PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION

Want to be a Director on the POA Board?

By Jay Suter

The election of directors for the POA Board is conducted annually during February and March. The term of service is for three years. The results of the election are announced at the annual General Membership Meeting held on the third Saturday in March. [March 22, 2008, this year]

The process, however, begins in November with the preparation of a list of about 40 potential candidates. How do you get on the list? Your friends, neighbors or you can submit your name to any current board member or by simply calling the POA office and informing them that you would like to be considered as a candidate for the Horseshoe Bay POA Board if Directors.

The board reviews the list of nominees to ensure their eligibility under the bylaws. Other considerations include their qualifications, availability and interest in serving. Those who are known to travel extensively or are gone for extended periods are generally not considered. Those who are unavailable for daytime meetings, heavily involved with other commitments, or those with other considerations that would preclude them from accepting and performing the job are eliminated. This review process narrows the list to approximately 20 candidates.

The board then reviews the remaining nominees to include who nominated them, their qualifications, personal attributes, compatibility, and the recommendations by board members or close associates. Following this discussion, all nominees are ranked from 1 to 20. Each director ranks the ten nominees of their choice in order from 1 to 10. The votes of all the directors are then compiled into a composite ranking of the nominees to comprise the short list. The board attempts to develop a slate of candidates representative of a cross section of our community who can bring a variety of talent and views to the table.

The chairman of the nominating committee is charged with contacting each nominee in the order selected. They are informed of their selection by the board to be a candidate for election to the POA Board of Directors. They are informed of the duties of a director and the term of service. Any questions they have are answered.

The residents on the list are then asked to stand for election. If they decline, the next candidate on the list is called. The polling stops when the required number of candidates is obtained.

The number of candidates on the ballot depends on the number of vacancies to be filled. Normally, it is two vacancies per year, but every third year there are three. Four candidates are presented for two vacancies and five candidates for three vacancies.

People decline the opportunity to run for election for a variety of reasons; others are delighted to have the opportunity to serve the community. The most common reason people to decline to run for director is the three year commitment required of each candidate.

In January the candidates prepare and submit a brief resume and have their picture taken for the ballot. The ballot is prepared and mailed to the property owners in February as part of the POA Newsletter. Property owners can return the ballots by mail or bring them directly to the POA office. The ballots are counted by a committee composed of one POA director and two independent members of the POA. The results of the election are announced at the General Membership Meeting in March.

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