FAQs Regarding Running for the Board

• 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 board oversees an annual budget exceeding $30 million and assets valued at over $90 million, spanning more than 5,000 acres. 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.

  Tahoe Donner Resolution 2022-1 has more information about the responsibilities and authority of board members.
• 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 are some of the duties and responsibilities of the board?

  Examples of duties and responsibilities of the board include but are not limited to:
  Determine the amount of Annual Assessment
  Helping to prioritize and pursue major capital projects and improvements
  Creation and monitoring of the annual budget and performances
  Establish appropriate policies to determine funding levels for the association’s reserves
  In conjunction with the association’s general manager, create a multi-year strategic plan
  Decide on appeals from association members who disagree with the interpretation or enforcement of the association rules
• What are the qualifications for directors?

  Requirements for candidate eligibility, 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.

  Both full-time and part-time residents are eligible to be a board member.

  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.
• 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.

  Unless determined otherwise by the Board, all meetings will be conducted in person and remotely via Zoom.
• What is involved in running for the board?

  Those interested in running for the board must first turn in an application. Once the applicants are confirmed eligible to run, they have the option to submit a Director Election Statement.  This Statement will be posted to the TahoeDonner.com/boardelections and included in the board election packet sent to the property owners in late May.  Candidates also have the option to submit a link to their own election-related website if they have created one.  The link will be made available on the Tahoe Donner Elections website.

  Candidates are invited to participate in the Director Election Forum event, where they have the opportunity to address topics of interest submitted by the property owners. A detailed timeline and additional requirements are provided at TahoeDonner.com/boardelections.
• 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.