February 15, 2017
IMPORTANT DATES ~ For those who are considering candidacy for an Oakland Mills Village Board Seat (7 seats) or for the Columbia Council seat (1 seat) from Oakland Mills (CA Board)
Tuesday Feb. 14 through Friday, March 3
Candidate Packets including Nomination Form available at The Other Barn. Packets may be picked up at the front desk during business hours through March 3. Nomination forms may be turned in by candidates anytime between Feb. 14 and March 3(by 4:00 p.m.)
*please note: If you are considering running for office please pick up a packet. Your candidacy is not official until you return the nomination petition. If you choose not to run we just ask that you return the packet so we can use it next year!
Monday, February 27, 6:30 p.m.
Information session for potential candidates at The Other Barn.
Informal meeting with Election Monitor Committee.
Friday March 3, 4:00 p.m.
Candidate Nomination Forms return deadline.
Monday, March 6, Candidate statement's due.
Tuesday April 4, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Candidate Forum (if either race is contested)
Saturday April 29 - Oakland Mills Election Day!
*Non-Contested Races: Last year's by-law amendment (passed by the members of the OMCA) states that if the race for the OM Board or the race for CCR is uncontested then those qualified candidates (valid nomination petition) are deemed elected and begin their term on May 1. There are 7 seats for the OM Board and 1 seat for the Columbia Council Rep. An election will be held if either or both the Board or CCR race is contested.
Potential Candidates for CA Board of Directors Invited to Information Sessions
Columbia Association (CA) will host two information sessions in February for those who are considering serving the Columbia community by seeking an opportunity to become a member of CA's Board of Directors.
The sessions will be held on
Tuesday, Feb 21 from 7-9pm and Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10am-noon, both at CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Court, located off Stevens Forest Road near the county vehicle emissions inspection station.
Potential candidates are encouraged to attend and learn more about Columbia Association, the role of its board members and how service on the board impacts the community. The goal of the sessions is to have a conversation with residents, including addressing their questions about this opportunity so they can make an informed decision about seeking a seat on CA's Board of Directors.
CA's Board of Directors has 11 members - one representative from each of Columbia's 10 villages plus CA's President/CEO. Representatives from the villages serve either a one- or two-year term, depending upon each village's bylaws. In late April 2017, seven villages will hold elections for their representative to the CA Board of Directors: Dorsey's Search, Hickory Ridge, Kings Contrivance, Long Reach, Oakland Mills, River Hill and Wilde Lake.
Oakland Mills Board ~ Roles and Responsibilities
Whether you choose to run for a village board seat or for the Columbia Council seat (CA Board) you become part of a grassroots process to make a difference in your community. With this comes an obligation to uphold the village's legal and fiduciary responsibilities as board members. Each role also comes with a commitment of time to be involved in Oakland Mills, Columbia, and Howard County meetings, events, and programs. Along with all of the obligations and responsibilities are the rewards of serving your community. OM Board Meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. It is expected that Board members attend these meetings. In addition board members chair and or serve on various board committees. Committee meetings are held throughout the year.
Covenant Compliance ~ What does this mean?
(Amendment to the Oakland Mills Community Association By-Laws, Article II, Board of Directors, Section 2.03 Election of Directors. Approved April 17, 1999)
2.03A. In order to serve on the Village Board, candidate's owning property in Oakland Mills must, upon election, obtain a Certificate of Compliance within 60 days.
Covenant compliance pertains to properties in Oakland Mills being in compliance with Village Architectural Covenants. (Candidate packets include village legal documents for your reference.) All candidates will receive details regarding Board Member Covenant Compliance and implementation procedures in the candidate packet.
Who is "in charge" of the Elections? Who can I call/email/meet with?
The Village elections are administered by the
Oakland Mills Election Monitor Committee (EMC). The committee is comprised of OM residents. We are fortunate in Oakland Mills to have dedicated committee members, many of whom have volunteered for the EMC for 40+ years.
We always welcome newcomers!
Our Election Monitor Committee Co-Chairs are Bob Berlett and Bob Bartolo.
Please feel free to contact either "Bob" with any questions you have.
