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 # ➡️ 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
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?
