Maintain Your Yard Safely

Properly maintaining your yard helps your home and our community look good. Just make sure that safety is a priority when undertaking your landscaping efforts:

• Clear sticks and debris before you mow. Random debris kicked up by a lawn mower can seriously injure you and those around you. Also, mowing debris shortens the life of your mower and dulls the blade.
• Replace the cord on your weed trimmer. Your trimming will be safer if you have strong trimmer cords. Always wear eye protection when using a trimmer. 
• Maintain your lawnmower in top working condition. If you find yourself mowing the same areas again and again, it’s time to inspect your lawnmower. Keep a maintenance checklist of important components like air filters, blades and oil.
• Keep plants and shrubs about five feet from foundation walls, and keep trees at least six to 20 feet away, depending on their size. Plant roots that are too close to the foundation not only cause damage to the structure, but may also attract bugs and mold into your home since they tend to hold moisture.

How to Make Sure You Are Heard at Membership Meetings

All association members have a right to be heard at membership meetings by presenting, seconding, debating and voting on a motion. A motion is a proposal that our membership take action or a position on a specific topic or issue.

To make a motion, wait until the previous person has finished speaking, then stand and address the chair by stating your name. "Mr. Chairman (or Madame President), my name is…." When the chair recognizes or acknowledges you, state your motion clearly and concisely. "I move that our community … ."

Once you have stated your motion, another member should second it so that debate and discussion on the issue can commence. If no one seconds it, your motion will not be considered. Once it is seconded, the chair will announce the motion so it can either be discussed or voted on.

If the topic is one that will be discussed or debated before voting occurs, then, as the person who introduced the motion, you are allowed to speak first. Direct your comments to the chair and briefly explain the motion. You and other speakers participating in the discussion should respect any predetermined time limit for comments. You may also be the last to speak on the matter.

Voting on the motion can take place when the discussion or debate is completed and the chair asks, "Are you ready for the question?" Members can vote by a show of hands, roll call or ballot. General consent, which assumes consensus that there's no opposition to the motion, is another method of voting. The chair announces, "If there is no objection …," and members show their consent by their silence. Those who oppose the motion should speak out politely but audibly, "I object."

Then the chair announces the results of the vote.