RA At-Large Director Sarah Selvaraj-D’Souza Resigns from RA Board

(Posted May 31, 2023) In a letter to the RA Board and CEO Mac Cummins on Friday May 26, At-Large Director Sarah Selvaraj-D’Souza tendered her resignation after serving approximately 3 years. Selvaraj-D’Souza wrote:

“To My Fellow Board members, Committee Volunteers and RA Staff,

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you today to tender my resignation from the Board of Directors of Reston Association, effective immediately.

My decision to resign from the Board of Directors is not the result of any disagreement with the operations, policies or procedures, but to focus on my family, my advocacy and Restonstrong. I have also recently accepted the role as the Hunter Mill District representative on the County's Affordable Housing Advisory Counsel and a board position on the Faith Alliance for Climate Change - in both positions I will be working directly in areas I'm passionate about - social justice, housing equality and environmental sustainability. I will continue to serve in my committee position on the EAC. 

I have appreciated the opportunity to serve on the board as both a Board Member and Board President, and wish you and RA the best as you continue to move forward. Restonstrong was born as a by-product of my decision to run for the RA board and for that I am eternally grateful. The last 3 plus years have been an exercise in self-discovery - RA propelled me from a happy go lucky small business owner selling frozen custard and ceramics to a community activist championing for our neighbors' rights. It has been an absolute honor interacting with our members, representing their interests, liaising with our wonderful staff and volunteers - both old and new for the past 3 plus years. I will truly miss working with you all - the passionate discussions and exciting outcomes. Rest assured I will be following RA & the board and look forward to participating as an informed member.

Cheers”

RA President John Farrell stated:

“I was saddened to receive Sarah’s resignation from the Reston Association’s Board of Directors.

Sarah’s contributions to Reston have been innumerable. 

In the days following George Floyd’s brutal murder, she organized the 5,000 person peaceful protest that lined Reston Parkway from the Toll Road to Baron Cameron. Days later, Sarah organized a protest of the Marr cenotaph on the County Courthouse lawn that led to its ultimate removal and the removal of the north-facing cannons; eliminating those Lost Cause symbols from our midst.

In her gazebo overlooking Reston National Golf course, Sarah organized the leadership of the townhouse clusters surrounding the golf course to protest the destruction of that prized open space.  As a result, more than 400 homeowners told Mr. Alcorn that they wanted that open space to be preserved. And under the new Master Plan, it will be.

When the hyperthermia shelters closed for the season in March 2022 and after Reston Strong had paid for hotel rooms for many unhoused Restonians, Sarah organized the tent occupation on the front lawn of the Supervisor’s office, and spent many chilly nights with them, to keep the plight of the unhoused in the forefront of our minds.

As a member of the Association Board, she led the effort to preserve and reopen Shadowood pool and for the necessary changes to make it a more appealing place for Restonians to swim. That work is underway today.

As President of the Association, she led the successful search for our new CEO and reorganized Board meetings to achieve efficiencies while providing members with informative presentations during the Board’s executive sessions.

During all of this, Sarah brought a combination of passion and humility that exemplified the teachings of Mathew 25.

We are grateful that Sarah will continue on the Association’s Environmental Advisory Committee, the County Affordable Housing Advisory Council and the Faith Alliance for Climate Change so that Restonians can continue to benefit from her activism. 

We also want to thank her husband, Don, and her daughter, Sonja, for the sacrifices they made to enable Sara to give so much to our community.

I know the Board joins me in wishing her success in her future efforts.”

A call for candidates is being issued by the association. Members can submit their applications by 12 p.m. EST on Thursday June 15, 2023. The board will then appoint a new At-Large director to serve on the board until the upcoming election.