President, 2023-25 Term
When my wife and I moved to this neighborhood in 2023, we found an open and welcoming community through ERCA. Association meetings helped get us up to speed on local events and citywide issues, and provided a great venue for meeting and getting to know our new neighbors.
As the 2023 Election approached, I was dismayed to hear that there were no volunteers to take on the role of President, and that the Board was already running understaffed. Though I was still new to the neighborhood, I wanted to do whatever I could to support the organization that had welcomed us so openly.
In my first term, my primary goal was to reinvigorate ERCA with new members, and encourage greater involvement by existing members. To that end, we rebuilt the website, began hybrid in-person/online meetings, and made membership dues-free for all residents. The result has been a measurable increase in active membership, and I am encouraged to see healthy competition for two of our Board positions.
In a second term, I intend to expand on this mission of inclusion and encouragement. ERCA meetings are still attended by only a small fraction of neighborhood residents, and we fall especially short on participation by residents with English as a second language. We need to do more to make residents aware of ERCA, and to help our neighbors understand what a useful resource and welcoming community this organization can be.
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Hi I am Joel (Ho-el). A teacher, soon to be husband, and Rockville resident for nearly 5 years. As your treasurer, I would be committed to transparent, responsible, and equitable financial management. I believe our association’s resources should be allocated fairly to serve all members of our community, ensuring everyone has a voice in our financial decisions. I will prioritize accurate record-keeping, inclusive budgeting, and fiscally sound practices that align with our values of equity and accountability. Together, we can build a stronger, more just community through thoughtful stewardship of our shared resources.
Outreach Chair (appointed), 2023-25 Term
My name is Ryan Murphy, I have lived in East Rockville for over 3 years now, and I have been involved with ERCA for nearly that entire time. I have been an attendee (and frequent participant), either in-person or virtually, at nearly every ERCA meeting and event over that period. Since 2023, I have served as the head of engagement for ERCA, in efforts to expand our reach and participation. This effort included working with city staff and other ERCA board members to design and distribute the postcards and posters across the neighborhood to increase awareness of ERCA meetings, the website, email distribution list, and Facebook page.
Although we have made progress increasing engagement, particularly through Jeff’s effort to ensure a virtual option for the meetings, I believe I would be better suited to take on the role of Treasurer moving forward. Although I have undergraduate and graduate degrees in finance, and currently work in financial risk management at a large financial institution, I don’t think a background in finance is necessary to be Treasurer at ERCA. I believe a history of dependability and engagement are the most important qualifications, and I believe that I have demonstrated those qualities over the past few years.
The other person running for Treasurer, to my knowledge, has attended very few, if any, ERCA meetings in the past, including the meeting where they were supposed to be sharing (and accepting their own) nominations. I hope they continue to get more involved with ERCA going forward, but I do not believe they have yet demonstrated the level of involvement or history of reliability required to serve on the ERCA board at this time.
I think Kashi has done a great job during his time as Treasurer, and do not think there is much room for improvement, but I’m open to ideas for what ERCA could do differently, such as making it easier for folks to donate (such as exploring Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp), or providing more transparency on ERCA donation and spending trends utilizing available financial data. Regardless of my role, I look forward to continuing to work with ERCA to make East Rockville an even better place to live.
Thank you for your consideration.
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I have lived in East Rockville since 2019 and have been involved in Rockville through the Environment Commission since 2020, supporting the Maryvale stream clean-up and advocating for the needs of East Rockville and renters with the city. I have been grateful for the hard work ERCA puts in for local programming and advocating for the community with the city, and I am eager to support it. I am a housing economist focusing on affordable housing and climate change and would bring to ERCA organizational experience in Rockville and a passion for supporting all residents of this wonderful community. I have three young children, the oldest of which attends Maryvale Elementary.
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As a former military officer and registered nurse with 26 years of experience, I bring a strong foundation in leadership, organization, and service to others. Throughout my career, I have consistently managed complex responsibilities with integrity, precision, and a deep commitment to the well-being of those I serve. These qualities have not only shaped my professional path but have also prepared me to contribute meaningfully to our civic association in the role of Secretary.
In both military and healthcare settings, I have developed and maintained clear, accurate documentation, facilitated communication among diverse teams, and upheld accountability through timely and thorough record-keeping. These skills directly align with the core responsibilities of the Secretary position, where efficient communication, meeting documentation, and organizational consistency are essential. My attention to detail and ability to manage information effectively will help ensure the smooth functioning of our association.
I am passionate about fostering a connected, informed, and engaged community. Serving as Secretary would allow me to give back to our neighborhood and support initiatives that strengthen our shared quality of life. I am eager to contribute my skills and dedication to the role and would be honored to serve in this capacity.
ERCA President - several times
ERCA Vice President - several times
Chas has served as both president and vice-president of ERCA. He enjoys scaring the neighborhood kids at Halloween then hiding eggs in the Pump House Park. He is also good at blowing bubbles.