Templeton Area Advisory Group chair resigns
Jennifer Jones distributes letter explaining her resignation
– Jennifer Jones, chair of the Templeton Area Advisory Group (TAAG), has resigned effective immediately, citing conduct by a board member that she said violates board rules and prevents meetings from being conducted in a professional and safe manner.
In a letter addressed to board members, county staff, and the community, Jones said the behavior has disrupted meetings and made her feel unsafe:
To the TAAG Board, County Staff, and Community Members,
I, Jennifer Jones, am resigning as Chair of the TAAG Board, effective immediately.
Due to the problematic behaviors of a board member that are against our Bylaws, Policies & Procedures, and Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, the board cannot conduct meetings in a civilized and professional manner. Applicants should not be talked down to or berated. County staff should not be harassed or lectured. Board members are expected to be respectful. Feeling unsafe in my own home or in the boardroom due to someone’s behavior is unacceptable. Board members screaming and cussing on the phone and in person should never be tolerated.
Thank you to the board members, community members, and county staff who have reached out to help alleviate these issues over the last couple of years. Your emails, phone calls, in-person suggestions, and help at meetings have been greatly appreciated by other board members and myself.
The final straw was speaking with the Chair of a committee on Thursday, posting an agenda on Sunday, and then having the Chair cancel the meeting Monday morning. Communication and adherence to county guidelines are key to success. The county refers projects and asks for a response within 60 days. A re-referral requests a response within 45 days. When we vote to respond within those time frames and fail to do so, it does not reflect well on the board. If we do not respect what the county asks of us, then why would they respect us and our recommendations?
We have made amazing progress as a board this year but fail to represent the community effectively when meetings are such a disaster. The board needs to support the community and foster a relationship that encourages participation. If the board can follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, I believe you will see people willing to volunteer for the open seats.
Someone from the board, other than the Vice-Chair, needs to collect TAAG’s property by Thursday at 6:15 PM. All items left beyond then will be considered abandoned property.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Jones
