Wilde Lake Community Association Education Committee

The Wilde Lake Village Board has chartered a committee to address supporting public schools in our Village.

Mission Statement

To educate and enlighten the community regarding the positive and unique aspects of the Howard County Public Schools in Wilde Lake while identifying specific ways that the community can support the schools’ goals of continuous improvement.

Vision Statement

The Village of Wilde Lake is a thriving, diverse village strengthened by its highly ranked public schools; supported by the entire community.

Membership

Members are volunteers who are interested in education and supportive of the Committee’s mission. The membership will include one or more Wilde Lake Community Association Board members who will be responsible for liaison with the Board.

Functions

1. Advocate for Wilde Lake public schools with public officials.

2. Disseminate publicity about the accomplishments of individual Wilde Lake schools and students to the Howard County community, especially those communities served by Wilde Lake schools.

3. Learn the year-to-year needs of individual Wilde Lake schools to enable identifying ways to help address their needs.

4. Advise Wilde Lake residents and neighboring communities served by Wilde Lake schools about the needs of individual Wilde Lake schools.

5. Solicit community volunteers to support activities in Wilde Lake schools.

6. Make recommendations to the Wilde Lake Community Association Board of Directors for limited financial support for identified programs and activities.

7. Facilitate community service opportunities for students.

8. Create a repository of resources for schools and PTAs, such as organizations that award grants, names of volunteers to write grant requests, names of community members who have expertise and would volunteer to provide special programs.

WLCA Governance Committee

Mission Statement:

The Governance Committee brings together board members and community volunteers to update legal documents, policies, and procedures of the Wilde Lake Community Association (WLCA). These efforts will promote legal compliance, transparency, accountability, inclusive and collaborative representation, effective decision-making, and meaningful resident participation. 

Vision Statement:

To build a highly informed board by continuously expanding our understanding of the law, governing documents and operational best practices. We will establish a process to prioritize and update policies and procedures to ensure transparency, collaboration, and ethical practices, and implementation of those ideals into the future.

Members:

Members are comprised of the WLCA Board of Directors and community volunteers. 

Objectives:

To advance the mission, the core focus areas and objectives are defined below:

1. Legal Compliance: Expand knowledge of legal standards to ensure board actions are aligned with governing principles.
   1. Identify the legal framework and hierarchy of governance provisions.
   2. Study and seek training to expand our knowledge of laws and governance standards.

2. Board Operating Procedures: Establish transparent, ethical, and inclusive processes to promote decisions that reflect the WLCA’s best interest.
   1. Establish procedures that are consistent with legal documents and promote effective communication, collaboration, and ethical standards.
   2. Develop board operating procedures to enable directors to effectively prepare for meetings and make sound decisions.

3. Assessment and Refinement of Standards: Systematically review and update bylaws and policies of the board to address evolving community needs.
   1. Set practical goals by considering feasibility and costs to implement desired changes. Ensure time commitments are reasonable.
   2. Establish a collaborative process to target, prioritize, and execute necessary changes to bylaws and general policies. Consider community challenges and
   3. Establish opportunities for resident participation and incorporate their input.

Legal Framework and Hierarchy of Wilde Lake Community Association:

Starting from the highest authority to the lowest operational level, the governance order dictates that every lower document must comply with the one above it.

The hierarchy applicable to the WLCA generally includes:

• State and Federal laws:
  • Maryland Homeowner Association Act ( Real Property Code, Ann., Section 11B-101)
  • MD Code, Corporations and Associations
  • Federal law governing 501(c)(4) (pertaining to tax compliance/IRS)
• Columbia Association Declaration of Covenants
• WLCA Declaration of Covenants
• WLCA Articles of Incorporation
• WLCA By-Laws
• Board adopted policies and procedures

The provisions above most relevant to the WLVB Governance include:

1. State Laws

• • Maryland Homeowners Association Act
  • Maryland Corporations and Associations Code
  • Authority: Any HOA rule, covenant, or procedure that conflicts is invalid
  • How to Change: MD General Assembly must change the law

2. Declaration of Covenants

• • What it is: Establishes rights of property owners and architecture standards
  • Authority: Legally binding contract that runs with land records of WL properties
  • How to Change: Affirmative vote 60% of all WLCA members

3. Articles of Incorporation

• • What it is: The official document to establish the HOA as a corporate entity.
  • Authority: The basic framework, purpose, and powers of the corporation.
  • How to Change: Affirmative vote of 2/3s all WLCA members

4. Association Bylaws

• • What it is: The "governing rules" of the association.
  • Authority: Rules that govern internal operations, such as how board members are elected, how meetings are conducted, and voting procedures.
  • How to Change: Requires adoption at annual meeting of the members

5. Policies, Procedures, & Rules of the Board

• • What it is: Day-to-day guidelines adopted directly by the Board of Directors (i.e. WL Board Handbook, Election Guidelines, or other policies and procedures)
  • Authority: These are the lowest on the hierarchy. 
  • How to Change: Amendment by Board of Directors

Wilde Lake Community Association Community Action and Resources for Environmental Stewardship (CARES)

Want more information?  Sign up for the CARES newsletter to stay up to date on all of our initiatives.

Chair: Bess Caplan ([email protected])

The Wilde Lake Board has chartered a committee to address issues of environmental and Open Space concern in the Village of Wilde Lake.

Mission Statement

To actively participate in the overall stewardship of timely and effective landscape, lake, stormwater, and Open Space management while raising community awareness. CARES will serve to organize community-led campaigns and connect residents to local and county officials as needed; including recommendations to the Wilde Lake Village Board on essential issues and concerns impacting the environment and Open Space.

Vision Statement

To build awareness and environmental stewardship in Wilde Lake Village.

Membership

Wilde Lake CARES is a free-standing committee of the Wilde Lake Village Board.  The Committee Chair, or a designated member of the Committee, will liaise with the Wilde Lake Village Board monthly.

Virtual members are Wilde Lake residents of frequent users of Wilde Lake Open Spaces.  Virtual membership requires no commitment on the part of the member.  Virtual members will receive updates about committee happenings through email only and may choose to participate in events and campaigns at their discretion.

Goals

1. To enhance the environmental integrity of Wilde Lake Village.
2. To ensure responsible use of Open Space in Wilde Lake Village.
3. To provide resources for community members such as environmental tips in the Wilde Lake Community Association newsletter and links to county resources on the Wilde Lake Community Association website.
4. To promote local, state and national environment programs in the community, such as the rain garden cost-share program, the Bay-Wise Landscaping program, etc.
5. To encourage and collect feedback from residents about environmental and Opens Space issues.
6. To review Wilde Lake Village Covenants and Wilde Lake Community Association Architectural Guidelines & Maintenance Standards, if needed and practical, recommend modifications to the guidelines and standards to help mitigate stormwater runoff, yard erosion or promulgation of invasive species.
7. Other goals as needed.

Resources

• Environmentally Friendly Landscaping Practices

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