At least one Fairfield Glade Community Club Board of Directors member is looking into possible alternatives to the nondisclosure agreement that led to the resignations of three members of a board-appointed committee, the Glade Sun has learned.
The resignations of the Policy Review Committee members did not necessarily result in the search for options to the community club’s NDA, but it indicates a willingness to consider whether it could be eliminated or revised following recommendations of focus groups last fall.
The development was disclosed in an April 2 email message from board Vice President Scott Hartema, one of two board liaisons to the committee, to former committee member Steve Lokker, who asked if the board had moved from its position of requiring an NDA.
Lokker was among those who resigned over their objections to being required to sign the agreement, which is written to ensure confidentiality of committee business under the threat of prosecution if it is violated.
“The future of the NDA is still under discussion,” Hartema wrote. “A number of options are being discussed such as a confidentiality agreement. We are asking for some ideas from other clubs and communities as well.”
Board President Greg Jones, asked by the Glade Sun for comment, said he was unaware Hartema was looking into alternatives. He said the board had not discussed it and would not change the NDA “in mid-year.”
“If we’re going to do this, it would be in concert with the new board,” he said. At least one seat on the board will open in elections later this year.
Hartema, asked by the Glade Sun for clarification on his email, wrote: “It has not been discussed with the entire board as yet. Still work in progress.”
At the board’s March 26 meeting, Lokker, committee Chairperson Robby Voyles and Secretary Lisa Shelton resigned their memberships on the Policy Review Committee after they were informed they would need to sign a nondisclosure agreement. They said they previously had been told they would not be required to sign one.
Voyles said at that meeting she had drafted a compromise agreement at a board member’s request but received no response.
The committee was formed in October to review existing and proposed policies and recommend any changes to the board. The committee serves in an advisory capacity, which means the board can accept, reject or revise its recommendations.
An October summary report of focus groups composed of community club members concluded that the club’s nondisclosure agreement is “often viewed as a tool to hide information and a barrier to attract talented volunteers.” The report recommended eliminating the NDA or rewriting it so that it covers “only legally confidential information.”