Task Forces & Committees
The following describes the purpose of SOAR's various task forces and committees. Streeterville residents are invited and encouraged to get involved. Any resident eighteen or older who is interested in participating should contact the chair of the task force or committee by email as indicated below.
Aging Issues Council
For many years SOAR's Aging Issues Council successfully planned, designed and implemented strategies to enable older people, and the people who care for and about them, to continue to live, work and volunteer in Streeterville.
As residents outside of Streeterville became engaged in the initiative, the council recognized the need to expand its efforts beyond Streeterville to include the broader high-rise lakefront community. SOAR's Aging Issues Council was then transitioned to what is now known as Skyline Village Chicago.
The SOAR Resource Directory: A Guide ot Everyday Services in Streeterville originally published by the council is still available on line.
Campus Task Force
The Campus Task Force monitors, evaluates and influences institutional development plans with respect to their impact on the residents of the community. The following institutions are included: Children’s' Memorial Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
2011-2012 Co Chairs – Betty Eaton & Patty Frost
Garden Club
The Garden Club purchases, plants and maintains the garden at Lake Shore Park. Any resident is welcome to help - all you need is your own nozzle for the watering. We have all other equipment - gloves, rakes, hoses, bags etc. There are two Clean Up days - one in the spring and the other in late fall. Both are announced in advance by SOAR. Planting usually takes place at the end of May or when the weather is decent and we can get delivery from our suppliers for the majority of the plant material. This date is also announced in the newsletter.
The Club meets at the garden on Saturday mornings during the warm weather seasons to help weed and water.
2011-2012 Chair – Judy Birk
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee focuses on increasing and enhancing SOAR membership through broad-based recruiting initiatives. By building awareness of SOAR's positive involvement in Streeterville and promoting the value of membership, the committee encourages residents, residential buildings, and businesses to join or renew their participation in Streeterville's dynamic, dedicated, resident-driven community organization.
Newsletter
The purpose of the newsletter is to support SOAR’s mission by providing news in the neighborhood, information regarding events, human interest stories and general work of the SOAR Board. The goal is to produce four issues per year in March, June, September, and December. The editorial board meets four times per year to discuss articles for the upcoming issue. Article writers then produce the articles, which are formatted into the newsletter and printed.
The newsletter editorial board meets quarterly.
2011-2012 Chair – Mary Houston
Parks Task Force
The Parks Task Force is a joint effort of SOAR, the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association, and other community groups to expand and improve the parks within our area, enhance our lakefront, and encourage the development of additional open space for the enjoyment and benefit of all of our residents and visitors.
2011-2012 Chair – Howard W. Melton
Real Estate Review Committee
The Real Estate Review Committee monitors Streeterville development to ensure a positive impact on the neighborhood is achieved. By engaging developers, architects, the Alderman, the city, and residents, the Real Estate Review Committee establishes planning principles for development and provides feedback on proposed projects.
There are six sub-committees: Zoning/Lakefront Protection, Traffic/Transportation, Safety & Security, Preservation/Landmarking, Greening/Sustainability, Big Picture Planning/Public Art/Public Improvements.
The committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM.
2011-2012 Chair – Gail Spreen
SOAR Residential Network
The SOAR Residential Network (SRN) is a forum for board members and building managers of Streeterville condominiums, cooperatives and rentals to network, share information about managing and maintaining our buildings and help one another become effective advocates for our individual communities. Information and links to handouts from past programs is available online as is a schedule of upcoming programs.
2011-2012 Chair - Scott Fehlan