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UNITED POWER LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE & PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Collective Leadership Team:

  • Responsible for strategic planning, issue selection, and actions for the whole organization.
  • Responsible for development and recruitment of new leaders and member institutions.
  • Convenes Steering and Strategy Meetings and Countywide Assemblies. Open to anyone (approximately 35-50 key leaders) who meet the following criteria:

    Proven, committed leaders of United Power willing to be accountable for entire organization.
    New leaders proving themselves (voice, no vote).
    Willing to be held accountable and attend regular meetings.
    Willing to trust the other members of the collective leadership when absent.

  • Meets approximately 10 times a year. 7:00 p.m. (1 ½ hrs. at St. Francis of Assisi).
    Agenda and chairs set by Executive Committee.

Issue Teams:

  • Craft and execute issues, e.g., healthcare, housing, immigration.
  • Created and disbanded by Collective Leadership Team, to which they report.

Geographic and Interest Assemblies:

  • Develop local issues and campaigns in a local area.
  • Created and disbanded as needed by member institutions.
  • Report to Collective Leadership Team.

Executive Committee:

  • Made up of 8-12 leaders elected annually by the Collective Leadership.
  • Plans and chairs all Collective Leadership meetings.
  • Meets and speaks and acts for the entire organization in emergency situations.
  • Oversees the work of the Administrative Committee on finance and personnel matters.

Administrative Committee:

  • Made up of 4-6 members, staggered three-year terms, appointed by the Collective Leadership.
  • Automatically members of the Executive Committee during their terms.
  • Responsible for administrative duties—budget, dues, personnel, audit and filings with state and federal government.
  • Acts as personnel committee: hires and fires and supervises, with IAF, the organizers.
  • Meets as needed to perform above duties.

Steering and Strategy Meetings and Countywide Assemblies:

  • Made up of leaders and/or members of every dues-paying member institution.
  • Steering and Strategy Meetings (100-200 leaders from member institutions) ratify major issues proposed by the Collective Leadership and make turnout and other commitments for actions.
  • Countywide Assemblies (1000+ delegates from member institutions) demonstrate support for major issues and develop relationships with public/private power people.
  • Both meet as needed as called by the Collective Leadership.

Executive Team Members:
• Stephen Dunning, Third Baptist Church of Chicago
• Dr. Mohammed Sahloul, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
• Nick Brunick, Ascension Catholic Church, Oak Park
• Judith Gethner, Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim, Glenview
• Arturo Gonzalez, Interfaith Leadership Project of Cicero & Berwyn
• Kathleen Kearns, St. Viator Catholic Church, Chicago
• Rev. Francine Stark, Third Baptist Church of Chicago
• Fr. Ed Cronin, pastor, St. Alexander Catholic Church, Palos Heights
• Richard Fung, St. James Catholic Church, Arlington Heights
• Richard Townsell, Bethel New Life, Chicago
• Carol Anagnostopoulis, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
• Bill Totsch, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Park Ridge
• Jim Schwarber, Ascension Catholic Church, Oak Park
• Maggie Perales, Southwest Organizing Project, Chicago
• Greg Pierce, St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, Chicago
• John Bouman, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest