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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2024 | 13 The Master Board of Directors (MBD), FirstService Residential (Chris Mitchell and Jason Ewals) as well as members of the OPA Task Force attended the Governance Policy Training conducted by Ms. Karen Conlon (Sequoia Grove Consulting) on July 18-19, 2024. During the course of the two day session the Governing Policy Manual (GPM), adopted by the Board on April 24, 2024, was reviewed with emphasis on how governing by policy will transform the Board's decision making process to change from a micro-management reactive style into one where Board decisions are made in accordance with established policy. In turn, the management company's (FSR- GM) will be empowered to discharge their operational and financial duties, in accordance with the management agreement, and formally report back to the Board on how it interprets the policy and how the GM has complied (accountability). Considerable time was spent on the interaction of the Board with the Management Company (MC) and committees as defined in the Board/Committee Code of Conduct (policy 2.5). The expectation is that the Board will roll out the Board/Committee Code of Conduct during the next scheduled Quarterly Board/Committee meeting. Greater accountability creates transparency. Transparency is not something that can be achieved by mandate or expression of intention. It is a byproduct of sound policy. The GPM contains a Board Annual Calendar timetable to provide the Board with adequate time to develop and discuss all major Board activities for the year ahead. Further discussion of the schedule and the purpose of the Directives may be warranted. The SLCC committees have been placed into "Board" and "Operational" categories. Those in the "Operational" category were ones that primarily support the MC in discharging many of the operational aspects of SLCC while "Board" committees are ones that serve to directly assist the Board or have the ability to sanction residents subject to approval of the Board. Part of the scope of the final phase of the consulting agreement was to revise all the "Board" committee charters to more effectively align their purpose with effectively supporting the Board and bring them into alignment line with GP. The new Board charters will require approval of the MBD. A new Governing Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) "Board" committee was proposed by Ms. Conlon. Among other things, the GPAC would be assigned the task of revising all the remaining "Operational" charters and assist the Board during a suitable transition period to ensure that Board's governing was in keeping with the GPM. The role of the GPAC, as designed, is not intended to question Board decision making, but to assist with its proper implementation. Ms. Conlon advised the Board that the role of governing policy advisor was typically held by the President of the Board, but could also be delegated. Ms. Conlon delivered a final update of the GPM, Board Annual Calendar, list of Board tasks (next steps), and Board Charter revisions on Aug. 6, 2024 which concludes her contractual obligations. The role of the OPA Task Force has also concluded. The "reigns" are now in the hands of the MBD to determine how to best proceed with the actual implement governing policy at SLCC. Governing policy is a precision system that promises excellence, if applied and used with diligence and discipline. SLCC Governance/Organization Process Analysis Project (OPA)