Big Canoe Election Committee Candidate Profile

The Election Committee sent this form to all candidates on July 12th.

My answers, as submitted to the committee on July 17th, 2025, are below:

1. Please explain what motivates you to want to serve on the Big Canoe Board of Directors?

Big Canoe is a unique and special place. We all have the opportunity to help protect what makes it great while improving how we work together as a community. The Board plays a vital role in shaping systems, policies, and communication that affect daily life. That’s where my strengths lie: understanding how things work, spotting what could work better, and building practical solutions that serve everyone.

Good governance isn’t just about decisions—it’s about building trust, open dialogue, including and informing the entire community. That’s the leadership I believe in and hope to bring to the Board.

2. What is important to remember when you try to convince others of your point of view when it differs from the larger group? Give an example of when you experienced this and the result.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Opinions should be weakly held—rooted in principle but open to change when better facts or perspectives emerge. When a viewpoint differs from the majority, it’s important to listen first, assume positive intent, and focus on solutions that benefit the entire community. Productive debate isn’t about being right—it’s about getting to the best outcome for the group—in this case—the Property Owners of Big Canoe.

I believe in an Idea Meritocracy: the best idea wins regardless of where it comes from. Over the last decade in my consulting business, there have been many situations where our team had differing opinions on how best to help our clients. We always collected everyone’s ideas, then discussed the pros and cons of each, then voted on which idea we all believed would lead to the best outcome.

3. What are your top two strengths and/or values you bring to the board?

Two core strengths I bring to the Board are systems thinking and a deep respect for fairness and transparency. These directly relate to the Board’s goals of better planning and better communication.

Seeing how policies, operations, and communication fit together helps me identify root issues and design long-term solutions—essential for effective planning. I focus on aligning strategy with day-to-day execution so goals aren’t just talk—they become real.

Fairness and transparency are essential for trust. People deserve clear and consistent communications, and plenty of opportunities to be heard. I help build systems and conversations that reflect those values.

4. When considering your personal attributes, how would you prioritize these areas in terms of your strengths, first to last: strategic thinker, relationship builder, executor, influencer. Provide examples.

Strategic thinker – I see how systems connect and where the biggest improvements can happen.
Executor – I follow through. I turn ideas into working systems that run smoothly and generate results.
Influencer – I communicate clearly. I make complex ideas simple and persuasive to build support and drive action.
Relationship builder – While I’m more introverted, I value strong relationships and create environments—like events or community spaces—where people connect meaningfully.

5. Where do you see yourself making greatest contribution(s) towards our Big Canoe strategic objectives?

Helping Big Canoe operate with more transparency, fairness, and long-term thinking. That includes improving how information flows, strengthening trust in decisions, and aligning policies with what’s best for the entire community—not just for today or the loudest voices. With experience in systems and strategy, I’m ready to help turn our goals into actions that benefit everyone.

Thank you for reading my platform. I hope you found it informative and helpful in understanding my vision for our community.

Have a question or something to say? Send me an email: jcfortheboard@gmail.com

Prefer to talk? Book a time with me.

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J Cornelius — Candidate for the POA Board
jcornelius.com/poa

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead