A Place to Feel Welcome

When the LRP was drafting the Mission Vision and Value Statement they included the following:

• We value our friendly and welcoming community and want to pass that along to future generations.

I hope this statement is appealing to all that read it. When I moved to Sun City, I had a built-in group of friends, so it was easy for me. I made many more friends over the years and have a daughter that wants the house after I pass so I guess I am living the dream. Not all are like that.

Many find it hard to navigate the maze of recreational options to find a niche/group that works for them. Some are working and some are not as outgoing as others. Let's face it making human connections is difficult. So what do we as an organization do to assimilate new members - virtually nothing.

Assuming you agree with this value, I am wondering what we can do as individuals and as an orgainization to welcome new members or existing members who have never felt welcome. Your thoughts?

 

As a Sun City Foundation Director, I have had some very nice visits with homeowners who are applying to have their RCSC lot assessments paid. I think something along the same lines would be appreciated by new residents. Something like the "Welcome Wagon" calls of the past. During the discussions, we could inquire about their hobbies and give them encouragement to join a group. I can say that all of the people I have visited with have been receptive and appreciative.

 

I really like Janet's suggestions as it is a personal but soft touch. If we had a group of ambassadors who really like living in Sun City, they could have a "coffee at closing" arranged by the realtors. The ambassadors could answer questions and promote participation in some of the numerous activities offered. Just one man's thought.

 

Hi sign me up, I would work as a community Ambassador!

 

Awesome idea. My cousin was the welcome wagon in this neighborhood. She would bake something, grab anyone who was home and go welcome the new neighbor. She knew everyone! However, I can't even imagine being overwhelmed with a closing, waiting for your truck of possessions to arrive (especially if you are moving from another state) and having people swirling around to tell you all there is available here trying to get you involved while you are thinking of the overwhelming task ahead. Cleaning the new home, unpacking, putting away everything, disposing of packing material. I have moved interstate 3 times. it's not fun.

What about EOM welcome parties? Give the person a chance to settle in and get comfortable.

 

Yes, it is best to wait awhile so the people have a chance to at least settle in. Much like not visiting new parents for a few weeks because who knows when they are trying to catch up on sleep.

 

Good question and one i have been beating my head against the wall on for years. When the Visitor Center was free standing (not operated by the RCSC), it was a great resource. One of the favorites between potential buyers and new owners was the weekly bus tours of the community. There was a driver and a host/tour guide that filled riders in as they drove through the community. The bus died, after the RCSC took them over and that was the end of a great opportunity. Instead, they walk around the Bell Center.

In 2011, following the 50th anniversary we had money left over and proposed the RCSC convert Tailsman Hall to a gathering space. The idea was for it to become a local go-to-spot where members could hang out, share ideas and grow the sense of community. That idea was shot down as well, as the board and GM wanted the flat space for rentals.

When Paul Herrmann and i first started putting the Boomer Club (they eventually became the Next Gen Club) together, we had a vision of it becoming a mentoring program for new buyers. Others quickly took over its construct and it became a group who enjoyed a variety of events and fun days and nights together. I still think a hospitality or hostess club would be wildly successful and Lord knows there's enough unused flat space to provide them a location that becomes a one stop shop for new home owners.

In conjunction with that, what if we created a dedicated space for new owners to come and pick up their rec cards. I'm not being critical, but we've always found the annual renewal of our cards to be a cold and impersonal act. It simply became a function of paying our fees to be able to allow us to use the facilities.

What if we created a whole new arrangement for first time card holders where they set up a time to get their pictures taken, new cards given and were able to spend an hour (more or less) with community members who could explain how Sun City works? Coffee, comfortable setting and an expansive explanation of all the ins and outs of the Sun City Way of life. A virtual tour of all the community offers.

For the past 22 years, i have attended more than my share of the winter Sundial promotional events. You know the ones where there are a hundred plus tables filled with clubs and organizations and very large crowds. No question, it's always impressive but the one takeaway i have always gotten; they are freaking overwhelming.

We know DEVCO used monthly new-comer coffees and we know they were well received. I loved the RCSC, SCHOA and COA partnership presentation, but again it was big and a touch impersonal. Would smaller more intimate gatherings be more effective? Knowing we average more than a 100 home sales a month, it's pretty clear to me spending time making new owners feel welcome would be money well spent. Call it, investing in our future.

Finally, i would be remiss if i didn't mention this long standing grievance. The RCSC used to be terrified of being too invasive with new buyers. Many of us clamored for gathering critical data from those buying in Sun City. We knew it would be invaluable moving forward, but the argument was by being pushy or aggressive it would send the wrong message. Duh, just duh. Everything is in the packaging and presentation.

Let's be really blunt here: If we treat new owners as is they don't matter or they aren't all that important, is it any wonder they don't feel like they are a part of something special and unique?

 

It would help a lot if people who worked for RCSC knew what was available. I was so angry last evening. I have been asking since released from PT to exercise on my own and could not find anything here in SC except for the club I mentioned in the Silver Sneakers post. That one charges quite a bit per class. Nothing on the website, called around RCSC and no one knew anything. So SS it was. Talking to my neighbor yesterday who gave me her friend's number. Turns out there is a class M W F hidden away in one of the buildings at Bell, cost $5.00/year.

How do you expect people to know what is available if people who work here don't have a clue? Same with the HOA contractor referral program. Their idea of a preferred company was someone who was wanted by CA FBI. The secretary said they don't have time to vet everyone. You can welcome folks till the cows come home, but if paid employees don't have info/answers after the "welcome" you are on your own.

 

One of the challenges for new home owners and employees alike is the overwhelming number of clubs available in Sun City. With 8 rec centers and 124 or 125 clubs, no one is an expert on where each is what each offers. Long time members should be aware of that and understand the RCSC website is the first place to start a search for what they are looking for. Just to amplify my point, here is the link to the available clubs:

 

In addition to checking out the clubs, access information about activities and amenities offered at each center location!
Sun City AZ Recreation – it’s a great way to play!
Each Sun City AZ recreation center offers RCSC Member owners & Privilege cardholders and their guests a wide variety of options to meet their recreational and social needs, affording them the opportunity to enhance their active lifestyle and well-being. With swimming pools, fitness centers and social halls, you won’t find another active adult community in the country that offers so many choices.

Whether you want to play a round of miniature golf or enjoy lawn bowling, it’s all up to you! There’s pickleball and tennis, racquetball and softball; shuffleboard, billiards and darts, too. There really is no limit to the fun that awaits you here in Sun City AZ.

RCSC Member owners & Privilege cardholders have eight Sun City recreation centers in which to play. No other 55+ community in the country can boast as many centers as the original Sun City AZ.

Every recreation center offers special-interest clubs and seven centers offer myriad activities and amenities such as swimming pools & spas, fitness centers, and social halls.

The choice is yours!
You’re encouraged to explore each center to find the one that suits you best; they all offer unique opportunities. Click on a center below to view more information for that location.

Be sure to click on Show me more!
https://suncityaz.org/recreation/

AND
Every monthly RCSC UPDATE edition includes activity and club information.
EXAMPLE: May issue Pages 4 - 8 HERE.
• Twenty Center Monitored Activities
• Clubs
Arts & Crafts Clubs
Table Games Clubs
Contract Bridge Clubs
Duplicate Bridge Clubs
Dance Clubs
Educational Clubs
Performing Arts Clubs
Political Clubs
Sport Clubs

CONTACT:
• Chartered Clubs Office at Oakmont
623-561-4660 clubs@suncityaz.org
• Activities & Events at Sundial
623-561-4680 entertainment@suncityaz.org

 

I found that and this class is not on the list. I called the RCSC office. Like I said it should not be this hard. This particular class has been going on for many years and not one person was aware of it.

Now explain away the contractor non vetting. You have been down that road.

 

Hello, Just a rebuttal on all of this Bill, but doesn't RCSC have a welcome lunch and meeting for new homeowners every year? I have read this in the Independent over the years. Are we not already doing that? Or are you speaking of doing something other than that. Maybe the idea is to have an on-going meet your community kind of thing. Like a community mixer of some sort. Maybe you do have ambassadors there with information and a chance to have simple questions answered. Personally with the protracted long summer, having any kind of social mixer would always be welcoming for new or long time residents just to get folks to get out of homes and get acquainted. Thanks.

 

No they don't Eileen. They used to have a luncheon to honor/celebrate volunteers. Not sure if they still do or not. Their big to-do is the "Experience Sun City" or whatever it's called and is held at the Sundial Rec Center somewhere around January or February. 100 plus tables, two sessions and endless information. The former GM decided they didn't need any presentation and so folks walked in, strolled around and then left. At least back in the day there was a short presentation with some good basic information.

Like i said, i always was overwhelmed by it all.

 

Bill, I guess I thought that Experience Sun City event was for the new homeowners. Sounds like we need to go back to earlier days like you're saying. Why are they even having the Experience thing? Well, I guess we are missing a lot by not having a welcoming event for those just moving in.

 

It was years back when it began. Over the years the question was often asked if it was only for new residents? Obviously it was fine for anyone to come, so it morphed into a yearly gathering for anyone and everyone.

 

Have you thought of bringing it up at the BOD exchange? I mean that is what our exchanges are for.

I have a question for you Bill, if a homeowner has large dead trees on there property that are beyond anything, can SCHOA make them chop them down? I see several of those many decades old pine trees around, one I always spot as I am traveling on Thunderbird Rd., near and Cedar drive. Does anyone know about having homeowners have dead trees cut down if they are truly dead.

 

Nope on the first item as i have long championed the RCSC to be more user friendly when it comes to new home owners. It's always fallen on deaf ears.

As far as dead trees, the CC&R that may cover them is the "condition of property." Most of those old pine trees and dead oaks are on Condo association property and of late SCHOA for the most part claims they have no jurisdiction.

 

Bill, why do you think our BOD won't do a welcome lunch? Have they ever said why? This I don't understand.

 

Over the years, i've used this analogy/comparison: I ran a local union in St Paul MN. Minnesota is a state where when an employee is hired, they are obligated to become a member as a condition of employment. In Arizona, it's a "right to work state," where joining is optional. The argument used to be in right to work states, a union needed to prove/show an employee why they should become a member.

The similarity is curious, because the RCSC has mandatory membership at the point of purchase. They get their $6000 plus up front fees whether whether they do anything or not. I've always been sensitive to that argument which is why i have long argued they do more rather than less. Another story i've written often was when i approached the GM and told her we could over a ten year period build an army of involved and committed members if we courted them at the point of purchase. The light bulb went off when she realized if we pushed them away over ten years, they (the RCSC) could do whatever they pleased.

One of my biggest frustrations is our inability to create an environment with consistent messaging. I learned years ago about the importance of messaging and repeatability. In the case of the RCSC, what is we want new home owners to know? What is it we try and ingrain in them and how they feel about the community they elected to buy into?

John Fast has mentioned the Mission, Vision and Values statement and that was a great start. That said, how closely do we insure it's front and center with everything we do? To make it even more bizarre, before the M, V and V statement, we had nothing to help ground us. We simply wanted buyers to move here and enjoy "Sun City, The Original Fun City."

Ouch, freaking ouch.