Dis·in·gen·u·ous: "Not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does." "He was being somewhat disingenuous as well as cynical." (credit Oxford languages). I've been kicking around this community for 20 years come May. I've paid attention to things most folks ignore. It's the minutia of the RCSC management, the board and the interactions (or lack thereof by the membership). Most often, those that do get involved get excited and then leave from the boredom or disinterest by those in charge. One could argue i am not smart enough to stop watching and to just get on with my life. I've written often the attraction to Sun City for me was our unique style of governance. Most would liken that to watching paint dry. Over those 20 years, i've seen those come and go as board members. Virtually all of them ran and were elected for the right reasons. I still believe that. I was around when the by-laws were changed to allow for 2 three year term. I know why it was done and i know some have argued, it made sense because of the experience a second term board member brought to the table. During that time period i have seen board members tragically die in office, witnessed a couple of nasty firings and even more have abruptly quit mid-term. Some of those walking away gave brief statements about their very personal reason for leaving, but i don't recall any who left and that wanted so badly to urinate (i cleaned up for the readers) all over those remaining to do the community's work. Frankly, it's pretty classless. Since the first of the year. there's been three board members resign. The first one left with nary a word; good on her. The second two left and while several of us speculated about it being because they no longer were in the majority (large and in-charge), i have publicly stated that's their right to do exactly what they did. I have done so numerous times from various positions. I have a simple philosophy regarding volunteering, if it's not fun or worth my time, energy of effort, why do it? In fact while i was on the RCSC board i tried to tender my resignation when the GM and fellow board members refused to allow the membership to help decide on whether we should buy the Lakes Club. When i walked in Jan's office with it, she told me i couldn't resign. I asked why and she because i was the only one who would argue with her (not quite true because Carole Martinez often did). I respected Jan for being that straight forward with me. She wasn't afraid of my disagreements because she understood she controlled the majority of the board and the votes always coincided with what she wanted. My offering differing opinions and the occasional no votes made it all look like the real deal. As time marched on, the shift to a more management driven organization continued to escalate. With the rare exceptions when Director Hoffer managed to push through both recording meetings and reinstating the long range planning committee (both ideas the GM disliked), it became a love fest of doing what they (management and the board) thought was best for the community. Normally i would simply say to those quitting, thanks for your service and your commitment to Sun City. Running and being elected is a tough job and no matter what you do, there will always be some criticism. Unfortunately, once Karen was fired in 2021, everything got ugly (including many of us). We hated the idea they fired a board member we elected and hated it even more when they hid behind the "executive session argument." Her termination was vindicated when she was re-elected by a huge margin 6 months later. Adding to the board's misery was the 2022 election results. In spite of promising everyone everything, they were once again crushed as the 3 member slate of progressive candidates who promised a return to a more membership friendly organization apparently was attractive to those who voted. I was more than content to bury the whole question of why they quit, because had i been in their shoes, i might have done the same thing. It's no fun being in the minority, especially when the majority treats them like something smelly stuck to the bottom of their shoes. Think not, just ask Karen. This has gone on long enough, but i will leave you with a couple of teasers: The entirety of this thread is going to be focused on the scorched earth remarks that appeared online by both Dale and Allan. While i have no interest in dragging them through the mud for quitting, you should have just walked away and admitted being in the minority was something you weren't interested in. Instead, you both made comments that were patently disingenuous. Rather than just saying that flippantly, i went back and started reading through minutes of meetings from 2021 and 2022 this morning. Mercifully for both of you, video of some of those meetings has long since been deleted. Stay tuned because when i get back, i will take your exact words used online and then post board actions that will tell a wholly different story. Nope, not trying to be vindictive. but i am going to put the turd in the pocket where it belongs.
Look, I get it. Serving on the Board is a thankless job and the pay sucks, but if you only volunteered to serve to get your own way then you shouldn't be serving. And when the first time a vote doesn't go your way you resign, you never deserved to be there in the first place! Serving on the Board is a privilege given to you by the Members to represent THEM and YOU are suppose to be serving them, not your personal agenda. Dissent is an important part of a dialogue that during the debate process expresses differing opinions that both sides need to hear and achieves an informative decision. Just because the Mountain View issue didn't go the way everybody agreed, doesn't mean that those Board members don't have important contributions to make on other issues during their time in service. The right way to do it is not to take your defeated vote personal but to embrace the decision of your colleagues and do everything possible to achieve success for that goal, not just quit! But it appears that some Board members are simply one-trick ponies and if things don't go their way they quit. Just my opinion!
I know i should turn the other cheek, but these comments are simply cringe-worthy. While they were posted on the Independent's Newsbreak website, i wouldn't be surprised to see them in this coming week's paper. I'll try not to belabor them, but sorry, i cannot in good faith let them stand without pointing just how ludicrous they are. Let's start with this kickoff point as to why they quit: "The current tenor on the board is very toxic and chaotic,” Lehrer said. “There is very little respect for experience and tradition.” Let's take the second portion first and while experience and tradition are important, i wonder how both of you treated the newcomers who were elected during your tenure (while in the majority); did you value them or even care what they thought or said? You know Dale, like firing two of them. Or worse yet cutting off questions and rudely using the parliamentarian to shut them up. My goodness, there is the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. That was the mild part, because the real meat on the bone are these gems: "toxic and chaotic." OMG, are you freaking kidding me? Let me count the ways sister. During your time as VP in 2021, you were one of the officers who walked into Sun Dial auditorium in Sept for the meeting that lasted all of 3 minutes and then you raced-walked off the stage and out the backdoor. The good news was the three hired and armed sheriff's deputies (loved the 45's on their hips), stayed to quell the crowd by threatening to arrest us all. Say what? The last time i looked, we were the member/owners. Or how about the annual meeting three months later when we for the first time reached a quorum and the doors locked at exactly at 9 am. Then you told us we didn't have the right to vote (even though the Articles of Incorporation said we did) and the true mockery came when the video of the meeting was lost due to a bad "video card." That my dear, for those of sitting in the peanut gallery was the exact definition of toxic and chaotic. BTW, you need to change the minutes from that Sept walkout meeting. The minutes claim the reason for running from the stage was "signs were held up." Actually, there was one sign lifted from a member who didn't get the memo not to hold it aloft. Interesting footnote here; that "bad video card" somehow was able to be used to reconstruct the last half of the meeting, but not the portions where our motions were raised. Odd how that worked wasn't it? She then went on to lament how short-sighted the new board is because their focus is based on this "singular" portion of the Articles of Incorporation she claims is our vision: "To provide the broadest range and recreational and social facilities possible to enhance the active lifestyle and well-being of Sun City residents.” For some odd reason she threw in these two additional comments covering our vision and values as if they are somehow different/free-standing from our mission (at last that is what i think she is saying): The vision reads, “To serve our community with a friendly and courteous attitude,” the values read, “A commitment to quality, service, communication, cooperation, integrity and fiscal responsibility.” I would argue two things, they all work in concert with one another, and while she is speaking from a board perspective of why she quit, she should have been one of us sitting in the crowd watching (not enjoying) the chaos and the toxic behavior towards the minority members of the board and the absolute disdain towards the members sitting in the crowd. Perhaps we should have been the ones to tender our resignations; oh wait we can't we have a facilities agreement that says we have to pay. But we're not done yet because the retired administrative law judge and attorney felt compelled to weigh in on the legalities of the new boards position. Apparently he feels once any board has passed a motion, it has to stand forever. He chimed in with this: “They made this Mountain View decision (suspension) without checking to see if it would be a breach of contract,” “And you don’t let your staff be harangued in public, or allow repeated questions.” Footnote to Allan; repeated questions happen when you don't get answers. Interesting comments from a board member whose apparent job was to lob softball questions at the GM so as to tee up answers that explained everything to those of us sitting in the crowd. Who can forget this gem? " Mr Cook, what will happen if you don't get the budget you requested?" I almost fell off my chair when the response was: "well, we may have to close the facilities on January 1." I'm no attorney, but the fore-mentioned facilities agreement we all sign at purchase is a legally binding contract whereby we pay and the RCSC provides the services. DUH! Sadly even with Allan's extensive legal training and background, he sat there smug knowing the GM was full of it and said nothing. He knew better, but said nothing. Let's talk about the fiduciary responsibilities of the board. It's an interesting topic and can used to cut any number of ways. Lenefsky concluded the article with this commentary: “The board’s primary responsibility is financial stewardship.” We could debate whether it is their primary responsibility, but it clearly is one of their obligations when elected. I say it is a double edged sword in that board members and management often use it to support an argument they want to move an action in their direction. We have all done it, at least those of us acting in the capacity as a fiduciary agent. Let's dig a little deeper into this concept, using the board's own minutes to amplify. Stay with me, this is truly instructive: 1). May 10, 2021 meeting, recommendation from management to proceed with the MV project, option 1 (which included doing everything at one time). Motion to table till next meeting. 2). May 27, 2021 meeting, first reading of option 1 (same as above). Motion to table till next meeting. 3). June 14, 2021 meeting. New presentation on MV project called Option 2 which broke the remodel into 3 phases. After the presentation from the architect the board had their first reading and was approved. Collins made a motion to deffer until the board got financial details on the new project. At that point the PIF budget "placeholder" was 17.5 million dollars. Collin's motion defeated. 4). June 24, 2021. Second reading on Option 2 being done in 3 phases was passed with no financial details include. The board (Allan wasn't on it yet), then passed a motion to waive the third reading. It passed. Also on the motions to be acted on was this critical motion that actually went through all three readings: "Players may only play one ball when others are waiting (mini-golf course rule)." I don't mean to sound critical (yes, indeed i do), but the 2021 board passed the largest expenditure in the RCSC's history without having a freaking clue on the cost of it. Their only point of reference was the $17.5 million dollars listed in the PIF budget and that was to build a theater and redo of the pools to be done in one phase. The new plan. option 2, was presented and rushed through without the 3rd reading. Stop and think about this from a fiduciary position: The new option 2 with NO numbers attached was passed without the 3rd reading, while the rule to limit mini-golfers to using one ball got three readings. Literally, i want you to think about the insanity of that. Given Allan's walking away comments about the board's fiduciary obligations, it wasn't until the end of the year (2021) when the GM presented a newly revised PIF budget. That $17.5 million dollars exploded to 40 million dollars and was going to take 7-8 years to complete (being done in phases). The new plan changed everything and more significantly, were both the cost massive increase and the duration from start to finish. The majority board members never blinked, never questioned whether it was fiscally responsible, they simply argued we have to do it. I would and have argued by not having a third reading and worse yet, not having any idea on the more than double the cost increase attached to the project (option 2), they were in breach of their fiduciary obligations. In fact, Director Hoffer, just before he left the board at the end of 2021 challenged Bill Cook's soft projections regarding inflation and the board sat glassy-eyed and enamored with the idea of this remarkable monument to themselves. You tell me which board members are being good financial stewards of the RCSC's resources? The folks who jammed through a project without a third reading and without having any idea of the costs, or, those who are looking at a $40 million dollar expenditure and questioning whether that makes sense?
Thanks for telling everyone how it really was/is, Bill! I was sad to read the revisionist history from the departed Directors. After reading the Mission, Vision and Values Statements of RCSC, I went to the website to find them. Only the Mission Statement was found under FAQ, no mention of the Vision or Mission Statement. Wouldn't you think these should be posted on the "Home" page for everyone to see? It doesn't really matter, because none of them supplants or overrides the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws. It all comes down to this statement in the Articles of Incorporation: The Bylaws may be amended, modified, revised, or revoked by the Directors or by the Members. In the event of conflict concerning the Bylaws as amended, modified, revised, or revoked by the Directors, the action of the Members shall prevail. I am not an attorney, but I did teach reading comprehension over several decades. I find those words pretty easy to understand.
This thread and its topic has been existent in ideation or another for a short while now. I have a different tack on this topic, or rather, leadership at the RCSC. Should I make a new thread? Not as long as what I feel is relevant to this topic, the departure of directors from the RCSC, and the opportunity to make real change for the future of Sun City. Have a seat folks, this may be a long winded one. Yep, there was a load of crap shoved down peoples throats that is not in the best interest of the community or its members, but that has been going on with the RCSC for years, which is the point I feel I want to make. We have a whole new board makeup with the addtional total of two more new members to join and bring their skills and abilities as well. Why are we still doing things the same old way? Why is the same load of s%#t being shoved down the throatsof the community in the same fashion as always? Where is the new way of thinking, and more importantly an new role of LEADERSHIP not emerging? You know what I mean by LEADERSHIP? The board being the leaders of this community. The board members actually taking their fiduciary duty seriously, as tasked, and get the backbone needed to move forward in a way to grow the community and the membership in a direction that is a benefit to the whole of the community and not a specialized thought process that is not membership focused? Yes the intent is clear, the theater group is over zealous in their pursuits and needs to be shut down. The second would be the board of the directors, as charged and tasked, is the leadership od the community. They are charged with making decisions that are to benefit the community in a fiscally sound and responsible way. The board of directors of the RCSC is the local self governing body. The directors, the individuals who volutarily ran for, and were elected to serve the membership, are the members of the very community to be displaying the LEADERSHIP to direct the and steer the ship of the RCSC. NOT THE GM!!! The GM is to be taking their direction from the board not the other way around. There is nothing more infuriating to hear to me then to have someone make a statement to the effect that a question or comment was made to a director or the board but it can't be decided without the approval of the GM. WTF??? If the board needs help with strategy or direction as to how to be a board member who can actively be an effectual working governing body, take some time to visit neighboring communities and see in person how it is done. Take the time to learn the ways of being a successful, involved, open communicating community that involves their members by visiting a successful community that can openly demonstrate how its done. Learn what you don't know, admit you need help running a commmunity that is membershi[ focused, then pursue the resources to make that happen. It may even mean inviting other communities to come and visit us and demonstrate how its done. If we can spend money on mind numbing surveys we can surely spend a few bucks on director education? And of course, my last rant on this topic, get a GM who knows how to manage and lead customer and membership focused community, rather than a hand picked corporate talking head whose focus is anything but for the members. What is it going to take make those in a place of decision making to understand you, the board of directors are the managing force for the RCSC, and should not be led by the nose by those whose primary focus is not that of the members and community? Yep, I finally said it, out loud. The board of directors is the management of this community, and the GM is only to manage the day to day needs AS DIRECTED BY THE BOARD. Okay, i will stop now. I could go on forver as to what I have been saying is in no way a new or outlandish theory, it is the way it should be per the governing documents of this community, no matter how fu$%#ed up they read now since being rewritten to meet a specific persons need for control and power. I beg fogiveness for my use of profanity, no matter how much I try to cover it over. But if this is what it takes to grab someone's attention it will have been well worth it. Thank everyone for their time and willingness to read and, of course, render their opinion of what I am speaking of today. My final thought is this: if any of what I have written gets you to consider what self governance could mean for our future, both short and long term, for all pf us that love Sun City, then I was my day was not wasted nor was any time spend on frivolous pursuits. (PS there are a lot of typos I am sure. Hard to be drawn into a million directions and a great speller too)
Thanks for your thoughts Carole, we have spent the past 15 plus years backsliding away from caring what the membership thought or wanted. So you know, any number of us have encouraged new board members to be both strategic and set priority's which tends to slow the process down a bit. All of which is fine as long as the members are part of the decision making process. The classic example is from my new best friend Tom who insists the entire community loves and wants the theater. Much like letter to the editor in the paper that presented such a logical rationale for building it, the failure to mention the 40 million dollar price tag was painfully obvious. I know a boatload of members who would support a theater, the numbers that would support a 4o million dollar remodel is tiny at best. It's easy to find glaring mistakes regarding MV and the theater. None more obvious as board's continued to push the project to the back of the line. The 10-12 million dollars spent at Willowbrook and Willowcreek, before it was even due, is the most obvious. For that money, the entire MV project could have/should have been done then. Sadly, that wasn't what the GM saw as our future. How Grand Center climbed over Mountain View should also be a quick study in how to not to do things. And if you really want to give me a pain, how about we look at the failed Lakes Club and all that it offered as we were shaping our future. It's mind-numbing as we sit here speculating how we ever stumbled so poorly and ended up with a community unable to even solve our technology problems any time soon. Unless or until that's done, everything else is just lip service. I always tell people, take your time and build it right. So far, i like what i am seeing.
Bill, thanks for your always insighful views. My entire view on the MV center is the board has the ability to help ensure this project never sees the the light of day. It is within the scope and power of the current sitting directors to recognize what this will cost in real dollars to this community for years to come. I am so supportive of the new membersin so many ways, from behind the scenes I defend them in every way I know how. But I still don't know if they understand the abilities and duties available to them as the governing members of the board. The biggest is the fiduciary duty bestowed upon them as members of the board. The other being there is such a crippling learning curve to being a new board member, there needs to be a forward movement on issues to be slow and tedious until one has their legs and wits about them. The GM is NOT their BEST resource, they are their own best resource. I honestly feel the new members have their backs against the wall. I also feel this poisition could be taken advantage of by others who do not have a community focus in the member best interest. Everything I stated I have stated before, it is not new information. The commentary about the board was not to criticize, but was to awaken them to the possibility of seeking alternative answers to becomeing a learned and experience director in a very information laden adventure. Thanks again to the new members who have taken on the heavy task of being new members. You are appreciated. The those folks who would volunteer tp finish the year, you are joing good company. Good luck to all of you in your pursuits to make Sun City the best it can be
“Thanks again to the new members who have taken on the heavy task of being new members. You are appreciated. The those folks who would volunteer tp finish the year, you are joing good company. Good luck to all of you in your pursuits to make Sun City the best it can be.” CMartinez AMEN!
Bravo Carol. A volunteer Board has an enormous responsibility and I continue to be disappointed, shocked, frustrated and concerned that RCSC puts no resources in to Board training. As you said, the learning curve is steep. There are so many moving parts to RCSC and conflicting priorities. The lack of a real plan, adopted by previous boards, reviewed on a prescribed schedule, has reared its ugly head. Frustration is palpable. MV could be a turning point - a make or break situation if not done responsibly.
