Come Monday...

It's Saturday night, the date is October 19 and I am in Arcadia California for the US Lawn Bowling Championships. Wish I could say i'm bowling better but the day I got here a flurry of emails crossed my laptop. All RCSC board related and much of it unpleasant.

I won't bore you with the details other than to say come Monday there's a board work session and I will unfortunately be on the road returning home. I hate to miss these because there's lots of items we need work through and who knows what kind of stuff will be introduced in my absence.

Stay tuned, when I find out, i'll fill you in.

 

Travel safely. Life goes on even after losing lawn bowling competitions. Try this rationalization: What would you do with another trophy or medal?

Hopefully any unpleasantness facing the RCSC Board at the moment subsides. Bill, you have been a breath of fresh air for the members in your willingness to listen to our concerns and to engage in meaningful debate of issues. You on the board have elected retired military officers to be your president for the last three years. There is unanimous admiration, appreciation, and respect for their commitment to service on behalf of all of us. I do hope you have had some military background yourself, Bill, as the military background of the retired general and colonel has manifested itself with every written communication and in their conduct at public meetings. For many of us, dealing with that on a frequent basis would be an unmanageable challenge.

 

Even knowing that there are problems waiting for you to solve in Sun City, you'll get that aaaaahhh feeling driving back "inside the walls".

You've got many supporters you can call on for help. Hope the bowls roll better for you today.

 

Come Monday, do know that you have supporters that will have your back. The flurry of activity will be tempered by wisdom, knowledge, and research. It’s all good.

 

Thanks Amber. Looking forward to reading the minutes from the executive session.

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh. Great to be back in Sun City and all is good on the home front.

We'll see what the near future brings eh mates?

 

I hate to think that it would taken military experience to run this board. I have a high school education, have worked most of my life in administration, and have common sense. I would hope it would be of value to a board if needed.

 

BLECH! Military Experience? All that means to most people is one learned to follow orders, and that is not always a benefit to anyone or anything. To me, it means you just learned to go along in order to get along. Innovators are created in the private sector, these are the people that can see beyond what they are told, and look to see what can be done. These are the people that when told “NO”, ask “why not.” People needed to serve on any board are those that have no personal agenda, have an open mind, and understand the overall needs and objective of the corporation. Be an individual with the ability to understand group dynamics, ability to be adaptable and pliable without becoming a rubber stamp, and mostly, be intelligent enough to be able to understand the difference.

 

"People needed to serve on any board are those that have no personal agenda, have an open mind, and understand the overall needs and objective of the corporation. Be an individual with the ability to understand group dynamics, ability to be adaptable and pliable without becoming a rubber stamp, and mostly, be intelligent enough to be able to understand the difference. "

Well stated Amber.

 

It is well stated Amber, with just one asterisk: While the "corporation" owns and runs the amenities, the real strength of Sun City and what makes us unique is the way the community was built. Too often in the past board members have looked at corporation first and community second. Personally I look at it from just the opposite approach. Take care of the community and the corporation will do just fine.

As far as the question on background Fairness, I don't care what or where a person came from. I don't care if they are left, right or smack dab in the middle. I do care when they serve on the board they are open minded and willing to engage people at all levels rather than marching forward like good soldiers. Chain of command in Sun City is far less meaningless than some want to believe. Drawing residents into the process will only make the community stronger; turning them off with bad decisions, failing to listen or arrogance believing we have all the answers will drive them away.

But then that's just my personal opinion.

 

Interesting.........only being here a short time, I have heard of issues governed by the board that have interfered with the end result being the best it could be. Is the board listening to those with experience in given areas or, after approving a project, taking it over and omitting further input?

Thanks to all for their service in the community.

 

I suspect the answers would vary based on who you ask. One of things I would love to see for Sun City is a massive infusion of interest on the part of the residents. In the early years it was more a community driven process. Elections turned out 10's of thousands and a dozen candidates was the norm. For whatever reason people have drifted away.

This year it is refreshing to see 7 or 8 candidates (kudo's to the election committee) and hopefully we will see a great voter turnout. More importantly those living here will begin to look closely at how things work and better understand the importance of their involvement. Nope, not saying anything is wrong, it's just better to have a broader approach to community governance than by the board of nine.

 

BPearson, I agree. In regards to people versus corporations, there are two different models. My statement was in regards to serving on a board, in general. I would feel it necessary to keep the people of the community of Sun City as a high value asset. Assets are the biggest value any corporation has, and once assets are lost, it will cost three times more to replace what was lost. I love the idea of a self governed community, and find Sun City has one of the best models available. I am also clear that in order to continue, those in service need to place the interests of the assets ahead of the corporation. Sun City needs a board of free thinkers, free of agenda's, politically neutral, and a strong willingness to put the needs of the community first. It appears to this viewer that once the agenda's take over, the people of the community take a less than valuable place in the boards mind.

 

Well stated Amber, once again.

 

Amber and Riley have outlined the "perfect candidate" for a corporate board, and I have no disagreement with the high bar they set for qualification. However, until offered an example of a person with a pulse and "no personal agenda," I remain skeptical of anyone meeting that standard.

 

Fairness, I actually know of two people running for the board that meet my profile of an ideal board member. I realize there are many more than two running, but I can attest to two of the candidates and their level of honesty, integrity, and ethics.

Here is my dilemma. If I state their name, am I going against TOSC policy? Could that be considered an endorsement, and cause other ripple effects that I am not aware of? It would be my own personal opinion, but have no desire to create ill will amongst anyone on this board. I would love to announce my choices and why, but then comes the other questions as to why not on the others. Kind of a sticky situation.

This new venue has been free of the drama normally associated with Sun City bulletin boards of the past. I like it!! And now that Ann Randall Stewart has been removed, we have our own slice of electronic heaven here. I do not want to be the one to jeopardize that.

So, if anyone can tell me if it is considered "ok" to post preferred candidate names, with the caveat of personal preference, I would surely appreciate it.

 

Amber, I hope you get a reply from the site administrator. Good question! I remembered one of the announced candidates had started a new thread on this web site back in September announcing their candidacy and soliciting support from cardholders who participate in TOSC. I just checked back, and the thread is still there. However, that doesn't address your question. In fairness...

 

Amber, I didn't see anything in the rules about endorsing someone, but I would say that this site is not an appropriate place to do so. I'll be watching for more details. One can use the IM or private notification to share opinions.

 

Note to admins: I'd be way more impressed if you read every post on every thread guys. Just think how smart you'd get.:very_drunk: