WHY IS THE BOARD MEETING IN A CLOSED SESSION ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016, 7:00PM? WHY HAVEN'T WE BEEN NOTICED ON THE WPA WEBSITE, AS TO WHO CALLED THE MEETING, AND THE SUBJECT OF THE MEETING? LOOKS LIKE MORE OF THE SAME KIND OF SECRET TACTICS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN USING IN EVERY AREA OF OUR GOVERNANCE!

Tonight, I got a call from a resident who has been concerned about a lot of the board's behavior, for a long time.  He asked if I had seen the sign out at the front gate - "CLOSED MEETING, SEPT. 12, 7:00PM."  It appears, that it went up today.  Usual procedure has been, up until recently, for the board to post notice of the meeting on the WPA website, stating who called the meeting, date, time, and subject of the meeting.  So I checked the WPA website, and it is not noticed there.  Surprise, surprise, from this board known for shut up, put up with it, because we say - it is LEGAL, and we are in COMPLIANCE.  I'm not one, and you shouldn't be either, who is afraid to ask!  

First let's look at what the By-Laws say about calling such a meeting.  Here is the quote:

Section 7: Regular Meetings: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such time and place as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. Notice of regular meetings shall be given to each Director personally or by mail at least three day prior to the meeting provided, however, that
notice requirement may be waived if signed

in writing by two-thirds of the total board members holding office at that time. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be open to all members except when conditions require an "Executive Session" which shall be open only to the elected Directors.
Section 7: Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Directors may be called by the President or must be called by the Secretary at the written request of one-third (1/3) of the Directors. Not less than three days notice of the meeting shall be given personally or by mail, telephone, or telegraph which said notice shall state the time, place and purpose of the meeting; provided, however, that notice requirement may be waived if signed in writing by two thirds (2/3) of all board members holding office at that time. 

 

In regard to whether we, as members should get to attend these meetings called by the board, here is what Board Attorney of Record, Bob Moran, sent to president, Jacky Walton on April 11, 2011:  

“Initially I reiterate my advice to the Board to refrain from conducting business in executive session.There are very few purposes of conducting meetings which are not open to the Membership.  Members may be prevented from participating in the meeting, but they should be given the opportunity to attend.  This includes the organizational meeting conducted at the conclusion of the Annual meeting and, by implication, any subsequent re-organizational meeting.”

President Walton, sure does know that it better be something worthy of a secret meeting, because he's been told by a board attorney!

Now, I have something to share as to what it appears legal/compliance chair/vice president, Garrison knows about posting these meetings.  I have a quote from an email that he sent the board in days gone by. 

"DATE:  November 29, 2011

TO:  WPA Board

FROM:  Bob Garrison

SUBJECT:  Reorg. Meeting

"OK, one more and hopefully we got it.

Mon., Dec. 5 at 7:00pm.  Required purpose is election of officers and appointment of committee chairs by the president.

Although I personally agree with Jason that this would better be done in Executive session, my understanding is the last word from the board attorney was that this should be an open meeting.  As such, my suggestion is to do just that.  This should be a short and to the point deal.

Larry, if you would ensure that the sign is posted.  I'd appreciate it.

Kathy please make sure this is posted to the web and that both the posting and the sign are done at least 72 hours prior to Mon. evening as required.

Any questions or concerns, feel free to call me at home in the evening.  As you have indicated the likelihood of your availability, we should be able to knock this out Monday."

So, now we know for sure what president Watlon, and legal/compliance chair/vice president, Garrison knows.  Well, then, why don't we know what the subject of the meeting is, that's first.  Second, without the subject of the meeting, we still don't know what excuse they are going to use - to keep us from attending!

You could write the board, and ask them!  Better yet, you could write the board, and tell them you want to review the correspondence/notice they received notifying them of the meeting.

I don't know why the board just doesn't take this sign down from near the front gate.  They keep failing to live up to the promise of Wedgefield. Literally they have knocked it down, and failed to govern accordingly anyway!  I'll post the sign, because I believe we need to rid ourselves of 4 of these members who are up for re-election, and get members in who will try to bring us back to the promise of Wedgefield.