The Toluca Lake Homeowners Association (TLHOA) held its annual meeting on March 27 at Bodega Malbec, where longtime and new members alike gathered to reflect on the organization’s recent accomplishments and goals for the coming year. While enjoying delicious appetizers and wine, the group conducted internal business, heard updates from TLHOA and its community partners, and discussed local issues such as safety and development.
President Don St. Clair began by explaining how the TLHOA is different from the stereotypical homeowners association that enforces neighborhood rules and restrictions. “Our homeowners association has absolutely no regulatory power,” he said. “What we do have the power to do is to bring people together, build community, represent the diverse views of the community — because we don’t all agree on everything here, and we try to sort through that — seek opportunities to help maintain and improve quality of life … and try to function as a liaison between the various stakeholders,” coordinating with other organizations to achieve their shared goals. To exemplify these priorities, he gave an overview of TLHOA events of the past year, including November’s record-setting Turkey Trot and the series of Toluca Lake centennial celebrations culminating in the Holiday Open House.
The group ratified its board and officers for the next year, welcoming new board members and thanking outgoing ones for their service. Speaking on behalf of the nominating committee, board member emeritus Scott Morris highlighted the importance of community leadership and involvement, saying, “Toluca Lake is the vibrant, thriving community it is because of generations of volunteers that have raised their hands to get involved, and they made community service a core value. We stand on their shoulders, and 100 years from now, when we’re gone, there will be another generation of people that we will have handed the baton to that will continue to make this such an amazing community, the community that we all love.”
The evening also included updates on local activities and issues from Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council president Tess Taylor, Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce president Taylor Montana, Steve Hampar of the Toluca Lake Neighborhood Watch and Council District 2 field deputy Shannan Calland. After discussion of additional topics raised by TLHOA members, St. Clair closed the meeting with a look at the association’s goals for the coming year, including revising its bylaws, strengthening communication with current and prospective members, and continuing to work with other local organizations and find ways to bring community members together.