Ocean Pines ROC

Have you ever heard the phrase “Circle of Trust” used in your HOA? It might sound harmless even friendly. But when that phrase starts to define who gets heard, who gets included, and who gets shut out, it becomes more than just a social bond. In this episode of ROC BUZZ, we explore how informal cliques and private gatherings can create the perception or reality of insider governance. When the same group of board members consistently socializes, aligns on decisions, and controls the flow of information, it raises questions about transparency, fairness, and accountability. Let’s take a closer look at what happens when an HOA’s "Circle of Trust" becomes the real seat of power. Support the show

Should HOA board candidates be held to the same scrutiny as business or government leaders? In this episode, we examine why background checks, financial disclosures and identifying conflicts of interest are critical especially when millions of dollars, community trust and your vote are at stake. In many communities, HOA boards manage multimillion-dollar budgets, approve high-value contracts, and make decisions that directly impact homeowners’ lives. Yet unlike corporate or government leaders, candidates for these influential roles are often not subject to even basic background or financial screening. In this episode, we dive into why transparency matters and what’s at stake when candidates are allowed to run unchecked with minimal vetting requirements. Host: Sherrie Clifford, Ocean Pines ROC Inc. Support the show

The Worcester County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a child-friendly, safe and neutral location in which local law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators may conduct and observe forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of crimes. The CAC provides child and non-offending family members with support, crisis intervention, trauma based therapy, and medical intervention. Guests: Lauren Cooper, Executive Director Worcester County Advocacy Center Jessica Burke, Family Advocate Life Crisis Center https://www.worcestercac.org To report suspicions of abuse: Call 410-641-0097 or 1-800-91-PREVENT (7738368) After Hours and Holidays - Call 410-632-1111 or 911 Support the show

Worcester County Department of Social Services / Adult Protective Services Help the Elderly or Vulnerable Adults from financial exploitation which involves wrongfully taking or using an older adult’s funds or property through theft, scams, fraud, or predatory lending. Report suspected Medicaid or Medicare Fraud where free medical devices such as back braces are offered and requires your Medicare or Medicaid information. Keep our Elderly and Vulnerable Adult population safe by reporting suspected incidents of abuse and neglect. All suspected cases of Adult Abuse and Neglect should be reported to your local DSS Office or by calling: 1-800-91Prevent ( 1-800-917-7383 ) Guests: Interviewed 4/10/2024 Becky Colt-Ferguson, Advisory Member Roberta Baldwin, Director - 410-677-6800 https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-adult-services/adult-protective-services/ AES Drafting Services Residential DESIGN and DRAFTING Services Scotland Yards Landscaping - Berlin MD Residential & Commercial Design & Maintenance Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

The 2024 OPA Election is off to a questionable start. Directors Farr and Heavner are running to retain their seats. The BIG questions are: Where is the Search Committee? Is the Board disregarding the governing documents by not having a Search Committee?Is not having a Search Committee a conflict of interest and a way for Farr and Heavner to eliminate competition? Ocean Pines needs independent candidates that are willing to step up, work and adhere to our governing documents. Rules need to be followed and NOT ignored. The application to run for the Board of Directors can be found online and the deadline is fast approaching (May 8 at 4PM). Reference: OPA Resolution M-09 2 (b): https://www.oceanpines.org/documents/20124/111995/M-09.pdf/80e99734-8baa-6a77-152d-21f884140f42?t=1710026380278 Reference: OPA By-Laws Section 5.02 (b): https://www.oceanpines.org/documents/20124/92825/Amended%20and%20Restated%20By-Laws%20Amended%205-24-2022.pdf/72251647-1758-82d5-165f-8224581958f2 Reference: OPA Board of Directors Application: https://www.oceanpines.org/documents/20124/126321/Candidate%20Registration%20Form.pdf/9e3faff7-56ca-1cf9-4008-fc4a0da89c9a Scotland Yards Landscaping - Berlin MD Residential & Commercial Design & Maintenance AES Drafting Services Residential DESIGN and DRAFTING Services Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

Don't miss Ocean Pines first ever Season Kickoff & Expo Event on Saturday April 20th from 3-7pm at White Horse Park. Explore Ocean Pines Amenities, Activities, Clubs & Businesses along with so many Exhibitors & Sponsors. Discover activities and opportunities, meet your neighbors & the OPA staff. Food & beverage trucks, music, interactive displays & demonstrations, dunk tank & more. FREE ADMISSION TO ALL Guests are Gary Miller & Linda Yurche Contact Information: Email: OceanPinesKickOffExpo@gmail.com Website: www.OceanPinesSeasonKickoff.com AES Drafting Services Residential DESIGN and DRAFTING Services Scotland Yards Landscaping - Berlin MD Residential & Commercial Design & Maintenance Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

Landscaping Solutions for Drainage, Beautification, Maintenance, Cleanup, Safety and more as we talk with Andy Park, owner of Scotland Yards Landscaping who provides service to Ocean Pines, Berlin, Ocean City and the surrounding areas! Contact Andy today for your FREE estimate to begin the amazing transformation of your property! Guest: Andy Park, Owner of Scotland Yards Landscaping 410-208-3593 https://www.ScotlandYardsLandscaping.com Scotland Yards Landscaping - Berlin MD Residential & Commercial Design & Maintenance Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

Worcester County Department of Social Services / Child Protective Services shares the services of DSS and outlines the services of DSS and how local families can help with Foster Care. ------ Foster Care is a temporary Service that provides short-term care and supportive services to children who are unable to live at home because of child abuse or neglect. Who are the Children in Foster Care? Children in foster care are children from your community. They are children who want to remain attached to their families despite their experiences. They are children whose families need the help of your family. Worcester County currently has 27 children in Foster Care that need your help, Guests: Interviewed 2/22/2024 Becky Colt-Ferguson, Advisory Member Roberta Baldwin, Director - 410-677-6800 Tess Waller, Foster Care Unit -Resource Homes - 410-422-9731 https://dhs.maryland.gov/foster-care/ AES Drafting Services Residential DESIGN and DRAFTING Services Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

Worcester County Schools on Banning Library Books, School Funding/Budget and the concerns of parents that our Commissioners will underfund the required budget and begin putting much needed programs on the chopping block. Will the Commissioners fail to provide the necessary funds to keep Worcester County Schools at the top of the grade? Special Guest: Mr. Tom Simon, Parent & Founder Worcester United / Facebook Group Scotland Yards Landscaping - Berlin MD Residential & Commercial Design & Maintenance Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

Does your HOA operate as a Democracy or a Dictatorship under a Board Majority or Board Super Majority? Is the Board Majority listening to its Association Members and its Committee Members? Is the Board Majority ignoring the governing documents and making up their own rules as they go along? AES Drafting Services Residential DESIGN and DRAFTING Services Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show

Why is the OPA Board of Directors operating without a Code of Ethics & Conduct (Resolution B-08) and why was it rescinded on June 16, 2021? Listen to some of the history surrounding Resolution B-08 and the need to reinstate Resolution B-08 now. According to many professional organizations, including HOAManagement.com, HOA Boards should have a code of ethics to ensure that the Directors perform their duties in a steadfast and honest way. Support the show

Be involved in your community by volunteering. Listen to the benefits and opportunities along with information on how to connect with Committees, Clubs and Social Groups here in Ocean Pines and the Surrounding areas. References Include: www.OceanPines.org - Ocean Pines Association www.BerlinMainStreet.com www.VolunteerMatch.org www.OPVFD.com - To join the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department Support the show

Ocean Pines Community Surveys. Is the current BOD's listening to the homeowners or are they on a mission of their own to do and change as they see fit? Are the surveys with this BOD's a thing of the past? Ocean Pines Surveys are important to its members and consideration should be given to each of the survey questions and the communities responses. Keeping in mind that a rogue board does not work for its members but for itself. Community Surveys are an important gauge to be used in the decision making process. Support the show

The proposed Sports Facility, the Project that continues on! Where will the facility LAND? Will it be built In Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines or somewhere completely new? Where are we today and what are the details? ROC BUZZ prepares for the next meeting of the Ocean City Sports Complex Task Force Dec. 14, 2023 from 9 a.m. to noon at the convention center, room 215 where further discussions will continue with Mayor Rick Meehan's newly formed task group of 31 individuals who will make recommendations for the potential project. Support the show

Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce is changing their name and will now be known as the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about what the Chamber of Commerce is all about and how it can help your business and your community. Worcester County Chamber of Commerce will remain in Ocean Pines and will continue to run the Ocean Pines Visitors Center as well. Don't miss this very informative podcast with the President/CEO of the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce, Kerrie Bunting. Support the show

Worcester County School Safety discussions amidst differences between the Sheriff's Office and the Board Of Education in addressing student behavior and the reporting of student incidents to the SRO. Discussions also include the need for balancing cognitive growth and accountability. Guest: John Huber, Education Consultant Emal: johnhuber@marylandk12.com www.MarylandK12.com *SRO = School Resource Officer Support the show

The importance of negotiations, maintaining confidentiality and knowing when to speak to the press are all necessary skills for the Board of Directors. Support the show

Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the fundamental principle that communication and expression through various media, including printed and electronic media, especially published materials, should be considered a right to be exercised freely. Homeowners should have the right to read, watch or listen to news and information from multiple sources and not be encouraged or threatened to only listen ONE source of information. Stand up for what’s right and tell people in charge what’s what. The phrase speak truth to power, is an expression for courageously confronting an authority calling out injustices on their watch, and demanding change. Support the show

Helping Worcester County and the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland for 50 years! Diakonia is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that has been providing services for the homeless for almost 50 years. There are many ways that you can help Diakonia: Food Donations: These still can be dropped off at Food Pantry/Shelter at 12747 Old Bridge Rd. You can call 410-213-0923 about any food donations you’d like to make. Financial Donations can be mailed to: P.O. BOX 613 Ocean City, MD 21842 or made online at the above website link. Financial: Donations of money are always helpful and welcome. Private donations help match our grant funding, which is a requirement for grant applications. Financial donations also help meet the expenses of providing all of Diakonia’s programs. You can click here to donate, which will take you to a secure website where you can donate online by credit card. You can also mail checks to: P.O. Box 613 Ocean City, Md. 21842 Please be sure to include your name and address so that we can properly acknowledge your gift. If you provide an email, then we can keep you in touch with Diakonia. Support the show

ROC BUZZ keeping up to date with the necessary renovations to the OPVFD, the status of the project, presentation materials, funding recommendations, grants, reserves, and more. How much will it cost homeowners and what is the status? Listen to this episode of ROC BUZZ for more information as we begin to review and report the details. Support the show