I know everyone gets terribly busy around this time of year, but, some things are on the burner and you need to pay attention to, be involved with. The community business doesn't stop because of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. So, here's a gentle nudge to make sure you mark your calendars. First up is the member/board exchange scheduled for this Monday December 5 (it is a week earlier because of the holidays). The meeting will be at the Sun Dial auditorium starting at 9 am. Suffice to say, there's been a lot going on with the budget being put on hold, the bylaws rewrite going up in flames and some shenanigans with absentee ballots. We need answers to all of the above and more. I suspect it will be a jammed packed session. Immediately following, there is to be some type of presentation regarding the RCSC budget. Rumors have been flying and hopefully we will hear answers. If you do have questions, be sure to ask them at the first meeting, because you won't be allowed to at this one. Last, and certainly not least, is the culmination of what has been a long an arduous election cycle for three new RCSC board members. It began last spring when they held informational meetings for those possibly interested. By early fall, everything shifted into high gear, with 7 candidates surfacing. It all closes with in-person voting on Tuesday December 13. RCSC members can vote at the Lakeview social halls from 8 am till 4 pm. Bring your rec card and vote, or you can log into the RCSC website and vote through the portal. This election is perhaps the most interesting one i have ever been a part of. For the first time i can remember, the membership has the opportunity to elect candidates that would create a majority on the board. Having 5 or 6 board members who believe members voices should be heard would be a refreshing change. You can help make that happen, you can help re-establish our roots by voting for: Jean Totten. Steve Collins. John Fast. Hope to see you all Monday.
PLEASE NOTE: In-person voting on RCSC Election Day (Tuesday, December 13, 2022) is from 8am to 4pm in Lakeview Social Hall #2 - not Sundial!
"The RCSC Board of Directors may hold a planning session quarterly or as needed to discuss issues or to garner information from the General Manager. These sessions will be open for attendance by Members who will not be allowed to comment. These sessions will be video recorded and the agenda posted on the RCSC website prior to the meeting." So...is it safe to assume that no votes will be taken at a Planning Session? Hmmm? Seems to me that decisions may be made that require the approval from the majority of the Board! So how do you know what all the Director's will agree upon or accept unless they take a vote? Hmmm? So are these really "Planning Sessions" or are they "Meetings" attended by a quorum? It would be nice to read exactly what is, and isn't allowed in a Planning Session other than the fact that Members can't comment!
I reviewed the video of the last RCSC Board of Directors Planning Session meeting, held on Thursday, September 29, 2022 in the Sundial Auditorium. Ad Hoc Committee members presented their Proposed Revised Bylaws to the board. The board members were allowed to ask questions and comment. Committee members responded. There was NO VOTE. If action by board member vote must be taken, it will have to happen at the next, and last 2022, board meeting on Dec. 15, 2022.
Thanks eyesopen, they shouldn't be able to vote anything at the meeting following the exchange, but with their penchant to just proclaim their actions as being just with the wave of a scepter, nothing surprises me anymore. Perhaps most troubling is the rumor, they are going to reduce the amount from $29 to $18. Not that it would be a bad thing, the real question is; what process did they use to get to this new number? More importantly who was involved in arriving at that decision? Historically, the budget and finance committee was actively engaged in making those types of decisions. Over the years it has become more a one person show with the general manager making every recommendation and at least the committee and the board having a say. The rumor is the committee wasn't involved at all and was just arrived at between the board president and the general manager. Hopefully that's not true. What we've come to understand all too well over the past 15 plus years: Process be damned.
“#1 Perhaps most troubling is the rumor, they are going to reduce the amount from $29 to $18. Not that it would be a bad thing, the real question is; what process did they use to get to this new number? More importantly who was involved in arriving at that decision? #2 The rumor is the committee wasn't involved at all and was just arrived at between the board president and the general manager. Hopefully that's not true.” #3 The questionable absentee ballot and campaigning actions of two board members/ chairs of the election committee ON RCSC properties. All need to be probed during the Exchange when Members are “allowed” to speak, before the Planning Session!
EXACTLY!...How, when and where are those decisions made? Seems to me that many decisions are made by less than the full Board?
And WHY? Will that small reduction make a difference? What will be cut from the budget? You're right, FYI. Who made the decision? Did the GM make an arbitrary decision? Did the Board Chair have any input? Did the two affected committees say they could live without their upgrades? Did the Finance Committee have a meeting? Pretty sure we know the answer to that. The whole process deserves an F. And for the GM to give the "budget process" a check off on the spreadsheet is an insult.
What we've come to understand this past year is, process almost doesn't matter. They've (the RCSC) grown comfortable just doing whatever they pleased. It didn't happen over night, it was a process (pun intended). It was a painfully slow grind for anyone watching, which was virtually no one. You could count on two hands the numbers those of us who saw what was happening and tried to say something. Nobody cared. It's almost painful to read Jean Totten's comments about trying to reach out to the members about the election. Most know nothing and many could care less. In fairness to them, why should they? For the better part of the past 15 years there's been almost zero investment in helping those moving here get their head around how and why Sun City works. In fact, i've argued long and hard they've pushed new home owners away. The day we abandoned the City of Volunteers and became the Fun City our fate was sealed. Think i'm blowing smoke? Pick up a new resident packet and tell me how attractive, how informative it is. Tell me how aggressive they have been in encouraging buyers to become willing and active participants in self-governance. The answer is, they haven't. It's way easier to just do as you want when no one is in the room. Their mistake was firing Karen. It ignited a shit storm and they are clueless how to react to members having the audacity to question their actions or challenge their arrogance. Every step of the way, they overreach their authority, simply because they can. I had a good friend say to me "it's as if they are forcing us to sue them." I couldn't agree more, but we've never seen that as a solution. The answer is this easy and it's here and now; vote. Elect Jean Totten, John Fast and Steve Collins. Bring majority status to those who believe the membership should have a voice and watch how process will once again make a difference.
I agree with your observation about Jean's comments. The good news is - she's educating! You mentioned the poor job RCSC is doing with their materials welcoming new residents. There was a specific mention in the November B&F minutes during the 3rd Qtr review that there was a "reduction in the expenditure" of printed materials for new residents. Isn't that quaint! Sales have been booming. We have Discover Sun City coming up in January, and frankly, we could also use an updated video marketing piece for that event. I have attended that event as a rep for the WI Club for at least the last 5 years, and when they ask how many people are new residents in the past 12 months. the number of hands raised is eye-popping. The enthusiasm at that event is always uplifting. That event is well organized with lots of clubs and organizations, but it could be even more! Think outside the box once in awhile...
No....they have the Member's exactly where they want them...in a box! And if anybody tries to work outside of that box, they need to first get the permission from the Lord's at 10626 W Thunderbird Blvd!
BE ADVISED: When in the presence of the reigning Board, you risk their wrath for any perceived offense! An official Incident Report with possible suspension may be your punishment!!
