Northwood News ♦ October 2020

President’s Message

By Samantha Jones

Each year, the NFCCA elects a Board of Directors, including a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and At-Large Members.  During our 14 October 2020 NFCCA Annual Membership Meeting, neighbors will elect a new Board (or re-elect its current Members).  I have decided not to seek re-election as President, though I will serve as the Immediate Past President on the Board.

For the past four years, I have been actively involved on the NFCCA Board.  Starting as an At-Large Member in 2016, I was elected President of the Board last October.  What a year to serve as NFCCA President!  The majority of my term has been during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.  I am incredibly impressed with how our Board and our neighborhood has responded to the crisis, including creating the NFCCA Community Cares Network, which helps connect neighbors in need with those who can help.  As the pandemic continues, NFCCA residents have shown what it means to be a strong community by standing strong with each other regardless of what this year has brought.

I encourage anyone who is interested in being active in the neighborhood to consider serving on the NFCCA Board.  As a completely volunteer-run Board, we depend on each other to achieve common goals for the neighbors.  Since I joined the Board in 2016, we have accomplished a number of key goals including:

• Holding the Montgomery County Department of Transportation accountable to repaving our streets;
• Creating the Snow Angels program (volunteer program for snow removal);
• Organizing a candidate forum for the 2018 state legislative election;
• Hosting a number of elected officials, including our District 19 state legislators and our County Councilmember Tom Hucker, at neighborhood meetings;
• Submitting official comments on the Thrive Montgomery initiative to the County Planning Board;
• Creating the NFCCA Community Cares Network; and
• Growing our NFCCA membership.

I am proud to have been involved in these and other neighborhood initiatives as a Board Member, and am looking forward to remaining active on the Board.

On a final note, October begins our annual membership drive. If you are an active member of the NFCCA, now is the time to renew your dues.  If you are a new resident, please consider joining the Association as a dues-paying member.  For just $10 per household, our member dues help ensure the NFCCA can create new neighborhood programs, host our website, distribute our newsletter, and liaison effectively with the County on important issues.   ■