 | | | Bob Thompson Photo Ohlen Alexander | | | | | | "We're an excellent sounding board," said Bob Thompson recently when asked about one of Orinda's most important volunteer groups - the City of Orinda's Finance Advisory Committee. "We bring different eyes and brains and perspective to their concerns and reports, and we also look at things from a consumer point of view - from a citizen point of view."
The longtime Orindan has been a member of the FAC since its inception. Formed Dec. 16, 2008 when the Orinda City Council modified the city's budget committee to tap the brainpower of financial and investment professionals living locally, the FAC is charged via Resolution 75-08 to "serve in a broader advisory capacity for all financial matters related to City operations" while advising city leaders in a manner that does not conflict with the Municipal Code. Its seven at-large voting members are Orinda residents appointed by the City Council to serve three-year terms as unpaid volunteers. At least one council member serves annually as liaison. Committee members review and recommend changes to Orinda's proposed budget and statement of investment policy, attend budget-related meetings, and advise the City Council and staff on other financial matters as appropriate.
"It's great to have people knowledgeable in these areas," observed Thompson of the roles Orindans play on the city's diverse commissions and committees. Serving on one, he said, you realize how many neighbors are giving back. He devotes about an hour and a half, once a month to the FAC, with occasional homework. "You don't have to be expert in everything," he said. "It's great to have a forum to query people and say, 'What about this? Educate me.'"
Those collective volunteer hours have produced change. When the Contra Costa County Grand Jury required cities to help county residents better understand financial operations, Orinda's leaders asked the FAC for help. "There were some people on that committee that brought wonderful ideas forward." Now, the city's website is more robust, and staff reports at council meetings contain reader-friendly budget graphics.
"What they really need is some time," said Thompson in describing residents considering volunteering for a commission or committee. "Not an inordinate amount. Just a commitment to doing things right, a willingness to learn and collaborate, and a modest skill set and (good) attitude."
Stanford trained, Thompson works as a portfolio manager for a privately held Bay Area investment management firm. In addition to volunteering with Orinda's FAC, he serves as a member of the board of directors for the United Way of the Bay Area, the investment committee for the Girl Scouts of Northern California and as board vice president for the Bay Area Financial Education Foundation.
He has also served, since 2009, as the board secretary for the Cavalla Historical Society in Galveston, Texas that is dedicated to preserving the USS Cavalla, a memorial to World War II submariners.
Like another great fighter, Muhammad Ali, Thompson clearly believes that "Service to others is the rent that we pay for our room here on earth," and hopes more and more residents will offer their talents.
The Finance Advisory Committee meets publicly in the Community Room at City Hall on the fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m. To learn about volunteering, visit the City of Orinda's website: www.cityoforinda.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA