Then-McKinley Park Civic Association Secretary Chris Bania celebrates his birthday at the group's March 5, 2025, meeting at the McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library.

The April 2, 2025, meeting of the McKinley Park Civic Association saw longtime group Secretary Chris Bania elected, uncontested, as president of the association in the wake of the passing of former President Agnes Bednarkiewicz, who succumbed to illness in late February 2025.

I was very happy to support Chris in his candidacy, especially given his decades-long service as an association officer and after hearing about his ideas for the group at the March 5, 2025, meeting (which was also Chris' birthday). In particular, Chris shared how the group might grow through more broad and inclusive engagement, more community-supporting outreach, and more modern and thoughtful operations.

I love all of this because I think McKinley Park would really benefit from a broadly supportive membership organization for and by our neighborhood, supported by sound operations and governance, and directed by general mutual interest. One member at the meeting accurately noted the good programs the association brings to the neighborhood like the upcoming Memorial Day Parade and last month's Leadership and Educator Awards Banquet . Chris mentioned great new ideas like a welcome package for new residents to our neighborhood.

However, I was surprised and disappointed at the meeting with the abrupt resignation and departure -- mid-meeting -- by both Vice President/Treasurer Sue Pletsch and Education Officer Roy Pletsch, who announced their abdications and walked out after objecting to discussion about finding the association's long-missing bylaws and how the current election might be managed accordingly.

For over a decade, I've been a dues-paying member of the association, and not until now has there been an officer election. Given the often grueling and sometimes thankless hard work of association officers, I don't think others desired to fill these roles, nor was there a need to do so.

However, governance issues and the missing bylaws have become paramount not just in the wake of leadership tragedy, but also formal requirements for things like an inaugural EIN and federal registration as a 501(c)(3): required for the association's fiduciary agent role in supporting Chicago's Birthday Party (and as common practice). All of this has been under discussion for months, including with Agnes prior to her passing.

For myself, as a member of any organization, I only have interest in engagement if it's well-run: clear and fair governance, a mission and purpose with understood value, and transparency, accountability and responsibility for members and leadership.

I look forward to Chris' role as president of the McKinley Park Civic Association to lead and grow the organization, continuing and extending the good it brings to Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood. As a member, I am happy he is our president. Congratulations, Chris!

The next McKinley Park Civic Association Meeting is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2025, at the McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library, 1915 W. 35th St., Chicago.