So - I retired from being President in May! I’m very happy to say that Sunshine De Vries is now the President of the Chicago Bird Alliance. And I’m very very happy and proud about all the accomplishments we made together in the years that I was president.
Here’s a list of some of the highlights - with outstanding leaders thanked:
Changed our name to a more inclusive one
Made an annual plan and review it every year at our board retreat
Created a DEI plan
Added a new program - field trip leader training - to strengthen our organization and further our DEI (Thanks Antonio, Matt and Sunshine)
Significantly added to our field trips (Thanks Lindsay)
Started the Birding Gear Exchange (Thanks Woody)
Started our Native Plant Sale - and grew it bigger every year! (Thanks Nancy Bradt, Colleen McVeigh, Alix Gnoske)
Hired an executive director and upgraded the office manager job
Started The Urban Birding Festival (Thanks Matt)
Coordinated the Spring Bird Count (Thanks Alan)
Published a bird checklist (Thanks Alan and crew) and an illustrated mini-guide (Thanks Matt)
Held an Awards Ceremony (Thanks Jackie, Jessica and Alan)
Greatly expanded our advocacy (Thanks Dana, Andy, and Annette):
Started a Rat Contraceptive Pilot to reduce Rodenticide and save raptors (Thanks to too many people to name here but check our blogs)
Kept fighting for a bird-friendly building ordinance. (Ditto - thank you all! and especially Annette)
Worked with MWRD to change mowing practices and save nestlings of Eastern Meadowlarks, Savanna Sparrows and Dickcissels (Thanks Jeff Bilsky)
Grew our blog and our social media presence tremendously (thanks Jessica, Joseph, Winnie and Matt)
Stayed within our budget
Got our office and business affairs organized (Thanks Taylor and Matt)
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We couldn’t have done all this without a hardworking board who set the vision of a more inclusive and consequential organization. You all are amazing! I’m honored to have served with you.
And our staff, both of whom are beyond awesome!
And of course our partners, the public land agencies - Chicago Park District, Cook County Forest Preserves and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District - and too may non-profits to name although Veronica Kyle at the EcoWomanist Institute deserves a shout-out.
We’re an organization with a very small staff who has accomplished a lot through people power!
Thank you members, for giving me the opportunity. It was wonderful.
Stay tuned for a hello from Sunshine. I’m very much looking forward to our future.
Judy Pollock