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Shelter Bay, as an organization and entity, is both an anomaly and a conundrum. It attempts to operate functionally as both a corporation and a homeowner’s association, and the lines of authority and responsibility between them have become irreconcilably blurred. The management of both entities has become the assumed responsibility of nine board of director members elected at large from the membership (residents) of the community. (In the case of an elected board member’s unfilled term – for example, as a consequence of a resignation -- individuals are appointed by the board to complete the term.) These elected and/or appointed board members serve as volunteers without compensation and may or may not be adequately qualified for the job and responsibilities they assume.

In most organizations governed by a board, their primary duty is to establish company policy, not manage day-to-day operations. Instead, the typical board employs a CEO (chief executive officer) who then hires a staff of specialists, as necessary, to run the company. These specialists might include a COO (chief operating officer) or CFO (chief financial officer), an HR (human resources) manager to handle personnel matters, etc. In Shelter Bay, all of these duties and responsibilities are carried out by volunteer board members. Yes, they also employ a “manager” per se, but that title and scope of responsibility appear to be in name only and extremely limited.

As has been ably enumerated in recent letters (Steve Kline on May 3 and Christine Hill on April 19 for example), Two Citizens’ View (Jack and Julie Jones on April 19) and on-going news reporting and editorial commentary by the editor – whose mission and efforts have been intentionally obfuscated by the board’s leadership – the current problems facing Shelter Bay are evident for all to see – but how many actually do see them or truly care?

Communication – and especially honest and truthful communication – to the community at large is hit-and-miss – and mostly misses – and the community remains mostly in the dark and uninformed.

(Editor's note: Part II will follow in a later edition.)

Bruce Elliot

Eagle’s Nest