RCSC board president explains slow communication

RCSC board president’s excuse for “slow communication with members” in an online Sun City Independent article Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

RCSC seeks new leadership with three position openings
By Mary Goldmeer | Independent Newsmedia
Subscriber Exclusive
Relevant excerpt:
“Board President Tom Foster noted the board has been focused on hiring and other internal projects, which has slowed communication with members outside of meetings.

Some residents urged the board to be more open to community involvement so they can better serve the community.”
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Sun City Independent posted online Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE:
https://www.yourvalley.net/sun-city-independent/stories/rcsc-seeks-new-leadership-with-three-position-openings,576510

 

I am not a subscriber so I couldn't see the article.
I watched the Monday meeting.
I say please give this board a chance.
The rotten apples are gone and I think these folks are doing well given what they were left with from last year.
It appears to me that the most recent decisions have been made at the advice of the attorney.
Whether I disagree or not, I would not want our board to disregard what legal tells them should be done.
I'm very pleased with our officers and directors at this point. I'm actually relieved given the chaos of last year.
Please be kind and give them some time.
That is all.

 

Not a paid subscriber so can’t read article. Thanks for letting everyone know it’s out there though.

 

Here's the rest of the article. Not sure there was much of an explanation of why it should "slow communication with members," but as least it's an excuse. I did think the article was well written:
By Mary Goldmeer | Independent Newsmedia
The Recreation Centers of Sun City is hiring for multiple leadership positions, including a new board member following the resignation of Director Connie Ritchmyre in March.

The board is also seeking a general manager and a director of golf. The general manager will oversee day-to-day operations and staff leadership across departments. The director of golf will manage eight golf courses, six shops and five snack bars. RCSC board members are responsible for managing the business and financial affairs of the corporation and are prohibited from supervising staff beyond the general manager and board coordinator. The board can form internal commissions and may attend committee meetings as guests, without voting rights.

President Tom Foster noted that the board has been focused on hiring and other internal projects, which has slowed communication with members outside of meetings.

Some residents urged the board to be more open to community involvement so that they can better serve the community.

“There’s a community filled with people who would love to give you a hand, if you took them seriously,” said RCSC member Bill Pearson “There are eight of you, soon to be nine, but you’re assigning stuff to yourselves and then going ‘yeah, we’re spread really thin.’ You’re spreading yourselves thin. There are people in this room, in this community that want you to succeed. I want you to succeed.”

Pearson and other RCSC members made suggestions on how the board could better delegate, like allowing volunteers to answer general Sun City questions sent to the board or allowing members with industry experience step in and apply their knowledge on related RCSC projects.

“I would welcome as many people bringing their expertise as they can,” Foster said. “Unfortunately, there is a line in the sand as far as liability is concerned as to how much input I could accept.”

The board does have volunteer opportunities and makes attempts to receive suggestions and feedback at their monthly exchange meetings. “We are not holding people away from serving,” said Board Member Rick Gray said.

“We’re not trying to say we don’t want you. We don’t have that us-against-you mentality.”

On top of community outreach, according to Foster, the RCSC follows a set of corporate policies that designate certain responsibilities exclusively to board members and staff that limits the help they can ask for and receive.

“Don’t be insular, don’t say hell no we don’t need you. Open your arms and let people in, you’ll be a whole lot better off for it,” Pearson said.

Visit suncityaz.org for more information.

 

Emily Luella,
I regret if I seem unkind sharing the reason members experience slow RCSC communication.

Our board members are tasked with many issues to manage Their dedicated volunteerism is appreciated. I agree with your thoughtful comments.

I take exception to president Foster’s quote that their tasks are the reason for the lack of timely communication. Sharing information constantly during trying times is critical.

The RCSC staff communication teams create, generate what information the board provides them. Perhaps Chris Nettesheim, board vice-president and chair of the communications committee could, or is, working with them?

I think the suggestion for the board to allow more member involvement is something they should seriously consider!

I did not post the entire article because it is an online Subscriber Exclusive. Tried to briefly inform what I thought relevant to TOSC discussions involving concern about both improving RCSC communication and member involvement.

 

Oh no not at all! I didn't take it that way. No worries.
I appreciate you posting because I can't keep up it seems and you bring important issues to my attention.

 

We've know each other for a long time E, and while we have disagreed from time to time, i know you want what i want for the RCSC; To Be Successful.

One of the reasons for the breakdown between board members, management and members has been their inability to communicate more effectively. Arguing they are too busy, may be an excuse, i would argue, not a good one.

 

On top of community outreach, according to Foster, the RCSC follows a set of corporate policies that designate certain responsibilities exclusively to board members and staff that limits the help they can ask for and receive.

Clarify please what policy designates certain responsibilities to staff and board members. It makes sense for board members to spend time discussing air conditioning needs and not delegating these such tasks to a facilities manager? Don’t have a Facilities Manager? Hire one, they are worth their weight in gold over the long term. Have one but they are not on top of every single activity and requisition being made? Hire one that can be the liaison between the directors and the needs of the business.
How about hiring a board liaison manager? Yes, the job description needs to be written, but this person would be a direct conduit between the board and the members. This person can reply to questions, provide information and feedback about the board members and what they are working on in real time, and provide information about what the board is working on in order to improve communication.
We have committees that we obviously don’t trust to do their due diligence. This must be the case, since there are 2 Two directors assigned to every committee. You want to have more time to spend on governance? Let the committees do what they’re tasked to do. Have one 1 director assigned for oversight and then let the committees decide who will be chair and co-chair. Give the committee members the discretion and outcome expected then let them do it. The only time it would require 1 one director is in the case of discussing expenditures. There, now your directors have time to do the real work of the RCSC.
I have more ideas as to how the directors can get involved with the members and let the mundane be delegated where it needs to be. This extra time can be spent going to a rec center and having face to face conversations with the members, perhaps once a month at a different rec center. Doesn’t need to be the full board, just a few directors making themselves available to a few members. It isn’t hard to plan and the members would like the ability to actually have a live conversation and feel someone actually came to them for input. Novel idea of reaching out to the members where they live.
Enough for now. I think I have offered several options that can be incorporated swiftly. No reason why they can’t.

 

If i read your remarks correctly Carole, you are suggesting they break the mold and reshape, redesign the structure to something more workable. What a novel freaking approach. Over the 22 years, i've watched the evolution of the RCSC and simply scratched my head and asked why way too often?

Put it in these terms; an employee who worked his way through 3 or 4 departments and is now long gone, was responsible for taking the air conditioning out of the Vintage Car Club. To this day, we are still arguing/debating whether old people should have air conditioning in the heat of the summer or be running a swamp cooler that doesn't work when the humidity rises. And now if we add it, the cost has doubled, tripled?

We do dumb things with little in the way of checks and balances. Rather than belabor it, how about utilizing some new structures that help take some of the weight off the board's back? How about a member advocacy council where ideas are floated before dumb decisions are made? How about clubs becoming more integrated into the community's success? The list of "how about" is nearly endless.

Nope, none of these are my ideas, just stuff that has been floated and dismissed. I've written this more times than i can count; organizations/people change most often when they are compelled to. The status quo is easy; do the same thing day after day. Change takes planning, vision and a sense of urgency.

You have to ask yourself, are we there yet?

 

What happened to Sun City being the best run "self-governing" community in the country. What happened to "From Camelot to Cocoon" and your feelings the first time you saw the indoor pool at Sundial?

Agreed John and it is interesting to note Sun City West elected to operate under Title 33 rather than Title 10. There was a fascinating struggle circa 1998-2000 where a community action group, SWOOG, formed and rather than getting into a lengthy and expensive court battle, they just agreed to follow Title 33 which features a much more transparent and open style of governance.
We decided to fight it, and hence, we are where we are and they are where they are.
BPearson, Apr 5, 2025

 

As usual the noise and static came online.

In answer to your question and in support of your writings Bill, these ideas are for change. Rather than say that one doesn’t have time, hire a professional time management consultant and learn how to manage your time efficiently. What I keep reading is nothing more than rhetoric without substance. Not lobbing personal attacks, but this board has the ability to reshape the community in a positive direction. They need to step up and do it.,

 

I couldn't agree more Carole. It was why i was so excited by the Mountain View triArc presentation. The trio of presenters were an open book as they explained where they were and how they would proceed. It was the single best event i have seen from the RCSC in a very long time. And, it was primarily run by outsiders. Think about that.

I said it in another thread, i will repeat it here: Our answers can and will be found in the hearts, minds and souls of the membership. Not all of them, but certainly those who want to make a difference, can and will. We have to stop pushing them away. That for far too long has been our mindset; hey they're not team players so we aren't going to let them play on the team. I could post a list, but who it was and why matters not. If people want to help, let them.

Next Wednesday morning is a joint venture between the RCSC, SCHOA and COA. It's been too long in the making, but maybe, just maybe it's a fresh start. The doors open at 8:30 at the Sundial auditorium with program running from 9 am till noon. It's billed as Orientation for Sun City residents, no idea what the program is, but the fact there's a partnership between the parties is huge.

Going forward, we need understand the partnerships are critical. We know the RCSC viewed themselves as pretty much a stand-alone operation. They had all the money, all the clout and little need to share. I know what the documents say, i also knowing hiding behind the language was more an excuse than a reason.

I'll reserve judgement, but i am hopeful Wednesday's event is a rebirth of that much needed restoration of the sense of community we were founded under and around.

We'll see eh?

 

A Personal Invitation JUST FOR YOU!
In this video below, Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA) General Manager Lisa Gray joins with Condominium Owners of Sun City (COA) President Sue Clark and Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC) Board Vice President Chris Nettesheim - To Personally Invite You to Attend The Sun City Resident Orientation.
**For ALL Sun City Residents**
Wednesday, April 23 Doors Open: 8:30am Program: 9:00am - Noon Sundial Recreation Center 14801 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City

Questions? Call
623.974.4718
• RSVP requested but not required. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5xoCLbIpmlQB5BDN-Pa4CmtjBRcOExW1w0tubg56Ydxudkg/viewform • and INFO: www.SunCityHOA.org/SCRO

 

Sun City Independent article:
SCHOA, COA, RCSC partner for Sun City Resident Orientation
Sun City residents – new and seasoned – are invited to the first joint Resident Orientation planned among the Sun City Home Owners Association, the Condominium Owners Association of Sun City and the Recreation Centers of Sun City in decades.

The trio of community organizations are joining forces to help residents understand the unique character of Sun City, and how to get the most out of the lifestyle offered. The last time SCHOA and RCSC discussed a joint orientation was in 2003, according to newspaper articles at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum.

Guests will receive information and presentations, which will explain how Sun City – which is not a city at all – functions, and the important roles each organization plays.

“This joint effort is responding to requests, and the need, for a comprehensive introduction to our unique community,” said Lisa Gray, general manager of SCHOA, which has for years hosted its own New Residents Orientation. “I am super excited for the opportunity to partner with the RCSC and COA to connect both our new residents, as well as those who have been here for years, to information and organizations that will help them thrive.

It is important that residents understand the differences between our three organizations, and how each work to support the community.” A general idea of how the three organizations differ can be summed up as: SCHOA oversees and enforces the mandatory deed restrictions and works to protect the age overlay and watch out for government regulations that could impact the community. RCSC maintains the eight recreation centers, eight golf courses, and hosts dozens of clubs, activities and events for its members. COA supports the 386 condominium associations in Sun City that impact homeowners of condos, Geminis, apartments and patio homes.

“At the RCSC we provide so many activities, that many joke that you have to work hard to be bored in Sun City,” said RCSC board vice president Chris Nettesheim. “This orientation is a great way to proactively reach and educate our members about who we are, what is available to them, and the roles other organizations play in their lives, and help them plug into what matters to them the most.”

While SCHOA, COA and the RCSC will host the event, several other community organizations will have tables and will also provide information in welcome bags provided to guests. “One of the greatest roles we play at the COA is educating and empowering our community,” said Sue Clark, president of the COA. “I would encourage any Sun City resident who is confused about how Sun City works and where to go for specific needs, to attend this orientation.”

The Sun City Resident Orientation takes place 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 23, at the Sundial Recreation Center. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Additional community groups that will be present are the Sun City Posse, Del Webb Sun Cities Museum, Sun City PRIDES, Sunshine Service, Sun City CAN, Friends of the Library, SCHOA Foundation, the Sun City (RCSC) Foundation, Sun City Fire & Medical Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Banner Olive Branch Senior Center.

Space is limited and goodie bags will be available; RSVP requested but not required.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5xoCLbIpmlQB5BDN-Pa4CmtjBRcOExW1w0tubg56Ydxudkg/viewform or
Call SCHOA 623-974-4718.
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Sun City Independent posted online, Friday, March 21, 2025 https://www.yourvalley.net/sun-city...tner-for-sun-city-resident-orientation,570378

 

Just received an update from SCHOA: You do not need to register to attend. I guess they are looking for some idea on attendance, but everyone is invited. So please attend, whether you register or not.

I was surprised to see it, but you need to register to attend the Wednesday Orientation. Please see eyesopen post above for the registration link. Easy to do and simple form to fill out. Yes, i filled mine out.

Hopefully this will be recorded for those who can't make it.

 

Great dialogue where most all participants listened to one another in a non-judgemental way. Kudos for the effort to explain how sun city works. It goes without saying those in this thread already understand the roles played by the various organizations.

The remarks about being busy are completely understandable given the turnover. Been there done that. My answer was always lean more heavily om the committees to do some of the heavy lifting, others disagreed with that approach.

I am not so sure about the liability issue preventing reliance on members to carry some of the load. Yes, liability is a big AND EXPENSIVE issue and can never be taken for granted. Just look at the billboards for ambulance chasing attorneys and you will understand that we live in a litigious legal lottery system. IMHO, the Board has a "nondelegable" fiduciary duty to the corporation (i.e., majority of members) to follow the bylaws and use reasonable care in exercising its decision-making authority. What is using reasonable care? I would argue that it means the directors have to make a good faith effort to use the members assets to provide the best recreational value to the most members. In today's world IMHO that means any major capital decision must have credible actual and projected usage data to support it as one of the better alternatives for use of the available capital. The days of if you build it, they will come are long gone. I always thought title 10 provided a false sense of security to those who rely on it to prevent all the facts from being known. While the bylaws may prevent disclosure of matters discussed in executive session to the members, a court is not bound by our bylaws if they believe discovery of the content of those executive sessions is important to the fair administration of justice, including whether a director has fulfilled their fiduciary duty. Funny thing is SCW openly states that a breach of fiduciary duty may lead to personal liability of the director where SC is not so open about the issue.

So where does all this leave us? I would argue the opposite of what President Foster presented that member involvement is limited by liability concerns. To me, member involvement in major capital decisions protects directors from liability, particularly when a failure to exercise reasonable care could lead to a director being held personally liable for a lot of money. This is one of the reasons I think it is so important to get expert advice and make sure the data supporting major decisions is properly documented before turning stakeholders loose with an architect. The last thing I ever wanted to be accused of as a director is using or misusing a process to herd members toward a "preferred result". As a board member I felt perfectly OK with rejecting a recommendation if I had a very valid reason for doing so.

Just one man's opinion...

 

John,
It would appear this is a Catch-22 conundrum. By not allowing the committees to be somewhat autonomous, I feel that the entire purpose of having committees to begin with is then lost. When the directors shape and control the process, the committees ability to seek answers and perform their assigned tasks freely for the benefit of the RCSC is stunted. If the committee is tasked with duties and responsibilities with deadlines attached,, allow the committee to work with the information, they could provide excellent results. There would be no liability for the director or the member who follows established guidelines for completing their tasks.
I understand the focus of the comment was more towards the Mountainview process, but the overall structure of committees and how they are handled is in need of improvement.
Expert advice is also predicated on how the questions are framed. If the questions are not addressed or specific enough when asked, then you get skewed answers. The framing of questions is a formidable challenge when trying to drill down for the specifics.
It becomes cyclical as to how to find appropriate professionals for the questions at hand. If the questions are too broad then the answers become too much for translation. If the questions are very specific as to what the end product is to be, then the answer will be limited to that particular question only and possibly not explore other avenues. Looking for professional advice in today’s market requires an astute approach and understanding of the culture and market dynamics of what is going to needed to be successful. Just to start the process is going to be a daunting task should the RCSC decide to take it on. I don’t think they know where the starting point is.

 

Carole, the questions to the expert are to establish needs and not wants. In the past the powers to be simply rotated wants around sprinkling enough pixy dust (money) tp keep the grumbling tolerable. The first question I would ask is this; What amenities/marketing/culture do we need to be successful? John

 

A really good dismantling of the challenges of governance and one i would like to dig a little deeper on. The liability the board president talked about made me cringe. Sorry, member input/member advice does not relieve them of their duty of reasonable care. In fact, i would argue by adding that component, they are proving they are doing their due diligence.

The oddity is, the absence of them soliciting from the members will not result in an action. In retrospect, it probably should. I use the Lakes Club as a teachable moment, often. By not asking the members opinion, they didn't breach any of their duties; had they actually taken an action and bought it, either with or without the members involvement and it turned to shit, they may have been liable. It's the irony of the position, doing nothing almost always absolves them of any sins.

Think not? When we found out there was 20 million dollars of deferred maintenance, who was sued for breach? When we found out our technology was the absolute shits, who was sued for breach? Nobody, but i would argue they clearly weren't doing their jobs as far as oversight. Nope, not arguing for or against suing anyone. These positions often find themselves safer by doing nothing.

Which is why i have long championed for more member involvement, not less. Listening to the members becomes a buffer and at the same time becomes the impetus for change. It puts board members in a position to having to make a decision if members are pushing them. Unfortunately, for far too many years we let the GM decide where we were going and how we were getting there. Who was held liable for that?

John mentions "expert advice" often. Sadly, the only real expert advice we reached out and got over the years was from our attorney whose sole role (based on recommendations) was protecting the corporation from being sued. It might have been one of the worst mistakes we have made, because as i read in John's remarks, "the Board has a "nondelegable" fiduciary duty to the corporation (i.e., majority of members);" the attorney never once considered the members as a part of the equation. It's pretty clear he sees the organization/corporation as a single entity. A tragic mistake, in my opinion.

Moving forward, this board needs to embrace the membership, not fear them, not coddle them, listen to them. Listening does not in any way breach their duties nor does it increase their liability or potential to be sued.

But what the hell do i know, i've been wasting my time, my breath and my typing skills by repeating this mantra over and over again.

 

I am not sure if this topic should be a new thread or make it a continuation of the discussion here? Oh well, here it goes.
There will be a new search listing for the new GM and I wonder if the requisition is clear as to the needs for the position. The first step is a review of the job description. Does it adequately describe and encompass the business needs in terms that transfer into KSA’s?
Definition:
Knowledge-K
Skills-S
Abilities-A
When posting the job description, there are weights attached to each value.
Example: Previous experience working with an adult community? Place that function with a numeric value, say 100%. As the KSA’s are assigned to each job function, the requisition for the opening has defined values set with defined parameters for each task and functions being sought.
Clear as mud, right? What is being done is establishing job function that matches the job description. By adding weighted values to each task, it actually allows the requisition to be geared towards an appropriate candidate. Then the board can decide whether or not those applying have the KSA’s required to perform the job satisfactorily. It’s placing priorities on the needed job skills with the desirable abilities to be considered for the job. We have 2 failed attempts at finding a good fit for the GM position. Perhaps the requisition needs review to make sure what we need is what the job description says it wants.