Holliday Park is a non-profit, private corporation. As such, we are subject to the laws and practices governing corporations. At its inception, this cooperative put forth a set of by-laws, spelling out for its members how the corporation is to be run. These by-laws were subject to legal scrutiny when the cooperative began. An attorney also gave direction when HUD relinquished the mortgage that was given over to a local bank by the Board of Directors in 2003. That same year, the members voted to accept the by-laws as revised by the attorney for Holliday Park.

Our by-laws spell out the acceptable methods of voting in an election for the Board of Directors or for any other issue that may be brought to the ballot. Since we are a corporation, we have all the options to vote that are proper to corporations as opposed to a municipality, state or national election. We can vote in person on the date of the annual meeting by being present at the clubhouse during the time of the in-person election.

Secondly, we can ask a friend, neighbor or relative at Holliday Park to act as our proxy and vote for us, if we cannot be present in person. Thirdly, we have the option of sending our vote by U.S. Mail, by filling out a mail ballot that is sent to us.

Like many corporations, such as AAA or other corporations where you may hold stock, the mail ballot requires a signature on the ballot. If you read the Holliday Park By-Laws, the mail ballot is explained thus: “Each mail ballot shall clearly state the name of the member and his or her unit number and must be signed by the member.”

On the day of the election, all mail ballots are opened in such a way that only the identifying information (name of member and unit number) is visible to those who are appointed as election inspectors. When it is time for the inspectors to count the votes, the ballots are turned over to the other side, as a whole stack, and the votes are counted.

Each person counting votes is observed by two challengers and fellow election inspectors. No one is allowed to take time to note how a particular person may have voted. All inspectors and challengers pledge confidentiality before they engage in this process. Inspectors are chosen for their willingness to honor confidentiality and to respect the careful instructions regarding the voting process.

Our method of voting is legal according to laws governing corporations. An attorney has written our by-laws regarding the election process. Our members can vote with confidence and trust that their vote is meaningful in effecting the choices they wish to make in any election.

On the day of our annual meeting, members gather at the clubhouse in the evening. The candidates for the Board are named, although they are already usually known to the membership. The two challengers are also introduced. In a matter of two to three hours, the election is over. The votes sent by mail ballot and those who voted in person are counted. Then the candidates who are elected to the Board are announced. At Holliday Park, all Board positions are unpaid, volunteer-service positions.

As a member of Holliday Park, you may choose one of the named methods of voting to cast your vote. All members should be sure to express their preferences by taking part in the voting process. This process has worked well for the cooperative for decades. Wise voting choices result in the election of a good team of intelligent volunteers to Board Member positions. Our history reflects that these dedicated people have led the corporation well and we are now mortgage-free and solvent.

If you are interested enough in the important matters of the Co-op, as the majority of our members are, maybe you will volunteer to be on this Board! Any member in good standing is eligible for this important position. Do consider it!

This entry was posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 5:04 pm and is filed under Holliday Park. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.