10/24/2007

Goals and Objectives Remain Elusive to Members
By Bob Lassahn

The Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Board of Directors (the board) held an early morning special meeting on October 25 to develop corporate goals and objectives for the 2008-2009 year. Director Dave Stevens was absent from the meeting due to medical necessity.

General Manager Tom Olson presented the board with a 31 page document that he described as the first step toward preparing next year's budget. Mr. Olson explained that he has taken a new approach to setting the annual goals by working from the bottom up in lieu of the top to bottom methodology employed by the previous administration. He summarized that his goal is to create one management philosophy.  The document details each department's goals for the year and strategies designed to achieve those goals.

During the three hour meeting the six directors present questioned the content and offered suggestions, but it was difficult for interested observers to follow without access to the material the board was working from. Director Marty Clarke consistently questioned where the goals spelled out improvement in the financial performance of OPA operations and discussions about specifics regarding rehabilitation of OPA owned facilities, including the Community Hall, were debated. At the conclusion of the meeting OPA member Linda Oehl prefaced her comments to the board with, "I don't really know what it is I've been sitting here listening to."

Mr. Olson noted he will ensure the document is placed on the OPA website after some necessary revision and formatting. Until that time the actual corporate goals and objectives for OPA will remain an elusive commodity. A video of the entire meeting is available at OceanPinesForum.com.