(Feb. 2, 2017) The 50th Anniversary Committee – a group that had been working to plan a series of events next year celebrating the semi-centennial of Ocean Pines – effectively suspended its activity after the board of directors tabled a vote to support it last Saturday.
Director Slobodan Trendic had proposed a motion to express support for the committee and ensure it could reach out to association staff when planning events, but that motion stalled.
In a letter sent to committee members on Monday, committee chairs Mike and Cathy Sabine said the group had agreed not to proceed with its activities until receiving official assurances from the board.
The Sabines previously led an effort to plan and produce a series of events during the 25th anniversary of the association.
The letter noted the board “miraculously found [$20,000] in their marketing and other budgets that was already earmarked” for the committee during a budget meeting on Friday.
On the following day, however, a motion of support was not accepted.
“The Board in the end decided to table their decision for this motion and vote at the next regularly scheduled board meeting at the end of February,” the letter stated. “They want the motion amended to include special wording that the board can agree on, which will require getting approvals before anything can be done. This committee is no different than any other.”
The letter went on to say the Sabines could not speak for the entire committee, but that, “It’s up to each and every one of you to decide how you want to proceed.”
“We were so excited about being involved with this, but we are continually being squashed,” the letter stated. “We have been jumping [through] hoops and we strongly feel that this will continue throughout the next [two] years.”
A committee meeting tentatively set for Feb. 6 had already been canceled because the venue was overbooked, according to the letter.
“We are truly sorry, but we never thought this would happen,” the letter stated. “Being residents for 37 years here in OP, where is the board’s sense of community? This board decision has taken our hearts out of this. We feel the board has tarnished our Golden Anniversary.”
During the board meeting on Saturday, several directors balked at the language of the motion itself, which would have granted committee access to staff on an as-needed basis.
“This particular motion, I think, raises a lot of red flags for me. We as a community – as an organization – occasionally struggle with the interaction between committee members and employees,” Director Pat Supik said. “I think that this broad motion presents an opportunity for a very slippery slope that could have conflicts between committee members and employees.”
Board President Tom Herrick joked that Director Cheryl Jacobs, an attorney, would have a field day with the language of the motion, which he said was vague, unenforceable and had no substance.
Jacobs, however, countered, “Every attorney will advise you to have things in writing, which is why I would be in support of this motion.”
She said this particular committee was unlike any other in Ocean Pines, and offered a friendly amendment that committee requests would go through the liaison, Trendic.
“I think that, if you want to tighten up the language in the motion … that would be my suggestion,” she said. “It would serve a purpose, I believe, to have something in writing in a formal motion about the support [of the committee].”
Hill, for his part, said staff was always available to any association committee to answer questions, and that the best way to reach them was by email.
That did not mean, however, they would always be available to attend committee meetings. Aquatics Director Colby Phillips was apparently asked to attend a recent meeting, but Hill denied that request.
“I have staff that is overwhelmed in their responsibilities and taking several hours out of an already busy schedule for a meeting sometimes is not possible,” Hill said. “[That is] by no means a symbol of disrespect to any individual person, committee or other.”
“To my knowledge, the staff has been and will continue to be responsive to any individual request,” Hill added.
Board Vice President Dave Stevens said he opposed “rewriting a motion on the fly,” and said he thought the board had already publically voiced its support of the committee.
He said he would not support Trendic’s motion, which was ultimately tabled by a 5-0 vote. Trendic and Hill abstained.
Trendic, during a phone interview Monday, said he was somewhat baffled by the outcome.
“This committee is not like any other committee and it should not be treated as such,” he said. “The fact is, the board did not create this committee, therefore the committee has no resolutions whatsoever specifically related to them.
“This committee was organized through a grassroots effort by the homeowners of the committee that have been here for a long time,” he added. “The fact remains that the board is trying to treat this committee like others that have been organized by the board and serve at the pleasure of the board – this is not the case.”
Trendic said he was “very disappointed at the way five directors debated over what the committee was asking,” and that, even when the committee attempted to follow existing protocol by request support through him, those requests were denied by Hill.
“I’m disappointed – many people are disappointed that this was not a simple seven-yes vote, and I think it is unfair that the committee is being viewed as a board-created, board-controlled committee. I believe it’s not the right way to proceed,” Trendic said.
Director Slobodan Trendic had proposed a motion to express support for the committee and ensure it could reach out to association staff when planning events, but that motion stalled.
In a letter sent to committee members on Monday, committee chairs Mike and Cathy Sabine said the group had agreed not to proceed with its activities until receiving official assurances from the board.
The Sabines previously led an effort to plan and produce a series of events during the 25th anniversary of the association.
The letter noted the board “miraculously found [$20,000] in their marketing and other budgets that was already earmarked” for the committee during a budget meeting on Friday.
On the following day, however, a motion of support was not accepted.
“The Board in the end decided to table their decision for this motion and vote at the next regularly scheduled board meeting at the end of February,” the letter stated. “They want the motion amended to include special wording that the board can agree on, which will require getting approvals before anything can be done. This committee is no different than any other.”
The letter went on to say the Sabines could not speak for the entire committee, but that, “It’s up to each and every one of you to decide how you want to proceed.”
“We were so excited about being involved with this, but we are continually being squashed,” the letter stated. “We have been jumping [through] hoops and we strongly feel that this will continue throughout the next [two] years.”
A committee meeting tentatively set for Feb. 6 had already been canceled because the venue was overbooked, according to the letter.
“We are truly sorry, but we never thought this would happen,” the letter stated. “Being residents for 37 years here in OP, where is the board’s sense of community? This board decision has taken our hearts out of this. We feel the board has tarnished our Golden Anniversary.”
During the board meeting on Saturday, several directors balked at the language of the motion itself, which would have granted committee access to staff on an as-needed basis.
“This particular motion, I think, raises a lot of red flags for me. We as a community – as an organization – occasionally struggle with the interaction between committee members and employees,” Director Pat Supik said. “I think that this broad motion presents an opportunity for a very slippery slope that could have conflicts between committee members and employees.”
Board President Tom Herrick joked that Director Cheryl Jacobs, an attorney, would have a field day with the language of the motion, which he said was vague, unenforceable and had no substance.
Jacobs, however, countered, “Every attorney will advise you to have things in writing, which is why I would be in support of this motion.”
She said this particular committee was unlike any other in Ocean Pines, and offered a friendly amendment that committee requests would go through the liaison, Trendic.
“I think that, if you want to tighten up the language in the motion … that would be my suggestion,” she said. “It would serve a purpose, I believe, to have something in writing in a formal motion about the support [of the committee].”
Hill, for his part, said staff was always available to any association committee to answer questions, and that the best way to reach them was by email.
That did not mean, however, they would always be available to attend committee meetings. Aquatics Director Colby Phillips was apparently asked to attend a recent meeting, but Hill denied that request.
“I have staff that is overwhelmed in their responsibilities and taking several hours out of an already busy schedule for a meeting sometimes is not possible,” Hill said. “[That is] by no means a symbol of disrespect to any individual person, committee or other.”
“To my knowledge, the staff has been and will continue to be responsive to any individual request,” Hill added.
Board Vice President Dave Stevens said he opposed “rewriting a motion on the fly,” and said he thought the board had already publically voiced its support of the committee.
He said he would not support Trendic’s motion, which was ultimately tabled by a 5-0 vote. Trendic and Hill abstained.
Trendic, during a phone interview Monday, said he was somewhat baffled by the outcome.
“This committee is not like any other committee and it should not be treated as such,” he said. “The fact is, the board did not create this committee, therefore the committee has no resolutions whatsoever specifically related to them.
“This committee was organized through a grassroots effort by the homeowners of the committee that have been here for a long time,” he added. “The fact remains that the board is trying to treat this committee like others that have been organized by the board and serve at the pleasure of the board – this is not the case.”
Trendic said he was “very disappointed at the way five directors debated over what the committee was asking,” and that, even when the committee attempted to follow existing protocol by request support through him, those requests were denied by Hill.
“I’m disappointed – many people are disappointed that this was not a simple seven-yes vote, and I think it is unfair that the committee is being viewed as a board-created, board-controlled committee. I believe it’s not the right way to proceed,” Trendic said.