Work group to review OPA Bylaws

(Nov. 19, 2020) A small work group will lead an effort to review and cleanup Ocean Pines Association Bylaws, based on a Board of Directors discussion during a public meeting on Wednesday night.  

Ocean Pines has not updated the document since 2008, and Board members said certain sections lack clarity.  

Association Vice President Colette Horn said the review came up during a recent Executive Council meeting, which are regular gatherings of advisory committee chairs with Board leadership.  

Horn said the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, in their annual report, also recommended a review of the bylaws. 

“It has been more than 12 years since the current bylaws were approved at the 2008 annual meeting,” Horn said. “Areas that the committee suggest bear review and potential revision include various issues related to the election process, the requirement that a Search Committee be appointed, the meaning of ‘in good standing’ as it applies to member qualifications for various actions, and the meaning and processes related to ‘informal action’ by the Board.  

“Our legal counsel has over the past several years also suggested need for us to review our bylaws with consideration for revision of sections that require it,” Horn added.  

To complete the task, Horn suggested the formation of a work group to include directors Camilla Rogers and Doug Parks. Parks is the current Board liaison to the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee and a former chair of that committee. 

“I would relish the idea,” Parks said. “We had this as a kind of peripheral discussion for the past couple of years … so I think it’s a very opportune time. Quite frankly, I’m encouraged and would look forward to working with Cami and [current committee Chairman] Jim Trummel, and the rest of the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.” 

During the last few years, Parks said, there were several times when segments of the bylaws needed clarification.  

“I think now is probably a very good time to do so,” he said. “I think we’ve got some momentum on that. Certainly, I’m looking forward to serving on that [work group].”  

Association President Larry Perrone also endorsed the idea, especially with Rogers, Parks and Trummel leading the effort.  

“Obviously, we’re going to want this reviewed by [legal] counsel too,” Perrone added.  

Formal adoption of any changes to Ocean Pines Association Bylaws require the approval of membership through a referendum.  

To view a video of the meeting, visit https://youtu.be/nakRsw-IHLA.