Thought I'd just open up a thread to track news on our upcoming election of Directors. Those in the know may be able to give us some information on what to expect. A couple questions to start it off: How many seats will be open to fill? What are the length of terms to be filled? How many candidate packets have been picked up? Bill, are you out & about gathering signatures? There's an Election Committee Meeting tomorrow(9/22) at 1:00 that is open to Members to attend. Having served on that committee for some time in the past, the only time that it's committee members only is when they are preparing questions for the candidates.
There are 4 seats expiring and up for election: Sheila Rooney; Rich Hoeffer; Dan Schroeder (appointed Mike Kennedy's seat); and Gene Westemeier (Appointed to K. McAdams seat). I'm not sure if any of them will be running for re-election. Dan Schroeder can't run due to term limits. I believe the same is true for Gene Westemeier. I think Rich Hoeffer is finishing his first 3 yr term. I voted for him when I moved here. Little did I know. I don't know about Shiela Rooney. I ran into Kat Fimmel and two other people at a committee meeting. All 3 said they were running for the board. They seemed to be making the committee rounds for exposure. It will be interesting when RCSC announces the candidates for 2022. Deadlines for applications is October 1.
Schroeder and Hoffer are both termed out, Gene is just a place holder. I hear Rooney is ambivalent about running again. Sadly, under the new normal, the accepted practice appears to be if we elect a maverick who doesn't buy in to the group think they just fire them and bring back a retread. It would be fascinating to try and follow the bouncing ball as to how many retreads have been put in place in recent years. Beyond the firings, there's been a number of folks who have quit the board and there go-to source is an old standby who will merrily follow the pack. Seems to me the number is at least 5 or 6. You are spot on right Mike, this election is critical. I will make this prediction; Candidate forums will be better attended and more interesting than ever before. If you are going to be a candidate, i would suggest you dust off the old "transparency and better communication" crap and be prepared to answer real questions.
The first candidate forum is Nov. 1st at 2 o'clock. It opens at 1:30 to socialize with the candidates. The second candidate forum is Nov. 3rd at 6 o'clock. Socialize with the candidates at 5:30 Both forums will be at Sundial.
The Rich Hoffer pen handed out at his last election campaign. https://link.shutterfly.com/g5VCwQNfVjb https://link.shutterfly.com/9v5nECVfVjb Excuse the links. I can't get the pictures to load in the actual board.
That brings a smile to my face Michael. When i ran, 3 open positions and 3 candidates, i produced a 4 page newsletter containing my platform. One of these days i will dig it up and post it. Basically i talked about a more open concept of governance and a progressive approach to including the membership inline with how Sun City was built. I guess it fell on deaf ears because since then we have become regressive and closed in dealing with the membership.
If members are permitted to ask candidates question, the correct questions must be asked. General questions like " why do you want to serve as a board member" are too vague. Questions should be pointed - " Do you believe the Board works for the Members or for the GM? "Who does the Board represent - the members or others?" "who is the Corporation"? Answers such as "I will advocate for openness and transparency" are pure bull. Anyway, just my thoughts and hope others ask very pointed questions.
