Committees

The Beautification and Parks’ Activities Committee beautifies Lincoln Park and Goudy Park by organizing teams of neighborhood volunteers to collect trash several times a year and spread mulch around the trees which protects them from winter weather and holds moisture over the roots of new trees to encourage new spring growth. The Beautification and Parks’ Activities Committee also collaborates with other organizations to assess our Gold Coast parks’ infrastructure and to improve the parks’ experience for visitors. In addition to enhancing how the parks look, the committee is also sponsoring activities to improve how the parks function, especially for families. The new programming includes both storytelling and music. The most popular programming is the return of GCNA’s family-favorite Ghouly Park Halloween to Goudy Park, complete with entertainment—and candy.

The Communications Committee writes and produces all eblasts, newsletters, event programs and signage, solicitation and thank-you letters, and social media and GCNA website content. The committee edits, compiles, and, in conjunction with the president, responds to all correspondence from the community, submitted through the GCNA website, phone number, and email address and publishes neighborhood news for our community in the twice-monthly GCNA Reports. The committee also provides public relations with the media when necessary. The Communication Committee will collaborate with the Marketing Committee when the missions overlap.

The Events Committee is responsible for organizing and carrying out hospitality and fund-raising events for the Gold Coast Neighbors Association. Traditionally, this has included spring’s Toast to the Coast, late summer’s Evening On Astor block party, and family-favorite Best in Gold Coast Dog Show. For these larger events, the committee will organize a subcommittee of volunteers for that event only. If group events are not advisable due to health concerns, the committee will consider online events to safely promote neighborhood hospitality.

The History & Education Committee creates programming for GCNA members and neighborhood residents on topics about our community’s past and present. The committee researches the history of neighborhood streets, structures, and people for inclusion in newsletters and website articles. The committee also acts as a liaison with the Chicago History Museum, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and other area organizations to locate historic and educational information and maintains the local bibliography on the GCNA website. The History & Education Committee also sponsors lectures featuring local experts discussing key historical and educational events. The committee organizes forums featuring current and aspiring elected officials discussing events of significance to the Gold Coast community.

The Marketing Committee serves to promote and market Gold Coast Neighbors Association (“GCNA”) through social media and the GCNA website, create and distribute promotional content and materials, measure the impact of public relations efforts and other GCNA activities, and interface with Gold Coast residents and businesses. The Marketing Committee will collaborate with the Communications Committee when the missions overlap.

The Membership Committee identifies and evaluates initiatives to build and retain GCNA membership. The committee plans and implements membership drives and recruiting opportunities, events, and mailings. It monitors membership statistics and examines how GCNA activities and policies impact enrollment and retention of members.

The Gold Coast Building Network Committee connects presidents and/or professional managing agents of condominium, co-op, and rental buildings with GCNA and with each other to share information and advice on neighborhood resources, large-structure maintenance, and service vendors selection. The committee promotes and facilitates networking between building associations and property managers on common issues and concerns, especially best safety practices both inside and outside residential buildings.

The Safety Committee is responsible for issues concerning personal and property safety in the Gold Coast neighborhood. The committee collaborates with the 18th District Police Station and 2nd, 42nd and 43rd Ward Aldermanic offices. The committee works in partnership with Chicago's Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) and attends CAPS meetings. Occasionally, when deemed integral to carrying out the mission of GCNA, the committee will observe and examine merchants’ associations and other safety programs. The Safety Committee monitors and coordinates the Safety Patrol program, overseeing the outside contractor who provides Safety Patrol services.

The Zoning Committee examines all changes of zoning and building permit applications in the Gold Coast. The committee coordinates community meetings for project proposals in the Gold Coast with the appropriate alderman. The committee also monitors City of Chicago zoning and planning meetings, reviews building activity in the neighborhood, including signage and fencing, and evaluates proposed projects in the area that are subject to the Commission of Chicago Landmarks’ regulations.