GCFA Director Elections

Members: Please attend this very important 12th of April meeting so you can place your vote to elect the 5 (five) board director positions. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can request an absentee ballot. You must mail your request for an absentee ballot in a letter to:

Greater Chicago Ferret Association

P.O. Box 3

Lyons, Illinois 60534-0003

The GCFA cannot take any requests for absentee ballots over the phone, via email or at the shelter site. You must be a member in good standing in order to receive a ballot and to place your vote. We will process your written request and mail out an absentee ballot to you with a pre-addressed/stamped envelope inside. The absentee ballot must be mailed back in the enclosed envelope and be post marked by April 05, 2013. Do not put any return address label on the envelope that is provided. Your ballot will remain anonymous and it will only be opened at the time of the election. If the ballot is sent back in a plain envelope, the ballot will have to be voided and will not be counted.

The GCFA needs you to vote, because as a member it is your right and obligation to make sure the people elected into these board positions always have the best interests of our shelter ferrets being first and foremost in their decision making. Again please attend the election meeting or request your absentee ballot.

Questions? Contact info@gcfa.com 

Board of Director Nominees and Bio: (* notes incumbent)

*Norine Barnes

No Bio Submitted.

Martha Cannon

I feel very passionately about providing a loving, and safe environment for the shelter ferrets, as well as finding them a wonderful forever home.  The Greater Chicago Ferret Association plays valuable role promoting ferret welfare and providing help and information for ferret owners. 20 years ago my son, Matt, met Norm and Mary at a pet store and they introduced him to the world of ferrets. Little did I know that ferrets would become such an integral part of my life! All our ferrets were adopted/fostered from the GCFA. My husband and I are currently owned by 10 GCFA ferrets that run our house and our lives. Quite a few times I have promised I will not have more than 6 ferrets in my business –I have not been able to keep that promise.  I can’t turn away any hospice kids in need. Thursday is my volunteer day at the shelter.  It is also my favorite day of the week, spending time with the fuzzies, giving them love and attention.  I have been volunteering for 5 years. Another enjoyable opportunity is working as an adoption officer; meeting the potential adopters and helping them find a good match.  I love how willing they are to pose for an adoption photo with their new ferrets. I am on the Fundraising and The Greatest Ferret Show on Earth committees to help raise desperately needed shelter funds. The best part of being active with the GCFA is the friends that I have made.  We are truly one big family who love ferrets and will do whatever it takes to help out.

*Kim Ceplawskes

My name is Kim Ceplawskes..most people know me as “Oprah Kim”, that’s because I represented the shelter along with shelter ferrets “Kenny & Cartman” on the Oprah show. The day I came in to get my “foster ferrets” changed my life, I never knew about ferrets until I found the shelter via craigslist. I feel that I will ALWAYS own ferrets or shall I say ferrets will always own me!! I love the shelter. I even get my spouse involved in maintenance. I would like to remain on the board because I feel that we are doing some good work & I have lots of ideas to help the shelter stay on the track that it’s currently on.

Ronald Crivello

I’ve been a member of the GCFA for 6 years. In those 6 years my wife Kim and I have fostered over 35 GCFA ferrets. We also started and ran the Meet the Ferrets educational program up until about a year ago. I have been on the board before and was the incumbent board president in the last election. It would be my pleasure to help the ferrets once more as a board member.

*Beth Kuchler

Hi I am Beth and I’ve been scooping poop, making ferret beds and worrying about ferrets for over 10 years.  I’ve owned ferrets off and on for over 15 years, and always swear I will never get any more but apparently I’m addicted and can’t stop myself.  I work as a bookkeeper to support my habit. In addition to my current service on the GCFA board, I have served on past GCFA board of directors and would like to continue serving as a director if elected.

*Alison Liska

I have been volunteering at the shelter for almost five years, have been an adoption officer and shelter manager for the last two. I have only been on the board for less than a year, volunteering to step into one of the open director’s positions. I would like to continue being on the board because I would continue to hold the ferrets best interest first. I want to make sure we keep moving in the right direction providing a caring place for the ferrets to stay while awaiting their forever home.

*Patty Petrillo

I am seeking re-election on the board of directors. As always, my first priority is the welfare of the homeless fuzzies in our shelter!  My passion for animals and their welfare has taken precedence over every aspect of my life.  I have been an active member & weekly volunteer for the GCFA for over 20 yrs.  During this time I have held a position on the GCFA’s board of Directors for approximately 15 yrs.  I served in the United States Army Veterinary Corps as a Veterinary Technician for 10 yrs. which has allowed me to provide medical support to the GCFA shelter.  I assist in ordering the shelter’s meds & supplies.  I photograph the incoming ferrets for the website and make the shelter cage cards.  I have participated in ferret rescues, GFSOE, and GCFA fundraisers.   I have a Degree in Education and have taught for over 15 years.  I am currently a Program Administrator for an organization that assists homeless adults change their lives and become self sufficient.  Throughout the years I have been blessed to have worked with many amazing people at the GCFA, including Norm.  But I have to say, the littlest souls have touched me the most..the thousands of ferret faces that have been rescued by the GCFA!!

Robin Pikscher

My name is Robin Pikscher.  I have been a weekly volunteer every Sunday since 2008.  It is my privilege to be nominated for a position on the Board of Directors.  I am interested in this position so that I can continue to help the ferrets at the shelter in a higher role in addition to continuing to volunteer at the shelter.