[ 2021 ] Board Position?

[ocdb8r]

Anyone here ever ran for one of the Vistana resort Boards?

Lagunamar just sent out a request for volunteers and I'm curious the process and responsibilities. I also own Westin St. John and love the note David and Philip send out regularly. Would love to initiate something similar for Lagunamar.

Would appreciate any TUGger's experiences.

 

[daviator]

I have applied several times at both properties where I own, but have never been accepted. I do have some relevant experience. I always wonder if my membership here causes them to reject me, lol. It shouldn't; all of my purchases were from the developer and I don't regret them, though I agree that resale purchases can save you a lot of money.

To apply there is a form you fill out with a bunch of essay-type questions to answer about your background and desire to be on the board.

 

[cubigbird]

Outsiders and owners have no chance as the boards are hand picked by Vistana. The application process is merely a formality.

 

[ocdb8r]

Outsiders and owners have no chance as the boards are hand picked by Vistana. The application process is merely a formality.

I had a sinking feeling this was likely the case.

Anyone know how we ended up with two actual owners on the St. John Virgin Grand Board? It's a shame we can't have similar representation and engagement with our other resorts.

 

[RunCat]

Not necessarily applicable but the Welk Resorts Platinum Board is dominated by hand-picked Welk reps, in part, due to the voting power of the developer's inventory.

 

[dioxide45]

Outsiders and owners have no chance as the boards are hand picked by Vistana. The application process is merely a formality.

Well, everyone serving on the BOD has to be an owner in the association. THough I agree that the people selected are hand picked. THough there have been some outsiders that made it to the balot at some resorts. The problem is that the two flex trusts own so much inventory and vote in block that they pretty much decide who sits on the board.

 

[daviator]

Well, everyone serving on the BOD has to be an owner in the association. THough I agree that the people selected are hand picked. THough there have been some outsiders that made it to the balot at some resorts. The problem is that the two flex trusts own so much inventory and vote in block that they pretty much decide who sits on the board.

But who decides who goes on the ballot, and who votes on the ballot? I don’t ever remember having to choose members of the various resort boards. Maybe I vaguely remember voting but I don’t think there was ever actually a choice of who to vote for.

I guess I need to review the association documents.

 

[dioxide45]

But who decides who goes on the ballot, and who votes on the ballot? I don’t ever remember having to choose members of the various resort boards. Maybe I vaguely remember voting but I don’t think there was ever actually a choice of who to vote for.

I guess I need to review the association documents.

The board creates a selection committee who picks the people who make it to the ballot from all the people who submit their names. The owners vote their proxies. We get a proxy every year for our weeks and always vote. Quite often though it is vote for up to two people and there are only two people listed. You should get a proxy for your WDW and WKORV weeks. I don't think you vote for board members on the Flex trusts.

 

[daviator]

The board creates a selection committee who picks the people who make it to the ballot from all the people who submit their names. The owners vote their proxies. We get a proxy every year for our weeks and always vote. Quite often though it is vote for up to two people and there are only two people listed. You should get a proxy for your WDW and WKORV weeks. I don't think you vote for board members on the Flex trusts.

Yes I do get those proxies and I always vote them, but as you suggest, there is usually no choice involved, the number of people on the ballot is equal to the number of spots being voted on. So it's not a choice at all.

 

[dioxide45]

Yes I do get those proxies and I always vote them, but as you suggest, there is usually no choice involved, the number of people on the ballot is equal to the number of spots being voted on. So it's not a choice at all.

This issue seems to be unique to Vistana. Marriott often has more people listed on the ballot than open board positions. I don't know if they don't get enough applicants or if this is indeed intentional.

 

[daviator]

This issue seems to be unique to Vistana. Marriott often has more people listed on the ballot than open board positions. I don't know if they don't get enough applicants or if this is indeed intentional.

It's got to be intentional since I have applied several times and have never been on the ballot.

 

[BLUE AYES]

I filled out an application a few years ago to be a board member at WLR. On paper I was perfect, having been the president of a co-op board for many years. I went through a lengthy audio taped interview process. I was told I made it to the final round. I was told that the board who listens to the taped interviews decided I was not qualified. As you can see there were a lot of things I was told.

 

[BA21]

I recently applied for a Board of Directors position at Westin Kierland Villas after receiving an email soliciting applications for the Board. I was notified last week that I was one of six applicants selected by the nominating committee to be on the ballot for the upcoming election. Results announced at annual meeting 10/19/2021. We'll see how it goes.

 

[tamu_bu]

I recently applied for a Board of Directors position at Westin Kierland Villas after receiving an email soliciting applications for the Board. I was notified last week that I was one of six applicants selected by the nominating committee to be on the ballot for the upcoming election. Results announced at annual meeting 10/19/2021. We'll see how it goes.

Assuming your are the only candidate with BA initials, giving you a vote today!

 

[BA21]

Assuming your are the only candidate with BA initials, giving you a vote today!

Thank you for the vote.
Brian

 

[cindylou]

Last summer I applied to be on the board at Lakeside Terrace and also the board at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas board did not select me to become a candidate, however the Lakeside Terrace board did select me to become a candidate. I was elected last fall to the board. I have attended one meeting virtually in May and Tuesday will be my very first in person board meeting. There were two candidates on the ballot and I was the one selected. My opponent was a member of the board seeking re-election.

During my first board meeting I was nominated by the rest of the board members to serve on the nominating committee for the next election. I have no connection to Vistana or Starwood other than being an owner at these 2 properties. Of the 5 of us board members, 1 is a Vistana employee and serves as Treasurer. I believe the rest of us are “just” interested owners.

I too was very cynical like you, thinking all the board members were developer puppets, and wanted to get on the board to see what goes on behind the curtain. Let’s see how the next 2 1/2 years go.

 

[dioxide45]

Last summer I applied to be on the board at Lakeside Terrace and also the board at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas board did not select me to become a candidate, however the Lakeside Terrace board did select me to become a candidate. I was elected last fall to the board. I have attended one meeting virtually in May and Tuesday will be my very first in person board meeting. There were two candidates on the ballot and I was the one selected. My opponent was a member of the board seeking re-election.

During my first board meeting I was nominated by the rest of the board members to serve on the nominating committee for the next election. I have no connection to Vistana or Starwood other than being an owner at these 2 properties. Of the 5 of us board members, 1 is a Vistana employee and serves as Treasurer. I believe the rest of us are “just” interested owners.

I too was very cynical like you, thinking all the board members were developer puppets, and wanted to get on the board to see what goes on behind the curtain. Let’s see how the next 2 1/2 years go.

So the Boards aren't all full of Vistana plants like some here seem to say. Or are they???

 

[Richard Chen]

I recall getting a such for SVV back 2y ago due 05/24/2021 and didn't apply then but just did for the one due today. We'll see how it goes.

 

[cindylou]

So the Boards aren't all full of Vistana plants like some here seem to say. Or are they???

I can say with certainty that the Vistana board I am on is not full of plants. Perhaps we lucked out and got a very very good slate of officers from the start 17+ years ago and most of them have done such a good job there is no reason to replace them.