A community is like a ship: everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.
– Henrik Ibsen.
Fairfield Harbour, your community, will elect two Directors this June. Will you be one of them?
WHAT DOES A POA DIRECTOR DO?
The seven POA BOD Directors each serve a three-year term representing the more than two thousand property owners of Fairfield Harbour. No Director may be elected to more than two consecutive terms. These dedicated men and women decide policy and assist with the preparation of the seven-digit budget, designating monies for capital improvements, community maintenance and improvements, necessary repairs to infrastructure, and other community needs. Meetings are twice monthly, typically lasting 6 hours or so, depending upon the urgency and depth of community or legal issues needing attention. Agendas for each meeting include reports from the community manager, the POA Treasurer if applicable, and Directors, as well as issues raised by the community. BOD actions on these are presented in minutes and communications that are transparent to the community. In addition, a Director attends the annual budget meeting, the annual community meeting, and the occasional special meeting. Excluding meetings, a Director may spend 3-6 hours on board business during the week.
Each Director is also liaison to two or more POA-sanctioned sub-committees, an important conduit between BOD and sub-committee who reports issues and concerns which may arise.
DO I QUALIFY?
A Director must be a property owner in Good Standing, having paid POA dues on time, and having satisfied any fines or obligations to the POA.
A good Director is a fair-minded listener who uses sound judgment to act in good faith on behalf of the community. A Director considers requests of the entire community and assesses the consequences of every decision. Modest verbal and written communication skills are a plus, as is a basic understanding of finance. A Director sets aside differences and supports the results of motions, whether personally supporting the motions or not. And of course, a good Director protects the confidentiality of boardroom business with respect to personnel issues, medical issues, and the like.
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Complete a POA application for Board Candidacy and submit by the stated deadline.
- Appear for self-introduction and an interview on Candidate’s Night May 11. (Optional, but strongly recommended so that voters will understand your positions and concerns)
- Attend the POA Annual meeting to be sworn in, if elected.
Fairfield Harbour needs fair-minded, community-minded volunteers to help it reach its full potential. Consider taking the helm and making Fairfield Harbour an even better place to live.
You, too, can make a difference!