Esther,

Thank you for your email. Yes, I read about the Facebook page you have launched. Increased interest in becoming involved in all things Ocean Pines is a good thing. We encourage members to become engaged by attending our board meetings and volunteering for the many work groups, committees and initiatives we are pursuing. We continue the practice begun last year of conducting public comments in an interactive way by answering questions and concerns raised by members. We receive and respond to many emails from members seeking information or assistance. We work with the PublicRelations and Marketing Department to publicize information through press releases, e-blasts, the OPA website and the OPA Facebook page. The board and General Manager also make themselves available to the press for stories they are writing. We have committed to holding 3 Town Hall meetings each year, a practice that was derailed this year by the pandemic restrictions. We hope to resume this practice based on the input from the Communications Advisory Committee and concerns expressed by the membership.

In addition to encouraging members to attend or view meetings on YouTube, we encourage interested members to become active in one of our advisory committees or submit their names for the upcoming board election. Several of our advisory committees are looking to add to their numbers. In particular, the Bylaws and Resolutions Advisory Committee, the Search, Communications and elections Committees are eager for new members. Our Strategic Planning Advisory Committee has openings as it launches into the work of discerning and articulating member priorities as they relate to OPA’s mission and vision and shaping the future of OPA. Members who wish to join individuals who have already pledged their interest, time and expertise to the work of our committees can find further information on the OPA website. As you are aware, there are also two board seats to be filled in the upcoming election, and interested members are encouraged to reach out to our Search Committee Chairman Tom Piatti for more information and guidance on that process.

Soon our General Manager will be launching the new Ocean Pines Academy, a virtual experience which will give interested members a plethora of information about Ocean Pines operations, departments, amenities and governance. You will see more information on this in the coming weeks. Participation on an advisory committee and/or the Ocean Pines Academy are great options for preparing interested members to become strong candidates for the Board of Directors and to “ hit the ground running” if elected.

As you can see, and you may recall from your brief time as a Director, we are busy with the pursuit of the Board’s duties and mission and the publication of our progress and accomplishments. We will continue to use and strengthen the mechanisms that are already in place that facilitate two-way communication between the community and OPA Board. We welcome all comers who wish to join with us in this work.

Larry Perrone
President OPA