The question comes up as to the proper role of the Almaden Valley Community Association (AVCA).  There are several things that we are trying to do.

We do take positions on matters affecting the community.  These positions are not always popular, but we come to them after a diligent effort to get facts and come to an informed decision.  Some say that we should just present the facts and let the people in the community make the decision, but coming to an informed decision requires time and effort, which not everyone is in a position to do.  Our members are looking to us to represent them.  We look at an AVCA position to be a starting point for the community to ponder and react to.  Much more community involvement occurs this way, particularly if the issue is controversial.  By taking a position, we are forced to examine the situation closely, knowing that we will have to defend it later.  Our first response is to support any homeowner group which is taking a stand, but after investigation, if we find that we can not support the homeowners, we will say so.  This should alert the homeowners that they may have difficulty with their case later on and that they may wish to make changes in their argument.

Because we do take positions, our elected officials do ask our opinion on community developments.

We also try to maintain a volunteer staff of advisors to bring experience to a particular community development, especially in legal and EIR matters.  The more projects we tackle, the better becomes our experience.  From this standpoint we try to help homeowner organizations when we believe their cause is something we can support, hoping to make available a particular experience if they do not have it.

Finally, in times of emergency, such as the 1989 earthquake, AVCA can act as a focal point for community action.  After that quake, AVCA got the funding and worked with the Red Cross to install three ARKs in preparation for future emergencies, and classes were held in CPR and First Aid.

It is our responsibility to keep our organization ready to help support the community.

Bob Boydston, AVCA Past President
boydnet@ix.netcom.com