Did you know that if you live in Columbia, you also live in a village? I’m not referencing the one you create for your family and friends; I am talking about the one associated with your neighborhood. Columbia has 10 villages, and each village has a community association that is independent, incorporated, and considered a nonprofit civic association. This allows them to elect their own board of directors and send a representative to the Columbia Association’s Board of Directors. But you might ask, what does the Columbia Association (CA) do anyway? The Columbia Association is the management organization for the financing and maintenance of common-use facilities in the planned development of Columbia, Maryland. For more details, click here.

Your village board has duties as well:

·         Enforcing covenants (rules governing the use of property)

·         Advocating for residents at the village, Columbia, and county level

·         Managing, maintaining, and renting out CA’s village buildings and neighborhood centers

·         Hosting individual village events and partnering with all villages for Columbia-wide special events

·         Offering programming, including classes, camps, and lectures

·         Creating village master plans

·         Communicating to residents via newsletters, websites, and social media

·         Encouraging neighbor-to-neighbor connectivity via block parties, beautification grants, and block captains

Click here for the entire list of duties

Why do you need to know this? You need to know this because you have a say in who on your village board makes decisions on your behalf and who represents you during the CA Board meetings. And though it is too late for most villages to throw your name in the hat to be a member of the board, you still have a chance to vote for the candidates. Columbia Inspired Magazine is dedicated to helping you stay informed and encouraging you to get involved; your voice matters. If you do not receive the newsletter for your village, sign up for it. Also, most village boards have virtual meetings that are open to the public. Have a complaint, want to see something different, or have a say in what the board votes on? Then mark your calendars and attend a meeting, even virtually. Learn more about your village elections here.  Get involved in your community and have your say.