By Kristin Boza
Maureen Kelly: Strengthening the Volunteer Experience 
Maureen Kelly joins BAPA’s board this year, continuing a long history of volunteering with the organization. As a Beverly/Morgan Park resident since 1985, Kelly has been a Home Tour co-chair, Ridge Run volunteer, and, along with her husband Jack, chairman of the now retired Snowflake Ball. She hopes to engage others in volunteerism as not only a way to serve the community, but to make new friends as well — just as she has.
With a strong background in government relations, Kelly has served as an aide to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and is currently the Director of Government Relations at Governors State University. She previously served as the Chairman of the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and is currently the co-chair of their Government Relations Committee.
“In my work experience, I have tracked and analyzed legislation, worked with legislators and their staff, and various stakeholders and community organizations to advance the mission and goals of my employers and the community,” Kelly said. “I look forward to utilizing my skills, experience, and network to the BAPA Board.”
Kelly is team-oriented and is eager to get to know her fellow Board members and find new ways to impact the Beverly/Morgan Park community. “I have been very happy to see the energy and vitality that has become part of BAPA over the last few years,” she said. “I love the willingness to try new things as BAPA remains committed to its core mission. BAPA has made great strides in beautifying the community, holding consumer and safety workshops, and developing the BAPA Card to support our local businesses.”
A commitment to advocating on BAPA’s behalf is central to Kelly’s goals for her tenure on the Board. “I hope to quickly familiarize myself with BAPA’s finances and goals, but in the meanwhile, I will engage and re-engage community members and highlight the critically important work BAPA does,” she said. “I also look forward to evaluating the cost effectiveness of BAPA’s special events and brainstorming on creative and fun events that will draw a great deal of support from the community. The Dreihaus Challenge is a great example of creative fundraising and the partnership speaks volumes about BAPA.”
Jayne Corcoran: Telling Others About Our Village in the City
Jayne Corcoran recently joined the BAPA Marketing Committee, and then agreed to take a seat on the Board of Directors. She brings two decades of marketing communication experience to the BAPA team. As a relative newcomer to the neighborhood — she and her family moved to Beverly/Morgan Park five years ago — Corcoran first learned about BAPA when she received a brochure welcoming her to the neighborhood. She became further involved after learning about the Openlands tree planting partnership with BAPA that provides complimentary saplings to fill in the spaces left when older trees succumb to disease or storms.
“I saw BAPA’s name on the Home Tour, Bikes & Brews, Ridge Run and Family Fun Nights; I then realized that they really cover a lot of ground for residents and businesses,” Corcoran said. “It’s pretty incredible that their team can have a dual focus on our community in that way.”
Corcoran’s career as a marketing communications and graphic design/branding expert in the Chicago real estate industry gave her the background to understand the ways that communities and businesses can grow together, and the absolute necessity of bridging the idea that one cannot succeed without the other. “By doing good and weaving your efforts and intentions into your community, you see a ripple effect and success coming full circle,” Corcoran said.
“BAPA’s mission is to foster a safe, friendly, diverse and family-oriented neighborhood, and we are very fortunate that this is true of our community. Existing residents are loyal and find a great sense of community here, while newbies are pleasantly surprised by the way residents rally for one another,” Corcoran said. “There is a great selection of events, schools, and resident-owned businesses, including those that created this community and new entrepreneurs that regularly pop up. It’s an exciting time to see Beverly/Morgan Park grow.”
Through her work on the Marketing Committee, Corcoran seeks to find innovative ways to communicate BAPA’s mission to the community and attract visitors from all over the area. “I am hopeful that I can help BAPA continue the message that Beverly/Morgan Park truly is unique and helps foster their tagline ‘A Village in the City,'” she said.
