Getting Involved at ParkFairfax

Getting Involved at ParkFairfax

The ParkFairfax community is vibrant and full of opportunities to participate in activities, events, and governance. If you are looking for a way to get involved in helping our community thrive. ParkFairfax HOA encourages its residents to be a part of the community in any way they want. To that end, there are a number of committees where one could engage in civic leadership. This blog will go over the various opportunities to get involved in your ParkFairfax community.

Activities Committee

Committee Chair: Karen Elsbury- kelsbury@comcast.net

The primary responsibility of the Activities Committee is to advise the Board of Directors, in a reasonable and productive manner, on issues relating to the development and implementation of social, cultural and (in conjunction with the Recreation Committee) recreational activities and programs.  In accomplishing this goal the Board of Directors will assign the Activities Committee with tasks from time to time, which may include but not be limited to:

• Providing the Board with recommendations for social, cultural, and recreation programs and activities which serve the interests of Residents;
• Developing an annual schedule/calendar for social, cultural, and recreation programs and activities;
• Developing policies and recommendations for the funding of programs and activities from Association assessment fees, user’s fees and contributions;
• Coordinating the promotion of and dissemination of information regarding community events in conjunction with the Communications Committee;
• Organizing and conducting actual planned events;
• Providing recommendations for expenses in the Committee’s area of jurisdiction to be considered for inclusion in the Association’s annual operating budget

The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Association Office.

Building & Utilities Committee

Committee Chair: Suzanne Salva – suzannesalva28@gmail.com

The primary responsibility of the Building & Utilities Committee is to advise and assist the Board of Directors by performing reviews and studies of those things related to the maintenance and integrity of the buildings: reviewing utility consumption and delivery: reviewing the provision of services by or on behalf of the Association: refining budgetary procedures and recommending cost efficient methods of usage and services. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the committee may review and make recommendations on the following specific areas under these terms:

• Buildings: general maintenance including painting, pointing-up of brickwork, roof, attic and crawlspace common areas, woodwork, porch/stoop; drainage around buildings and general storm drainage systems.
• Utilities: efficiency and delivery of underground electric, TV cable or telephone conduits; underground gas or water piping; sewage systems; above ground transformers and meters; electric, gas or water usage.
• Other: parking; safety and security and such other projects as the Board of Directors may approve (upon request of the committee) or assign.

Community Outreach Committee

Committee Chair: Janet Schrader - jschrade_us@yahoo.com

The primary responsibility of the Community Outreach Committee is to advise the Board of Directors, in a reasonable and productive manner, on issues affecting communications, technology, and website governance. In accomplishing this goal, the Board of Directors shall assign the committee with tasks from time to time that may include, but not be limited to:

• Providing specifications and proposals for services related to Association communication needs such as newsletters, web site, welcome packages, information signs, surveys Association marketing materials, etc.
• Policies relating to Association communication vehicles such as editorial policies, advertising policies, etc.
• Provide advice and assistance to the Newsletter Editor concerning Newsletter content, design, size, production, frequency, distribution, etc.
• Provide advice and assistance to the Webmaster regarding the web site, including design and content of the website.
• Distribution of information pertaining to city, state or regional issues impacting ParkFairfax development of positive communications/relationships with city, state and regional agencies and officials.
• In conjunction with the Association’s managing agent, coordinating the periodic preparation and distribution of a community directory.
• In conjunction with the Association’s managing agent, coordinating the preparation and dissemination of communications for community events, such as Annual Meetings, committee meeting schedules, etc.
• Provide recommendations to the Association’s managing agent for expenses in the Committee’s area of jurisdiction to be considered for inclusion in the Association’s annual operating budget.

The committee will also monitor, review, and make recommendations on technology matters, in or in the vicinity of ParkFairfax and seeks to perform effective website governance. Governance processes will be defined, and adjusted, to be as efficient and light-weight as possible.

Covenants Committee

Committee Chair: Yvonne Zecca - yzdue2@earthlink.net  

The primary responsibility of the Covenants Committee is to advise and assist the Board of Directors in monitoring and enforcing compliance by owners and residents with the provisions of the Condominium Instruments and the Book of Resolutions. In fulfilling its responsibility, the Covenants Committee shall perform functions which include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Receive, review and decide on applications from owners for changes or additions to units or common elements, pursuant to Administrative Resolution Number 2.
• Monitor compliance with and, subject to appeal to the Board of Directors, enforce the provisions of the Condominium Instruments and the Book of Resolutions, in accordance with Policy Resolution Number Four.

The committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Association Office.

Finance Committee

Committee Chair: Margaret Foxwell – m.foxwell@comcast.net

The primary responsibility of the Finance Committee is to advise and assist the Board of Directors in planning and administering a program of asset management for the Association. In fulfilling its responsibility, the Finance Committee performs functions which include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Review and evaluate all financial statements and submit written recommendations to the Board of Directors.
• Advise the Board of Directors on short-term and long-term investment of Association funds, consistent with the legal documents.
• Assist the Board of Directors in selecting an Auditor and reviewing the annual audit.
• Assist the Board of Directors in preparation of the Annual Budget.
• Assist the Board of Directors in interpreting the Annual Budget and finance reports to the members of the Association.

The committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Association Office.

Landscape Committee

Landscape Committee Chair: Robin Davis – sororobin@gmail.com

To advise and assist the Board of Directors as directed by the Board of Directors in developing and administering an ongoing program for the ParkFairfax Condominium community to preserve, maintain, and improve the green spaces.

In fulfilling its responsibility, the committee will perform functions including, but not limited to the following:

• Work with the General Manager and Director of Operations, as directed, to develop a green spaces management program that includes proposing rules and guidelines for adoption by the Board of Directors.
• Assess conditions and needs of the green spaces and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
• Undertake volunteer work projects, under the Director of Operations, as determined by the Board of Directors.
• Based on the assessed needs, review and comment on management-proposed annual operating budgets and priorities for Association green spaces prior to submission to the Board.
• Participate with the Director of Operations in proposing, evaluating bids and reviewing contracts let by the Board of Directors for work and maintenance in the green spaces.
• Review and comment on actions recommended to or by the Board of Directors that could impact the Association’s green spaces.
• Engage the ParkFairfax community through volunteer activities that foster good stewardship of Association green spaces.  Educate the ParkFairfax community through nature walks, seminars, demonstration projects, publications and articles in the Forum, regarding approved ParkFairfax programs and policies.
• Recommend suitable plants for use in limited common element areas and develop a list of invasive and other undesirable plants for inclusion in appropriate Association policies.

The committee meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Association Office.

Recreation Committee

Committee Chair: Nicholas Soto - nicksoto2001@yahoo.com

The primary responsibility of the Recreation Committee is to advise and assist the Board of Directors in developing, operating, and overseeing the recreational facilities and the community’s athletic program. With the consent of the Board of Directors, the Committee, at its discretion may:

• Review the upkeep, maintenance, and adequacy of the recreation facilities (i.e., pools, tennis and volleyball courts, and recreational facilities).
• Propose rules for use of the recreational facilities.
• Arrange sports instruction.
• Make budget proposals on the upkeep, maintenance, and construction of the recreational facilities, as well as on the programs and activities making use of the recreational facilities.

Resolution Review Committee

Parkfairfax has several active Committees.  For more information about any of the following committees or to volunteer on a committee, please contact the main office at 703-998-6315

Transportation and Land Use Committee

Committee Chair: Bob Gronenberg - bob2@comcast.net

The Transportation and Land Use Committee advises and assists the Board of Directors on city, regional, and state transportation and land use issues that could impact residents, buildings, roadways, aesthetics, and the environment of the Association. The committee monitors, reviews, and make recommendations on development projects in or in the vicinity of ParkFairfax, including:

• Transportation, such as public transportation, parking, traffic signals, traffic signs, traffic calming, road and highway construction, bike and pedestrian paths, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, and high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes;
• Land Use (commercial, industrial, residential, utility, and municipal), such as new development, infill development, urban renewal projects, parkland, Four Mile Run restoration, utility infrastructure projects, and transportation infrastructure.

The committee meets on the second Thursday of  every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Association Office.

As you can see by the wide range of topics, there is ample opportunity to play a leadership role at ParkFairfax. Please get in touch if you’d like to learn more about this special community.