Reston Citizens Association Changes Its Election Process and Governance Structure

The Reston Citizens Association (RCA) recently announced changes to its election process and governance structure that will bring it more in line with other Reston-based organizations and position RCA for continuing its active role in Reston, according to a news release from the group.

Starting in 2014, the president of RCA will be elected by its Board of Directors instead of being elected directly by Reston citizens during RCA’s annual elections held in June of every year.  

At its first meeting after every annual election, the RCA will now elect the president, who must be a director who has served on the Board for at least a year. As in the past, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will also be elected at this meeting.

While the president will continue to serve a one-year term at the pleasure of a new Board, RCA has changed the terms served by its elected directors from the current two-years to three-year terms. 

RCA President Colin Mills said: “The Board has been evaluating changes to its electoral process to best enable RCA’s mission of supporting and recommending smart growth solutions for Reston. After many months of consideration, the Board amended its bylaws to reflect these changes as of the 2014 elections.” 

Sridhar Ganesan, who currently serves on the RCA Board from the North Point District of Reston and led the amendments to the RCA bylaws said: “The planning and implementation of various important developments in Reston such as the Silver Line Metro Rail, Baron Cameron Park Master Plan Revision, and various phases of Reston Master Plan redevelopment span multiple years. These changes to the terms served by the board and the election of the RCA President bring more continuity, consistency and stability to the Board and its committees so RCA will be better able to research, analyze and inform the public and advocate for the community.”

The RCA Board will continue to have 13 seats representing four Districts and At-Large positions as before, but those seats have been divided into three groups that will each come up for reelection as a class. 

A call for candidates was announced by RCA, and more information about the election can be found on RCA’s website.

Retirements of RCA Board membersWhile still maintaining focus on educating the community, protecting the quality of life and Reston’s founding principles, the composition of RCA’s Board is undergoing change.  Some of the sitting RCA directors plan to retire from the Board’s administrative operations for personal reasons but will continue to lead specific activities on which RCA and its committees have been fully engaged, such as with RestonMaster Planning and the Baron Cameron Park Master Plan Revision

After serving eight years on the RCA Board including three of them as President, Colin Mills has decided not to run for another term on the RCA Board.

“It’s time for me to take on new challenges," Mills said. "With the wealth of talent and experience on the Board, I’m confident that I’m leaving RCA in good hands. My family needs and deserves more of my time, and I look forward to spending more of my time with them.”

Terry Maynard, RCA Board member from the South Lakes district and well-regarded analyst on all things Reston, plans to retire at the end of the current term to continue his leadership and activities at Reston2020, a RCA committee that he co-chairs. 

“I have been greatly honored by the opportunity to participate on the RCA Board and to serve our community as RCA’s representative on the Reston Task Force," Maynard said. "Even after living here for more than three decades, the experience gave me a far greater appreciation of the specialness of our community and its residents, and the importance of a vibrant RCA in preserving and building Reston’s inclusive vision."

Richard (Dick) Rogers, RCA Board member from the Lake Anne/Tall Oaks/Reston Town Center District, is also retiring at the end of this term, but will continue to drive RCA’s transportation planning issues. He serves on both RCA’s and Reston Association’s transportation committees. 

"It has been an honor to serve on the RCA Board during this period of rejuvenation," Rogers said. "I hope to continue working within the RCA framework on issues of planning and transportation which are critical toReston's future."

The RCA Board, in its news release, extends "very warm thanks to Colin, Terry and Dick for their long and distinguished service and remains thankful for their continued leadership and guidance to the community through RCA’s various committees." 

“Going into the new elections in 2014, thanks to the continued participation of the retiring Board members, we believe that we have retained the best of our talent and experience within our Board and committees, while we look forward to attracting new talent that will further position us to more effectively support Reston,” said John Hanley, VP, director from Hunters Woods district, and chair of the RCA 2014 elections committee.

The Reston Citizens Association (RCA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, founded in 1967.  RCA promotes and protects Reston's founding principles in the political arena by serving as a non-partisan forum for all residents and as an advocate for the community with County and State government.