February 2019
http://www.canadacreekranch.com
President’s Message: February 2019
Hello, Members,
In January’s message I noted our two most important business activities of this year - hiring a new General Manger and
adopting a five-year strategic plan. I’ll be sharing more details about each of these important initiatives as they unfold.
Meanwhile I’d like to focus this month’s message on the day-long training session the Board, our General Manager, and our
Assistant General Manager attended on January 20th. As in years past the training was conducted by one of our members,
Gary Hardin, who has an accounting background and is a long-practicing attorney.
Many of you are probably aware the Board attends formal training each year. This training is critical for several reasons.
• First, each Board member must be aware of the scope of their duties to and on behalf of the Association and its
members.
• Second, each Board member must understand the legal, business, and financial responsibility framework within
which they are required to exercise these duties.
• Third, the training serves to “level-set” both new and experienced Directors and begin building a sense of common
purpose. In turn, Directors with different backgrounds and experiences can work effectively together in service to the
entire Association and all its members.
The training itself traditionally focuses the Board’s attention on topics central to fulfilling our duties to the Association:
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Director Role on the Board
• History of the Ranch
• Member and Board Member
• Governing Documents
• CCR’s Many Lines of Business
Director Duties on the Board
• Fiduciary Duties
• Loyalty
• Care
• Good Faith
• Conflicts of Interest
• Business Judgment Rule
• Indemnity Requirements for Volunteers
• Rules of Order
• Transparency
Director Responsibilities for Financial Reporting
• This important section was added to this year’s training agenda and will continue to be included in future
Board training.
• Based on suggestions from our members who participated in the Strategic Planning SWOT sessions last year
and informed by this Financial Reporting session, our Treasurer Viki Kaszonyi is working with Eric and Brian
to bring more “user-friendliness” to our monthly financial reports. These improvements will benefit both the
Board’s and members’ understanding of these reports.
Because our By-laws dictate that Directors serve 3-year staggered terms, the individuals on the Board change regularly. That
regular “churning” can cause dysfunction if all Board members do not share the same understanding of and allegiance to their
fiduciary duties of loyalty, care, and fidelity.
This annual training provides the foundation upon which all Board members pledge their best efforts. Ultimately, the
Association and all of its members benefit.
As always, your feedback on these messages is welcomed.
Ray Karbon