05/14/2026
So you live in Oakland Mills. You pay the Columbia Association assessment fee. You see that your fee is going into great services like Open Space and events. But what exactly does your village board do for you?
The best way to learn what the OMCA Board does for you is to attend Board meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at The Other Barn/on Zoom. At these meetings, you can see the Board in action—items they discuss, votes they take, issues they’re dealing with now. But in the meantime, here’s a list of some of the things they do for you as a resident of Oakland Mills:
🔸Board members are elected every year by members of the village. They are volunteers and receive no compensation. Most serve on Board committees such as education, housing, and public space.
🔸They ensure the finances of the village are in order and review and approve the village budget every year. They also decide on donations the village gives to local non-profits.
🔸Though they cannot make government-related decisions, they can advocate for the residents. For example, when OM schools need extra help getting renovations and repairs, the Board—alongside community members—testifies at County meetings. They might also send letters in support of or against county and state legislation. They’re watchful for anything that might not be in the best interest of the village and try to bring about change through grassroots advocacy. Many Board members also serve (not officially for OMCA) on county task forces.
🔸Board members are also members of the OM Architectural Committee (AC). When a property owner appeals a decision made on their application for exterior alterations, the AC hears the appeal and decides on it.
🔸They listen to residents, both during meetings and privately through emails and face-to-face interactions. Residents can come speak during resident speak-out at the beginning of every regular Board meeting. Though Board members can't always solve residents' problems, they can point them in the right direction so they can find help.
🔸 The OM Board is an example to others of what it means to have a community- and service-minded, strong Board. They work as a team, even as they each have their own unique perspectives and priorities. They put the UNITY in commUNITY!
For more info, visit the Board page on the oaklandmills.org website.
