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The Board and the that simple if we keep our options open and re- Discussions with Yelena, Director of Opera-
Art of Leadership
Pat Patterson
Vice President, Board of Directors
Ralph Jahr, Board of Directors & Editor
We are all looking back on the past, to
things we accomplished and the things we
should have done better. Board members take
leadership on with a simple idea. “Think and
wonder, wonder and think,” Dr. Seuss. Direc-
tors on the board are ordinary Club members
and hire experts and professionals to ensure the
role in the Association’s governance. Wow,
who would volunteer for a non-paid posi-
tion and try to satisfy all the people?
“Adults are just outdated children,” Dr.
Seuss. I believe we need to solve complicat-
ed problems with simple answers! “They
say I’m old fashioned, and live in the past,
but sometimes I think progress progresses
too fast,” Dr. Seuss. I believe every Direc-
tor’s actions, votes, and decisions are made
in a similar way to what any other member
in the Club would do if they were in their
shoes.
What does it mean to be a member of
the Board of Directors, (Board) and what do
they do? Well, the Board is the governing body
of the Association, Article 1, 1.8 of the Cove-
nants, Conditions and Restrictions, (CCR) Ac-
cording to the Bylaws. The board conducts
Business meetings four times a year and con-
venes other meetings as needed such as Organi-
zational, Special, Emergency, and Executive
Sessions. That is a lot of meetings for non-paid
retiree members of the Club! Often as Board
Directors we need to make decisions that some
people do not like. “Sometimes, when I see my
granddaughters make small discoveries of their
own, I wish I were a child,” Dr. Seuss. It can be
May 2020
member that the best ideas may be the simplest tions, will help with everyday details. Further
solution! The principal duties of the Board, inquiry with Pam at Riverside Management will
along with management, is to ensure the Associ- provide details regarding legalities and policies
ation is well managed and complies with the that lead to correct processes to follow. The five
Association’s governing documents. The Board Directors working together can also give insight
is the Association’s decision-making authority as to what the community is thinking. “I’m glad
on all matters except those reserved to members we had the times together just to laugh and sing
or delegated to the management and commit- a song, seems like we just got started and then
tees. before you know it, the times we had together
There is more to be a Director than just were gone,” Dr. Seuss. It is currently more diffi-
making decisions. And that is Leadership. Being cult with Co-vid 19 keeping everybody in their
a Leader, takes courage, honesty, responsibility, homes. “Strategic leaders must not get con-
imagination, and creativity. “Leadership is not sumed by the operational and tactical side of
about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, their work. They have a duty to find time to
shape the future,” Stephanie S. Mead. To
shape the future Directors should not get
caught up in the details but instead must
think strategically. Responsibility is key to
Board actions. “Leadership is not a person
or a position. It is a complex moral relation-
ship between people based on trust, obliga-
tion, commitment, emotion, and a shared
vision of the good,” Joanne B. Ciulla. The
conduct of each Board member must be
honest, helpful, diligent, and respectful.
This is necessary when communicating with
influence and inspiration.” Robin S. Sharma. It
community members, staff, management, other
takes courage just to throw your hat in the ring
and Directors. In Dr. Seuss’s world,
to be on the Board. “You’ll miss the best things
“Everyone’s a pony and they all eat rainbows
if you keep your eyes shut,” Dr. Seuss. It also and poop butterflies!”
takes time and commitment to listen and test
Leadership involves heart, and a desire
ideas. “You gain strength, courage and confi-
to listen to others. I remember a quote by Chris-
dence by every experience which you must stop
topher Reeve, “What makes Superman a hero is
and look fear in the face… You must do the
not that he has power, but that he has the wis-
thing you think you cannot do,” Eleanor Roose-
dom and the maturity to use the power wisely.”
velt. Seeing all possibilities, all that can be
Directors at The Club do not need to be Super-
done, and how it can be done, marks the power
men. But using the combined wisdom and of
of imagination. Sometimes thinking outside of
community members, staff and other Board
the box gives creative ideas. I’m telling you this
members can go a long way to help the Board
because you’re one of my friends. “My alphabet
exhibit good leadership that can benefit the en-
starts where your alphabet ends,” Dr. Seuss.
tire community.
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