By Greg Ellison

Staff Writer

(Jan. 30, 2020) Despite repeated attempts to recruit people to serve on the Ocean Pines Association Search Committee before the Feb. 1 deadline, the panel charged with soliciting candidates for the 2020 board of directors’ elections still has no members.

OPA President Doug Parks said committee membership is open to any association member willing to help spread the word about possibly serving on the board.

“We’re still looking for folks and haven’t been contacted by anyone as of yet,” he said. “You’ve just got to canvas the community to see if there’s anyone interested in running for the board in the upcoming election.”

The OPA bylaws require the formation of a search committee by Feb. 1. Its goal is to help generate an election ballot containing at least twice as many candidates as there are seats available. The list of candidates must be submitted by May 15.

“Two (board) positions are up for election this year and, per the bylaws, the committee needs to attempt to get [at least] four candidates,” he said.

In addition to locating potential candidates and aiding them in application procedures, search committee members also must verify that all election-related paperwork is forwarded to its proper destination.

Parks said the lack of a response thus far for committee members echoes the outcome last year.

“For all intents and purposes, we didn’t have a search committee last year,” he said. “Two years ago, we had four people and last year we had one.”

Still, Parks said regardless of pending deadlines or prior history, homeowners are encouraged to volunteer.

“We have to do it because our bylaws and governance documents require us to do so,” he said.

While at least attempting due diligence, admittedly to no end at this point, there are merits in the concept, Parks said.

“There’s no penalty if we don’t get one,” he said. “Anything that would pique some interest in certainly worth exploring.”

As for standing for election and serving on the board, Parks said some possible candidates might be under the impression that previous membership on any of the association’s committees is a prerequisite for running. It is not.

“People who are already serving on advisory committees might have an interest in stepping up and running for the board as well, but be advised that participation in an advisory committee is not a prerequisite to become a board member,” he said. “You just have to be a member in good standing.”

While still hoping that interested parties will surface to form the search committee, the board election won’t be affected, Parks said.

“I’d like to think some people will step up and make some inquiries as we move forward,” he said. “If we get it, we get it, if we don’t, we’ll still have an election.”

Interested parties can contact Parks at dparks@oceanpines.org

Committee applications are available in the administration building on 239 Ocean Parkway or online at https://www.oceanpines.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/OP-Committee-Application-2-14-18.pdf