Petition

Petition

· From Oxford Languages: a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a particular cause.
· A Petition protects our right to ask the Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC) Board of Directors (BOD) to fix something that we see as not working without fear of reprisal or punishment.
· In the United States, the right to petition is enumerated in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
· Petitions can help advance a cause by: Raising awareness and signaling public opinion to decision-makers, influencing their decisions.
· A petition is a simple yet effective tool in advocacy. With just a little bit of effort, you can generate attention and momentum around an issue, grow your list of advocates, and pressure the BOD to act.
· Petitions are a great way to show support for your efforts, get the attention of the community and of decision makers, and bring about change. Petitions demonstrate group strength. The RCSC BOD may ignore us, but the more names you have on your petition, the harder it will be to ignore your petition.

Writing a good petition
· State clearly what change you want to make. Make this realistic and concrete. ...
· Direct the demand to the right people. ...
· Include accurate information and evidence. ...
· Make sure it is a clear record of people's opinion. ...
· Write clearly. ...
· Get your timing right. ...
· Get your petition to the right place.

This petition is to address the poor performance of Matthew D'Luzansky, the current General Manager (GM) of Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC). His actions have damaged RCSC’s financial condition, (lost $612,000 as of November 2024 and down $3.8M from a 2023 positive net income), which would be a termination offense in most corporations. If you believe in transparency, accountability, and fair leadership for the improvement of our community, we need your help.

Add your voice to ours.​

The following are examples of egregious and damaging decisions/actions taken by the General Manager (GM), Matthew D’Luzansky.
1. Financial Losses
a. As of November, 2024, RCSC down $3.8M from a 2023 positive net income.
b. We are more than $600K in the red. (Nov. 2024 Income Statement, year to date actual before depreciation).
c. Result - Management and the Board assure us that it will be fine by the end of the year, signaling that was an acceptable action.

2. Maricopa County Libraries leases in Sun City were in jeopardy due to his decision.
a. Result - After much consternation and uproar by the members, a new contract was finally negotiated.

3. Punch Cards were eliminated in violation of Board Policy #9 by the GM.
a. Result - After much outcry at exchange meetings, the GM was instructed to continue the existing system.
b. No disciplinary action for the GM was announced for violating Board Policy.

4. Visitor/Welcome Center relocation from the Bell Recreation Center to the Fairway Recreation Center proposed and announced by the GM.
a. Result – Members learned of the proposal from social media.
b. Volunteers, with no ability to give feedback, learned of the move from an email.
c. Again, the board reversed this decision.

5. Relocation of the Information/Sign in Desk at Fairway was a questionable decision by the GM.
a. Result – Members can still access activities without signing in by using the RCSC issued FOBs for the East Door.
b. When questioned about the problem of the “homeless” using the recreation center, staff assured Members that it was almost nonexistent.

I will be at Fairway Recreation Center today - Thursday from 1 - 3pm collecting signatures for this petition as well as asking for your PROXY FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, should you be unable to attend. The meeting is one of the only places that we, the Members, have to bring forth our concerns in the form of amendments to the Bylaws to Management.
Jean M. Totten as One Day at a Time

 

Jean, I am only going to comment on the financial portion of your list.

First off, forget about depreciation as that is not money spent as you would know during the fiscal year. Rather it is a tax credit for fixed assets already purchased. An example, the RCSC depreciates a portion the purchase of the Grand avenue property annually for about 20 years. They are not purchasing the building repeatedly, just taking a tax credit for the original purchase price over a specified length of time, in this case 20 years. Here comes the fun part, although the building is “depreciated out” after 20 years meaning it has no value for a tax credit, the building still has value in a selling price. I realize this sounds like double talk, but that’s accounting for you. If I have made any mistakes in this explanation, John Fast is more than welcome to correct me.

As for revenue being down from the previous year, this requires a bit of digging which is probably not available at the moment. Decline in revenue usually implies decline in sales, so where is the decline located? Does it cover all business units or is it attributed to one unit? I don’t know but I have a good idea where and why, but will not say as I am not 100% sure. I believe it is spread out but not evenly, the same goes for the loss, not enough information to say for sure. Both revenue for the coming year and profitability are based on projections and suppositions, which is fancy words for guessing. The CPA audited statement will provide more information and spread sheets which will allow me to be very specific.

When available, I willing to review the audit report with so we learn together the facts.

“Once you eliminate the obvious, whatever is left no matter how improbable, must be the answer.” Sherlock Holmes

 

“I will be at Fairway Recreation Center today - Thursday from 1 - 3pm…” Jean M. Totten as One Day at a Time

Today is Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Thursday is January 23, 2025.
Which is the day?

 

My apologies.
Today, Tuesday, January 21 through Thursday, January 23 from 1 - 3 pm.
Others are involved. Stay tuned to TOSC for other times and locations.
Thank you.

 

I understand depreciation for a business that operates for profit, but does RCSC pay taxes even though it is nonprofit?

 

I didn't think 501(C)(4)'s paid taxes, but not sure. Don't remember the difference from 501(c)(3)'s other than healthcare, and that's a whole different animal.

 

Today, January 27th, I will be at Fairway Recreation Center from 1-4 pm collecting signatures on my petition to ask the Board of Directors to terminate the General Manager. I will also be there Wednesday through Friday of this week, same time.

I also take the opportunity to let all those who sign that the MOST IMPORTANT BOARD MEETING is on March 11th at Sundial at 5 pm. That is the Annual Membership Meeting where, if the Members exceed the 500 person quorum, they (we, us) will be able to vote on any amendments that their fellow Members may bring forth to change the Bylaws.

Any question, please contact me at jean.tottenonenote@gmail.com
Thank you!

 

As many of you know there is widespread dissatisfaction with the performance, attitude and direction of the current GM. While many had hoped he would grow into the job it appears he has done just the opposite. In the short time he has been on the job there have been numerous examples of poor judgement on his part including but not limited to an attempt to “secretly” close the libraries, running up a large operating deficit, “secretly” trying to move the visitors center from a desirable location to an undesirable location, the Lakeview PAC debacle, and many more. His actions have alienated many members.

Many have characterized his attitude as arrogant and condescending. In my opinion, it is a “my way or the highway” approach, which is highly efficient, laden with mistakes and very risky in the long term. He chooses not to answer members questions at meetings and takes a know-it-all attitude. He even posts the schools he graduated from on the first page of the RCSC January update. Coincidentally, the process guru RCSC hired to kick off its first ever process initiative graduated from the same school as he did. He does not display any interest in engaging members to find solutions and expresses disdain for those that complain. To my knowledge, we are the only 55+ community to have signs posted throughout our facilities indicating bad behavior will not be tolerated and may result in the arrest of those engaging in it. Is this a welcoming environment?

To his credit he is very action oriented, but it is difficult for members to determine what direction he is heading at any given time. Nevertheless, things that should have been done long ago are now beginning to get done. Unfortunately, many feel he is not properly involving them in decisions that impact them. A case in point is the placement of a PAC in the backyards of lakeview lake resident’s backyard without consulting them.

Not surprisingly, a growing number of members are calling for his termination and nonbinding petitions are circulating seeking your opinion on whether he should be terminated. If you believe he is or is not the right person for the job, please email Jean Totten at jeantottenonenote@gmail.com to express your opinion.

 

So...not saying I don't disagree with you, but let's play devil's advocate for a minute!

So are you saying he's doing a good job? I have seen many improvements including re-decking the pool areas, new lawn chairs and awnings, more seating under the breezeway at SunDial, not to mention the new paint jobs on the SunDial and Sun Bowl!

Can you really blame the GM for that decision? I suspect that whatever criteria that was given to TriARC to find a location for the PAC came from the Board and not the GM.
Seems to me most of the blame falls back on the Board who is either allowing the GM to get away with doing the things he did or they are not paying attention.

Does the whole Board meet with the GM on a regular basis or or just the President and VP? And do they convey to the remaining Director's what was discussed and decided in those meetings and give them the opportunity to vote, or are things simply dictated to them and they simply follow as sheep.

Granted, the President has general supervision and direction of the affairs of the Corporation, but the corporation is supposed to be administered by the ENTIRE Board. Seems to me, if the Board is being dictated to by the President, and going along with it, it's a pretty sneaky way of having the Board make decisions without having to hold a public vote at a Board meeting where we can all learn about what's being proposed?

All I'm saying is, you can't just blame the GM alone, although he does have several shortcomings but perhaps he needs to have the Board better define what they expect him to do?

 

Well said Tom, this is on the board to do their job. Sorry Jean, i fail to understand the purpose of the petition? I understand the logic of getting proxies, that makes perfect sense. Telling the board to fire the GM is way beyond your pay grade. It looks more like click bait than any real meat on the bone.

 

Just like the Members who signed the Petitions presented to the Board to please keep the Libraries in Sun City, the Petition that I am circulating is merely asking the Board to do their due diligence and terminate the General Manager.

We are not telling the Board to do anything. We are politely asking them. And bringing awareness to many who have absolutely no idea what is going on.

 

Regardless of who is to blame, awareness of what has been taking place is more important. That is what the petition is doing - Opening eyes.

 

GDV - I think you meant a tax deduction to reflect the decline in economic value and not a tax credit like the investment tax credit. RCSC is a nonprofit and does not pay taxes on anything other than unrelated business income so a tax deduction has no impact on its cash finances, A more important discussion in my view is whether the future stream of fees (assessments, PIF, Golf, Bowling, etc.) is sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining the facilities we have. The best estimate of the sufficiency of coverage we have is the "percentage coverage" calculated by the Reserve study. Stated differently, the reserve study percentage is an indication of whether your projected revenue allocated to capital will cover your projected costs of replacing, renovating, and making major capital repairs. Hope this helps.

 

FYI - The devil made you do it, right? What I am saying is compared to the last GM who was perceived as doing nothing this is an improvement.

 

Going to sound somewhat rudimentary, but it doesn’t make sense to fire a GM when there are no clear guidelines set to follow. Appears as if he is making decisions based upon a series of suggestions rather than a set plan.

Since the RCSC has no long term plan drawn up and committed to, it is going to be difficult for any GM put in place to be successful. In essence, the GM is being tasked with making decisions for the corporation without any guidance from the board that has relevant merit.
The board is tasked with ensuring the RCSC is moving in a direction to protect and maintain the corporation. If there exists no master plan to guide the direction of the board, this leaves the GM to govern as he sees fit. There is no strategic plan for the board to lead the direction of the RCSC. This leaves decision making to the GM.
Creating a revolving door of leadership is not the answer. Put together a strategic 5,10,15,20 year plan and stick to it. Once this goal has been achieved, the board and the GM should work in tandem to achieve the outlined goals.
Is the current GM so unqualified he should lose his job? Or is it the case of a rudderless board not directing the work of the GM?

 

And why are there no guidelines to follow? I keep reading "since 2006" there have been failures. The BOD gave too much power to the GM, now the GM has no guidelines to follow. Which is it? This is the exact problem with this blog. Back and forth since 2013 and not one solution. From what I have seen since 2001 it's sad. Sitting behind your keyboard will never solve anything. When I am out walking my dog I speak with people. My neighbor's snowbird friends are all back now and we gather for pizza and chat. Sadly it's not the chat you want to hear. My post for tomorrow from folks who actually live here full time should cause a little buzz.

 

A Master Plan is surly the right way to go but he does have a set of marching orders in BP-32!

 

Our Board is not holding the GM to Board Policy #32. Shame on the Board for letting him get away with all that he's done this past year. The petition is just asking the Board to uphold Board Policy #32:
The General Manager (“GM”) is responsible for the corporation’s entire operations and reports directly to the Board of Directors. It is the GM’s responsibility to implement Board decisions and initiatives in compliance with the Corporate Documents, as well as to maintain the operation of the corporation with senior management’s assistance. GM job performance review will be conducted annually by the President, with input from the Board of Directors.
B. Responsible for the authority to make all management decisions to meet their responsibilities, including any and all expenditures, as long as such expenditures are maintained within the major categories of the approved annual budget.
C. Utilize sound principles of practice and fairness for all Cardholders, homeowners, and employees in accordance with RCSC policies.
D. Guide and facilitate strategic planning. Work with the Board to sustain financial stability. Assure ongoing fiscal ability to implement long-range plans for RCSC facilities and infrastructure. The GM’s primary goal is efficiently providing services to RCSC Cardholders.
K. Implement marketing for Sun City AZ and RCSC along with management.

Yes, another GM search would have to be implemented. Yes, our money will be spent. Yes, it will take time. Is it worth it? I think so. With a LOT of guidance from HR experts and others in that field who might volunteer to sit on a Search Ad Hoc Committee, it can be done.

 

I think everyone knows my position on this. The skills that are lacking are what I call soft skills; tact, diplomacy, savvy, etc. In my experience this is often a blind spot for people who are elevated to "lofty" positions.

 

And the most important one is to leave your personal agenda at the door!