It is my pleasure to announce the results of the Annual Meeting tonight that elected 7 directors to be our board over 2020-2021 year. After a vote to determine the number of directors, the following directors were elected:
Bernard Asare
Erin Beber
Debbie Burns
Kimberly Dalrymple
Tracy Damico
Patrick McNamara
Mario Olivera
Congratulations to all the directors and the new homeowners who stepped up to the plate to take a swing at being a director of our Association!
What happens next? The new board will decide when to have their first meeting at which time they will elect officers and fill committee spots. The officer positions are President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.
Additionally the chairman of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and its members are also determined. The board, if it so decides, can also establish other committees. One such committee under discussion this year is a committee to review the current architectural requirements in the covenants and make recommendations for any changes. If you are interested in serving on either or both committees please let one of the new directors know your desires within the next few weeks. While there is a practical limit on the number on these committees there is no regulatory limit … so please volunteer (I already know of two persons that want to help shape the future of their neighborhood on the ARB).
Halle Raisigel has been our President since the homeowners took control of the board from the developer. She is now taking a well-deserved Rest and Recuperation period from these long years of faithful service to our community. Under her leadership here are just a few highlights of the accomplishments she has managed through the board on behalf of all of us … and I am sure I have missed a few more:
Transitioning the control of the board from the developer to the homeowners which, as many of us know, was a very challenging and demanding process;
Negotiated the contract with the Effingham Manor Winery;
Essentially starting from a box of paper and some electronic records established a document management system to better control and manage all Association documents;
Established and maintained communication channels with homeowners, government and contractors and kept the homeowners informed;
Established a website to provide a communication channel for new and old owners which includes access to governance, operations, financial, minutes and community calendars;
Negotiated a homeowner favorable road agreement with the current builder;
Established a Capital Reserve Fund which the previous developer controlled board had not established;
Taking up a task the owner controlled board had not started, a Reserve Analysis was commissioned, reviewed and ultimately approved; and,
Oversaw the expansion of the number of homeowners from twenty nine to thirty three coordinating with the new builder which is likely to see the complete build out of Effingham Farm by December 2020 … which started in 2006 … 14 years ago.
From my perspective … Halle has looked after the best interest of the homeowners and her actions have enhanced the value and quality of our life here at Effingham Farm. As we used to say in the Navy … Halle … Bravo Zulu or “Well Done.”
Lastly, it has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve with my fellow board members over the last two years. I am blessed to have gotten to know many of you and wish you well.