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2026 Annual Meeting and Elections

Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 PM

March 02, 2026

Hello Burton Water Cooperative Community, 

We have two important events to bring to your attention today: 

  1. Co-op annual membership meeting

  2. Board elections and a Bylaws amendment. 

Please take time to engage with these key issues related to our community-run Co-op. 

1. Co-op Annual Membership Meeting: Sunday, March 22, 3:00-5:00pm 

Please join us in person at Camp Burton Grisham Hall, 9326 Bayview Dr., or via ZOOM LINK on March 22, 2026 at 3PM.

Bring your neighbors, get a refresher on our cooperative values, and meet the humans (Board members and System Operator) of our human-powered water system! Bring food and/or beverages to share, if you can.

It has been an eventful first full year of operation.  The Board and our Operator, Nick, look forward to sharing what we accomplished in the last year and what is planned for next year.  

The official meeting agenda includes major milestones achieved last year, financial reports, system conditions, capital improvement updates, water quality report, and regulatory agency findings. Spend time with your neighbors, enjoy a unique opportunity to come together as a community, and learn some fun facts about our water system all at the same time! 

2. Board Elections and Bylaws Amendment: Please vote now!

The ballot includes voting for two new Board members and approval of an amendment to the Co-op’s Bylaws. The voting period for this election begins March 1, 2026 and concludes at the Annual Meeting on March 22, 2026. You may vote online at any time during this period. Only one vote per Co-op membership will be counted.

Our Bylaws require a quorum of at least 10% of the Co-op’s membership to validate the election. Your vote matters! Click HERE to cast your online ballot now. 

There will also be an opportunity to vote in person by paper ballot at the Annual Meeting.

Election of New Board Members 

As we have said before, one of the most important responsibilities of a Co-op member is to elect our Board of Directors. Now is the time, pursuant to our Bylaws, to elect two new members. They will add to the expertise of the other Board members in guiding the Co-op, overseeing planned improvements to the water system, and ensuring that we meet all of our legal and regulatory requirements. 

The Co-op’s Nominating Committee this year, represented by Board Member Ben Lee and Co-op volunteer Lisa Fitzhugh has recommended Cailen O’Brien and Kevin Elswick to fill the two open positions. 

Cailen O’Brien

Cailen O’Brien is nominated for a new three year term to fill the position held by William Shadbolt, whose term will expire in March.

Cailen moved to this neighborhood four years ago, retiring from a career in Seattle as a Project and Program Manager in fintech and data analysis, including a short stint in consulting. He currently spends his days as a stay-at-home father, Board Member and Registrar for the Vashon Maury Cooperative Preschool, and continues to settle into the Vashon community as a whole. He worked briefly with the Co-op Feasibility Board, focusing on project management and coordination. He is excited to have the opportunity to get involved again as he believes deeply in the long-term stewardship of shared resources, and the power of an active and involved community. 

Kevin Elswick

Kevin Elswick is running to fill a Board seat vacated by the resignation of Helene Miller.  Per the Bylaws, this position was filled by appointment of Kevin by the Board earlier this year, but that person must be subsequently elected by the members to complete the remaining year of Helene’s term.

Kevin is the Director of Construction for a national apartment development firm. He has more than 20 years of experience as a general contractor and owner-builder before transitioning into development. His background spans hands-on construction, project leadership, and long-term asset planning. Kevin and his wife live in Burien with their three young children. In 2022, they purchased a home on the Burton Peninsula and spend as much time there as possible balancing work, school, and sports. He chose to serve on the board because he plans to be part of the community for the long term and wants to contribute his experience to strengthening the cooperative, improving infrastructure, and ensuring its continued success for all members. 

Bylaws Amendment

Also on the ballot is an amendment to the Co-op Bylaws, proposed by the Board, to allow additional directors to be added to the Board. While the Board can vote to change the Co-op Rules and Regulations, changes to the Bylaws require approval by the full membership.

The number of board members was reduced from 7 (during the interim feasibility period) to 5 for the operating period. Over the first year of operations, the Board found that its activities have strained the capacity of a 5-member board. While this might not always be the case, having the ability to adjust the number of Board members to fit the current workload is one tool to address this situation. In addition, the original text that described the process to create the first new Board is no longer needed.

Article V, Section 1 of the Bylaws describes the number and terms of board members and the process of transition from the interim feasibility period board to the permanent operating period board. 

Here is Section 1 as it is currently written:

ARTICLE V Directors and Officers 

Section 1. Number and Terms 

The Board shall consist of five (5) Members in Good Standing. Employees of the Cooperative may not serve as a Director. Not more than one Member of a Jointly held Membership may be a Director at any one time. 

The interim Board named in the Articles of Incorporation, or any interim Director subsequently elected to fill a vacancy, shall serve until the Members elect a new Director or Board. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, after the Effective Date, a special meeting shall be called within sixty (60) days during which a new Board shall be elected. Each Member may vote for a maximum of five (5) candidates for the Board, with a single vote for any one candidate. The five candidates with the most votes will constitute the new Board. Director terms shall be staggered with one Director elected for a term of one (1) year; two Directors for a term of two (2) years; and two Directors for a term of three (3) years. Assignment of Directors to an initial term of either one (1), two (2) or three (3) years shall be by lottery. 

At each annual meeting thereafter, the Members shall elect for a term of three (3) years the number of Directors whose terms of office have expired. Each Director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected. Successive Directors shall then be elected to terms of three (3) years such that no more than two (2) Directors’ terms shall expire in any given year.

The proposed new language for Section 1 (included on the ballot) allows the number of Board members to be changed by Board resolution as needed.

Article V, Section 5 of the Bylaws requires the board to immediately fill an open board position. It may be impossible or impractical to recruit and vet a new board member immediately after a board vacancy occurs, and the board will likely be able to function with one fewer member until a new member is added. 

The  proposed modification to Section 5 (included on the ballot) allows additional time for an adequate recruitment process.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have thoughts or specific questions to add to the discussion at the annual meeting.

We look forward to seeing everyone on March 22! 

Your Co-op Board