We are officially kicking off the annual candidate nomination process for the SIPOA Board of Directors and the SIPOA Nominating Committee. The 2026 Nominating Committee includes: Deb Ott, Milum Livesay, Drew Kemmeling and Jean Daly. The Board of Directors Chair of the Committee is Cindy O’Neill.
SIPOA has four (4) current SIPOA Board members completing their 3-year terms in February: Susan May, Sue Ferland, Joyce Phillips and Mike Sankovich. We also have two (2) Nominating Committee members also completing their term this coming February: Deb Ott and Milum Livesay. Many thanks to all of them for their service to our community and they have several months of committee and Board activities as they complete their terms.
We encourage all Property Owners to explore the candidate process for either a Board Director or a Nominating Committee Role.
For the Board of Directors, we need candidates who meet these criteria:
- Are Property Owners in good standing with SIPOA who purchased their property prior to October 2024.
- Have experience on SIPOA Committees or other similar community or not-for-profit committees is preferred.
- Are full-time OR part-time residents. Most SIPOA Board and Committee meetings have a virtual zoom option so being full-time on the island is not a requirement.
- Have the ability to work well with others.
- Understand that all Board members are required to serve in the best interest of all Property Owners.
- Have the willingness and ability to commit the required time for Board and Committee duties.
- Have the ability to evaluate issues and work collaboratively to recommend solutions.
- Have skillsets, volunteer, board, or professional experience that benefit the community.
For the Nominating Committee, we need candidates who:
- Have a broad social network and a willingness to put in the time needed to identify outstanding candidates.
- Understand the roles the Board of Directors and SIPOA committees play in Association governance.
- Have the ability to evaluate the suitability of candidates to best meet the qualifications for the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee.
- Are Property Owners in good standing with SIPOA who purchased their property prior to October 2024.
Cindy O’Neill, 2024 – 2027 Board Director, on her Board experience:
When I decided to run for the SIPOA Board, I was newly retired and a new full-time resident, having been a part-timer for a number of years. I didn’t know quite what to expect but got indoctrinated quickly. I have learned so much about how the island runs and met people I would not have known. There is a time commitment, but the work is rewarding because it affects our lives so personally and we see the effects almost immediately.
Listed below are some of the challenges that our 2026-2028 Board must address and solve for:
- Beach renourishment and sea wall maintenance.
- Implementing a long-term master plan for our SIPOA natural spaces, amenities and facilities.
- Wildlife and habitat conservation.
- Evaluating financial and operational risk management impacts of potential storms on SIPOA
If you want to engage in the policies of our POA and really get in the “know” on what’s happening on our island,
If you are a lifetime learner and enjoy being part of challenging projects with other volunteers, and
If you enjoy leading effective committees to propose new policies, future leadership candidates, and leading practices for our HOA,
Then, please reach out to Cindy O’Neill at cindy.oneill@sipoa.org to set up a conversation with a 2026 Nominating Committee member.
Thanks for considering volunteering and supporting SIPOA. Please see the frequently asked questions related to the SIPOA annual nomination process below.
SEABROOK ISLAND PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION (SIPOA) BOARD AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE ELECTION PROCESS ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Positions Available for the SIPOA 2026 Election:
In the 2026 SIPOA election, candidates are needed for:
- Four (4) three-year terms on the Board of Directors
- Two (2) two-year term positions on the Nominating Committee
Eligibility:
Seabrook Island Property Owners in Good Standing (not more than 30 days delinquent in any obligation to SIPOA) who have owned property for at least one year (purchased before October 1, 2024), whether full or part-time residents.
Board of Directors Composition:
- Consists of 12 Directors
- Members serve 3-year terms (Bylaws §5.1)
Nominating Committee Composition:
- Consists of five members: four voting members and one Board Member (votes only in case of a tie).
- Members serve two-year terms.
Policy Based Governance:
The Board operates under a Policy Based Governance model, focusing on defining desirable outcomes and establishing policies. Committees make policy recommendations to the Board. The Executive Director and staff implement policy and oversee day-to-day operations.
SIPOA committees are:
- Amenities and Activities Committee (Bylaws §7.4.8)
- Architectural Review Committee (ARC) (Bylaws §7.4.6)
- Communications Committee (Bylaws §7.4.9)
- Environmental Committee (Bylaws §7.4.7)
- Finance Committee (Bylaws §7.4.1)
- General Operating and Maintenance Committee (GOMC) (Bylaws §7.4.3)
- Legal Committee (Bylaws §7.4.4)
- Long Range Planning and Development Committee(Bylaws §7.4.5)
- Nominating Committee (Bylaws §7.6)
- Safety and Security Committee (Bylaws §7.4.2)
Executive Committee:
- Composed of Board Officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Legal Committee Chair (Bylaws §5.15).
- Handles matters between regular Board meetings, including personnel issues, contract negotiations, and legal matters covered by attorney-client privilege (Bylaws §5.14)
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors (Bylaws §3.2)
- Represent all Seabrook Island Property Owners.
- Attend a minimum of two-thirds (2/3) of monthly Board and special meetings (in person, by telephone, or video conference).
- Each Director chairs, vice chairs, or co-chairs one or two committees.
Criteria for Board of Directors Candidates:
Must meet requirements outlined in Bylaws §7.6, including:
- Experience at Seabrook Island (e.g., committee participation, community involvement, volunteer service).
- Relevant professional and career experience.
- Have the ability to work well with others.
- Understand that Board members are required to serve in the best interest of all Property Owners.
- Have the willingness and ability to commit to the required time for Board and Committee duties.
- Have the ability to evaluate issues and work collaboratively to recommend solutions
Technology Skills for Board Members:
Required:
- Dedicated SIPOA email account (will be provided by SIPOA IT staff).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word or compatible word processing software (able to read/export MS Word and save PDFs).
Preferred:
- Ability to use Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
- Familiarity with SharePoint for information access.
Time Commitment for Board Members:
- Monthly Board meetings on the third Monday at 1:00 p.m., lasting up to three hours.
- Optional working sessions on the third Monday at 9:00a.m., lasting one to two hours.
- Committee assignments require additional time (see Committee descriptions for details)
- Mandatory attendance at the Annual Meeting and Organizational Meeting in February (approximately 3 hours total).
- Mandatory attendance at Board Orientation in February (approximately 8 hours).
- Committee chairs are responsible for creating agendas, minutes, and monthly reports (2-4 hours).
Responsibilities of the Nominating Committee:
Actively recruit and select qualified candidates for the SIPOA Board of Directors and Nominating Committee.
Criteria for Nominating Committee Candidate:
Criteria meet requirements outlined in Bylaws §7.6, including:
- Experience at Seabrook Island (e.g., committee participation, community involvement, volunteer service).
- Relevant professional and career experience.
- Have a broad social network and a willingness to put in the time needed to identify outstanding candidates.
- Have an understanding of the roles the Board of Directors and SIPOA committees play in Association governance.
- Have the ability to evaluate the suitability of candidates to best meet the qualifications for the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee.
Time Commitment for Nominating Committee Member:
- Work begins in April and concludes in January, with monthly meetings initially, increasing to bi-monthly as needed.
- Candidate interviews typically occur in October, requiring availability during this period.
Additional Information on Nominating Committee Duties:
Available in the SIPOA Bylaws on the SIPOA website.
Candidate Selection Process for SIPOA Board and Nominating Committee:
Application process:
- Submit a Candidate Application Form by October 1, 2025.
- Nominating Committee reviews all Candidate Forms.
- Qualified candidates are invited for a structured group interview with the Nominating Committee. Conducted in person or via videoconferencing.
- Interviews use a standardized list of questions.
- Nominating Committee selects candidates for the ballot after interviews
Options for Candidates Not Selected for the Ballot:
- Nominee names for Board of Directors and Nominating Committee are posted at the SIPOA office and on SIPOA.org at least 60 days before the Annual Meeting.
- Additional nominations can be made via written petition submitted within 30-days of posting (Bylaws §7.6): Requires signatures from 50 or more Property Owners in Good Standing.
Key Dates for Candidates:
- Application Forms Due: October 1, 2025
- Interviews: October 2025 (in person or via videoconference).
- Submission of Additional Materials:
- Biographical Statement, Position Statement, and signed Conflict of Interest Form due at the time of the interview.
- Candidate photo submitted or taken during the interview
- Nominating Committee Selections: Candidates notified of selection status post-interview
- Slate of Candidates Announced: November 17, 2025
- Meet the Candidates Night: January 12, 2026
- Election Period: January 15, 2026 – February 14, 2026
- Announcement of Elected 2026 Candidates: February 14, 2026
-Submitted by Cindy O’Neill, Nominating Committee Chair