Winter 2010 TigerTalk
Winter 2010 Newsletter
Volume 16, Number 2
INSIDE: UPCOMING EVENTS/HIGHLIGHTS:
ANNUAL DINNER***TOWN MEETING WITH PRESIDENT SHIRLEY TILGHMAN***PRINCETON PROJECT 55 20TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS AND UPDATES***ALUMNI SCHOOLS COMMITTEE CALL FOR INTERVIEWERS*** MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART TOUR***EXECUTIVE SEARCH PRECEPT***OPERA CABAL***YOUNG ALUMNI ICE SKATING***DIM SUM BRUNCH***PICS CALL FOR HISTORY FAIR JUDGES AND TUTORS*** PRINCETON WOMEN’S NETWORKING EVENTS***CAREER NETWORKING EVENT***ALUMNI NEWS***UNIVERSITY NEWS***ROUND-UP/PHOTOS OF PAST EVENTS***CLUB CALENDAR
*** NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE – MARCH 15 FOR EVENTS AFTER APRIL 10 ***
IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS, PLEASE CONTACT VP, PROGRAMS SALLY METZLER- DUNEA *97. IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES OR ARE SETTING A DATE FOR ANY TYPE OF CLUB ACTIVITY, PLEASE CONTACT CLUB PRESIDENT CARL YUDELL ‘75. CARL MAINTAINS A CLUB CALENDAR TO ASSURE THAT EVENTS DO NOT CONFLICT. OCCASIONALLY CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE SCHEDULING ACTIVITIES ON OR NEAR THE SAME DAY, BUT THE CLUB TRIES TO AVOID SUCH SITUATIONS. SEE CONTACT INFO BELOW.
PRINCETON CLUB OF CHICAGO ANNUAL DINNER
This year’s Annual Dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 14, at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe (corner of Michigan Avenue), Chicago. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Co-Education at Princeton, this year’s keynote speaker is Adele Simmons, who served as the Dean of Students at Princeton beginning in 1972, and was the University’s first female senior officer. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of Chicago Metropolis 2020 and of Chicago’s Burnham Plan Centennial. Invitations will be mailed in early March, and we hope you can join us for this exciting evening!
SAVE THE DATE – TOWN MEETING WITH PRESIDENT SHIRLEY TILGHMAN ON TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2010 AT 6 P.M. AT THE PALMER HOUSE IN CHICAGO
PRINCETON PROJECT 55 EVENTS INCLUDING 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
20th Anniversary Celebration
Princeton Project 55 in Chicago will celebrate 20 years of public service to the City of Chicago by hosting a cocktail reception on Thursday, March 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Mid-America Club on the 80th Floor of the Aon Center, 200 E. Randolph Dr. The PP55 Committee is excited to announce that the following leaders have agreed to be honorary co-chairs of our celebration: Patrick Quinn, Governor of Illinois; John Rogers ’80, CEO of Ariel Investments; Mary Nelson of Bethel New Life; and Dr. Quentin Young, Chair of Health and Medicine Policy Research Group. The cost is $20 for general admission, $10 for PP55 alumni since 2004, and free for current PP55 fellows. Registration, payment, and donations can be made online at https://community.project55.
Second Annual Project 55 Networking Happy Hour
All alumni from the Class of 2000 on are invited to meet the current Project 55 fellows and share their professional and post-graduate experiences at the Second Annual Networking Happy Hour. Free admission, free food, cash bar. The event will be held at Old Town Social, 455 W. North Ave., from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, February 4, with a round of “speed networking” from 6:30-7 p.m. RSVP toalex.fuller1@gmail.com. (See more about Project 55 at the end of the newsletter.)
PRINCETON INTERVIEWERS NEEDED!
We have a record number of applications to Princeton this year and NEED YOUR HELP to interview these students! Even if you are already interviewing, we could use your help, particularly in the Western Suburbs. If you can help, please contact ASC Chair Charlene Huang Olson ’88 at cholson@alumni.princeton.edu, and indicate your name, class, and availability per the following interview blitz dates: January 30 in Oakbrook to interview students from the Western Suburbs; February 6, Chicago, students from all of the Chicagoland regions; February 6, Aurora, Illinois Math and Science Academy students; and February 27, Oakbrook, students from the Western Suburbs. If you LIVE or WORK in the Western Suburbs and would like to interview applicants through the end of February, please contact ASC Vice Chair Scott Strausser ’83 at sstrauss@ingalls.org.
PRIVATE TOUR OF THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Young Alumni Chair Ellenna Raymond ‘05 has organized a private tour of the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, on Saturday, January 23, at 1:30 p.m. Although this event is organized by the Young Alumni, it is open to all Princeton alumni and friends. The docent for this tour is Carole Rudoy P07. RSVP by e-mailing Ellenna at ellenna.raymond@gmail.com. Please buy your ticket to the Museum before meeting the group at 1:30 p.m. by the Museum entrance. Information about the Museum is at http://www.mcachicago.org. For more information about the event, contact Ellenna at the above e-mail address or at 914-400-6223.
“INSIDE THE EXECUTIVE SEARCH” PRECEPT
Whether you aspire to one day be on the Board of Directors of a public company, or are curious about the “Do’s and Don’t’s” of interacting with search firms during the course of your career, thisprecept featuring Constantine Alexandrakis ’89 will attempt to demystify the world of executive search. Mr. Alexandrakis is a Managing Director in the Chicago office of Russell Reynolds Associates, one of the world’s leading executive search firms. Mr. Alexandrakis, who majored in Economics, is a member of the firm’s Board Services practice and its Corporate Officers practice. Come learn who benefits most from relationships with search firms and at what career juncture executive search works best. He will also share entertaining anecdotes about his experience in this intriguing field. The Club invites alumni, parents, and friends to this precept on Tuesday, January 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the office of Russell Reynolds, 200 South Wacker, 29th floor, in Chicago. There will be a wine and appetizer reception followed by the presentation by Mr. Alexandrakis. The event is $20 for Club members and $25 for non-members. RSVP by Friday, January 22, to Princeton Club of Chicago by calling the Club office at 847-256-5800 and paying by Mastercard or Visa; please be sure to provide your name, Princeton affiliation, AND names of all guests for the security list. If you have questions, contact Sally Metzler-Dunea at 312-342-7867.
OPERA CABAL
Mark your calendar for the evening of Friday, February 19, for a performance of Opera Cabal and a reception. Order tickets for the opera directly from http://www.brownpapertickets.
YOUNG ALUMNI ICE SKATING EVENT
Join us for ice skating in Millennium Park followed by drinks/food at Emerald Loop, a nearby bar, on Saturday, February 20, from 4-5:30 p.m.. The rink is free and skate rental is available for $10. Look for Ellenna Raymond ’05 and Louise Giam (MIT) by the skate rental area; they’ll have a sign with “Young Alumni Event” on it. Refreshments will be at Emerald Loop, 216 N. Wabash in Chicago from 5:30-7 p.m. This event was organized by Princeton & MIT for the “All-Ivy Plus” Group. If you have questions, contact Ellenna Raymond ’05 at ellenna.raymond@gmail.com or 914-400-6223.
DIM SUM BRUNCH
Celebrate the Lunar New Year – The Year of the Tiger – with a Dim Sum Brunch on Sunday, February 21, at 11 a.m. at Phoenix Restaurant, 2nd Floor, 2131 S. Archer Avenue, in Chicago’s Chinatown (phone # 312-328-0848). Are you a tiger? You were if you were born in the years of 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998. Naturally, we are all Princeton Tigers so let’s kick off our year with a Dim Sum Brunch in Chinatown. Dim Sum is a wide range of light dishes served with Chinese tea. More importantly, it is an occasion for family and friends to gather over a delightful meal while sipping tea and chatting with each other. The array of sights, smells, and tastes of dim sum make it a fun and tasty meal shared with friends both new and old. The cost is $20 for Club members and $25 for non-members, which includes dim sum and tea. RSVP by Monday, February 15 by calling the Club office at 847-256-5800 and paying by Mastercard or Visa or send a check made payable to Princeton Club of Chicago, P.O. Box 350, Kenilworth, IL 60043. Please note that reservations are on a first come/first serve basis for the 20 seats available and this event has sold out quickly in the past few years, so it is best to RSVP early. If you have questions, contact Al Chan ’91 at akc_p91@yahoo.com; however, please be sure to RSVP to the Club not to Al.
PICS NEWS
History Fair – Volunteers Needed!
Princeton’s adopted school, Roosevelt High School, will hold its annual History Fair on Monday, February 22. Judges are needed. Volunteers should arrive around 8 a.m. and plan to stay until 1:30 p.m., although if you need to leave earlier, that can generally be accommodated. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This year’s theme is “Innovation in Chicago History: Impact and Change.” Once again Aggie Przeslicke will serve as faculty coordinator for the Fair. Saturday morning tutors may also be needed to help students finish their projects. If you can volunteer as a History Fair judge, please RSVP by Monday, February 15 to Sally Metzler-Dunea *97 at smetzler@prodigy.net.
Saturday Morning Tutors Needed
If you would like to volunteer to tutor on Saturday mornings, January 23, February 20 and 27, March 13 and 20, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Roosevelt High School, 3436 W. Wilson, Chicago, please contact Justin Henderson ‘06 at Justin.Henderson@Bmo.com.
Science Fair Success
The Club provided six judges to assist the science teachers at Roosevelt High School in executing the annual Science Fair. The Fair is the culmination of about 50 projects that the students begin in September and provides an opportunity for objective evaluation. The judging is based on a standard set of metrics defined by the Chicago Public School System; each project is judged three times. Judges evaluate the student’s ability to adhere to the scientific method and present their results, as well as their written report presenting an overview of their project and summarizing the results. This year, the project quality improved and some students requested that their projects be reviewed by “Princeton” judges. The Chair of the Science Department, Jorge Santana, expressed his gratitude for the Club’s participation and was pleased with the outcome of the Fair. The Princeton judges enjoyed the opportunity to hear the students’ presentations and ask questions. As a result of the Club’s participation, we began discussions with Mr. Santana regarding how PICS can further support the Science curriculum.
PRINCETON WOMEN’S NETWORK
Join fellow Chicago-area Tigers for food, wine, discussion, and camaraderie at the next Princeton Women’s Book Club meeting on Tuesday, February 23. The group has selected Admission, a novel exploring the “deeply mysterious process” of Princeton admissions, by Jean Hanff Korelitz (wife of Princeton poetry professor Paul Muldoon) for its first meeting of the new year. The meeting will be held at 6:15 p.m. at Pazzo’s, 311 S. Wacker, in Chicago. Contact Jenny Rowland ’02 at jrowland2010@kellogg.
The group may also organize an outing to see the film The Lovely Bones. Watch for an e-mail from the Princeton-Chicago list.
LEGAL EAGLE NETWORKING EVENT
Princeton alumni are welcome to attend the Thursday, March 4 meeting of the Princeton Chicago Networking Group (PCNG) on networking within the legal profession. This is a unique opportunity for Princeton Alumni Lawyers and all alumni interested in networking with local area Princeton lawyers to hear about the current work being done by lawyers in Chicago. The event will revitalize our networking efforts in Chicago by specializing on the legal profession and present a focused discussion for your benefit. It will be held at Robert Khoury ‘90’s office, 200 South Wacker, 15th Floor, Conference Room C from 5:30-7:30 p.m. To RSVP, please e-mail Robert_Khoury@hotmail.com by March 3 and include in the subject line “PCNG Legal Eagle Event.” Advance registration is essential due to security in the building; please bring photo ID.
FUTURE EVENT
Programs Chair Sally Metzler-Dunea *97 is planning a precept with former Club President Sharon Keld ’80 on her work as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Philippines. Look for details in a Club e-mail.
ALUMNI NEWS
Congratulations to Jason Tyler ’93, Senior Vice President, Investment Committee and Director of Research Operations, Ariel Investments, LLC, on being selected one of Chicago United’s Business Leaders 2009. Jason joined Ariel in 2003 after 10 successful years at Bank One/American National Bank, ultimately as a manager in their planning and analysis group. Jason has served on the Princeton Club of Chicago Leadership Group. . . . David Barkhausen ’72 and 40 of his classmates assembled in central Colorado this past summer to hike Mt. Princeton, one of the over 14,000 foot “Collegiate Peaks.” He reports that in addition to one especially exhausting day (13 miles round trip and a 5,000 foot+ elevation change), there were a couple more pleasant scenic hiking opportunities and a rafting outing on the last day. (See photo) . . . Bob Bradley ’80, formerly coach of the Chicago Fire, will head the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, beginning June 10. The U.S. is slated to meet England, Slovenia, and Algeria in first round play.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Princeton Athletic Events in the Midwest
Women’s Tennis will play at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on January 29 and 31, times TBD. For more information visit www.Princeton.edu/Main/
Alumni Day
On Alumni Day, Saturday, February 20, 2010, Princeton will present the Woodrow Wilson Award to the Honorable James A. Leach ’64, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Madison Medal to General David H. Petraeus *85 *87 (WWS), Commander of the United States Central Command. Mr. Leach spoke at the Club’s 2007 Annual Dinner. For more information on Alumni Day please go to http://alumni.princeton.edu/
ROUND-UP OF PAST EVENTS
Thanks to all who organized and participated in Club events, including precepts, in the fall. Bruce Rosenberg ’69 used photos and personal anecdotes to entertain and enlighten 30+ alumni and friends about the history and politics of Antarctica. Through videos, lecture, and samples, Richard Benson ‘69 took a standing room only crowd to the plains of equatorial Africa where chocolate beans are grown and harvested to the manufacturing plants in Europe to Chicago where the company recently built a large culinary school for chocolate products. See photos of past events at the end of this newsletter.
NEWSLETTER
The newsletter was edited by Carol Obertubbesing ’73. Information was contributed by Vince Anderson ’65, Randy Barba ’75, Peter Baugher ’70, Al Chan ‘91, Alex Fuller ’08, Robert Khoury ’90, Sally Metzler-Dunea *97, Mary Newburn ’97, Charlene Huang Olson ’88, Colleen Poynton ’09, Ellenna Raymond ’05, Jennifer Rowland ’02, Ryan Ruskin ’90, Helen Yu ’08, and Carl Yudell ’75. Charlene Huang Olson ’88 edited the photo page. The deadline for the next Princeton Club of Chicago newsletter/bulletin is March 15 for events after April 10. Send articles in Word to Carol Obertubbesing ’73 at elmiramike@aol.com or fax them to 312-527-1973; please include Princeton affiliation whenever appropriate.
FOR MORE INFORMATION – Check the Princeton Club of Chicago web site at www.princetonclubofchicago.org or contact the Club office at 847-256-5800. If you have difficulty accessing the Club web site, you can also go to http://alumni.princeton.edu/~paa141 or go through www.princeton.edu and see the section on alumni, then look under regional associations for Chicago. To receive information on events scheduled after the publication of this newsletter, as well as reminders about upcoming events, be sure you are registered for the Princeton-Chicago discussion list; if you are not already registered, go to www.tigernet.Princeton.edu and click on “discussion groups.” Register for the “Princeton-Chicago” group. If you have questions about the e-mail discussion list, contact Mary Newburn ’97 at mary.newburn@gmail.com. The President of the Princeton Club is Carl Yudell ‘75 (cyudell@alumni.princeton.edu); the Vice President is Ryan Ruskin ‘90 (rruskin@ruskingroup.com); and V.P. Programs is Sally Metzler-Dunea *97 (smetzler@prodigy.net). A complete list of the Leadership Group is on the Club web site.
PRINCETON CLUB OF CHICAGO CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 23 – Private Tour of Museum of Contemporary Art
January 26 – Executive Search Precept with Constantine Alexandrakis ‘89
January 29 and 31 – Women’s Tennis at Northwestern University
January 30, February 6, February 27 – ASC Interview Blitzes
January 31 – Deadline for applications for 2010 Chicago Princeton Prize in Race Relations Nominations
February 4 – Project 55 Networking Happy Hour
February 19 – Opera Cabal Performance and Reception
February 20 – Alumni Day at Princeton
February 20 – Young Alumni Ice Skating Event at Millennium Park
February 21 – Dim Sum Brunch to Celebrate the Year of the Tiger
February 22 – History Fair at Roosevelt High School
February 23 – Princeton Women’s Book Club Discussion of Admission
March 4 – Legal Eagle Career Networking Event
March 18 – Princeton Project 55 20th Anniversary Event in Chicago
April 14 – Princeton Club of Chicago Annual Dinner with Keynote Speaker Adele Simmons
May 4 – Town Meeting with President Shirley Tilghman in Chicago
May 27-30 – Reunions at Princeton
June 10 – U.S. Men’s Soccer Team, headed by Bob Bradley ’80, begins play in 2010 FIFA World Cup
Ongoing – Saturday morning tutoring at Roosevelt High School
PRINCETON PROJECT 55 CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SERVICE IN CHICAGO
By Vince Anderson ‘65
This is the 20th Anniversary of Princeton Project 55. The organization was founded 20 years ago by the Princeton Class of 1955 “to mobilize alumni in the public interest.” The largest and most successful effort of PP55 has been the Public Interest Program (PIP), which has placed Princeton students and recent graduates in a variety of non-profit organizations that are addressing significant social issues; under this program, more than 1,300 young Princetonians have served in summer internships and year-long fellowships in seven urban areas around the country. (In 2005 PP55 turned over the summer internships to the Class of 1969.) Chicago, in particular, has benefitted greatly from the work done by PIP interns and fellows: 338 of these young Princetonians (117 interns and 221 fellows) have served in 113 Chicago social service agencies over the past 20 years. In addition, 130 Princeton alumni have volunteered to mentor interns and fellows, and/or to serve on the local committee that helps direct the Chicago Public Interest Program. It should also be noted that many PP55 PIP fellows, who initially came to Chicago to work for a year, have ended up staying, to live and make their careers here.
In recent years, an average of 15 PIP fellows per year have worked in Chicago. The 12 non-profits that have hosted at least 5 PIP fellows over the history of PP55 are Bethel New Life, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Sinai Community Institute, North Lawndale College Prep High School, Chicago Public Schools, Access Community Health Network, Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Westside Health Authority, Woodstock Institute, Civic Federation, Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, and Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights. PP55 has been a catalyst for the development of similar programs at Northwestern and the University of Chicago – this year the three universities are cooperatively responsible for a total of 34 fellows who are working in Chicago. Another feature of the PP55 Chicago Public Interest Program is a series of weekly seminars for the PIP fellows from all three universities. These seminars expose the fellows to major issues, institutions, and leaders that are unique to Chicago.
John Fish ’55, who was the founder and national leader of the PP55 Public Interest Program, has led PP55 efforts in Chicago for the past 20 years – often running the program here more or less on his own. John is now in the process of passing on leadership responsibilities to a group of committed local alumni. Princeton Project 55 owes John a great debt of gratitude for all that he has done for the organization on a national scale. And the Princeton Club of Chicago is particularly grateful to John for bringing to us the many benefits of PP55 – but especially for bringing to Chicago a group of idealistic and energetic young Princetonians, who have come here by the hundreds and have made a lasting impact on our City.
In recognition of 20 years of serving Princeton, its students, its alumni, and the City of Chicago, a special event is being planned for March 18th (see related article in newsletter) during which the Chicago Princeton community will celebrate together the many achievements of Princeton Project 55. Look for additional information in e-mails and on the Club’s web site.
“PRINCETERNS” IN THE NATION’S SERVICE . . . SHORT OBSERVATIONAL INTERNSHIPS WITH PP55 FELLOWS AND ALUMNI ALLOW CURRENT STUDENTS TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN PUBLIC SERVICE
By Helen Yu ‘08
For current Princeton students, planning for summer positions and post-graduation career paths can be daunting when there’s a disconnect between the knowledge learned in the classroom and the application outside it. Even more challenging is applying the academic disciplines to the concepts of community action, civic engagement, and public service. Since 2008, Career Services offers an option called the Princeternship Program which entails current students spending 1-3 days observing and interning with alumni at their work sites. The purpose of this program is two-fold: students gain insight into how knowledge from the classroom is applied in a particular career field, and alumni have the opportunity to connect and network with current Princeton students.
This winter, Project 55-Chicago decided to start a pilot program of Princeternships for current undergraduates who wish to explore career fields in the public service sector. Working as an umbrella alumni host, Project 55-Chicago offered 2-4 Princeternship positions at two PP55 partner organizations: Center for New Technology (CNT) and Chicago Public Schools-Office of New Schools (CPS-ONS). Along with observation opportunities, the Princeternships also offer a chance for students to participate in one of the weekly Project 55 fellowship seminars.
The results were a success – three “Princeterns” signed up for the pilot program: Karen Krieb ’12 for CNT, Daniel Hong ’12 and Lucas Zavala ’13 for CPS-ONS. All three are also signed up for a fellowship seminar. Karen has since completed her Princeternshp at CNT and cites it as a “great experience” and an opportunity to “talk to many people and hear their stories.” Project 55-Chicago thanks Karen for her feedback, and we eagerly anticipate Daniel and Lucas’ arrival in late January. For more information visit http://www.princeton.edu/
UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH PRINCETON PROJECT 55 FELLOW COLLEEN POYNTON ‘09
Early in the 2008 Presidential campaign, when Barack Obama seemed like a long shot, too young and unconventional to be taken seriously, his history as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side was often referenced respectfully as a sign of altruism and civic spirit. As the Senator’s prospects increased and his critics became more numerous and more vocal, suddenly a background incommunity organizing was scoffed at. How could community organizing be adequate preparation for the Presidency, for leadership of the free-world? This was the stuff of volunteers, teenagers, summer interns, and other unprofessional types who didn’t want to wear a tie! Opponents from Rudy Giuliani to Sarah Palin belittled this aspect of Mr. Obama’s past, undeterred by personal inexperience or general ignorance of the field.
Like many Americans, when I first heard the “Obama story,” my idea of community organizing was unclear. As an organizer, what exactly did one organize? People? Ideas? Physical Places? Things? And to what end? Political progress? Improved business? Sheer efficiency? Like most middle class and affluent Americans, my lack of understanding was likely due to past experience. The communities I grew up in and was familiar with already seemed organized. Civic life, commerce, law, educational institutions, and other societal structures functioned, albeit to varying degrees of success. Often they worked so well that it was easy to forget they were there. Through this frame of reference, additional organization seems superfluous and hardly challenging.
However, unlike then-Senator Obama’s critics, I was inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to that which I did not fully understand. Mr. Obama seemed like a sharp guy – driven, articulate, rational. I doubted he would follow up a stint as editor of the Harvard Law Review with some cream-puff position. My thoughts on the matter never went much further, and President Obama’s past as a community organizer hardly figured in my decision to vote for him.
When I accepted my Project 55 position with Bethel New Life, my friends quipped that I was “so Obama” – going to do urban revitalization work on Chicago’s West Side. I rolled my eyes and chuckled, “Hardly.” Whatever the President had been up to during those years, I surely would not be involved in it. I wanted to do economic development, affordable housing, urban agriculture, community revitalization. Community organizing was not part of the job description, and besides, I still didn’t really know what that was.
Five months into my position with Bethel, several of my suspicions have been confirmed, and a crucial insight reached: First, community organization is not a cream-puff pursuit. Second, previously I indeed had no idea what community organizing was. Third, most of my time with Bethel is spent working on affordable housing, economic development, and various revitalization initiatives. And finally (crucial realization) sometimes in order to achieve your community development goals, i.e. the above, you need to do a little organizing.
For those of you unfamiliar with Bethel New Life (BNL), let me back up briefly and give a quick synopsis of all that the organization does. BNL is a community development corporation operating in the neighborhoods of Austin, West Garfield Park, and East Garfield Park. Its programs and initiatives are almost as numerous as the needs of the communities it serves. Almost. It tackles the cycle of poverty and urban-divestment at every crucial point by providing West Side residents with the knowledge, resources, training, and support they need to rebuild their community one family and one block at a time. It operates at the individual, neighborhood, and systemic level. Its programs include job readiness training, home-ownership counseling, transitional support for the formerly incarcerated, child-care, financial literacy education, a grant-matched savings program, elder-care, and assisted living, just to name a few. It contributes to commercial redevelopment; mixed-use, transit-oriented, and green development; residential revitalization efforts; and affordable housing development. Finally, its leadership team works with elected officials to ensure a supportive policy environment.
Remember those social constructs I mentioned earlier? You may not notice them when they are running smoothly but you notice when they’re gone. They are the frame on which a community hangs. Bethel tries to build that frame so local residents can raise the barn. But building a frame takes resources – both in my quaint agrarian analogy and the real-world West Side. Unfortunately, when you’ve got a bad rap with the owner of the local hardware store – you’re different from him, you disagree on politics, or he generally doubts your skills in geometry – it can be difficult to find someone to lend you a hammer and nails.
Over the years, one community fixture as been a reliable and consistent source of financial support for the organizations and residents of the West Side: Park National Bank (PNB) and its parent holding company, the First Bank of Oak Park (FBOP). This fall, due to events in Washington, D.C., this vital community lifeline was cut, and I was introduced to community organizing.
As I write this, I am preparing to travel with The Coalition to Save Community Banking (CSCB) to Washington, D.C. for a Congressional hearing on Thursday, January 21st. A grassroots coalition of non-profits, local political leaders, business owners, religious institutions, community organizations and concerned citizens, the CSCB formed in response to the FDIC’s seizure and sale of FBOP and PNB on October 30, 2009. In the interest of brevity, it is sufficient to say that PNB and FBOP
were an unparalleled force for good in many of Chicago’s most distressed communities. PNB offered fairly priced loans, banking services, lines of credit and charitable grants where others wouldn’t, when others wouldn’t. PNB knew and respected its customers, lending wisely but lending well. Thus, despite serving more “high-risk” groups, it was a profitable institution at the time of the seizure, brought down only by losses FBOP incurred from its preferred holdings in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities (and subsequent denial of TARP funds). Into this mix, throw a few eleventh-hour extenuating circumstances, some seriously questionable regulatory decisions, and a federal bailout policy that heavily preferences Wall Street over Main Street, and you have a recipe for local outrage.
Outrage is exactly what many citizens and long-term customers of PNB and FBOP feel. Lead by local convening institutions such as Bethel New Life, these forces have organized themselves, petitioned, researched, and agitated. We have won City Council and State Senate resolutions. We have secured the support of our elected state and federal representatives. We have grabbed the attention of PBS, NPR, The Chicago Tribune, and other media outlets. And we have won a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, to officially investigate the regulatory actions leading to the seizure and sale of FBOP Corp. and Park National Bank. This has taken quite a bit of work and organizing of various kinds: of people, ideas, strategies, and duties. As we finalize our documentation, eek out our funding, and prepare to head for D.C., there is much still to do. But I am hooked because I have seen structure arise where there was none before. I have seen a cause determined, pursued, and – so far – achieved. I have seen that the channels of democracy actually do, on occasion, flow from the bottom up. And I have learned that for all that Bethel New Life does, its least visible work may be its most valuable – it helps lend a voice to those who have none. There is strength in organization, and as the last five months have taught me, it is not only the frame for our society, but for our democracy as well.