From Ruth Jenkins
This will be a short newsletter, since I've devoted some of my allotted newsletter-creation hours to updating our website with the changes over the past year.
This coming year we will be building on the changes that Ray Cook's administration brought to our Association. You will see it in a number of ways: Probably the most visible is that our fiscal year now begins in October. The letter from Deanna Knox, the accountant, along with the dues assessment for 2000 - 2001 referred to this change.
The change of fiscal year allows us to be much more accurate in the budget reports that we send to the owners, since we won't have to project out the final three months between the annual meeting and the end of the year. In the past, the last-quarter (estimated) budget led to problems. The board projected that improvements would be made during the final quarter of the year, but then an emergency would arise (usually related to severe weather), the money would be spent handling that emergency, and the projected improvements were not done. However, the ownership was not clearly notified of this, since the budget report was only sent out annually. Now we will all have a much clearer picture of what one year's budget accomplished, and what is planned for the following year. At the end of the each year, it will be easy to compare the initial plan with the actual that was accomplished, determine any differences and make provision to handle any unmet needs in the future.
The next big change in our Association is that we now have five board members. All volunteers, and all committed to helping the Association thrive. Our first board meeting is to be right after Christmas. We plan to initiate several committees, one led by each board member. We will be soliciting other owners to lend their skills to a committee. If each of us contributes just a little, no one will have to shoulder too heavy a burden.
The Roof Committee. Solicit bids for our re-roof. Prepare information packets explaining the pro's, con's and color choices of both metal and composition, so that owners can make informed decisions when they cast their ballot.
The Hot Tub Committee. At the last annual meeting an owner requested that we investigate the possibility that we allow owners to install hot tubs. The committee will solicit owner's opinions (both for and against). They will investigate what the specifications of a suitable hot-tub installation might be, they will investigate what might be an appropriate location that would meet structural requirements, noise and privacy concerns. We expect that the report from this committee will be presented at the next annual meeting. If the ownership approves the proposed design, individual owners would be allowed to install hot tubs at their units, just as we are now allowed to build storage sheds.
The Landscape Committee. This committee will develop standards for our landscaping. They will gather concerns of owners, publishing them so that we each have an opportunity to hear other's views. They will develop standards for when and where it is appropriate for owners to plant trees. What species are appropriate? They will develop guidelines for the Association to follow in maintaining our common grounds.
The Capital Reserve Committee. This committee will work to develop a current, comprehensive capital reserve plan for our association. They will solicit the opinions of owners on areas of unmet needs, preferences for upgrades in quality, or preferences for economizing, as we replace our common elements. They will study the standards set out by Oregon Statutes and SROA, and recommend a plan to the ownership for approval.
The Call Committee. This very important committee will take as its charge the pleasure of calling owners to remind them to participate in our meetings and discussions, either in person or by proxy. If owners need more information, or if they have good suggestions, call committee members can serve as a conduit of communication between the owners and the board.
Consider how you might contribute to our association most easily. We each have different talents. What is a big sacrifice for one person, is an easy thing for another to do. We don't want big sacrifices, we want to draw on the readily available talents of owners. If you think that you could contribute to any of the committees above, call me, Ruth, at (805) 528-3505. Or, to drop me an e-mail, just click here. I'll pass your name on to the appropriate committee head.
