We are officially kicking off the annual candidate nomination process for the SIPOA Board of Directors and the SIPOA Nominating Committee. The 2027 Nominating Committee includes: Drew Kemmeling, Jean Daly, Gary Walton, and Mike Sankovich. The Chair of the Committee is George Fink and Vice-Chair, Cindy O’Neill.

SIPOA has four (4) current SIPOA Board members completing their 3-year terms this coming February: John Lassiter, Mark Neath, Maryanne Connelly, and Cindy O’Neill. We also have two (2) Nominating Committee members completing their term this coming February: Drew Kemmeling and Jean Daly. 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. This is your chance to affect the future of our beloved island.

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 2025.
• Have experience on SIPOA Committees or other similar community or not-for-profit committees is preferred.
• Are full-time OR part-time residents. We host almost every SIPOA Board and Committee meeting with a virtual Zoom session. Being full-time 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 2025.

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.

Below are some of the challenges our 2027-2029 Board must address and solve for:

• Cap’n Sams Inlet Relocation and paving all roads
• 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 Seabrook Island.

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 a part of challenging projects with other talented volunteers, and

If you enjoy leading effective committees to propose new policies, future leadership candidates, and leading practices for our POA,

Then please reach out to George Fink to set up a conversation with a 2027 Nominating Committee member.

Also plan to join SIPOA at the Volunteer Fair on September 28, 2026 where the Board will be available to answer questions about our committees and serving on the Board.

Thanks for considering volunteering and supporting SIPOA. Please click the frequently asked questions related to the SIPOA annual nomination process below: