Greendale's 75th Anniversary Committee Looking to Make Organization Changes

The 75th Anniversary Committee is looking to make some organization changes that include separating from the Public Celebrations Committee.

Just last week Noelle Joers-Yanisch resigned from her position as chairperson because of scheduling issues. She said that she could not dedicate the time she thought the committee deserved.

"Because of scheduling and timing I didn’t feel I could give the position the justice," Joers-Yanish said.

Dave Bauer, the fundraising chair of the committee, and other members told the Village Board at last night’s meeting that they feel the 75th Anniversary Committee should have two co-chairs and be removed as a subcommittee from the Public Celebrations Committee and converted to a standalone committee.

Bill Kewan, a member of the 75th Anniversary Committee, said that with a co-chair “the leadership responsibilities and workload can be shared.”

Bauer said that by separating from the Public Celebrations Committee the fundraising efforts could precede a in quicker manner. Bauer said that the 75th Anniversary Committee can’t do anything without the approval of the Public Celebrations Committee, which can delay efforts.

The 75th Anniversary Committee has $100,000 worth festivities to plan and under the current guidelines they have to wait for the Public Celebrations Committee approve anything they do at their meetings. The 75th Anniversary Committee meets every third Thursday of the month. The Public Celebrations Committee meets every second Tuesday of the month.

Some trustees, such as Sally Chadwick and Greg Turay, agreed with Bauer and Kewan. President John Hermes and some other trustees did not agree and believe that the Public Celebrations Committee and the 75th Anniversary share similar parallel missions and by joining them would prevent fundraising competition.

Hermes is the only one able to appoint committee members and a chairperson. He said he would consider options that are brought up by the 75th Anniversary Committee after board discussion.

The 75th Anniversary Committtee have about seven members. Bauer says that they need more members. A person has to reside in Greendale in order to qualify for the committee and be approved by Hermes.

The 75th Anniversary Committee will meet on Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. They will then bring some candidates for the chair position/s at the next board meeting on Nov. 15.  The board will then decide if the committee will go on under the Public Celebrations Committee or as a standalone. They will also look at candidates for the co-chairs positions brought by the 75th Anniversary Committee.