RA May Spend Additional Money to Get Ethics Policy Input from Members

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by Karen Goff — June 20, 2016 at 2:00 pm 12 Comments

Even though it has been in operation for decades, Reston Association has not had a formal ethics policy.

That’s why it has been working for two years on implementing a formal code to outline ethics, behaviors and governing policies.

RA has been moving toward improving its system of governance since May 2014. The organization also formed a Code of Ethics Task Force and recently paid Vienna-based Quantum Governance $10,850 to help draft the code of ethics.

Says the intro to the code, from RA CEO Cate Fulkerson and RA Board President and Vice President Ellen Graves and Michael Sanio:

The Code was truly a collective effort and was drafted with substantial input from RA Board Members, Task Force Volunteers, Staff, Members and other key Reston Association stakeholders.

We trust that it will help clarify and reinforce the types of core values and ethical standards our community can be proud of as well as help them to be as effective as possible in carrying out their vital leadership responsibilities.

We also trust that, over time, this Code will continue to evolve and be improved.

The RA Board will further discuss the draft of the new code at its full board meeting on June 23.

The board may vote to finalize the code, or move to obtain member input on the draft through a focus group session facilitated by Quantum Governance (and spend up to $6,000) or move to obtain member input on the draft through an electronic poll and conduct a focus group session facilitated by Quantum Governance (for an additional expense not to exceed $14,000).

Meanwhile, check out the draft below.

DRAFT – RA Code of Ethics Version 1.0 for Public Circulation

thebratwurstking

Is there ever an end to wasting our money??? Myself and others have provided examples (with full text) of acceptable ethic codes. All you have to do is to insert RA’s name where appropriate.

Ethics codes and risk management procedures are taught in any business degree classic. Those are very basic courses. Why on earth do we need to spend $16,000.00 on what is obvious to most?
- Overrunhell
  
  Let me get this straight.
  
  You really believe “Max Headroom,” “Beavis,” “Butthead” and the rest of the Reston Now talking heads would let a cut-and-paste job go by without uproar?
  
  Yea, right.
  - Greg
    
    Wrong. A cut and paste is better than the nothing we have after 50 years of RA. Moreover, Fulkerson can get one free from CAI or her buddy Heather the common-interest community ombudsman in Richmond.
    - Overrunhell
      
      Fair enough, but you didn’t answer the question.
- 30yearsinreston
  
  RA do not have any common sense
Alison Kamat

Time to recall the board members who insist on squandering our assessment money.
https://www.facebook.com/RestonRecall/
- Robert Chambliss
  
  Please accept this email as my formal letter of resignation from my Senior Covenants Advisor position. Effective immediately. I apologize in advance for not providing adequate notice. There are two reasons for this. I appreciate everything you have taught me during my 4 ½ years with RA. As a 35 year Resident of Reston, I appreciate everything Reston is and will continue to be. It is unfortunate the Covenant Departments Director (Anna Varone) has a direct impact on my decision to leave.
  First reason is for health reasons. Severe increase in blood pressure, stress, anxiety, etc……the list goes on.
  Second reason is for the direct actions taken by the Director of Covenants for Reston Association Ms. Anna Varone. To include immoral, unethical, preferential acts that I believe should lead to her resignation.
  • Directs staff to limit the number of panel applications on a panel agenda for meetings consisting of Graham, John, and Linda, due to “their incapacity to make a decision, and because they take forever and I’m tired”
  • Directs staff to not schedule certain applications during certain panel meeting makeups
  • Disrespects DRB and Board members with verbally abusive comments in front of staff (these people are my neighbors as a Reston resident) Makes for a sour atmosphere and uncomfortable
  • Same as above but with internal departments and specific people (Directors should be setting examples)
  • Bribing employees with paid days off to do projects
  • Directing staff to only suggest products to residents from Lowes only (specifically not Home Depot)
  • Inconsistent internal policy preferential treatment
  • Advising staff to not cite a covenants violation for drainage based on the opinion of a landscaper who visited the property without authorization or notification with no complaint on record or reason to inspect (11903 Triple Crown). Was told to cite for design only so resident couldn’t appeal.
  This is a small list. I wish the Covenants Department luck in the future under the direction of Ms Anna Varone.
Greg

Yet more money wasted and the incompetent CEO failed to do her job. How many decades has she worked at RA?
Reston Crimewatcher

South Lakes High School has RA in each year for some sort of workshop on ethics. Yet RA has to hire a consultant to put together an ethics policy? Doesn’t seem to make much sense. Its a complete waste of money, which is what RA does best. Fulkerson must be fired.
30yearsinreston

RA just love spending members money
GrumpyOldMan

RA Board, “Ethics? We don’t need no stinkin’ ethics!”
msinva

Too late to worry about ethics now, RA.
Do a drive-by of the Cocquina Cluster to see what your LACK of ethics has done.

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