position of Chair-Elect is open. She said she is looking forward to a busy and productive 2014. Read more about Roberta’s goals as chair on Page 4.