For anyone who has followed my writing, you know my mantra: Restart the long range planning committee and begin to formulate a true long range plan. The sad fact is it was moved to an ad hoc committee while I was on the board. I argued long and hard but for naught. The management staff lead the charge and many of the board members followed their lead. Truly a sad day, but one that can easily be righted. We know the "boomer nation" comes with a whole different set of beliefs and expectations. For example, we know the "greatest generation were joiners and trusted organizations. On the other hand we know the boomers came from an era where they were short on trust, especially with organizations. Obviously they've matured, at least a little bit, but trust is still a commodity that is earned, not just a given. During my three years on the board, we worked very hard to interact with residents on a more open platform. We didn't just throw caution to the wind and make dumb decisions and **** people off. It could have been way better, but it was miles ahead of how boards operated in the past. The payoff was by the third year, complaints were at a minimum. Both member/exchange and monthly board meetings were more like a Kumbaya fest than a bitch session. It was gratifying to see Sun City come together as a community. I had hoped it was the start of a long and serene time with the board and residents working in unison. To my surprise, the member/exchange in March was a long line of people complaining. I was stunned to see how many steps back we had taken. Then when the April meeting agenda included the increase to the PIF, folks came out of the woodwork. The angst in the room was significant. Now as we approach the April board meeting (why do these kinds of meetings always happen when a third of the population are gone?), we know once again residents are scratching their head asking why the increase? I/we/they are still trying to get our arms around "how much is enough?" Trust is the one quality most important to the board/member relationship. Without it, we slip back into the quagmire of people complaining ad nauseum. We watch as participation diminishes and that love affair that was blooming begins to wither on the vive. Now that would be tragic.
So true Bill. It is all about trust. I volunteer with Civil Air Patrol and our core values follow the Air Force values, Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do, we add respect to our CAP core values. Hard to go wrong if you follow these values and focus on the overall good of the community. It is not possible to have everyone like all decisions, especially in a community as big as Sun City. However, as long as you actually listen to all concerns and make decisions that are justifiably a benefit for the community it would be hard to go wrong. Yeah I know, I said justify your decisions, not a pleasant thing sometimes, but if you cannot justify the why then maybe it is not a good choice. Being a good board member is not about having the power, it is about being a dutiful servant.
Spot on Bruce. I used to argue with the powers that be inside organized labor; The "boys" embraced the mentality that forums/interactive communication was a bad thing (sound familiar?). They claimed people could and would come on and rip us. My answer was so simplistic it hurt: If we aren't doing anything wrong we could easily defend our actions. Of course the problem was we weren't always as pure as the driven snow. It comes down to this; if whatever we do is defendable, than whatever we do will be for a reason that can be explained. As you pointed out, some folks will always hate it whether it's good, bad or indifferent. In the end the question is how the majority will perceive it. And that my friends is where trust comes from.
Let me see if I understand the problem...and Sun City seems to be a microcosm of our Nation. I hate to go to far into the weeds with this, but actions by a governing board should be actions that are for the greater good, not actions that cater to a special interest group.
The motion regarding the PIF increase is still on the agenda as of today. Trust is a BIG issue. I would think if after two work sessions this week the decision has been made whether to go forward with a vote. The motion has not been removed and no email blast has been sent informing us of a change in agenda. I will be VERY upset if it is announced at the opening of member comments that this issue will be postponed for further study. It would come across as a very unethical ploy to get member participation at meetings. If we get another lecture I will walk out and will have lost respect for the whole board.
Aggie, In another thread titled “Inside the work sessions”, Bill Pearson explained how there would be a consensus vote held to have a sense of what the board may decide to do in any voting situation. My best guess is the consensus vote has already been held, the board already knows it will pass, so there is no need to withdraw the motion. Which also means, in my opinion, there will be no informational meetings, no LRPC meetings, ad hoc or not, and this board will, with this vote, show the membership just what the board thinks of you, the membership, and I.
This will once again become a teachable moment for all of Sun City. There's absolutely no reason for the increase at this point. None. They are doing it because they can; which is exactly what has gotten previous boards in so much trouble. It's also why we went through some bad times as residents viewed the board as non-caring. I'm much looking forward to tomorrow's meeting. Hopefully there will be a good turnout of both pro and con; with people acting with civility and respect. We deserve answers that go beyond "because." People need pay attention to both the demeanor and answers the board gives...or more importantly the non-answers they give.
So sad that the RCSC Board carried through on the motion to raise the PIF in October. The vote being 5-4 was no consolation. This split in vote echoed the members who want the reason for the increase at this time justified. They didn't even take advantage of the built-in 5 minute break to discuss what residents spoke to in their allowed brief 3 minutes. Jim Brasher's readings of all the powers of the Board of Directors was inappropriate and rather demeaning to those attending. We know the 9 have the power, we just wanted to know the actual reasons for stockpiling funds at this time. Kudos for those that voted no and explained their reasons. Shame on those that voted yes.
Spot on Bruce. The problem is there is no recourse. They can do as they please and in spite of the 25 people who spoke against the raise, the 5 board members who voted for it, seemed quite pleased with themselves. Go figure...proud of telling your neighbors you could care less what they think.
I'd really like to understand motive behind going against the community. Bill said they went for the corporation and not the community. But they do not own the corporation. They are not paid, are they? Do they get any future benefit from the position they hold? What's up? Is it just a pure power trip? I don't understand the motive of the corporation over the community unless its really needed to help the community survive. Any ideas?
I really think that question need be addressed to the general manager; apparently it was her doomsday scenario that triggered this sudden rush to get the $500 increase. What say you Jan??????????? Let me point out, never once in my three year term that just ended was there ever mention of a need for a bump. Of course a lot of that had to do with what my reaction would have been.
