Jennifer Blackwell, president of the Reston Association Board of Directors, announced last Thursday that a new version of the governing documents have been released. It is available on the web at www.reston.org.
She said that the latest version is "the largest revision to date." She should know. Amidst unremitting criticism that the proposed governing documents were drafted with complicated legalese, Blackwell has worked with RA’s general counsel to rewrite the documents.
While the policy decisions are the same, the language has been retooled. During the announcement of the revision, Blackwell urged the board to stay focused on the governing documents.
"I believe in the members. I believe in this board. I believe this represents the best possible document," said Blackwell. "The time has come to finalize policy decisions and send the documents to a vote for the members."
RA has also released a new proposed schedule for the governing documents to extend into the spring. According to the proposal, referendum ballots will be sent out Feb. 13 and will be due back March 31. If RA sticks to the schedule, results would be announced at the Annual Members’ Meeting on April 11.
RA staff is also retooling its outreach campaign. Although not yet scheduled, the association plans to host district town hall meetings as well as additional public hearings. "The success [of the documents] is contingent on not having substantial changes after Nov. 7," said Karen Monaghan, director of communications. One of the key messages, said Monaghan, is that these documents are the members’ documents. Part of the outreach campaign will include testimonials, newsletters, phone banks and targeted emails. A press conference is also planned.
"When these go out to referendum, it’s important to know that these aren’t Jenn’s documents, these are the board’s documents," said Director Robin Smyers.