Notice: The following is a reference copy of the committee charter. The official charter document may be found on the FCHOA2 website.

 

 

FORD’S COLONY AT WILLIAMSBURG

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

 

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE CHARTER:

 

            WHEREAS, Article III (A), Section 1 of the Ford’s Colony at Williamsburg Homeowners Association, Inc.’s (“Association’s”) Bylaws provides that “the affairs of the Association shall be managed under the direction of a Board of Directors;”

            WHEREAS, Article III (C), Section 18 of the Bylaws provides that the Board of Directors “shall have all of the powers and duties necessary for the administration of the Association’s affairs...;”

            WHEREAS, Article V of the Bylaws states that the Board may authorize committees to perform such tasks and to serve for such periods as may be designated by the Board, that each committee shall be composed and shall operate in accordance with the terms of the resolution of the Board of Directors designating the committee, that unless otherwise provided in the resolution, the members of a committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, and that any committee member may be removed by a majority of the members of the Board, with or without cause, at any time, and with or without a successor being named;

            WHEREAS, the Board of Directors deems it necessary and desirable and in the interest of the individual lot owners and the Association to establish a committee to advise and assist the Board in communicating with the owners and residents of Ford’s Colony, as well as public and media relations with the greater Williamsburg community;

            NOW, THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLVES THAT a Communications Committee be established, having the following terms of reference:


I.  RESPONSIBILITY:       

A.  The Communications Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.  The primary purpose of the Communications Committee is to advise the Board on issues relating to communications, by various means, between the Association and the owners/resident renters; about activities and clubs within Ford's Colony, about the actions and policies of the Board of Directors and the work of its committees and retained professionals, and about other matters of general interest to the owners.  The Committee will make recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the Newsletter Policy, Web Site Policy, and other communications issues.

B.  The members of the newsletter subcommittee are chosen by the Chair of the Communications Committee from among the members of the Communications Committee and have editorial duties with respect to the Talk of the Colony.  The Chair of the Communications Committee has the authority to decide appeals concerning the content of the Talk of the Colony on the basis of the Newsletter Policy adopted by the Board.

C.  The Communications Committee will assist in the development of a Web site and other means of communication within Ford's Colony.  The Communications Committee will also coordinate efforts in public relations with the residents of the Williamsburg area through press releases, pictures, etc. regarding the activities of Ford's Colony clubs and volunteers upon request.

D.  Monitor the Association’s budget performance for the newsletter and other communications-related line items, and assist in formulating the annual budget each year based on developed programs and improvements in Association services.  Be prepared to report concerns and develop solutions for budget overruns to the Finance Committee and to the Association’s Board of Directors.

E.  The Committee shall perform such other tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the Board.

II.  MANNER OF ORGANIZATION:

A.  Membership:

1.  The Communications Committee shall consist of at least seven (7) and no more than nine (9) members appointed by the Board of Directors.  The Committee Chair should recruit and nominate prospective members for appointment by the Board.  For the purpose of conducting its business, a simple majority of members shall constitute a quorum.

2.  Committee members shall be lot owners in Ford's Colony, however, they may not simultaneously be members or spouses of members of the Association's Board of Directors.  The Chair of the Association’s Activities Committee, or their designee, shall be a member of the Communications Committee.  The Management Agent will be an ex-officio, non-voting member and will act as an advisor to the Committee, and perform the specific tasks identified in the Newsletter policy adopted by the Board and a Web Site Policy, when applicable.

3.  Members of the Board of Directors shall be informed of scheduled committee meetings and may attend and participate in the meetings of the Committee but may not vote on any motion before the Committee.                

.           B.  Terms:

1.  Communications Committee members shall normally serve a term of three (3) years and may be appointed for consecutive terms without limit.

2.  In an effort to promote continuity, terms should be staggered so that one-third or the closest number to one-third of the Committee membership is appointed or reappointed each year.

3.  Terms of committee members will begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

            C.  The Communications Committee Chair shall be a member of the Committee, shall be appointed annually by the Board of Directors and shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive years in that position.  The committee shall designate a Vice Chair who shall be approved by the Board of Directors.  Meetings without the presence of the Chair are not anticipated; however, should such an occasion occur, the Vice Chair shall lead the meeting.            

            D.  The Board may remove a member of the Communications Committee, with or without cause.  Vacancies may be filled by appointment by the Board.

            E.  The Communications Committee Chair will designate a recorder from among the committee members.  The recorder shall be responsible for maintaining committee records, minutes of meetings, and assisting the Chair in preparing quarterly and annual reports to the Board of Directors.

III.  MANNER OF OPERATION:

A.  The Communications Committee shall conduct its business in the best interest of the Association and in accordance with this Charter, the Association's Declaration, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations.  However, any recommendation to the Board shall be forwarded only when a quorum is present.  With the exception of the role of the newsletter subcommittee and the production of the monthly newsletter, the Committee will take no action on behalf of the Association without the prior authorization of the Board of Directors as reflected in the Association's minutes. 

B.  Unless otherwise designated by the Board, media inquiries will be responded to by the Association President and/or Management Agent.

C.  The Newsletter Subcommittee will carry out its duties as set forth in the Association’s Newsletter Policy, adopted by the Board, and will speak with one voice to the production staff.

D.  Function of the Chair:   Functions of the Chair shall include the following:

1.  Coordinate all committee activities and preside at all committee meetings.

2.  Prepare required reports to the Board.

3.  Represent the Committee to the Board

4.  Prepare annual budget proposals, if applicable, and submit to the Finance Committee and Management Agent as requested.

E.  Meetings:

1.  The committee will meet as often as deemed necessary by the Chair and at least quarterly with notice to all members and the Board of Directors.

2.  The Committee will determine its own meeting agenda.

3.  Except as provided in the Code of Virginia for convening in executive session, all meetings shall be open to all members of the Association.  Notice of each meeting shall be provided to the Management Agent in time for publication to the membership.  At least one copy of the agenda and any supporting material shall be made available for inspection by the membership at each meeting of the committee.

F.  Reporting:

1.  The Communications Committee will provide quarterly and annual reports, as requested, summarizing its activity to the Board of Directors.

2.  The recorder or interim recorder shall prepare and submit through the Chair minutes of all Committee meetings.  Copies of the all approved meeting minutes shall be delivered to the Management Agent and Board of Directors as soon as practical.

FORD’S COLONY AT WILLIAMSBURG

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

RESOLUTIONS ACTION RECORD

Resolution Type: Administrative              Number: ____________              

Pertaining to: Communications Committee                          

Duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors held: ________________________

 

Motion by:                        Seconded by:                      

                                                           

VOTE:

DIRECTOR:                                                   YES    NO      ABSTAIN      ABSENT

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ATTEST:

 

                                                            ________________                       

Secretary                                             Date

 

FILE:

 

Book of Minutes ____________

 

Resolution effective: ______________________