Doug Morris was the long time editor for the Independent Newspaper in the 70's and 80's. I never met him, but i have read several of his Editorials. They were written weekly and they were both pointed and on point; he was certainly no shrinking violet. I liked his writing style; when i was finished reading a column, there was little question where he stood. He was also a Sun City resident and was involved with any number of things that helped shape the "Sun City way of life." In fact, in 2026, when the time capsule is opened at the Bell Rec Center, you can thank Doug for it. He was one of the driving forces in that area behind the library and the creation of the Bi-Centennial Bell. I've written before, 1981 was the most contentious in Sun City's history. That's saying a lot, because we were filled with historic events and actions. The source of the angst was the battles between the RCSC and the CRM (Concerned Rec Members). Doug attended and reported on meetings in the newspaper and had become concerned by how badly the community was being ripped apart. It led to him penning an Editorial entitled "Paradise Lost." He claimed things had gotten so bad the community may not survive the bitterness and hatred that had engulfed us. Some 42 years after that July 1981 piece, we know his concerns were incorrect. Sun City survived and ultimately flourished in spite of the angst. Last night, just before turning in, i started reading social media comments. Those added with the last several months of chirping, has left me frustrated and questioning. I've always tried to believe in the best of people, especially those living in Sun City. We were built by strong willed members/residents who fought for what they believed in but also came to understand the critical role compromise played. Those first 40 years were all members of the greatest generation. They understood how important it was to give back, take ownership and be involved. They lived the concept of the greater good. For 20 years, i've embraced that ideology; as owners we were all responsible and accountable for insuring Sun City survive and thrive. Now i am coming to understand, i may well have been naive. This summer, i've seen the worst come out in those living here. We've are simply becoming a community of folks who want what they want, no matter the cost or long term impact to the community as a whole. I know the word selfish sounds awful, but it the one aspect (quality?) i have watched become predominant time and time again. I've tried to stay upbeat by telling readers: "Process works." It does, but process only works when those committed to it aren't wildly clinging to "i want mine." It's the new mantra of those getting involved; no not all of them, just too many of them. As Doug noted in his article, the common theme was; " they are totally wrong." I've always been opinionated. I write a lot and am want to express my thoughts and of late when i write for the Sun City Advocates conclude with this statement: "Just One Man's Opinion." That's all it is, that's all any of us have. Some have become better at using statistics/data and i am delighted to see it. For far too long we ran the community based on emotions and those screaming the loudest. Or worse yet, what those in charge wanted. Let me be blunt; this is one of those rare times where i am solely focused on looking forward. History matters, yet right now, we (Sun City and the RCSC) is on the precipice of falling on our face. We have enormous challenges of getting back on track and playing catch-up won't be cheap, quick or easy. Most readers of this article have no idea where we are as a community; why should they? Ignorance should never be bliss, but that was how we lived for years. The good news is, we aren't broke, there's money available. The bad news is those fighting for what they want has the potential to cripple us as we try and fix our way out of a system predicated on being cheap. It was failed and flawed and we all ate it because no increases were loved by all (including me). One can only hope the newly hired GM (no i don't know who he or she is), will have mad skills that will help herding the cats. Hopefully they will understand the value of compromise and bringing the community together. That's a tall order for someone; because their first duty is to run the massive day to day operations. That's a job unto itself. On the plate in no particular order are these challenges: * Getting our technology up to date. * Putting in place a 5 year strategic plan to fix equipment well past it's useful life. * Using the results from the Survey, Focus and working groups in a meaningful way. * Helping the SAC live up to members expectations. * Slowing down RCSC employee turnover. * Addressing the golfing community issues in a reasonable way. * Integrating all of the above in effective communication with the members. There's more, but i suspect you get the picture. The list is daunting, because behind every item above is a litany of related and butt ugly confrontations. Mostly it's from those just claiming; "I want mine." Compromise is a lost art, and unless and until we find ways to do it, Sun City will be stuck with winners and losers. Hell of a way to build a sense of community. Being naive is bad, becoming Paradise Lost is far worse.
Is it just me or would others like to see "Committee Reports" put on the agenda? Sure, they list "Committee Recommendations" at the end of the agenda but recommendations aren't the same as reports! You can have a report without making any recommendations! Look, there are currently 11 Standing Committees and every committee has 2 Directors that serve as Chair and Co-Chair. Most people can only name 3 of Standing Committees, so it's my opinion, that the Chair of the Board should go down the list of Standing Committes one at a time and ask if the committees Chair or Co-chair has anything to report. If the Chair and Co-chair of each committee are doing their jobs, one of them should have something to say? That will serve at least two important issues. First, it reminds or alerts our Members who are either in attendance or view the meetings on YouTube that those committees actually do exist. Second, we get to hear exactly what the committee has or has not been doing! It was disappointing to hear the Director of golf mention, in passing, that some changes have actually been made to golf when none of those changes were ever presented during a committee recommendation at a Board meeting? Committees cannot implement changes unless they go thru the Board. Committee can only make recommendations! Board Policy-27: "...standing committees have no decision making authority and are limited to presenting ideas and recommendations to the Board of Directors and Management." Granted, there's no need to make a "committee recommendation" at every meeting, but they should all have something to report even if its, "Nothing new to report!" What's your opinion?
It appears to me that this SAC is comprised completely of members that are there to push their own personal agenda and total disregard for what is in the best interest of Sun City. It’s time to start looking forward, not to what I want, but what best serves the community for the next generation. Realistically, one half of the people that are fighting for their pet projects won’t even be around if and whe it reaches completion.
I agree, reinstate Committee Reports. Hold the chairs accountable! We need to know what their committee is working on or if they’re slackers! The last record of the regular agenda item of Committee Reports at monthly board meetings is in the March 28, 2019 minutes. There was much business conducted at this meeting. Red flags! HERE In April 2019, the board started meeting twice a month. Committee reports were no longer in the minutes. Archived minutes beginning 2008 HERE .
I agree, Tom. I belong to a women's organization that asks each committee for a report at every meeting. Sometimes there isn't anything to report. If this had happened in the past, we would have realized the Budget and Finance committee only met 2-3 times per year. Regarding the golf committee, it's the only one with "Advisory" in their title. Others are Bowling Committee, Lawn Bowling Committee, etc. but we have the Golf Advisory Committee. I wonder why. This is in Board Policy 7: Golf Advisory Committee: The purpose of the Golf Advisory Committee is to assist in the promotion and interest in the game of golf, encourage fellowship amongst golfers, gather input from Cardholders and recommend changes to the Board in golf policies, fees, operations and facilities as a result. The Golf Advisory Committee shall direct each golf course’s Green Committee. Note that it states, "recommend changes to the Board in golf policies, fees, operations and facilities. To me, it is clear that it means the Board, not Management, should set policies and fees. We should be asking the Director of Golf to tell us what recommendations the committee has sent to the Board during the past two years. I know there have been some increases in fees plus policy and operations changes. Have they gone through the proper procedure, recommendation to the Board, Management input, and Board action?
I believe there is to much “conflict of interest” naturally occurring in the committee-board relationships. The reason being is the undue influence board members possess as chairs of the committees. The board members can manipulate the committees in various ways so that what they want they get. Seems obvious this is occurring during the SAC meetings. In one of the SAC meetings folks were joking about the money they were getting from one another for supporting positions on decisions. Certainly some of this was funny, but joke or not, just didn’t sound right. So my opinion—let others besides board members chair the committees.
While it is easy to blame the i want what i want generation for being selfish, one has to look at the RCSC as having failed to help new buyer after new buyer understand what Sun City is and why it was successful. When members clueless, it's not quite right to expect them to understand.
RCSC does offer newcomer meetings but people have to attend. Most buyers are dealing with their realtors and only go to the Corporate Office to get their rec cards. More outreach would be better. What I expect is for RCSC, and everyone involved, to follow their written documents. (i.e. Golf Advisory Committee). If there needs to be changes to them, go through the process but don't go off on their own until the Board has approved any changes. My bet is the Golf Advisory Committee has been doing what they thought they were supposed to do. Instead the Management should be true to the Board policies and the Board should oversee them and hold them accountable. The committees have no power to do anything on their own, just make recommendations to the Board!
Seems to me the power is evident when the chair of a committee/board member is able to manipulate the committee in such a way, as to have what they want to see happen, be the recommendation to the board. Thus a “conflict of interest”. Not a good situation!
I can tell you back when the document safeguards were in place, these kinds of games seldom got played. The whole point of ridding them from the documents was to insure the control was all centered in one place (at the top). Breaking down those doors isn't easy or something that will happen over night. Organizations develop a culture that becomes inbred. The board has taken decent first steps, but the potential to backslide is always present.
