About GCIA
The Strength of GCIA
The Board of Directors of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association is constituted by the Presidents of the 20 neighborhood associations of Gentilly. GCIA speaks with one voice to promote issues of interest to all of Gentilly and serves as an umbrella organization to support our member associations.
Mission Statement
We, the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association, are a diverse group of residents, businesses and civic organizationswho have come together to form one united voice dedicated to preserving and improving our historic Gentilly neighborhoods.
Meetings
General Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Please check our Calendar of Events to confirm the date, time and location.
The Board of Directors meets monthly as scheduled by the President.
GCIA Founders
Scott M. Darrah, LaDonna Darrah, Morwen Madrigal, John Triplett, Vera Triplett, David Welch, Georgian Spata
History
In October 2005 several members of the Gentilly after Katrina Yahoo group met at City Hall with New Orleans City Council District D Councilmember Cynthia Hedge Morrell to discuss strategy for the rebuilding and repopulating of the Gentilly Community. As a result of this meeting Scott and LaDonna Darrah reached out to Morwen Madrigal, John and Vera Triplett, David Welch, and Georgian Spata and presented the idea of forming an umbrella civic association with the mission of uniting the Gentilly neighborhoods and neighborhood associations. All agreed and Scott Darrah filed the incorporation documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State as a non profit entity with himself, LaDonna Darrah, Morwen Madrigal, John Triplett, Vera Triplett, David Welch, and Georgian Spata as the founding Board of Directors.
The Gentilly Civic Improvement Association was born and became officially recognized by the LA Secretary of State as a New Non Profit entity in November of 2005. With the continuous support of Councilwoman Morrell and Criminal Sheriff Marlin Gusman, GCIA began the task of organizing meetings as well as community improvement and beautification projects. Joining the Board of Directors later in November were new members Jim Hollingshad, Flora Williams, and Father Roger Allen of the Episcopal Diocese of LA, Chapel of the Holy Comforter, with Scott Darrah taking responsibility for its leadership as the Acting President of GCIA.
In early December of 2005 the GCIA had its first public General Meeting which was an open meeting at the Chapel of the Holy Comforter with approximately 65 Gentillyans in attendance. At this meeting the purpose of the GCIA as well as the interim board members were presented to the body in attendance. Nikki Najiola also stepped up and accepted a position on the interim board agreeing to serve as Interim Treasurer. Scott Darrah was elected GCIA's first President by the body in attendance, Vera Triplett its first Vice President, Nikki Najiola its first Treasurer, and Georgian Spata its first Secretary. The remainder of the Interim Board were accepted by the body in attendance of this meeting to serve along with the Executive Board to include LaDonna Darrah, John Triplett, Morwen Madrigal, Dave Welch, Fr. Roger Allen, Flora Williams and Jim Hollingshad.
Later that same December, the GCIA established working relationships with the University of New Orleans, Dillard University, and Southern University at New Orleans, all of whom have been instrumental in assisting the GCIA and the Gentilly community in helping with the planning and implementation of the rebuilding of Gentilly.
Today
The GCIA now proudly serves as the common vehicle for all Gentilly civic and neighborhood associations to unite and work together to achieve our collective goals. We continue to work toward the long term interests of the Gentilly community and the unified Gentilly neighborhoods. GCIA has been actively engaged in the issues of urban planning, economic development, education, land use and zoning, and safety and crime prevention to name a few.