Background on LHA Board and Committee Selection

History & Overview

The Lee Highway Presidents Breakfasts (LHPB) group began as a grassroots effort in the fall of 2012.   The organization was led by a strategic partnership with Arlington County’s Planning Department.  In order to become more inclusive and broaden into the greater community, LHPB transitioned into the Lee Highway Alliance (LHA) in 2015.  In June 2016, LHA incorporated as a non-membership organization with the state of Virginia.

The stated Purpose of LHA is:  “to promote the revitalization and community development, through civic engagement, of the residential and business communities and interests along Lee Highway in Arlington County, Virginia.” 

As established in the organization’s bylaws, LHA will have a Board of Directors comprised of 17 members.  15 directors will be voting.  Two will be non-voting (appointed by the County Board).  Of the 15 voting members:

·         six (6) directors will reside in neighborhoods along or served by the Lee Highway corridor
·         six (6) directors will be land owners within or represent business interests within the Lee Highway corridor
·         three (3) directors will be at-large with community wide expertise and without a conflict of interest within the corridor. 

Three standing committees were also established – the Finance Committee (to include an audit function), the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), and the Planning, Urban Design and Zoning Committee (PUDZC).  The Board of Directors will appoint a part-time Executive Director to handle the day-to-day responsibilities of LHA.

 
Mission Statement

The specific objectives and purposes of the corporation are to advocate and promote the re-planning and revitalization of the Lee Highway Corridor, to create a more attractive, greener, walkable corridor with vibrant, neighborhood serving mixed use centers – compatible with surrounding communities.  The re-planning will provide better opportunities for the Lee Highway communities to live, work and play.

For more information, please see https://projects.arlingtonva.us/plans-studies/land-use/lee-highway/ to review the Lee Highway Visioning Study, which contains the LHA guiding principles and the results of a 7-month community engagement process for the corridor.
LHA’s plan for the coming year includes the following - 

1.       Building our Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee
2.       Developing Policies and Strategic Initiatives with the County
3.       Developing Outreach to the Lee Corridor Communities and the County
4.       Support to Local Businesses
5.       Development of Special Events
6.       Development of LHA’s Presence and Brand in the Corridor

LHA Board Member Job Description

 The Board Members selected for the LHA will be expected to:

·         Consistently attend board meetings
·         Participate as an active member on at least one committee
·         Participate in fundraising and events
·         Prepare in advance before regular board meetings
·         Ability to represent the corridor as a whole
·         Execute the responsibilities of the Board Slot/Category


Our ideal Board Members will have the following characteristics:

·         Committed to the Mission and Guiding Principles for the corridor as a whole
·         Prepared to robustly engage
·         Able to keep commitments
·         Has time to give to ensure the organization’s success
·         Respectful of all members and ready to lead task completion
·         Works well with others/collegial but speaks honestly
·         Brings a diverse background to the organization

 
The Process

All interested candidates should submit the following self-assessment questionnaire by Thursday, September 15, 2016. The LHA’s Board Selection Committee will be in touch with candidates to inform them of next steps. Initial meetings of the new LHA Board will begin in the fall.

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