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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to recognize Marilyn Flanagan,
4executive director of RRAF, Inc., in Lombard for her dedication
5to the continuation of the mission of RRAF; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Marilyn Flanagan's career is highlighted by over
725 years of professional and managerial experience within the
8human services and computer fields with an education that
9includes a dual emphasis M.B.A.; she is particularly
10knowledgeable and skilled in Health Care Administration,
11Organizational Structuring, Non-Profit Management, Social
12Service Program Development, Non-Profit Reorganization, MIS
13Implementation, Construction Project Management, Accounting
14and Financial Management, Accessible Facilities Design, and
15Organizational Management; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Marilyn Flanagan became executive director of
17RRAF in 1991; as executive director, she is responsible for all
18operational management, program development, and
19implementation of the operations of RRAF, a non-profit
20corporation that provides services to individuals with
21developmental disabilities; and
 
22    WHEREAS, In her role as executive director of RRAF, Marilyn

 

 

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1Flanagan assumed full Executive Director responsibilities in
2May of 1991 upon the death of RRAF's founder; at that time,
3RRAF's census totaled 7, the agency was renting a 700
4square-foot classroom in an abandoned parochial school, and the
5agency budget was less than $100,000; in 1997, she successfully
6brought both the Community Integrated Living Arrangement and
7Developmental Training programs to 100% compliance; and
 
8    WHEREAS, As her role as executive director, Marilyn
9Flanagan negotiated and closed the acquisition of RRAF's
10permanent home by the purchase of 613 South Main Street in
11Lombard on January 5, 2001; she also coordinated the
12involvement of contracted and volunteer help for a total
13demolition and rebuilding of the interior of the building,
14bringing the building to a maximum capacity of 24 peers; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Marilyn Flanagan has recently worked tirelessly
16to keep RRAF's financial picture strong, even while weathering
17the strains of a difficult State and nationwide economic
18crisis; as part of this situation, RRAF has been owed
19$80,000-$100,000 from the State of Illinois, yet has still been
20able to obtain grants and, with the help of fundraising efforts
21of the families served by RRAF, raise the annual amounts raised
22from less than $10,000 in 1995 to current levels around $30,000
23per year; during this time, she has also worked to diligently
24to maintain community donor relationships, which has allowed

 

 

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1ongoing annual support from many organizations; and
 
2    WHEREAS, As a result of the loss of income from the State
3of Illinois, Marilyn Flanagan has forgone her annual salary for
4the sake of the survival of RRAF; thanks in part to her
5efforts, RRAF has managed to stay in business to support the
6mission; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Marilyn Flanagan serves as a model of commitment
8and dedication to her community and the people she serves in
9the State of Illinois; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
12recognize the exceptional character and leadership of Marilyn
13Flanagan in her role as director of RRAF and wish her continued
14success in her lifelong dedication to humanity; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to Marilyn Flanagan as a symbol of our esteem and
18respect.