What is the Gist of Board Policy Review?

See mention of Board Policies being reviewed. Who is reviewing? When is the membership going to be apprised of such actions occurring? How can you revise board policies before reviewing the changes associated with the Bylaw Committee? How can meetings be set for review prior to the bylaws being reviewed and approved? Is there a board policy group currently in place already performing these activities?
The discussed process left me with these questions and would appreciate knowing how all of this will proceed going forward.

 

The RCSC board has total authority over Board policies:
WHEREAS Article V, Section 6 (A. 3)of the Corporate Bylaws gives the Board of Directors the authority to establish, change, and/or delete Board Policies and any rules and regulations of the Corporation as deemed necessary, (not in conflict with the Restated Articles of Incorporation (“Articles”) or the Corporate Bylaws (“Bylaws”) and as outlined in the Corporate Documents.

BP No. 1 – Conflict of Interest

BP No. 2 – Senior Management

BP No. 3 – Corporate Records

BP No. 6 – Corporate Privacy Policy

BP No. 7 – Bid Procedures & Policies

BP No. 8 – Privilege Cardholders

BP No. 9 – Cardholder Guests & Host Punch Cards

BP No. 10 – RCSC Rules & Regulations – BP 10 Index

BP No. 12 – Chartered Clubs – BP 12 Index

BP No. 14 – Posting of Signs & Distribution of Literature

BP No. 16 – Budget & Financial Reporting

BP No. 17 – Golf

BP No. 18 – Bowling

BP No. 19 – Press & Media

BP No. 20 – Sun City Foundation

BP No. 21 – Membership Documentation Requirements

BP No. 24 – Preservation & Improvement Fee/Capital Improvement Fee & Collections

BP No. 25 – Food & Beverage

BP No. 31 – Risk Management Policy

BP No. 32 – General Manager

BP No. 34 – Records Retention

BP No. 35 – Reasonable Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

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➡️ Access HERE

 

Board Policies are the forbidden fruit called "affairs of the corporation." Members can't change them but it seems to me that many change due to complaints from the Members? They wouldn't have put a length limit on pool-noodles unless the Members complained! So it really doesn't make entire sense to me that they're pretty much off-limits for the Membership to change unless they jump through the hoops of going back to the board for study!

As a side observation, these aren't really properly defined as being "Board Policies" because they don't just apply to the Board. They are more like Standing Rules that apply to all the Members, but I digress!

If the "working committee" decided to move some rules from the bylaws and place them into the Board Policies, there's the potential that some Board Policies will entirely disappear for a short time and until they vote to approve the Board Policies. There is a method, however, of approving both at the same time so when the bylaws get approved, and the Board Policy eliminated, those Board Policies automatically also get approved to move into the Board Policies.

 

I wrote my comment based upon the concerns about possible changes to board policies, many of which have been discussed on this site, and how these changes can be addressed in two hours.
The board policies were rewritten, revised and changed previously over a period of time. The changes were designed to give more control to the board and the general manager and delineate what the membership would be able to accomplish on its own.
My concern is around what policies are being changed and how does it affect the membership. How can the depth of what the policies cover and have a possible need for clarification or guidance be given to the members and offered within a two hour meeting?
I am keenly aware that the board directs the changes, but I also feel that the changes should be shared and discussed with the members prior to possibly changing their direction or intention. These decisions have a direct impact on our community and its members directly.
At one time, the board policies were nowhere near as complicated as they are written today. At that same time, members had a different relationship with the board and the corporation. It was more inclusive of the members. To change the language of the policies back to being member centric, would require some rewriting that would take time for explanation to the membership.
Not being able to review and evaluate what the changes are going to entail could cause greater dissent and frustration from the members, something not needed in our community. We need to be more inclusive and want to involve the community members and seek better outcomes for all concerned.

 

It was as recent as 2023 that the Members were told they could amend the Board Policies. I have the written notice to prove it!

I have to admit, I don't like the feeling that we're being governed in ways that surpass just living in a community that offers recreation facilities. Seems our personal lives are much more affected and controlled in manners much more involved than a simple rule to use a treadmill?

Kinda makes me wonder if those walls are to keep people out or us in?

 

The depth and breadth of the policies that govern Sun City should be considered as living documents, and treated as such. The fact that getting these documents reviewed and approved by the board is an essential component of the governing process here. The rules should be clear, essential and consistent for the members to understand and provide clear guidelines for the board to follow to govern. In my opinion, there is too much power given to the board without considering the consequences for the members. I also believe this was caused by the major revisions performed by a general manager over a period of time. I am not advocating for documentation that dictates the daily actions of the board, but rather the revision to include language that allows members more flexibility in the way the board handles some decisions. The board is not the Great Oz of Sun City. The members should have a greater discretion as to the decisions made about governance, in my opinion.

 

There are more than two hours of opportunity to discuss Board Policies:

Town Hall – ➡️ Board Policies Friday, November 14, 2025, from 10:00am-noon Sundial Auditorium (2 hours)

Board Meeting – Second Reading Budget Motion and ➡️ First Reading Board Policy Motions Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 9:00am Sundial Auditorium

Special Session – ➡️ Second Reading Board Policy Motions Monday, December 1, 2025, from 9:00am-noon Sundial Auditorium (3 hours)

 

The town hall is set for two hours. The subsequent sessions are for the reading of the proposed changes followed by the last session in which the board policies are to be voted upon.
In most cases, the reading of the motions is with an agreement as to the content of the proposed changes.
With the limited amount time allocated for review of Board Policies, and in light of the number of board policies currently written, it seems that a 2 hour window for review, prior to the readings, seems somewhat not conducive to making changes, discussion around changes that members feel may need to be considered or having adequate time for discussion.
I feel the board policies should have enough time allocated for discussion and revisions prior to the reading before the board.
Perhaps I am under the wrong impression of what the “reading” entails. It’s always been my experience that the reading is the agreement of what is written.

 

Curious who would have told you that Tom? Members to me knowledge have never been able to amend Board Policies via an action at a membership meeting. They could and have indeed raised concerns that resulted in the board making said changes. It's quite clear from the Articles of Incorporation the membership's limitations end with the Bylaws.

 

The RCSC! I would post a picture of the notice but this blog won't allow it.

Here's exactly what the notice said, and it's the same type of notice that gets posted every year prior to the Annual Membership Meeting:

2023 Annual RCSC Annual Membership Meeting -
Important Dates & Deadline
The Annual RCSC Membership Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 6pm in the Sundial
Auditorium. Members wishing to submit items for inclusion on the agenda must submit written materials to the
Corporate Office (in-person or via email) in compliance with the following submission dates:

Friday, October 13 Motions for Changes to Articles of Incorporation
Friday, November 3 Motions to Revise to Corporate Bylaws or Board Policies
Friday, November 10 Any Other Motions requiring a membership vote
Monday, November 20 Completed Proxy Forms Due - Procedures & Form available

P.S. Lori Ellingson actually offered a motion to amend Board Policy 10 at that meeting.

 

This one? 2023 Annual RCSC Annual Membership Meeting – Important Dates & Deadline – Recreation Centers of Sun City AZ

 

One in the same!

 

Was it a mistake or do you think it was intentional?

 

I think it was at a time when the Board didn't know what they were doing? And wasn't that around the same time that Jim Rough was rewriting the bylaws on his own?

 

I don't want to hijack the thread off topic - but I was wondering if you could respond to this: Maybe the reason too many people are in conflict with the Board is because they see the Board as 'in charge' of Sun City instead of what they really are: the Board of a corporation of Recreation Centers - (that happen to be inside our unincorporated community)?
They have no more right to govern anyone living here any more than you do. (In fact, I'd vote for you and some others I've gotten to know before the corporation's Board).

 

Thank you for the vote of confidence jeb , much appreciated.
The tactical description of the RCSC is correct, the board is a driving force within Sun City due to the fact that they pretty much control most things occurring within the white walls. Notice all of the board policies and bylaws and regulations and such. These written documents tend to describe how, why, when and where the corporation has reach into our lives. While the rules aren’t too intrusive, they are rules just the same. These rules, in my opinion, are in fact, governing documents just by the definitions given for each piece. These rules follow, or should match Arizona Revised Statutes and not countermand what the government has written.
So, in my opinion, the board is indeed a governing entity within Sun City, if only by looking at the bylaws as written and how they are applied to our everyday lives.
This is my opinion only, but this is why the review of these rules has a great deal of significance to the community.

 

RCSC is the big rich kid on the block.
Their corporate documents only rule over its properties when Members are on them, with the exclusion of the required annual assessment that applies to every Sun City residential property owner.

Never go to the centers & amenities or RCSC events? To heck with all the Bylaws, Policies!

However, every Member is concerned about finances and should stay informed about anything RCSC does that may ultimately increase the annual assessment that funds the operation and maintenance of RCSC, Inc. There are “rules” about payment and non payment of annual assessments.

New facilities and major projects are funded by new owners when they pay PIF and CIF at their purchase closing. Operation and maintenance costs upon completion will impact annual assessment.

• Follow the rules when on RCSC properties and annual assessments.
• Always follow the $$ they spend that may hit you with an increased annual assessment!

 

Actually jeb, the discussion fits in well with the questions/concerns with our documents. All too often the RCSC becomes the sole identifier or attachment point for those living in the community. It is one of the misguided and shortsighted viewpoints held by many. As EO stated above, it is the one organization with the most money and the most impact and the best reach.

It's also one of the reasons i've labored over helping new home owners understanding small picture Sun City (the RCSC) compared to big picture Sun City (all the other free-standing organizations that contribute to our success). We function best as a community when the ownership for that success is spread across the multiple organizations that work in mutually beneficial ways. Sadly, that's not been a process where we have engaged much in.

Rather than speaking in riddles, let me give you the classic example of what i mean: Did you know there is a "Leadership Council" in Sun City? There is and has been any number of iterations of that over the years. Leaders of the various organizations meet periodically and talk about various issues and concerns. I have attended one in my 22 years here (last spring).

I was invited as a guest and watched in amazement. The varied topics struck chords that registered with me. At the end as we were walking out, i asked "did anyone take pictures? " Nope, why would we was the response? Duh! It was easily one of the most encouraging/enlightening meetings i have attended and it was like that old axiom about a tree falling in the forest and the question is anyone would hear it?

Not only should this meeting been actively promoted, but in my view should have been recorded and shared with the 38,000 people living in the community. This is the closest single thing we have to a city government. Who the flock even knows they exist? Would "exposing" the leadership council to those living here be viewed a good thing...or a bad thing?

Again; DUH!

It's all circular gang, it always has been, it always will be. A sense of community cannot be built by the RCSC alone. They have the largest clout, the most money, the biggest sway. That said, every other viable organization is part and parcel of bigger picture Sun City. Irrespective of the role (large or small), they are a part of the fabric that Sun City was cut from.

I've been saying this and writing this for more years than i can count. I've come to the point where i feel i've beaten that poor old dead horse to death too many times. Without question, these thoughts are just one tired old mans opinion, so take them for what they are worth eh?

 

Bill you have not made my day with this info. “Leadership Council”? WTF! An underground “committee”, perhaps directing the BOD? Where does it end? How many BOD members have attended these secret meetings? I could go on but hopefully you catch my drift or is it my gist.

 

This Interesting AI overview came up when searching for the elusive Sun City Leadership Council:

Sun City, Arizona has a unique governance structure, often referred to as the "City of Volunteers"
Because Sun City is an unincorporated area, it does not have a traditional city government, mayor, or city staff. Instead, it relies on several organizations for leadership and community management
Community governance

• Sun City Home Owners Association (SCHOA): SCHOA serves as the quasi-governmental entity that acts as a vehicle for communicating and addressing community needs. It is a non-profit organization led by an elected volunteer Board of Directors and operates under the leadership of a General Manager. SCHOA's responsibilities include adhering to its mission and ensuring compliance with the community's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
• Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC): The RCSC operates and maintains the community's recreational facilities and amenities. It is governed by a 9-member Governing Board elected from among residents. RCSC Board members are volunteers who must be at least 55 years old and hold an RCSC Member Card.

Community organizations in Sun City
Beyond these primary governing bodies, numerous community organizations contribute to the leadership and well-being of Sun City, including:

• Sun City Community Assistance Network (SCCAN): A non-profit charity connecting low-income seniors with resources.
• Sun City Posse: A non-profit community service organization providing patrols and support for residents.
• Sun City Foundation: A non-profit organization supporting the community.
• Benevilla: A non-profit organization providing health and human services to seniors.
• Sun City Fire Department: Providing fire and medical services.
• Sun City Condo Owners Association (SCCOA): Representing the interests of condominium owners.

This collaborative network of volunteer-led organizations and community groups forms the unique leadership structure that governs and serves the residents of Sun City, Arizona.”

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