2025 Call for Penn Treaty Special Services District Board of Directors
The Penn Treaty Special Services District (SSD) is accepting applications for three (3) positions on its Board of Directors:
- One position is open to residents of Northern Liberties
- One position is open to residents of Fishtown
- One Position is open to residents of South Kensington
The Deadline for Applications is October 31st
Board members serve 2-year terms and are expected to attend monthly meetings. The Board meets on the evening of the third Wednesday of every month, except in July and August. Candidates elected to the Board will begin their terms on January 1, 2025.
Board members are responsible for the disbursement of funds contributed to the Special Services District (SSD) by Rivers Philadelphia Casino pursuant to a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) signed in 2008. Currently, approximately $1 million is received annually from Rivers Philadelphia for distribution to community organizations serving residents of the SSD. Each month the Board reviews grant and sponsorship applications from these organizations and makes awards based upon programmatic, financial, and organizational considerations.
While prior service on a board of directors is not required, preference may be given to applicants who have volunteered and are familiar with the operations of not-for-profit organizations, especially those located in the Special Services District. In addition, applicants are expected to be knowledgeable about the issues affecting their communities and demonstrate the ability to conduct critical analysis. Applicants should expect to be interviewed in early November for the position they are applying for and are encouraged to review the CBA and SSD Bylaws prior to their interviews. These documents, as well as other pertinent information about the operations of the SSD, are available on our website (penntreatyssd.org).
All Interested Are Encouraged To Respond
Applicants must be 18 years of age and have at least five years of residency in the District. The Board may waive the 5-year residency requirement if necessary to fill a vacancy, provided the candidate is a Resident. This map shows the boundaries of the SSD and each of the four neighborhoods served by Penn Treaty SSD.
To apply, please submit a resume together with a cover letter containing your qualifications, reasons for wanting to serve on the Board and relevant experience.
Applications should be sent to [email protected]. Please include the name of your neighborhood and the words “Board Application” in the subject line of your email. The Deadline for Applications is October 31st.
Interviews
Interviews are expected to begin in early November; applicants will be contacted in advance to schedule a date for their interview.
Election of Board members will take place at the Penn Treaty SSD Annual Meeting on December 18th, and terms will commence in January 2024.
Status and Intention of Incumbents
Pursuant to our Bylaws board members may be elected to serve more than one term. The following board members are seeking re-election to a new term:
Rebecca Setta – Fishtown
Current Fishtown Member, Rebecca Setta, was selected by the Board to finish the 2-year term of the former Fishtown Member who resigned in January 2024
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Election of the 2024 Board
- Karen Javaruski (Fishtown) has resigned due to scheduling conflicts and other commitments. The Board notes and appreciates Karen’s year of service on the Board.
- Joseph Kain was elected as Fishtown Member At-Large and Rebecca Setta was elected a Fishtown member.
- The following members ran unopposed for Officer positions. A vote was taken by show of hands for each position. All assignments were unanimous.:
CHAIR: Juliette Cook (Fishtown)
VICE CHAIR: Chris Nitta (Northern Liberties
TREASURER: Joseph Kain (Fishtown At Large)
SECRETARY: Micah Hanson (Olde Richmond)
2024 Penn Treaty SSD Board:
Chair – Juliette Cook (Fishtown)
Vice Chair – Christopher Nitta (Northern Liberties)
Treasurer – Joseph Kain (Fishtown At-Large)
Secretary – Micah Hanson (Olde Richmond)
Marilyn Cruz (South Kensington)
Rick Angeli (Northern Liberties)
Rebecca Setta (Fishtown)
2023 Incumbents
Pursuant to our Bylaws board members may be elected to serve more than one term. The following board members sought re-election to a new term:
Juliette Cook – Fishtown
Chris Nitta – At-Large board member, is a resident of Northern Liberties. His term as At-Large expires at the end of this year and he is running for the vacant Northern Liberties seat.
Pursuant to our Bylaws, the At-Large seat on the board will shift to Fishtown in 2024.
2022 ELECTIONS RESULTS:
Interviews of the applicants took place in November. The election took place at the December 2022 Annual Meeting. Terms commenced on January 1, 2023.
- Fishtown – Karen Javaruski
- South Kensington – Marilyn Cruz
- Olde Richmond – Micah Hanson
- Northern Liberties – Rick Angeli
Results for Elections of Officers:
- Chair – Rick Angeli (Northern Liberties)
- Vice-Chair – Juliette Cook (Fishtown)
- Treasurer – Christopher Nitta (Northern Liberties)
- Secretary – Micah Hanson (Olde Richmond)
2021 Elections Results
Election of Board members took place at the Penn Treaty SSD Annual Meeting on December 15th, 2021. Terms commenced on January 1, 2022.
Outgoing Chair, Stephen Richman, described the election process, thanked the candidates who had applied for the three positions on the Board. The Election Committee then announced the Board’s selections:
Juliette Cook – Fishtown
Stephen Richman – Northern Liberties
Christopher Nitta – Northern Liberties (At-Large [seventh board member] position)
Results for Elections of Officers:
- Chair – Jill Betters (Fishtown
- Vice-Chair – Steve Richman (Northern Liberties)
- Treasurer – Juliette Cook (Fishtown)
- Secretary – Marilyn Cruz (South Kensington))
2020 Elections Results
Election of Board members took place at the Penn Treaty SSD Annual Meeting on December 16th, 2020. Terms commence on January 1, 2021.
Outgoing Chair, Rich Levins described the election process, thanked the candidates who had applied for the five positions on the Board and announced the Board’s selections:
- Fishtown – Jill Betters*
- Northern Liberties – Rick Angeli
- South Kensington – Marilyn Cruz
- Olde Richmond – Micah Hanson
- At-Large (Northern Liberties) – Dana Hirschenbaum**
Results for Elections of Officers:
- Chair – Steve Richman (Northern Liberties)
- Vice-Chair – Jill Betters (Fishtown)
- Treasurer – Juliette Cook (Fishtown)
- Secretary – Marilyn Cruz (South Kensington)
*Ms. Betters served in the At-large position, but resigned that position effective 12/31/20
**In accordance with Penn Treaty Special Services District Bylaws (Section 4.4(e), the At-Large (seventh board member) position rotates between Fishtown and Northern Liberties. The current At-Large board member is a resident of Fishtown. The new at-large board member will be a Northern Liberties resident.