JEAN TOTTEN Throws Her Hat in the Ring!

Nicely stated Linda. You posted while i was typing. Continuing education is and always will play an integral role in the success of both for profit and not for profit organizations. Unfortunately, i don't recall a time when the RCSC conducted anything like that. During the former gm's years, she took classes, but it was for her growth and to use in how she elected to lead. Inter-personal training would be a valued added process but too many of us think we know it all now that we are old farts. The simple truth is, learning should never stop, and smart leadership helps facilitate the process. Don't hold your breath.

 

We always found there we many "wow" or ah ha" moments when we held facilitated board training, especially when we had several people that were (or had been) major for-profit corporate leaders in the group. It's a totally different ball game. Yes, RSCS has to look at the bottom line, but what about the best interests of the entire community?

I still can't grasp the idea of no work sessions! If committees are meeting and presenting reports, something is happening behind the scenes, because I don't feel like there is serious discussion or debate on any motions that come before the Board at a public meeting. What am I missing?

 

One of life's mysteries for sure Linda. Though i think the last month (June) they met in advance of the member/board exchange. Not sure what they are calling it?

Every organization with a serious bone in their body tries to enhance board members knowledge. I chuckle when i look back at my work life, i couldn't tell you how many hours were devoted to continuing education. And to be clear, most of it was on my off hours, classes and courses i elected to take. I also benefited from on the job opportunities. There were week long sessions where we could enhance our skills. Some saw it as vacations, i felt those were the best crash courses i could get. I still do.

I've told the story before, it's worth repeating. While serving as the Sun City Foundation president we brought in a woman who had built from the ground up two 50 million dollar foundations. She had just retired and was looking for something to do. Sadly, most of the Foundation board were in their 80's and had little interest beyond what they were already doing/donating. A handful of us met with her and did the whole white board, what if? Where do we want to be in 10 years thing?

It was a blast and we realized the potential was unlimited. It caused me to wonder; has the RCSC ever done this type of exercise? Do they even know what a white board is? I know it sounds like i'm being a smart ass; i'm not. The simple reality is when you let one person be your guiding light, you are setting yourself up for failure. It was Meeker's genius, he learned to listen. Not just listen but act on what the residents wanted. That was a major reason Sun City was so successful.

It still should be our guiding principle.

 

I agree, Bill. There are so many missed opportunities! The Foundation is a classic example! I heard one board member say, "people just wanted to use us for a tax write off." What? I just shook my head! There is so much that could be done! More on this topic later.

 

Nobody's saying it's mandatory that the Board or Management do anything the Members suggest or recommend, but the current Board and Management are living in a vacuum if they're not hearing what the community is saying. Not all community recommendations or suggestions will warrant an action but what they will do is offer a vast difference in opinions, some good and some bad, and only then can you make fair evaluations on which direction to take!

The Board and Management are preaching to the choir when they only talk among themselves!