RA Board Planning Committee Meeting

Monday, December 8, 2014

Rachel Muir, Directorat-Large

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed herein are mine and

do not necessarily reflect the views of the Reston

Association Board of Directors.

Civic organizations, specifically the Reston Citizens

Association, and the Friends of Reston, were contacted

regarding the creation of an advisory committee on
ethics as potential participants in the development of
such a committee. However, no specific action, other
than their thoughts and opinions, were requested,
pending more specific action by the RA Board.

Why an Ethics Advisory Committee?

Promote trust among the Reston Board, RA,

Advisory Committees and Reston Members:

The Board of Directors is responsible to the Membership for seeing that

the overall organizational goals of Reston Association are

accomplished. In general, a Board members job is to set policy in all
matters--finance and budget, personnel and compensation policies, and
planning and program strategies. In addition appoints persons to fill
four positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer; it
hires a person to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

RA has large and varied assets: (~ $38 million as of 4-2014);

Current guidance and resolutions are not consolidated and

implementation is not independent from the RA Board.

General Characteristics of a Successful

Ethics Committee
Independence;
Transparency and Openness;
Knowledge of Ethics for Civic Organizations;
Specific Knowledge of the Reston Association,

including its Structure, Responsibilities and

Resources and of the Reston Community;
Ability to Communicate to the RA Board, RA and
Reston Residents.

Process for Creating the Committee

Same as for any Advisory Committee under the RA

Deed:

Board Selection of a Chair;

Review and Recommendation of the Board Planning

Committee for membership and Board Approval;

Same period of service but modified to create a

staggered membership of the Advisory Committee (to

be determined);

Proposed Composition of the Ethics

Advisory Board
General:
Specifics:
Four members from Reston Both independent
organizations are civic
Civic Organizations;
with shared interests in
Two Reston residents
our community;
recommended by Reston
RA Board member is
Citizens Association;
elected by the Board;
Two by the Friends of
RA employee should
Reston;
have knowledge of fiscal
One RA Board Member;
and human resources of
RA.
One RA employee, (non-

voting).

Why this Committee Composition?

Characteristics

FOR

RCA

RA Board

RA Staff

Independence

+++

+++

++

++

Transparency

+++

+++

++

++

Knowledge of
Ethics

++

++

++

++

Knowledge of RA
and Community

++

++

++

+++

+++

+++

+++

+++

No. of Members

Ability to
Communicate

Duties of the Advisory Committee

Develop a Code of Ethics for the Board of Directors

based on current law, (Property Owners Association

Act), the Reston Association Deed and By-Laws and
current resolutions by the Board;
Provide a consolidated code for approval by the Board;
Periodically review RA Board Actions and report to the
Board, (for example, conflict of interest statements);
Develop process for Reston residents to express
concerns before the Committee, (open meetings);
Report and make recommendations to the RA Board.

Special Characteristics of the Ethics

Advisory Committee
They are few:
Some members are specifically recommended to the
Board by independent civic organizations;
The RA Board member of the advisory committee can
not serve as chair or vice-chair;
All meeting are open; however, consider giving the
power for executive session for appropriate reasons as
utilized by other committees (legal, contractual and
Personal).
Committee should be forward-looking not investigate
concerns greater than one calendar year old.

Summary
This is a framework and recommendations for

discussion A RA BOD product, not the product of

any individual or individuals;
Details and protocols need to be worked out;
This Advisory Committee provides some ground rules
for the RA Board of the Directors; recommend a
healthy discussion at the upcoming meeting,
(December 16th) quick resolution so we can
Get in the game! Questions or Comments? Thanks!