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Monday, March 20, 2017

Retiring Board Director Looks Back...Gives Advice as to What to Look For in a Board Director of the Sun City Anthem Community


Anthem Opinions received a request from departing Sun City Anthem Board member, Jim Mayfield, to address his experiences over the past six years, as well as, his views on the requirements he strongly believes must be adhered to, when choosing those to lead Sun City Anthem's governance in the future.

Retiring Sun City Anthem Board Member
Reflects on His Past Service to Sun City Anthem Governance
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by
Jim Mayfield
Sun City Anthem Board Director

For the last six years, it has been my privilege to serve you, my neighbors, in the governance of your HOA. 

During my two years on the Finance Committee and then four years on the Board of Directors, I have learned much about qualities that enable a Board member to effectively serve you by:
  • enhancing the quality of life at SCA,
  • keeping our facilities and grounds both beautiful and in good condition, and
  • controlling the costs of operating SCA.
Since I am not running for another term on the Board, I am frequently asked by SCA homeowners the qualities for which they should look in voting for a candidate of the Board.

Over the last six years, I have served with exceptional people who are well qualified to represent you and put the interests of others first. 

I have also served with people who allow their personal agenda and desires to come before the interests of their fellow homeowners and fellow Board members. 

I am writing this article to help you develop questions that will enable you to determine who you want to represent your interests in SCA.


ATTRIBUTES

A Commitment to Equally Shared Governance

Last year, the Board adopted the following definition of Governance.

Governance is the process of providing strategic leadership to an organization. It includes setting policy, strategic planning, allocating resources, assessing organizational performance, and fiduciary accountability for the organization.

The presentation on governance also included the concept that all directors are equal in authority and accountability and should exercise independent judgment in deliberations and Board decisions. 

Yet, the officers of the current Board, particularly the President and Secretary, have moved to a model that mirrors a corporate management model in which officers make decisions without the approval of the whole Board and suppress attempts by other directors for public discussion of issues and differences on the Board.

This model subjugates non-officer directors to a role of being treated as employees of the Board officers who are expected to rubber stamp the decisions of the officers or face written rebukes without their participation. It also serves to undermine transparency of Board decisions.

A Commitment to Effective Governance

The existing Board Policy Manual was created to support the role of the Board and its officers under a management concept organized around the use of a management company.

While the transition to in-house management has proceeded effectively, the Board has not taken the actions necessary to implement a revised Board Policy Manual that reflects its role under in-house management.

The lack of a process to evaluate and revise the Board Policy Manual has led to an ad hoc approach that patches situations as they arise versus a strategic, comprehensive evaluation to develop a holistic concept for governance at SCA.

This has allowed the abuse by the officers of the Board to misuse limited authority necessary under management company operations.

It has also led to confusion with the homeowners as to the role of the Board and its specific obligations and process to set policy, provide effective, organized oversight of management, and compliance with NRS 116.

The next Board must commit to resolving this deficiency.

Independence

The current culture on the Board focuses on the concept that the Board is a “team” which should act in unison to support management and portray an “all’s well” perception in the community.

It has also enabled management, particularly the General Manager, to be asked how the Board should govern and micro-manage and direct the governance process.

While I support the concept that the Board and its committees should not engage in the micro-management of management or management processes, the same must hold true that management doesn’t direct or engage in the micro-manage of governance responsibilities or processes.

I have frequently heard Board members state that we should rely on the General Manager to tell us how to organize and conduct governance.

I firmly reject this concept and believe the homeowners have the right to ask candidates if they support this concept as one that will protect the interests of SCA homeowners.

Board members must also leave their personal agendas at the door when they are elected to the SCA Board.

This has too frequently not been the case.

Commitment to Law

Board members have a responsibility to understand and commit to following the law and not use actual or perceived loopholes to circumnavigate the intent as well as the letter of the law.

They must also have a commitment to equal enforcement of the law, including the SCA governing documents, without favoritism or conflict avoidance.

Commitment to Service

Being on the Board requires a time commitment and a commitment to learning the laws and governing documents of SCA. 

New members experience a steep learning curve in their first year of service.

It also requires a commitment to resolve conflict and accept accountability for individual decisions.

Being on the Board is not about popularity or a perceived enhancement of status in the community.

Professional Competencies

Different Board members bring different and beneficial competencies to the Board.

But, they should all be able to demonstrate previous experience in governing versus management activities.

Too many of the candidate flyers ask for your support because of the management experience of the candidate.

Homeowners should reject candidates who lack previous experience in the governance of organizations.
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Anthem Opinions has always had a deep respect for the competence   demonstrated by Director Mayfield.

His efforts, in our opinion, have demonstrated his belief that "the people" should take priority over any decisions made by a Board of Directors.

We thank him for his service and wish him the best in a well deserved contented retirement. 

Do you have an opinion on Mr. Mayfield's comments?

Send them to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Sharon K...to...Anthem Opinions

    Thank you for sharing Mayfield's comments.

    I'm only here for 1.5 years but appreciate the continuity & commitment that his serving for the last 6 years has provided.
    1. From Roseann...to...Anthem Opinions

      I just want to say, Thank you Jim, for the "WONDERFUL" advice you provided us.

      We are very sad that you are retiring.

      We need "Smart, informed, caring" people like you, on our SCA board.
      1. From Josette Brink...to...Anthem Opinions

        Lets get Jim to run again and elect him PRESIDENT.

        Get rid of ALL the other Board Members that are NOW on the Board.

3 comments:

  1. From Sharon K...to...Anthem Opinions

    Thank you for sharing Mayfield's comments.

    I'm only here for 1.5 years but appreciate the continuity & commitment that his serving for the last 6 years has provided.

    ReplyDelete
  2. From Roseann...to...Anthem Opinions

    I just want to say, Thank you Jim, for the "WONDERFUL" advice you provided us.

    We are very sad that you are retiring.

    We need "Smart, informed, caring" people like you, on our SCA board.

    ReplyDelete
  3. From Josette Brink...to...Anthem Opinions

    Lets get Jim to run again and elect him PRESIDENT.

    Get rid of ALL the other Board Members that are NOW on the Board.

    ReplyDelete