Jim,

In response to your inquiry, I have always taken the position that it is the responsibility and duty of the committee chair to interview an applicant to determine if their qualifications are consistent with that of the committee. I also rely on that process as board members do not usually conduct a personal interview of the applicant.

The application form contains a section where the chair endorses the application and a section where the board liaison to the committee also endorses the applicant. That form is presented and is placed on the agenda for an upcoming board meeting. You should note that there is no requirement for a committee chair to submit all applications he/she receives. If, during the interview process, a committee chair determines that the applicant would not be a good fit for the committee, it is well withing their authority to decline the application and not present it to the board for consideration.

In my six years on the board I have been comfortable with accepting the recommendation from committee chairs and have voted accordingly. I recognize the importance of members volunteering their time to serve the community by working on a committee as an important facet of living here in Ocean Pines. A general rule of thumb I follow is that in a volunteer organization you should not turn down a volunteer. I will continue to support the recommendations from committee chairs on the applicants they present who are willing to spend time in support of our community.

Doug Parks

Director, OPA