That was the saying we always used when dealing with a difficult and complex issue. We were dancing on the head of a needle. Words matter in the M&A world, and they were always chosen very carefully. This same saying, dancing on the head of a needle, seems to apply to just about every board RCSC has ever had. As I watched the exchange meeting, I could see the Board carefully choosing their words so as not to upset anyone. Fred Astair would have been envious of this performance. This is not meant to be critical as there are members of the audience poised to pounce on any wrong word to get what they want. As I parse through the words I take some comfort in the following: Statements that we must be fiscally responsible and stay within budget Past boards seemed unconcerned with the cost to build and operate new facilities Submission of actual Mountainview usage data to Triarc Past Boards seemed to say data doesn't matter Including a broad but manageable member base to provide input to TRIARC Including clubs that say they want to use Mountain view but do not currently use it Past Boards seemed unconcerned with truly finding out what the will of the majority was Including data on usage of other recreation centers (to round out the picture) Past Boards were reluctant to view the whole picture of RCSC Even though we have disagreement among our community members IMHO we all want the Board and Management to be successful since we all benefit from that. What say you?
I say, I think the jury is still out on all that. Everything always sounds good until the time comes when they actually pull the trigger. First you hear that we haven't been collecting data long enough, or even the proper data, but we're going to base our decisions on data? I'm still wondering how many of the 32,000+ Members actually use any of the facilities at all? Will they put the Mountain View project through BP-16 or is it to late for that? Will they, or should they wait to see what a Master Planner would recommend? The Player's have waited for over 10 years on the Mountain View project and we still can't seem to decide if we should call it just a Playhouse or a Performing Arts Theater! I can't honestly say I totally trust this board, or future board, to make the right decisions when you consider that this board first manipulated triARC to select Lake View as the "perfect" location only to rescind that motion when common sense prevailed! Why destroy a perfectly good and expensive amenity like a lawn bowling court only to promise to rebuild and replace it at another undefined location? Not to mention there are currently 7 lawn bowling courts! TriARC needs direction but who will that come from, the Board, the Members, or a Master Planner? Just call me a doubting Thomas!
Way to close - Doubting Thomas! I will consult my decoder ring and tell you if there are any hidden messages in the Mountainview update. Seriously though, I will be requesting a copy of the utilization data that Triarc is being given.
Here’s easy access to that Mountain View Presentation content: Mountain View Update Exchange meeting 5/11/2025 A Message from the RCSC Board of Directors • Mountain View Progress • In Progress for the RCSC BOD • In Progress for triARC • Member Engagement • What Comes Next • We Need Your Help View: https://suncityaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RCSC-Mountain-View-May-Update.pdf
It's the link that has always bound us together as a community; we want our board and management to be successful. Always have always will. Therein is the challenge with self-governance; giving anyone the reigns is always terrifying if the trust isn't there with it. We know historically the community went through some difficult times. We also know the more open and transparent they were, the less trust there was. When i ran for the board, i wanted it/us to be successful. After three long and arduous years, i saw us continuing to run from our history and i believed it was utterly and completely wrong. When i left, i wanted them to succeed, but i understood with the power and control centered in the general managers hands, all we had was to hope and pray she got it right. You be the judge of how that turned out? Today, i see glimmers of hope, but they flicker. I see the board terrified of trusting the members which results in the members not trusting the board. It's a vicious cycle/circle and the only way to break it is to truly let go. I know that's terrifying to them and consequently we'll all just keep dancing on the head of the needle and hoping somehow it works out. Last but not least, this comment goes to the heart of the problem: "As I watched the exchange meeting, I could see the Board carefully choosing their words so as not to upset anyone. Fred Astair would have been envious of this performance. This is not meant to be critical as there are members of the audience poised to pounce on any wrong word to get what they want." I am a massive fan of effective communication and learned early on, say what you mean and mean what you say. While some accuse of being blunt, my theory always was when i was done talking, those listening knew and understood what i said. I also learned, if they didn't that was on me. Seems this community would be well served by offering effective communication classes.
Returning to the subject at hand, IMHO the key to success with respect to gaining acceptance from the membership on the Mountain View renovation is using the data to make a logical case to the members on why the presented option is best and what other options were considered and why they were rejected. To meet their fiduciary duties the Board needs to show they acted as reasonable people. This is where the data can be their friend or their enemy depending upon whether or not the data supports the recommendation. To date, I am as clueless as the next member about what is going on behind closed doors.
What makes it even more daunting John is we are without a general manager, down one board member and that key position, director of golf operations, are all open. Even with a full complement of key people, they would have their hands full. All the more reason to open their arms, encourage membership participation and begin to rebuild the process where members help solve the challenges. Will they?
I only know the answer to your question as it pertains to me. I have been blackballed so no they will not reach out to me. I suspect the motivating force of the Board is making a decision, any decision. I am rooting for them to break the mold and make a great decision on MountainView and not just "paper" the elements that were developed ignoring the data. More on this later.
