What do Board members do?

Are you considering serving on the Board, but wondering what that responsibility entails?

In formal terms, board members are responsible for "fulfilling their fiduciary duties". But what the heck does that mean???

Well, here are some things Board members are responsible for. (These come from CAI's "Rights & Responsiblities for Better Communities".)

• participate in Board meetings & decision-making communication in a prompt manner
• meet their responsibilities as a homeowner, and as a community leader
• contribute to a responsive & competent association
• manage the association in an organized manner, and exercise sound business judgment
• be honest, fair & respectful
• maintain the community according to established, agreed-upon standards
• help manage funds responsibly
• demonstrate a willingness to listen to others
• keep an open mind
• support their colleagues
• encourage input from residents
• conduct business in a transparent manner
• become educated in the association's governing documents

Board members' responsibilities do require a commitment of time and effort, but when willing participants serve, it doesn't take much -- and it's time well-spent!

Should I attend the Annual meeting even if I don't want to run for a Board position?

Yes!

This is an important meeting -- even if you don't want to run for a Board position.

Most importantly, please come & vote for the
people you want representing you! This is a representative government, so you'll want good representatives (even if you can't participate directly yourself).

Also, at least 25% of homes must be represented at this meeting (that's at least 11 homes). Otherwise no election can be held.

If you cannot attend, please send someone with your proxy (which was mailed to you) so that your vote can be heard.

So, you want to make a difference?

Do you want to make a difference in your community?

Looking for a way to serve your neighbors?

Want to see some changes made?

Do you want to do something productive to help your Association?

Do you want input on how we spend money?

Do you want input on decision-making that affects you, and your community?

You can! Come serve as an HOA Board member!

Elections will be held March 15. There are two open positions. All applicants are welcome!

Do you have executive experience? Or do you simply have a willingness to volunteer a little time to make our community better?

If yes, we hope you will consider this worthwhile opportunity. You can make a real difference.

(Check back over the next two weeks to learn more about this important meeting, and about the responsibilities of a Board member. Good stuff to come!)

A message from your Landscaping Committee

Looks as if Spring is just around the corner! The daffodils we planted last fall around the trees on the street are starting to peek through the ground. (We planted 5 per tree and they won't bloom for a month or so, but you can see what they will look like in a couple of years at the top of Hancock Ave. Hopefully, the ones we planted last fall will do the same as the years go by.)

Our new landscaping company, Altera Landscaping, will start work in March. After meeting their owner, Rick, we're confident they'll do great work. We're looking forward to working with Altera.

Now is a great time to pick up some colorful primroses to brighten up your doorway. (You can buy 10 of them in a pack at Costco for $7.99.) You don't need to do anything except maybe put a saucer under them and water them once in a while. But they'll give you lots of pleasure and remind you that Spring is coming. If you want to, you can buy a larger pot, some potting soil, and replant the primroses in it. Later in the season, you can replace the primroses with something else in your pot. It gives you something nice to come home to.

If you have ferns outside your house, you can help them look better by cutting off the old, brown fronds with a pair of scissors. The new fiddleheads will come out of the center of the plant. In just 5 minutes you can keep your ferns looking great this year!

The Landscape Committee will start work in a month or so to continue adding shrubs around the utility boxes. We're looking for free shrubs to do the job. And we'll be raising money for plants at the Snoqualmie Ridge garage sale in May, so save your stuff if you'd like to help us out with donations.

Lowes has their new shrubs out, so if you want to change what is in front of your house look for something new and then give me a call. All changes in landscaping require Board approval, but it's easy and I'll be glad to help you out. We have a list of approved plants you can choose from that is very large and if you choose something from the list it's virtually a done deal.

Please give me a call anytime if you have any questions: (425) 441-8162. And...dont' step on the daffodils as you get out of your car on the east side of Hancock. :)

Sue Swanson, Chair

Mt. Si Cottages Landscape Committee