The Reston Community Center (RCC) Board of Governors has announced five candidates for its 2015 Preference Poll. This year’s candidates are Karol Anderson, William G. Bouie, Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt, Richard Titus, and Gerald Zavala. The candidates’ statements are included here as submitted and are presented in alphabetical order; voters are urged to review all statements to make their best selection.
The poll seeks community guidance to fill three 3-year positions. Voting begins on Sept. 11, 2015. Each property in Small District 5 (SD 5) will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2.
A Candidates Forum will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the CenterStage at RCC Hunters Woods, located at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the RCC Board of Governors to represent the interests of Reston (SD 5) residents and businesses in developing policy and providing financial oversight for RCC. Board appointments are made by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors after participants have made their preferences known in the annual poll.
Board members work together to establish the overall policy for the Center and to guide its programs and budget. Board members represent Reston Community Center at social, recreational, cultural and educational activities throughout the district as well as function as liaisons to RCC’s community partners.
This year’s candidates have provided the statements below, shown exactly as written by the candidates with no changes to content unless the statement exceeded the allotted word limit. Statements over the word limit are presented verbatim up to the word limit. For more information on the 2015 RCC Preference Poll or Board of Governors, visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com or call 703-476-4500.
Candidacy Statements
Karol Anderson
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
My Participations towards public civil activities is a part of my responsibility as a Law abiding citizen extending as a teenager. I will bring to the RCC Board of Governors Committee inspiration to continue exploring in excellent civic research with the further leading community to awareness in Diversity, Culture Ethnical backgrounds, no matter with good measures in humanities,. My experiences are broad from Administering PTA meetings focusing the most need with help, coordinating public events to political, i have service several Committee Boards in Virginia, currently my Volunteerism as Chairperson (LHRC) Local Human Rights Committee Behavior Mental Health, executing resolutions
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
I would aboard with a strong role of leadership with brotherly openness with love and honesty, offering to share with our community to express their needs and ideas a joined. I have learned and continue to stay focus for the betterment and richness of our community future planning's also surrounding areas. I see as a responsibility to share as one, where there is unity there is strength. In sincerity this is real advocating what we hope for, is that our community will continue to treat each other with civility and courtesy in respected behavior, for each other and our community to grow as one with expressing the power within our rights in dignity meaning fulfilled meaning and produce great results. Thank you.
William G. Bouie (Bill)
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
*RCC Board Member since 2003. Chairman 2006-2008. Current Vice Chairman
*Chairman, Fairfax County Park Authority Board, (2008-Present)
*Wolf Trap Associates Board of Directors (2009-2015)
*Vice Chairman, Reston Hospital Board of Trustees (2009-Present)
*Vice Chairman, Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) (2007-Present)
*Joseph L. Ritchey Community Service Award
*Chairman, Reston Youth Baseball, 11 years
*Board of Management, Reston YMCA
*Founding President, Friends of Reston
*Anthony Griffin Leadership Award (2014)
*Robert Simon Lifetime Achievement Award (2013)
- Best of Reston Award, 1993; 2001
- Project Gold, United States Olympic Committee
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
An appointment to the RCC Board of Governors presents an opportunity to contribute to my great community and to utilize my talents and skills. I have the experience and qualifications for the position in dealing with RCC activities, working in the business community, working with youth and athletics, and working with various organizations in Reston to help plot our future. We are a very diverse community. Our diversity is a strength that is unique, embraced, cherished, and to be celebrated. I am a strong supporter of the Center, as Board Members should be. I look forward to working with Restonians, to learn about their needs, and wants, and also to address their concerns. I will work with Reston Association, and the County to ensure consistency of programming, and to engage the business community so that they receive the inherent value in working with the Community Center and its programs.
Lisa Sechrest-Ehrhardt
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
Reston has been my home for nearly 40 years. I love living in Reston and my family and I have participated in various educational, cultural, and leisure events offered by the Reston Community Center. I have volunteered in the community as a swim team manager, townhouse association board member, PTSA vice-president and neighborhood volunteer. Serving on the RCC Board for the past three years has afforded me the opportunity to give back to the community and its residents. As an involved and dedicated resident I would like to continue serving the community in this capacity.
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
As a professional social worker and diversity consultant I have always embraced a philosophy of collaboration and inclusion. My professional and personal goals have included presentations and workshops which educate individuals, organizations, and communities about their strengths and capabilities, which in turn highlight the power of diversity. Reston is a diverse community where many residents actually “live, work, and play” together. My skills as an excellent communicator and educator will contribute to the environment provided by RCC, whose objectives include promoting opportunities for people from different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds to come together so that they may enjoy cultural, educational, and recreational experiences. As a Board member, I would work diligently to serve the Reston Community and to uphold Reston Community Center’s commitment to collaboration and partnership with other organizations to accomplish its goals.
Richard Titus, Ph. D.
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
I am the published author of numerous scientific studies utilizing survey research and program evaluation. At present RCC has no valid method to assess participant satisfaction with its courses and other offerings. The RCC survey instrument (questionnaire) and survey administration are fundamentally flawed. They also fail to take advantage of newer technologies that have been available for years. Additionally, I have taken, and continue to take, many RCC courses and to participate in many RCC activities.
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
RCC has three tasks. (1) Determine what people want. (2) Allow participants in RCC offerings to express their opinions on those offerings and how to improve them. (3) Implement the recommended changes and assess the effectiveness of those changes. At present RCC has no way of gathering the necessary information relative to these tasks. I am well qualified to assist and guide RCC in this effort.
Gerald Zavala
What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?
I have served on the RCC Board for three years, including the last year as Treasurer. It has been a pleasure to serve our community. As a member of the RCC Board, I will continue to foster a culture where the staff and community feel comfortable exchanging ideas and forging new partnerships to deliver the best programing possible with our finite resources. My experience with the Fairfax County Park Foundation and volunteer work with the Reston Chamber, Cornerstones, Reston Soccer and Leadership Fairfax provide me with the community insight to help the RCC fulfill its important mission.
How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?
There is nothing permanent except change. Reston continues to grow. However, with growth comes the occasional growing pains. I am committed to providing the leadership necessary so that the RCC listens and understands our community's changing needs so that it can responsibly serve our entire community. My multi-generational, diverse family is a direct consumer of RCC programming. I have two daughters that attend Sunrise Valley Elementary and participate in RCC summer camps and my father-in-law enjoys the organization's 55+ programming. I bring a unique perspective and understanding to the RCC Board. I believe the RCC should encourage all our stakeholders to feel ownership of the organization and its programming. It's imperative that the Board listens to the community and holds itself to a high standard of quality, service and fiscal responsibility. Thank you for the opportunity for serving the community and I would be honored to continue that service.