RCA: Looking For a Few Good Candidates

Do you love Reston?  Would you like to have a hand in shaping our future?  Are you concerned about the social and political issues that impact our community?  Then this week’s post is for you.

If you’ve been reading this blog regularly over the last few months, then you’re aware of RCA and the work we’re doing on behalf of the community.  You know that we’re standing up for Reston citizens to make sure that the is done right.  You know about the tireless work the   has done to make life in Reston easier for people with disabilities.  You know that we spoke out on development proposals like and the , calling for changes to bring those developments in line with Reston’s founding principles.  You’re aware of RCA’s great annual traditions, like the ceremony and our .  And you’ve read about some of RCA’s past successes, like the project and starting a service.

If you read those posts and thought “I’d like to be involved in those projects,” or even “I could do those things better,” than now is your chance to step up and run for the RCA Board.

If you’re interested in the projects we’re currently working on at RCA, then we’d love to have you join us in those efforts.  And if you believe that there are other social and political issues that need to be addressed in Reston, now is a great time for you to get involved.  We’re looking to expand RCA’s issue portfolio in the coming months, so if you’ve got an idea that you’d like to address, bring it forward.  Think RCA should be speaking out on affordable housing?  Or education?  Or some other issue?  Join us and lead the way.

For me, the most rewarding part about serving with RCA is the chance to influence the community conversation on issues that matter.  Our has spoken up about the Silver Line and its effect on the Toll Road, and our advocacy has made our elected officials take notice and take action.  The Accessibility Committee has worked with property owners to add new wheelchair ramps, better handicapped parking, and other real changes to improve Reston’s quality of life. 

If you’d like to make sure that Reston remains true to its founding principles, and if you’d like to advocate for change that will affect Reston for years and decades to come, RCA is the place for you to get involved.

Now that you’re ready to run, let’s talk about the rules and requirements.  In order to run for a seat on the RCA Board, you must be at least 16 years old, and you must live in Small Tax District 5 (the tax district that funds the Reston Community Center).  Those are the only requirements.  It doesn’t matter whether you’ve lived in Reston for 30 days or 30 years, or what political party you belong to (RCA is non-partisan), or whether you’re younger or older (as long as you’re at least 16).  If you’re inspired to improve Reston’s quality of life, and you have the drive to get involved, you can stand for election.

There are seven seats up for election this year: President, North Point Director, Lake Anne/Tall Oaks/Town Center Director, South Lakes Director, Hunters Woods Director, and two At-Large Director seats.  You may run for any of these seats except President.  (Just kidding… you can run for President too.)

How do you know which district you’re in?  It depends on where you vote in state and federal elections.  I’ve got a handy chart below:

North Point: If you vote in North Point, Stuart, or Aldrin Precincts (at Aldrin or Armstrong)

Lake Anne/Tall Oaks/Town Center: If you vote in Reston I, Reston II, Reston III, or Cameron Glen Precinct (at Lake Anne or Forest Edge)

South Lakes: If you vote in Sunrise Valley, South Lakes, or Terraset Precinct

Hunters Woods: If you vote in Dogwood Precinct, Hunter Woods Precinct, or Glade Precinct (at RCC Hunters Woods)

In order to run for a District Director seat, you must live in that district.  To run for President or At-Large Director, you may live anywhere in Small Tax District 5. All Directors serve 2-year terms; the President serves a 1-year term.

What do you need to do to run?  You can download the candidate filing form from the RCA website (it should be up within the next couple days), or you can email me and I’ll send the form to you. The deadline for filing is June 3, so don’t delay if you want to run.

Once you’ve filed as a candidate, then it’s time to start campaigning.  Thanks to our new , it will be easier than ever for your supporters to cast votes. 

So if you love your community and want to help shape its future, consider running for the RCA Board.  I hope to be serving beside you in our next term.