Page 16 - November 2017 Magazine

Important FOP News
It’s election time again.
Anybody interested in running for an office on the FOP Board of Direc- tors needs to be at the General Meet- ing on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.
The meeting will be turned over to the Election Committee to over- see the process of signing for Nomi-
FOP Board Elections
nation Petitions. The committee has decided that the petitions need to be turned in to the Lodge by the close of business on Dec. 30. Ballots are scheduled to go out in early Febru- ary 2017 with the ballot count occur- ring on March 10.
Those who have held positions in
the Lodge realize what a serious re- sponsibility and commitment it is in representing our members. If you can make that commitment, please consider taking an active role in en- suring the safety and security of our members and their families by run- ning for office.
Interested in playing softball next year?
Join the Christian Softball League (CSL) of Chicago, admin- istered by Officer Lou Jimenez (18th District) since 2013 in the Humboldt Park community. The league is looking to develop a First Responders Division (police, fire, and county) which would exclusively have only teams of first responders.
This is a men’s 12-inch softball league; however, if enough women are interested, a separate division will be added.
Interested teams, players, and managers are needed. Home games will be played at Smith Park, located near Grand and Western. Away games will be played at other parks in the City. The FOP-sponsored Knights travel team may travel to other cit- ies (players are selected for this team).
Contact Lou Jimenez at 773- 368-1791 if interested or view the league website at Chicagocsl.com for league information and registration. Chicago Lodge 7 is a league sponsor, supporting first responders with family-friendly opportunities like this one.
EAP Support Group
The Professional Counseling Service/EAP is offering a support group for Officers who have recently been involved in a traumatic event, including, but not limited to, being relieved of police powers and/or media-related incidents that are affecting them emotionally, personally and financially.
As with all EAP services, this group will be confidential and privileged.
If you are interested or have questions or know someone who would benefit from this service, please contact Kathy O’Neill at 312-743-0378 or Kathleen.Oneill@chicagopolice.org.
Day and time will be determined based on interest.
Money well earned
Easterseals serv- ing Chicagoland and Rockford received a $20,000 grant from the Comcast Foun- dation as part of the
Comcast NBCUniversal Assistive Technology Grant Fund. Thanks to the support of the Comcast Founda- tion, Easterseals will invest in innovative educational applications for its team of Head Start paraprofession- als throughout Chicagoland to enhance outcomes for young students with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays.
Six Easterseals affiliates, and Easterseals headquar- ters, are among the recipients selected by the Comcast Foundation through a competitive process. The total support from the Comcast Foundation was $200,000 nationwide. The chosen affiliates excel in programs that help with assessment, training and ongoing sup- port for individuals with a disability. d
16 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2016
McDONAGH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
asked of them after being involved in such a horrific incident might be, “Why didn’t you avoid this?” We do not create the narrative that results in the use of force. We respond to the situation and rely on our training to determine the best course of action.
The Department is asking for feedback from Officers and also, on a separate site, the good citizens of Chica- go are asked for their input. I encourage all members to leave a comment vocalizing their concerns about these new policy changes. The open comment period ends on Nov. 21 at 12 p.m.
It seems as if law enforcement is up against the world. As we move forward in our careers, we will be faced with uncertainty. We will get through these trying times. We can learn a lesson from our Chicago Cubs and their fans about being patient, even though it seems like the negativity surrounding law enforcement will never go away. We need to stay patient and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Happy Thanksgiving and Congratulations Cubs! d