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CA Board Meeting 9/12/24
After the traditional summer hiatus, the CA Board of Directors met on September 12, 2024. The items for consideration on the agenda were as follows:
Old Business
President’s Goals and Objectives
New Business
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Board Committee
Scheduling a Board Work Session on Board Policies
President’s Goals and Objectives
Earlier this year, the CA Board of Directors agreed on the following Goals and Objectives for the CA President:
1. Complete the strategic plan, including developing definitions of success and tools, timeline, and plans for monitoring/measuring success, and update Mission and Vision statements.
2. Evaluate CA assuming management of the buildings currently managed by the village community associations, evaluate opportunities and challenges for both CA and the village, and develop a plan for Board consideration.
3. Determine whether to exercise the lease option to purchase the headquarters building before the option expires on April 30, 2025. Consider evaluating the purchase of the headquarters building regardless of lease option and evaluate other potential options.
In addition, the CA Board of Directors tasked the CA President to develop an additional goal to “Advance CA’s mission and values by meeting or exceeding key benchmarks.”
The business before the CA Board of Directors on September 12, 2024 was to decide on three of the following four final CA President goals and objectives:
1. Analyze opportunities to add value and/or reduce costs associated with accessing or using CA facilities, programs, and services, as well as the annual charge. Additional consideration given to groups that are marginalized or underserved in the Columbia community.
2. Increase community engagement through improved user interfaces with website and Geographic Information System (GIS). Including using multicultural programs, events with opportunities to learn, survey and engage participants in CA programming and CA and village elections.
3. Develop a training plan and curriculum for Board Excellence that addresses important elements such as CA’s Governance structure, Board member onboarding and exit planning (knowledge transfer), Board operations, the Board’s standing in the community and impact on Columbia.
4. Develop a Natural Resource Stewardship Plan by combining and building upon aspects of the Columbia Watershed Management Plan, Forest Stewardship Plan, and Energy Management Plan.
After a vigorous discussion and a series of votes, the CA Board adopted goals 1, 2, and 4 above.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
This topic was introduced as a discussion. A group of board members (me included) would like to see a CA Board Committee be created to address Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) on an ongoing basis. A few ideas mentioned were creating a training schedule and seeking out tools that could be used from the CA Board level down to each program and facility to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.
Speaking for myself, I believe this is important for the Columbia Association. I view DEIB similar to safety and ethics programs in the corporate setting. Simply said, there is a dramatic difference in a company that says it has a safety program and one that practices safety and incorporates a safety culture in all their work processes. I have seen it make a real difference in many job sites that I have worked. I believe DEIB should be approached in the same way. If CA practices DEIB and creates a DEIB culture it will be to the benefit of all CA employees, members, and visitors. One of the best ways to start this process is to create a board level committee.
Work session on Board Policies
The CA Board of Directors discussed and directed staff to schedule a CA Board Work session to discuss CA Board Policies. The CA Board will discuss the existing policies, determine which might need to be sunsetted, and explore methods of organizing, archiving, and maintaining the policies going forward. Once a date is set for the work session notice will be given.
Our next board meeting will be Thursday September 26, 2024. If you would like to participate in resident speakout, please sign up on the CA website before close of business on Wednesday September 25, 2024.
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