Are you interested in serving on the Desert Ridge Community Association board of directors?
Serving on the Board of Directors is a great way to make an impact in your community!
Milestones to Remember
LATE-JANUARY 2017
A request for board candidates will be sent to all members on January 26th. Candidate forms will be
provided via an eblast notice and on desertridgelifestyles.com website.
MID-FEBRUARY 2017
Board Candidate forms are due back to the Community Association by Friday, February 10th at 5:00 PM.
Meet & Greet the Board Candidates at 11:00 AM, Sunday, February 19th at the DRCA Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge.
Meet & Greet the Board Candidates at the 6:00 PM, Wednesday, February 22nd DRCA Board of Directors Meeting.
MID-MARCH 2017
Meet & Greet the Board Candidates at 11:00 AM, Sunday, March 19th at the DRCA Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge.
Candidate Ballots for election to the Board of Directors are mailed to all members on Friday, March 20th.
APRIL 20, 2017
DRCA Annual Meeting of Members and announcement of election results.
If you think you may be interested in serving and would like to speak with a current board member, contact desertridge.az@fsresidential.com or nominating@desertridgelifestyles.com.
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Get involved! serve on the Desert Ridge Community Association board of directors
The Desert Ridge Community Association (DRCA) Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the 2017 election for four (4) open seats on the Board of Directors. The election results will be announced during the Association’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 20, 2017. However, there are several steps and events that will take place between now and then.
Here are a few key dates in 2017, to keep in mind:
• JANUARY 26 – Board Candidate interest and application forms e-mailed to the members.
• FEBRUARY 10 – Board Candidate interest and application forms due back to the Desert Ridge Community Association’s office by 5:00 p.m.
• FEBRUARY 19 – Board Candidates Meet and Greet/Q & A at the Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting.
• FEBRUARY 22 – DRCA Board of Directors meeting Board Candidates Meet and Greet/Q&A at 6:00 p.m. at the Desert Ridge Community Associations office.
• MARCH 19 – Board Candidates Meet and Greet/Q & A at the Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge at 11:00 a.m., weather permitting.
• MARCH 20 – DRCA Ballots for the 2017 election are mailed to all members.
• APRIL 18 – Mail-in ballots for election of Board of Directors due from all members to the Butler Hansen P.C. office by 5:00 p.m.
• APRIL 20 – DRCA Annual Meeting and announcement of election results will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa at 6:00 p.m.
BOARD CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
The qualifications established by the Desert Ridge Community Association’s (“Association”) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements for Desert Ridge as recorded and amended (CC&R’s) and the Association’s Nominating Committee per Section 3.8 of the Association’s Bylaws for being nominated to serve on the Board are listed below. Please review each item closely before submitting your candidate application for consideration.
What ALL CANDIDATES MUST do
Comply with the following requirements per the CC&R’s, and must remain in compliance through the Annual Meeting:
• Must be an owner of record in the Association or an entity owner of record in the Association. If you are a representative of a confirmed entity owner of record you must provide a signed, notarized letter from the owner of record, appointing you as its’ representative.
• Must be a member in good standing, with all assessments current (no more than 30 days delinquent) and no outstanding violation(s) of the CC&R’s.
• Must not have member rights suspended by the Board of Directors for any violations of the Association’s governing documents.
• Must not be involved in current litigation regarding compliance or dispute with Association’s governing documents.
• Must commit to attend regularly scheduled board meetings (at least once a month), as well as the additional time that may be required in order to participate at the committee level.
Additional Qualifications
Established by the Association’s Nominating Committee:
• Must attend at least one of the three scheduled Board Candidates Meet & Greet meetings.
• Must attend the Annual Meeting – 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 20, 2017. (Note: Should a majority voted member be unable to attend due to an extenuating circumstance the Nominating Committee may determine if said circumstance warrant consideration).
• Must attend the Organizational Meeting scheduled within 5 business days following the Annual Meeting.
• Must attend Board Member training, scheduled within 10 business days following the Annual Meeting.
• Attendance at a Board of Directors Meeting, prior to the election, is strongly suggested. Board meetings are the 4th Wednesday of each month (except April, July and December) at the Desert Ridge Community Association office starting at 6:00 p.m.
Please contact Terrance Smith, Community General Manager, at the Desert Ridge Community Association office at 480-551-4550 or by email to terrance.smith@fsresidential.com for more information. Thank you for your valued interest and participation in our community!
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Board Candidate FAQ’s
What does the Nominating Committee do?
The Nominating Committee’s primary function is to ensure that the community has qualified candidates nominated from the Desert Ridge community to serve as Members of the Community Master Association Board of Directors.
What does the Nominating Committee have planned for the upcoming board election year?
This issue contains both the board candidate interest announcement and the requirements and qualifications and email address for the application forms. Several “Meet the Candidate” events have been scheduled so that members of the community can meet prospective Board Members. There will be a Board Candidates “Meet and Greet” at the DRCA Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge on Sunday, February 19th at 11:00 AM, a “Meet the Candidate” night at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 22nd at the DRCA Board of Directors Meeting and another Board Candidates “Meet and Greet” at the DRCA Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge on Sunday, March 19th at 11:00 AM.
How many positions are available this year and how long will my term be?
Out of the seven member seats on the Board of Directors, there are four (4) seats
on the Board of Directors that are available for election in 2017. Directors are elected to serve two year terms. In 2017, these four positions will be elected for a two year term since the two year term for these four seats will have expired in April 2017. Therefore, all four positions will serve two year terms.
What is the process for running for a position on the Board?
Contact the Association office at: 480-551-4550 or email to: desertridge.az@fsresidential.com or stop by the Association’s office (5415 E. High Street, Suite 220, Phoenix 85054) to obtain the candidate application form.
Return all candidate application forms to the Association office no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, February 10th.
In addition, candidates are required to attend at least one of the three “Meet the Candidate” events. It is strongly recommended that all board candidates attend the Board Candidates Meet & Greet / Q&A to be held during the DRCA Board of Director Meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:00 PM. Candidates are also encouraged to attend the DRCA Farmers Market Cashman Park at Desert Ridge Board Candidates Meet & Greet / Q&A on Sunday, February 19th at 11:00 AM or Sunday, March 19th at 11:00 AM.
Candidates must also attend the Desert Ridge Community Association Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, April 20th. Candidate attendance at this
meeting is mandatory!
What are the Directors’ responsibilities?
The Desert Ridge Community Association is an Arizona-chartered, 501(c)(4) nonprofit social welfare organization. Directors are responsible for operating and maintaining the “common area” property of the community, reviewing and approving all site plans and improvements within the community, and providing coordination and oversight of the community subsidiary associations and subdivisions. Luckily, we have a management company that handles most of the day-to-day operations.
What is the time commitment needed while serving on the Board?
The Board typically holds one Open Session and one Executive Session per month, which takes approximately 2-4 hours, combined. There are presently seven standing committees that each have varying meeting schedules determined by their respective committee charter. Depending on which committee you would like to be involved with, an additional 1-2 hours per week may be required. Typically, the time commitment averages about 8 hours a month.
When and where is the Board of Directors Meetings?
The meeting schedule is actually determined by the Board of Directors. Our current meeting schedule is the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. (except for the months of April, July and December), at Desert Ridge Community Association Office, Conference Room, 5415 E. High Street, Suite 220, Phoenix 85054.
Do you incur personal liability by serving on the Board?
Generally, as long as a Director acts in good faith with the best interests of the community first, doesn’t break any laws, or have any personal benefit, the Association indemnifies the Directors. The Association’s Articles of Incorporation provide the most comprehensive explanation of liability. Please read and understand them fully for yourself. The Articles of Incorporation can be found on FirstService Connect, the community information website, or the CD.
How does the election actually work?
There is a one vote per lot for each available position on the board. A qualified Owner will be able to cast one vote for up to 4 candidates.
Do developers and commercial entities get to vote?
Yes, qualified developers and commercial entities are members and get to vote. The Desert Ridge Board is not a Homeowners Association, it is a Community Association. One of the great things about Desert Ridge is that it is still a relatively young development, and only about 40% of the total parceled land have homes built on them. Since the voting is determined per lot, there is still significant involvement by private and commercial developers and the Master Developer. The Master Developer actually casts votes for all land held by the Arizona State Land Dept.
Tips for people who are running.
Get out there and talk to your neighbors – -ask them what their concerns are for the community. Let them know you’re running. Candidates may speak with developers as well as the commercial interests. And thank you for getting involved!
