By Helen Buckelew
HOA President  

Helen Buckelew

Our talented board members are involved in many community activities and serve on a variety of POA and Chapel committees. The developer is often at the table. The HOA Board applies lessons learned in other settings to our work. We are often reminded that the overriding principle is to preserve the character of Big Canoe. Learning from our history, listening to the community, and being guided by that principle will keep us true to our mission.

We are improving our business practices to facilitate working with each other and with homeowners. As our population and the activities increase in Big Canoe, we need to be more creative in how we do business.

For example, we are trying to end the duplication of effort across the committees. We find that our committees and those of other organizations are often doing the same thing or they are in conflict with each other. Very often it is the committee members, homeowners representing all of our community, who bring that to our attention. They are the very ones who are helping us solve the problem.

Communication and Public Relations Chair Sue Hauseman will soon be using templates for much of her work. Both the online and print versions of Round the Mountain have required hours of work. With templates, all of the necessary information will be received in the same organized fashion for clarity and efficiency. Sue and all of the other Board members take their responsibilities very seriously. We want to keep them happy and productive.

The Board has invited Barbara Schneider, the editor of Smoke Signals Online, to attend the monthly meetings beginning in January 2008.  The Board decided that it is time for a reporter to cover our monthly meetings for homeowners. Though Smoke Signals is sponsored by the HOA, the Board has no editorial authority. The executive and managing editors make editorial decisions. The Board has a fiduciary responsibility.

In January, the Board will host a party for the editorial staff and writers that contribute to Smoke Signals. We expect about 70 writers and spouses to attend the party. Everyone looks forward to their issue of Smoke Signals as the hard copy or online. We are indebted to the talented writers who bring us informative and entertaining articles.

Carl Deane has announced that the new phone directory will be distributed from the Post Office through Dec. 9. There is an updated community map with the new roads included. Carl and George Thurman are negotiating for the best possible price for the Propane Consortium. Carolyn Littell reminds us that future cultural events include readings from members of the Writer's Group Jan. 25; a two-day musical review Feb. 15 and 16; and the beloved DeKalb Symphony June 1. There will be a dramatic view of the new Sconti in June.

In January, the HOA and POA will send out the 2008 Census. The last census was done in 2003. It is essential to have an accurate and complete census for long-range planning. It also gives the HOA and other organizations an idea of how the expectations of the community have or have not changed over the years. Please fill out the 2008 Census when you receive it early next year. More information will be published in Smoke Signals.

We are beginning to develop our slate of nominees for 2008. If you would like to run for the HOA Board, or you know someone who would be a fine candidate, send word to George Thurman. Board members contact information is on the HOA website, http://www.bigcanoehoa.org/.