Why does good governance matter?

When rules, laws, and ethical standards are followed, the board can focus on working on important neighborhood issues with less contention and discord. The community can be confident that their interests are being met without corruption or personal priorities of board members superseding community interests.

Excellence In Governance

• Conflict of Interest/Code of Ethics document signed by all board members as they take office for the first time and annually thereafter.

• All board members receive mandatory training, within the first month of taking office, in our governing documents, the RCW for HOAs, the Washington Non-Profit Guidelines, Conflict Resolution, Conflict of Interest, and Ethical behavior. Additional orientation to VIS, budget processes, and contracts should be provided. Inform board members how the annual reserve study is conducted, currently by CEDCORE. These trainings are open to all members of the community. Beginning in 2025, training fees are incorporated into the budget. All the documents regulating HOA functioning will be posted on the website

• All board meetings are open to the community and documented with well-written minutes that are posted promptly after approval. Any Zoom meetings (or possibly all meetings) are recorded and made available to residents. A board meeting is defined as any meeting in which a quorum of board members convene to discuss any aspects of board business.

• Consider a revision of the structure of the Ken Lake board considering the use of paid staff and management, the need to liaison with the regional community, and the need to improve the boards connection with its constituents. This would entail redefining board positions and possibly the election process.

• A finance committee of board and non-board members will be created to help with the budgeting and investment process.

• Residents allowed to attend and participate in Board Meetings via Community Comment and discussion section for each topic discussed.

• A clear pathway of communications is made available to residents so that they know that their voices are heard. A member of the board is the liaison with the community to ensure that comments are directed to appropriate board members and/or placed on the agenda for public discussion..

• All Committees, including the Covenants Compliance Committee, will provide notice of meetings, keep minutes that are available upon request, and provide updates at all regular and annual meetings of the board.

• Proper procedures for Executive Session will be followed, including stating the specific purpose of each Executive Session and limiting discussion to that topic.

• Any document to be reviewed during a board meeting will be provided along with the agenda to the community with notice of the meeting.

• Board members will recognize that their primary obligation is to work toward the good of the community and not to pursue personal interests above that obligation.

• Remove and sanction any members of the Covenants Compliance Committee that use their position to persecute neighbors for personal reasons.

Community Engagement

• When an issue becomes a source of conflict or concern within the community, or will be a significant budget item, the board should hold a community “townhall” meeting to provide information and to obtain community input, rather than allowing confusion and misinformation to confound decision making.

• Volunteer opportunities within the community will be promoted in meetings and publications and volunteers should regularly be recognized for their services. Committee chairs should make the activities of their committees known and consider how to encourage and incorporate community volunteers. There should be a list of standing committees and their mandate and activities available on website and newsletters.

• Volunteers should be encouraged to adopt projects or common areas to steward, as in the Mower Posse (volunteers who mow our common areas lawns for 7 months of the year), the Urban Forest Angels (who have pulled up 100’s of pounds of ivy), and the Geezer Squad (who have built/rebuilt 3 floats, saving thousands of dollars)

• Encourage Community-led initiatives, such as the private funding and installation of the carved Wildlife pole at the Sports Park in 2022.

• The Board will appoint a board member or community member to be in charge of Community Engagement and to encourage communication and participation of residents.

• Annual or biannual community wide questionnaires should be distributed to the community by non-board members to solicit input on membership concerns and aspirations and on board governance.

• The Newcomer packet and orientation process should continue and be supported.

• The Board of Directors should move toward a higher level of professionalism and training so that it functions more smoothly and does not deter or restrict residents from running for office or volunteering.

Quality of Life as a Ken Lake Resident

• The Covenants Compliance Committee’s task is to make the neighborhood a better place to live, physically and emotionally. The Board should impose a moratorium on citations and fines until a community “townhall” meeting is held to try to obtain a consensus about the balance between enforcement and a comfortable community. Education should be prioritized over citations and fines. The Compliance Committee needs to operate legally following guidelines for a standing committee.

• Safety and security issues should be addressed, including traffic safety (speed limits, lighting, Black Lake intersection), non-residents/guests using parks, crime and burglaries (security cams, security guard). The effectiveness of RFID gates at deterring inappropriate use of parks should be evaluated compared to its inconvenience, expense and frequent malfunction.

• To enable the Ken Lake Community to come together for governance and social and educational activities, begin research into the development and funding of a Community Center building.

• Services that engage and inform the community, such as the Welcome Packet, the printed and email newsletters, and the website, should all be continually improved or updated.

• The Events committee activities, open board meetings and governance, volunteer opportunities, and other measures can help to bring the community together.

Common Areas Management and Environmental Stewardship

• Provide clear expectations to the common areas manager(s) and a clear line of communication with the board. One responsibility should include coordination of volunteers in special work parties or in standing work groups.

• Develop a Strategic Plan for managing the community for five, ten and twenty five years that guides park and lake management and the budgeting process. This includes reviewing previous and current reserve studies performed by CEDCORE.

• Volunteers should be encouraged to adopt projects or common areas to steward (see above under Community Engagement).

• The management of the community will reflect the covenants mandate that this is a forested, tree filled community and that, as such, we need to recognize and accommodate the special challenges associated with trees, including moss, downfall, and the danger of falling trees on both public and private properties. A Forest Management plan similar to the Lake Management plan should be developed including the use of tree professionals, both paid and volunteer, and budgeting in place to support these measures.

• The management of the lake is a high priority and both short term and long term plans for its care should be developed, clarified to the community, and included in short term and long term budgeting.

• The Urban Forest should continue to be managed as a wild refuge that is safe for residents, their children and also wildlife. It is currently managed by an informed committee but could in the future be managed by the Common Areas Manager.

• Residents should receive regular education about steps they can take to protect and improve the natural environment, including such measures as safe moss control and yard chemicals, clearing storm drains, managing wildlife like raccoons and coyotes. The newsletter, website, UF Kiosk, and special educational actions (like a booth at July 4th or a townhall meeting) should be used to keep residents informed. Education on environmental stewardship should supersede fining and citations for non-compliance on related issues.

• Recognize that we have many dog owners in the community who would like greater access to parks and connections with other dog owners, but that they also have a responsibility for dog poop and dog behavior management.

• The application process to run for the board should be well publicized with descriptions of the different roles and offices available within the board and an adequate time period for recruitment and application. A better application process should be used to provide more information to the community about skill sets and background of applicants. The process should be handled by the management company outside of board influence.

• The Events Committee should continue to offer a wide array of events tailored to appeal to the diversity of residents that live in this community.

• All Standing Committee Meetings will be open to the community, documented and reported on at board meetings and/or in the newsletter in order to engage greater understanding and participation in our community events and activities. A list of all standing committees, their activities, chairs, and how to contact them will be available in the Newcomers packet and on our website.