The OVA BOD Reflects Years-long Narratives, Now it is Time for Action

Starting well before the election of 2017, and running through the equally contentious 2018 election, hundreds of OVA members have been personally influenced by very strong reactionary rhetoric and opinion. A myriad of elaborate stories could be had on the golf course, in one of the recreation center’s hot tubs, at a Candidate’s meet and greet, or while enjoying glasses of wine during a Wine Club event. There was no need for most people to research or check things out themselves since they could rely on their trusted friends to fill them in about what “was going on”. This helped elect 5 new members to the BOD.

Once people convince themselves that a situation really has a certain meaning, regardless of whether it actually does, they will take very real actions in consequenceWilliam Isaac Thomas, based on the Thomas Theorem (1928), compiled by William Isaac Thomas and Dorothy Swaine Thomas

One of the favorite subjects for the storytellers was the Communications Committee (CC). Last Summer there was the tale about censorship and how the last BOD wanted to “censor” the CC, which led to the committee resigning after the CC members rejected any resolution offered to them. The second part of this story claimed that the BOD was “handpicking” a new CC so they could control the narrative on NextDoor and in the Oakmont News. A few of the newly elected directors still believe these stories to be true, as evident in my conversations with them and comments or actions taken after being elected.

Now that it is time for action, the new Board members are providing a self-fulfilling prophecy by quickly bringing back their friends from the old Communications Committee, while the very policies that these CC members vehemently objected to are now seemingly okay. What cannot be forgotten, however, is that the censorship issue was blown up locally, and nationally through far-reaching publications, in statements made to the Media by the current CC Editor Marty Thompson. It seems the newly elected Board blames the last BOD for the events of last Summer, and holds that the CC members were victims.

The most recent Communications Committee, which I chaired, established an efficient process and an easy structure to follow. Knowing how much work goes into all of this we offered our knowledge and support for anything needed to the incoming BOD, which included giving full access to the repository of documentation and archives that we had established. Throughout our time as a CC we informed the OVA and BOD about statistical data and best practices surrounding the use of Social Media, which could help them now in making infoqrmed decisions. They have yet to take us up on our offers or advice. As an OVA member, one should ask if full consideration and planning has been done with the new CC, and all should carefully follow the creation of “new” policies.

When we brought in new CC members we considered their past experience, the roles that were in need at the time, and we worked to get as many diverse perspectives as we could from those showing interest. It is important to take time in putting a qualified team together and ensure there is both print media and digital media experience within the group. It is also imperative for the leaders of the CC to be open to anyone who wants to join, and to encourage people in the community to write articles as well. This will increase the creative expression in the Oakmont News, and help more people in the community feel included and engaged.

There was a missed opportunity to have Yvonne Frauenfelder as the new Communications Committee Chair. She has an abundance of experience and would have established a more open and diverse CC. Though that opportunity has passed I challenge the members and leaders of the current CC to think outside the “box” and past experience to create a Committee, and Oakmont News, that can share unique, creative, informative and factual stories within all topics. We need to accept the fact that bias is inherent in a small community like Oakmont, but does not get in the way if people are honored for their perspectives. For the residents who are reading the CC articles they need to consider their sources, take time to check things out themselves and observe their own confirmation bias when they react to another journalistic perspective.

This opinion piece would never see the light of day in the Oakmont News, and it would be labeled as biased by some and “not positive” enough for OVA corporate interests. For that very reason I think the Oakmont Observer can be a conduit to a wider range of perspectives and give voice to writers who share perhaps a differing perspective to the story. It is no mistake that the Constitution of the United States protects the freedom of the press, preventing interference with the distribution of information and opinions. The OVA needs to find a path to establishing reasonable practices and policies within all media and not get caught up in the fear of litigation. More importantly Oakmont will be a better place to live if the freedom of expression reigns on all channels.