FAQs Regarding Running for the Board

Nominations for the 2023 Board of Directors Election closed on April 20, 2023, at 10AM. At that time, the Elections Committee received only two applications for the two open seats and verified the eligibility of the following candidates, who were confirmed as directors by acclimation on April 28, 2023:

Stephen Mahoney
Courtney Murrell

• What is the board of directors?

  Tahoe Donner is governed by a five-member board of directors. The directors are elected by property owners and govern the financial management and general operation of the association. The annual budget of the association is in excess of $34 million per year. Operations include the physical management and maintenance of the association’s common areas, operation of the resort amenities and enforcement of the land-use restrictions and architectural standards that create the unique character of Tahoe Donner.
• What is the fiduciary relationship and responsibility?

  Members of the board of directors have a fiduciary duty to the association. This responsibility requires members of the board to act in good faith and in the best interests of all owners. It means that board members must exercise due care and diligence when acting on behalf of the association, and it requires them to act within the scope of their authority. The fact that the association is a not-for-profit corporation and that the members of the board are unpaid volunteers does not relieve them from the high standards of trust and responsibility that the fiduciary relationship requires.
• What sorts of issues come before the board?

  Within applicable legal constraints, the board determines everything from the amount of the Annual Assessment to which major projects should be pursued by the association. It governs the general overall operation of the association in conjunction with the association’s general manager. It decides on appeals from association members who disagree with rules interpretation or enforcement. Important items for the board to review and decide upon over the next two years include:

  • Strategic planning
  • Fiscal monitoring of the association’s amenities
  • Establishing appropriate funding levels for the association’s reserve
  • Development funds and utilization of open spaces
• What are the qualifications for directors?

  Requirements for candidate qualifications, as required by Civil Code Section 5105, have been incorporated into the association’s Voting and Election Rules (Section 2.1.2). Please see those rules here.

  In summary, a member may be a candidate for the board as long as:

  • The candidate is a natural person and a member of the association for at least one year.
  • The candidate does not have a criminal conviction that prevents the association from obtaining a fidelity bond and cannot be delinquent in assessment payments unless the member has either paid under protest or agreed to a payment plan.

  No property owner is eligible as a candidate if:

  • A co-owner (another holding an interest in a property of the candidate) will be serving on the board at the same time as the candidate.
  • He or she is an employee of the association.
  • He or she has served two elected consecutive terms of office.

  Your fellow owners will be looking for and will vote for candidates with qualifications they feel will best support the association’s interests and welfare. Direct experience in leadership, management, finance and resort operations are all experiences that would serve the needs of the association well. Those with other skills, experience and knowledge relevant to association operations and governance would also be welcome candidates for the open directors’ positions on the board.
• What is the time commitment?

  Being an effective director does require time. Regular board meetings are held once per month. A briefing packet is prepared by Tahoe Donner staff for each meeting, and a significant amount of time is required to review and research information, including occasional meetings with staff to clarify particular issues in order to be well prepared for the board meetings. Monthly board meetings usually last most of the day, depending on the agenda items and number of member appeals of enforcement actions taken.

  There are also special meetings to review items that cannot wait until monthly meetings. Additionally, each board member serves as a liaison to one or more of the committees serving the association; this involves additional regular meetings. The scheduling, time periods required and number of committee meetings are held at the convenience of the committee chair and depend on the particular task being addressed.

  It is anticipated that most 2023 board meetings will be conducted in person with an option to connect remotely via Zoom.
• Is it necessary to be a full-time resident in Tahoe Donner to serve on the board?

  There is no requirement to be a full-time resident of Tahoe Donner. It is desirable to have representation from owners who are part-time residents.
• What is involved in running for the board?

  Those interested in running for the board must first turn in an application; then, once it is confirmed they are eligible to run, they must submit a candidate’s statement that is reproduced and included in the board election packet sent to property owners in late May. Candidates then participate in a Candidates Night event where they have the opportunity to directly present their ideas about serving on the board to property owners and address topics of interest submitted by property owners.
• The bottom line?

  Serving as a director for Tahoe Donner carries many of the same duties and responsibilities as overseeing any other large business. Being a board member is a valuable and rewarding experience that should be undertaken by those who see it as an opportunity and have the time to serve their fellow neighbors while protecting and enhancing the assets of the community. It is serious business, but also a responsibility worth doing well in order to safeguard the investments of every owner.
• How do I contact the Elections Committee?

  electionscommittee@tahoedonner.com

If you don’t see your question answered here, please submit it to electionscommittee@tahoedonner.com.