Community Association Board Resident Directors

What Attributes Should We Expect?

April 21, 2009

The residents of Sun City Texas will elect three Resident Directors on May 28, 2009 to serve on our Community Association (CA) Board of Directors. The increase in the number of Resident Directors to a total of four is another step toward the day when we begin governing our community as the developer packs up and departs. Thus, in order to preserve the integrity of this community, residents should give very serious attention to the knowledge, experience, leadership qualities, character and commitment of the candidates. The following are essential attributes that should be required of our Resident Directors.

Knowledge and Experience

· Community Involvement. Experience should include active involvement in our community – such as having served as a member of at least one CA committee or as a Neighborhood Rep. Only by doing so can a person gain the knowledge and realistic understanding of our community, the characteristics and interaction of our residents and neighborhoods, and the dynamics of addressing issues and achieving results that meet the needs of this community. Resident Directors should understand the unique nature of Sun City Texas.

· Business Experience. Governing a homeowner’s association (HOA) is a business – a very complex business. Our CA Board essentially manages a $14 million plus business that will become even larger when our community is completely built. Board members need to be familiar with planning for the future, developing budgets, and financial statements. They need to understand and accept the responsibilities and roles of the Board of Directors, the committees, and the CA staff and expect the committees and CA staff to do likewise.

· HOA Experience. Previous experience in governing another HOA can be especially helpful as we move through transition and begin to govern on our own. Knowledge of essential steps to successful transition and pitfalls to avoid are invaluable.

· Board/Committee Experience. Previous experience on boards or committees is indispensable to ensure understanding of the dynamics of such entities, how they must function to be successful, and how to delegate responsibilities and avoid micromanaging. Such experience sharpens one’s ability to address issues and problems, develop options for consideration, analyze the pros and cons, and then determine the best solution for accomplishments.

Leadership Qualities

· Vision Oriented. A Resident Director should have a vision for the future and be able to set goals and objectives that can be communicated in an understandable and acceptable manner. At the same time, they must learn from the past so as to build on success and avoid similar failures.

· Planner. A Resident Director should be able to plan and be flexible to adjust to the unexpected. Only through wise and thorough planning can visions, goals and objectives be achieved.

· Diplomat. A Resident Director must be able to negotiate successfully. Negotiation requires understanding of the varied interests of people and the skill and patience to determine when to compromise and accept a solution even when it may not be all that was desired.

· Ability to Unite the Community. A true leader brings the community together, achieving consensus through civil discourse and discussion.

Character and Commitment

· High Ethical Standards. A Resident Director should be honest, straight-forward, and committed to state the facts without embellishment or spin. Our community consists of people who have had successful careers requiring significant responsibilities. They can understand issues, weigh options, and decide what it best for our community without being led down a “spin-laden” path.

· Ability and Willingness to Listen and Communicate. Each Resident Director must be sensitive to the vibes throughout the community and be able to determine their validity – setting aside those that are strictly rumor, false, or incorrect. In return, they should maintain open, two-way communications to keep residents informed of the facts concerning community business.

· Loyalty. Dr. Henry Kissinger once stated that “loyalty” was the most essential attribute a person could possess. Our Resident Directors should be committed to all residents to make decisions in the best interest of the majority of residents. They should be a team player and fully support decisions made by the Board.

· Optimistic and Determined. A positive attitude and continual determination are absolutely essential to work through daily challenges successfully.

Our Obligation

As a resident and a voter, our obligation is to carefully study the attributes of each of the candidates and select the three who have the experience and knowledge required to successfully serve as a Resident Director, who have demonstrated leadership skills necessary to effectively lead our community, and who possess the character traits and commitment required for these critical positions. Only three of the five announced candidates possess these essential attributes. Your future and the future of our community depend on your decision. Think carefully and then VOTE.

You can forward this message with a personal touch by clicking on Forward email below.

Send your email address to info@citizenscouncilsct.org if you wish to receive our newsletters.