Protecting Our Neighborhood and the Neighbors Who Volunteer

As part of our new Woodgate Neighborhood Educational Series, I want to take a moment and provide some information regarding how we protect our neighborhood and the neighbors who volunteer for the WNA.

Most of us chose Woodgate because it’s a well-kept, peaceful neighborhood with shared standards that help protect our homes and property values. Those standards are outlined in our Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). The CC&Rs only work if they’re applied fairly and consistently to everyone.

That responsibility falls on the volunteer Architectural Committee and the WNA Board members who are elected by the members. We're all simply neighbors trying to do the right thing.

What is Directors and Officers Insurance?

Directors and Officers Insurance (often called D & O Insurance) protects the volunteer board, committee members and our block captains if someone challenges their decisions or actions and threatens legal action.

To put it simply, it means volunteers aren't putting their personal savings or homes at risk just because they’ve agreed to serve on the board, committee or block captain.

This coverage doesn’t protect wrongdoing or bad behavior. It protects people acting honestly, following the rules and treating everyone fairly.

Why This Matters for Woodgate

WNA Board members occasionally must make decisions that not everyone agrees with. That can include supporting enforcement of CC&Rs, denying requests that don’t meet neighborhood standards or asking homeowners to correct violations.

Without insurance protection, even a simple disagreement could turn into a costly personal legal issue for a volunteer. As you can imagine, most people understandably don’t want that risk!

Why Consistent Enforcement Protects Everyone

When our CC&Rs are applied evenly, everyone in Woodgate benefits. It keeps our neighborhood looking the way people expect, and it prevents small issues from becoming long-term problems.

When enforcement stops or becomes inconsistent:

• Standards slowly slip.

• Frustration grows among neighbors.

• Property values start being affected.

• Inconsistent enforcement creates legal risk for the association and Woodgate, which no one wants.

Addressing the Cost Concern

One common worry is cost. We understand paying annual dues comes with scrutiny of what those dues are going towards.

D & O Insurance cost is significant. In 2024 and 2025 that portion of the insurance cost approximately $2,300 each year. With general liability insurance and fees, cost contributes to another $2,250 in cost each year. But it can be a large savings compared to legal fees. A single legal dispute can cost far more than several years of insurance premiums.

This coverage is not about spending more than necessary. It’s about avoiding much larger expenses later and protecting our volunteers who are giving their time for free for the betterment of Woodgate.

Why D&O Insurance Helps Every Woodgate Homeowner

Even if you never plan to serve on the WNA board, committee or as a block captain, D & O Insurance helps by:

• Protecting our property values with actions made fairly and consistently.

• Encouraging responsible neighbors to volunteer.

• Preventing unnecessary legal expenses.

• It’s a reassuring form of protection that benefits the entire community by preventing Woodgate from being an easy legal target.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to the Board.

Thank you,

Rick Wood

WNA President