Do You Want The Good News, Or The Bad News First?

An old and often used question that fits perfectly the narrative we are all caught up in. 2024 was a tumultuous year for the RCSC and their members. We've been there before, we'll be there again. Ups and downs, the good the bad and the ugly, take your pick.

A community of our size, with an amenity package like we have will always be subject to the perceived successes and failures. One of the shortcomings of social media is to take the bad and make it worse. Piling on is the new normal. What's so frustrating is it (social media) doesn't have to just be the conduit for bad news.

Ultimately, if the RCSC management says nope, not going there; we/they are left with whatever falls from the heavens of those who do post. It's shortsighted, its always been shortsighted and unless and until they begin to understand the power of all of the various aspects and nuances of the internet, they will always be a day late and a dollar short (IMHO).

We know in another thread i encouraged the board, general manager/management team and membership to take a fearless moral inventory of 2024. I also know that most likely won't happen as people hate looking in mirrors at ugly reflections.

There-in is the problem, because in many cases while the blemishes were staggeringly stark, there were truly some bright spots. They just got overshadowed by dumb decisions. That's what happens when you fail to promote the good things you do and just hope the members notice.

I thought 2023 was a break-out year. Between establishing SAC and pulling the curtain back on our budgeting and finance issues, we are finally on track to get the much needed stuff done that had been neglected forever. What could possible go wrong?

Let me count the ways...but that's for later.

2024 had some truly wonderful highlights. First and foremost were the visible improvements done on rec center properties. Of course, that's what happens when you actually identify the needs of the various centers and dig in and fix the stuff that should have been fixed...but was ignored to stay "affordable."

Yes, it came at a cost in increased lot assessments, but watching the repairs was refreshing and exciting. Sadly, for those who aren't paying attention, or who don't attend the center being fixed, they simply have no idea. We, the RCSC, should be telling them and showcasing those improvements across multiple platforms.

The one thing many of us have learned about the best way to reach the members is through every and any means possible. There is no one best way, there are countless ways if we are truly setting a goal for more broad outreach across the community.

During the 2023 budget assessment, we heard the horror stories of massive turnover, especially in our golf division. I know the plan was to increase wages in an effort to try and stabilize the work force. I will be curious to see if higher wages helped. We should hear more at the budget and finance meeting this Weds.

We also learned in 2022 the RCSC was virtually bankrupt when it came to technology. In spite of members bemoaning it since as far back as 2008, management and the board acted as if it didn't matter. If it was on a priority list, it was firmly ensconced at the bottom of the list.

These past two years we've been playing catch up. We're nowhere near close to being done, but at least we are headed in the right direction. For years we were rudderless. I am looking forward to see the launch of the new web site being built by an outside entity and how the RCSC engages the membership in the rollout. If done right, it can become a community event that energizes, engages and creates buy-in. We'll see this coming spring.

The RCSC, to their credit though they barely acknowledged their efforts, increased member events throughout the year. Their division responsible for putting them on were especially busy this summer. It's a long standing cry that our winter visitors get more opportunities to do stuff than the members who stay through the summer. A whole new effort was put in to increase the shows, and while they did a great job, the promotion on the front end and the back end could have been way better. Kudos for their efforts.

We also know the RCSC, beyond the golf staff, added many new components to their operation. We also know they have added new offices, with a couple of the locations being former club space. It's still too early to tell if that is a positive or a negative, but we know they are added costs and hopefully the board in their oversight role will be measuring the return on investment (ROI).

Finally, i can tell you (happily), the RCSC has taken notice of our (Sun City's) history. For years, the general manager ran from it. The new GM and management team has reversed course and embraced the idea our history matters. Only fools would ignore it (just my opinion).

This is just a glimpse of the good stuff done. I have ignored the buildings being painted, the trees being trimmed, the softball building being built and opened and sadly far too few members haven't a clue about all that has gone into us turning the corner.

It begs the question on why they refuse to engage in shameless self promotion? Perhaps the 2025 board will come to understand what the Meeker/DEVCO team quickly grasp: Help those living here love their choice, make those not living here long to become a part of something very special and unique.

Part two, we'll look at their missteps which caused so much of the chaos.

 

Validation...a word i seldom write or use when talking or writing about Sun City. In retrospect, it should have been an integral part every step of the way. Other than a small smattering of us who know, love and understand Sun City's history, that single word means little or nothing to the causal reader or even the vast majority of members living here. Why should it?

A fair question and an even more intriguing response is there was only a small share of the DEVCO employees that fully comprehended what Sun City was...would become. A few years back, the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum adopted the slogan: "Sun City, The Community That Changed The Nation." Some argued it was hyperbole, several of us knew it was spot on.

The reality, the simple truth was those early years (1960-1978) were fraught with difficulties and challenges. The smart money was on the belief the community had no chance to succeed. The experts proclaimed loudly it would not work. They knew most seniors did not pick up and move away from family and friends. Four years in, they were almost right.

Almost, when looking back, left just enough wiggle room for John Meeker to come in (the end of 1964) and change the game. His focus was a broad spectrum approach with an internal focus on those living here. Validation was at the core of his marketing; helping buyers believe they found their place in the sun. That this tiny speck of land in the middle of the Arizona desert was the best decision they ever made.

Jerry Svendsen and others made it their job to help the "pioneers" embrace the "new active way of life." Not just now and then, daily. It started the day the new owner was to move in, the key man, Les Parry, would show up with a massive ceremonial key and picture taking. The initial phone books not only listed where people were from and where they worked, but also included what clubs and organizations they belonged to. News stories written by Jerry were sent back to local home newspapers proudly proclaiming their new home in Sun City AZ as a brilliant choice.

I could write a book on the marketing of the community, but nothing, NOTHING was more important than those living here. At one point, John Meeker threatened to fire any sales person who was hard selling Sun City. He told them to let the members/owners sell the community, the employees job was to handle the paper work. Meeker called them the "county's largest sales force."

We also know well into the years DEVCO moved to Sun City West, the company relied on community hostesses. They had become a feature in Sun City, so it made sense to carry the tradition on. These, mostly women, led tours, greeted guests and escorted potential buyers around the various centers and golf courses. It was the perfect solution and with it, the validation of choosing Sun City grew as well.

For those 18 years, every step of the way, those owners were instrumental in selling homes at a pace never before seen in this country. Sun City became the blueprint (albeit with tweaks) that every developer looked at and lusted over. To this day, the Play and Stay is still used to help market newer age restricted developments. They it because it works.

I know, i took a sidestep away from the discussion on Good News/Bad News. It was and is by design. Unless and until the RCSC gets their head around nurturing the membership to believe in them and validate their choice of Sun City little will change. We know, even with all of the positive steps taken in 2024, the foolish and ugly decisions they made were far outweighed everything else.

Our history has always and will always provide us with footsteps to follow in. Sadly, too many think they have all the answers and elect to carve a path of their own choosing. Okay, i guess. But for my money, i would try and emulate their (DEVCO's) successes and avoid the pitfalls they fell into. Only fools ignore our past. I would hope we are smarter than that.

Next time we'll look under the covers of 2024's bad choices.

 

It's truly amazing to me how little some folks understand the impact bad decisions have on a community. It's become obvious over the years less members are paying attention to what is going on in the community. There was a time when the RCSC monthly newspaper was delivered to homes (in the Independent) and from my perspective, it was at least a starting point for putting the monthly updates in the members hands.

Several years back that changed and the papers can be picked up at the rec centers or if you provide the RCSC they will email you a digital version. I would argue neither are as effective as getting a copy dropped in your driveway, but the data shows that the Independent distribution is only around 30% of the homes these days. That used to be way higher which makes no sense because the paper is free.

The RCSC monthly newspaper is the house organ, which is a nice way of saying the information sent comes with a bias. Organizations have always used regular periodicals to promote their agenda. The fact we have stepped back from it hurts the RCSC, especially when contentious issues arise and dare i say this year explode. We've seen social media sites become ripe with angst and frustration directed at bad choices made by the RCSC management/board.

One former board member did a pretty good job of highlighting them at the Exchange meeting:
1). The Library leases.
2). Getting rid of paper guest passes.
3). Going cashless.
4). No golf car transportation for the Fall Craft Fair.
5). Moving the visitor center from Bell to Fairway.
6). Putting the PAC on top of the Lakeview lawn bowling greens.

All just a short list and all within the past 6 months. None of which actually happened, but each and every action created chaos at the highest level and frustration at the lowest level. Worse yet, each of those triggered internal combustion within the membership and generated trust issues for both the board and management team. It's what happens when people do things without thinking or knowing about how the community will react.

There's was a time when actions like we witnessed the past 6 months would have be dealt with at committee levels. Those sounding boards would prevent stupidity because committees were members who weren't caught up in group think or be doing the bidding of the GM. Sadly, committees have become less important and their roles diminished over the years.

We started this thread by listing numerous plusses. I would guess far more members know the bad stuff rather than the good stuff.

One step forward, two steps back.

 

Bill,

There has been so much lost in this community, the paper being one of the most significant. When news was delivered to the owners, at their homes, it was a powerful reminder to all of the happenings within our community. People were engaged at a level not seen or felt in a long time. The GM’s belief that most would be content to receive community news, via mail or the website was woefully wrong and inadequate. The belief that doing less to engage the residents was for their benefit never has been proven to be correct way of thinking. To also continue to go down the path of “less is more” in how the membership is communicated with shows the lack of desire to truly be a member centric organization. The newspaper was the best tool we had for community engagement and activism. ‘‘This is one tool sorely missed and lacking.
Having a way to communicate with the residents of Sun City is critical to building our future. Until and unless we recognize this community engagement is critical to our future, both long and short term, we may as well continue to downward spiral of apathy that seems to be prevalent in our local community.
Their needs to be a review of amenities lost in direct correlation to member engagement. There’s nothing wrong with saying we need to revisit past decisions and see which ones are best reintroduced to our benefit.

 

At today's RCSC Board meeting, the GM stated that an expanded version of the Sun Views or Update, whatever it is called now, will be mailed to every Sun City home in January. Hopefully that will inspire members to become more involved.

 

Janet,

Thank you for the great news about the Sunviews. Having it delivered by mail should afford the homeowners to once again be apprised of what is going on in the community and help keep the residents in the loop. Can’t wait to see what this new version looks like.
I liked the idea of delivering it to the driveway and doorsteps within Sun City. The concern with mail is the addresses used and will that roughly 20% non-owners still will not be contacted. The best way to get folks to have buy in is to be an owner, and the Sunviews in hand can accomplish that. The local newspaper can get people involved who otherwise wouldn’t care about their neighbors and local businesses in the community.
I am most glad and grateful to hear of this step to benefit communications with our neighbors and the Sun City residents.

I wonder who is writing the articles, and how to get submissions to the editor for special editions or events that may be of interest? Thanks again for the great news

 

Don't get too excited SCG, it's like last year, a one and done. Anyone who has ever participated in any serious marketing will tell you the importance of repetition. For all the good stuff the RCSC did this year, the idea they kept it bundled in and around those who participated in any given event is crazy. It was a tiny portion of the membership. We should be using these events as stimulus for building that sense of community and to start bolstering homes sales.

We'll do none of that. It makes no sense.

 

I just finished listening/watching the December Board meeting on YouTube. I don't want to burst your bubble of enthusiasm, SCGal, but the GM said that the Sun City Arizona Update was going to be mailed in JANUARY. He did not mention what was planned for the rest of the year.

I agree with you that getting the news of Sun City out to our Members should be a huge priority. I hear constantly that Members have no idea what is going on and a monthly, or semi-monthly mailing might help along the lines of communication. If we can afford to pay for a survey that we pay no attention to, we should be able to pay for a monthly mailing.

The Public Income Statement distributed at the Board meeting for the period ending November 30, 2024 was filled with RED numbers/dollar signs. Director Collins asked where Management was going to get the shortfall to handle all the RED. He was told that the Carry Forward - what the former GM used to call his Rainy Day Fund - would cover it. If that's the case, then how about that same fund covering a mailing to the entire membership for more than one month? I assume that Management at RCSC has an updated master list since Cardholder Services keeps that information. After all, they get updated records when one buys here since the Facilities Agreement has to be signed and new owners have to pay a PIF and CIF fee. If the Update was mailed, it seems like more Members would receive it with that method than by the free thrown Independent newspapers.

Last year, the Update contained articles from the GM, the Board president, each Senior Leader (Budget, Building & Infrastructure, Golf, and Bowling). Since then the organization structure has changed so I'm not sure who will be writing the columns for Communications, Clubs, Entertainment, Safety, Center Leaders, Human Resources, Cardholder Services and Accounting. There were also articles about our other community resources such as the Posse, SCCAN, SCHOA, Olive Branch Senior Center, etc. Friends of the Library and the Historical Museum had articles as well as the Sun City Foundation. And then 19 of our clubs were highlighted by an article.

You asked who someone could submit an article to. I'm not sure if you meant the Update (produced inhouse) or the Independent. If you meant the Update, staff writes most of the articles. I would tell you to check with the head of the Communications division but since the directory no longer lists staff by name, you might send your questions to Mike Dirmyer or for all media inquiries and requests, contact the Communications Coordinator at (623) 561-4616.

 

At the 52.30 mark the GM said it would be an Annual "thing"

 

I truly believe we need to have the monthly publication back again. The monthly publication will afford more space for additional highlights of various aspects of the community.

Is there a need for folks to step up and become the heart of the community news service? There are many resources available to help direct a community publication to provide information much needed for the residents. I am sure there are many that would be an excellent resource to keep up the community news and conversation in a news worthy format and present a positive message about our community. I would like to know this is more than a one time event.
Highlights of the area such as CAN, various events occurring and historical significance of the area needs to be included. The newspaper was always a source of great advertising as snowbirds would carry the paper back home and allow others in their area to know how great the area is. I remember meeting a woman who was in the area because of what her neighbors had told her about the area and the Sunviews stories. It’s a positive and powerful tool. It really is imperative to reinstate the regular distribution of a community newspaper. The idea that the cost of a regular community newspaper is out of reach for the RCSC is ludicrous. This is a tool much needed for our community.

Does it make sense to keep publishing with the Independent or do we seek another resource? I don’t have any other information at this time about a publisher or best resource. Just throwing that out as a thought process for all to consider.

 

Okay, so I searched for the Sunviews and got an RCSC rendering of a news article that hasn’t been maintained since April of 2024? One line about the recent elections and that was it. How can a publication calling itself the “Update” be so out of date? I guess the better question is who is minding the store? How can things like a need to communicate with the members be so lackadaisical in its own mission when it appears no one seems to be paying attention? It would seem to this member that there’s a belief that living in a vacuum of needed information and disseminating it in a timely meaningful manner has been lost on those running the RCSC. I am flabbergasted that there’s such a large gap in information given and community communication needs.
The IT issue was around all those years ago when I was a board member. The GM did everything possible to stifle discussion and progress on the issue. So here we are again, no further along and still in dire need to get the most basic of software and hardware solutions. If we had a newspaper that was actually up to date with the most recent news, I would think there’s some great ideas available from community members.
So why doesn’t Sun City have a newspaper available to the members? No, not online only or need to be retrieved from a center? I know when the GM at the time stopped the paper, it was self serving. Anything that would curtail members involvement or information sharing was just not necessary, and made sure to cut off member information sharing. It was disguised as a budget need to reduce costs. The regular dog and pony show continued and now it has come time to make up for lost time. The colossal damage to the RCSC and its members will take lots of money and strategic planning and decision making to try to get one’s arms around the complete picture. This process moving forward cannot be piecemealed but rather with a comprehensive approach to what we need short term and move forward with caution.

 

That SunViews paper was a supplement inside of the Independent. It was stopped a good 10 years ago because of expense. With or without a monthly publication, I am sorry to say this, you are still going to have a lot of apathy on part of the residents here. Many of the residents here are just living there lives. I think we have a lot of advanced seniors in here that have more concerns about health and well being and no longer care about 'activities'. I think maybe we should publish something like a social services page...were SC residents can find quality care, tips on how to maintain and sustaining health...something like Sun Health. I think we need more Sun Health...healthy living guides available to folks. Do you know we have almost no more sit down restaurants in Sun City? In 1970's we had 14 restaurants in Sun City. Since we are not an actual municipal it is hard for us to ask for things, but I wish we could get more 'stuff' back in here, like a couple of nice restaurants, It is also a shame we lost Tuesday Morning. No kind of shopping either. We need to write to our district representatives and ask if they can somehow help us generate more money to come in here in terms of better shopping, sit down restaurants, and things for aging seniors as well. It is looking blighted in and around here now.

 

Agree Eileen. Been saying this for years. Is anyone looking into why we are losing all our shopping and dining? Wrote this the other day: Someone started their post with "perfume on a pig" in the Sun City Website forum. We are not unique anymore. You can say cheapest and be right, but you can't say nicest, safest, or best 55+ community anymore. They are all over the country now. They are nicer, updated, yes more expensive. Those that can afford it will move to one of those. Driving through SC AZ is not a wow anymore. I have family in SC Huntly IL and drove through it and it was a wow. The Hilton Head SC is a wow. For the love of God this place is 60+ years old! Have been to Jai Thai and JiMichaels several times and we were the only ones in the place each time. True Value has gone bankrupt, not sure if our store in Greenway will stay.

 

Don't even get me started SCG. Weds i went to the Budget and Finance Committee meeting and yesterday i stopped at the Sundial auditorium to watch the board meeting. Let's start here. the board works way harder than most members think they do. Some more so than others, but no matter the case they put in countless hours of doing the community's work.

I especially wanted to see and hear both Kat and Karen's remarks as they are leaving the board. Both fought long and hard through some truly ugly times. Their comments didn't disappoint so kudos to them as they leave to enjoy their retirement. We didn't always agree, but that's hardly matters.

Coming away from the meeting i was reminded how backward we are regarding our future. Let me give you two really good/great examples of just how shortsighted we are: I heard glowing reports from two events this past week. First was the golf car parade, the second was the Christmas concert held at the Sundial auditorium. Those who attended were raving about how well run they were and how much fun they had.

All good, right? It should be, but alas, we appear to be content with those attending being the only ones who know or care. Our history tells us, we should be screaming from the mountaintop about their success. And, i mean well before, and well after. We know Meeker used this marketing strategy, events promotion, to sell the snot out of homes. By the way, it worked brilliantly. Instead we live in the bubble where only those who participated know how good it was.

To compound the problem, i was reminded again, "we don't do social media." I am acutely aware of that and it still boggles the mind. So, just out of curiosity i came home and goggled the current percentage of Generation X that use social media: 77%. But by God, we most assuredly don't want to try and reach the next generation of seniors that will be looking for their place in the sun do we?

We also heard yesterday, this year's budget was blown to crap, but oh well...we'll do better next year. Sorry, but organizations like ours write budgets for a reason and it's not to ignore them. And as we reach years end, we will end up with between 1500-1600 home sales. For years we sold 2000 plus homes per year. Nope, not blaming the RCSC for slumping home sales, however i am smart enough to know the math: For every 100 homes less sold, we lose $600,000 in PIF and CIF.

At some point one has to question: Is it just possible that if we took advantage of social media and it's reach, we could actually drive interest outside the bubble? But alas, not my job, but for this next batch of board members, it will be theirs.

 

You can Social Media the heck out of Sun City but the bottom line is it won't change what we have, the appearance and the fact that if you want to go anywhere nice you have to drive 45 minutes to an hour. You can look at Sun City through rose colored glasses all you want but it won't change what is actually here. It was unique, it's not anymore. Carole mentioned making Sun City look like the gem it once was. A lot of us are old and if SC raises the assessment fees too high a lot of us will leave. We don't want to pay to enhance something we will never see. I have no clue what happens after we die, all I know is we will, and I want to live comfortably now, and enjoy now. You all talk about the future of SC. How many people do you know that will give their money willingly to something they won't live to see?

From what I saw of the board meeting they learned nothing from the past. "We have to do better in the future" is the mantra for SC BOD regarding finances. But spend that $14 million the PAC for the few that want it. It will not end up being $14 million and anyone who has built a house or anything for that matter knows there is always something else that comes up.

The thought of giving money for the future of a community is so foreign to me. Family is always first, if there is no family then St. Jude's comes to mind. Not a plot of land that is deteriorating partially due to age and part due to gross mismanagement over the years.

 

Hi Bill,
I so much agree with your comments on not 'upselling' our community. Not using social media? wow, we are missing a lot! If we can keep our community looking beautiful and adding more physical beauty features..., and assisting SCHOA to get people to update and improve properties, I also agree we could see more serious growth. The type of growth I am speaking of, are folks who use cash and actually buy the home, and not turning the place into a large renters town. Renters have no emotional commitment to the place. We need actual cash-dollars coming in here from new home buyers, new vendors opening up storefronts, services and adding value to the community. Adding more beauty and value, yes, Bill, that is what is going to help us!
Bless all of you this holiday season! Peace and good will!

 

Hi Josie, Yes, SC Huntly and Hilton Head as you know a high end community. DelWebb Company went high end in the past 30 years. I think everyone should keep writing to our state representatives, Debbie Lesko and the like to see if they can get some vendors, franchisees and just independent entrepren. to come in here and add things. We need NEW money to come into Sun City. I am asking the county representatives to consider asking owners of tearing down dilapidated shopping centers. Have you seen the likes of the late 1960s strip mall at 99th and Peoria? that place is a scandal except for the CVS that sits at the corner. We need to find the owners of these properties and see if they can bulldoze and sell the land. We need urban revitalization very badly in the west valley over here. It takes lots of money, which is what the country seems to lack on a local basis. Everyone concerned should be contacting our elected officials. I am trying in a small way, but more voices would help make more improvements to the community.

 

Used to shop there with mom in the 80's and 90's. My neighbor who just lost his partner of 47 years likes Mercer's, so I take him there once in a while. That whole area is awful, including Sun City, not just that mall. I totally agree with all you say, however if they don't take care of what we have with the money they have what's the point? Building a new PAC is nuts imo. It's not an if you build it they will come thing. Get out and talk to people, they are not happy. Then you watch the board meeting and it makes you wonder why bother. That area is Peoria. Sun City has been overtaken by medical office buildings so it's too late for our strip malls.

 

Sun Health is still available.

Home - Sun Health Wellness

Sun Health

 

I hope you know that Sun Health is the reason the strip malls no longer have shops or restaurants. They develop the properties into medical facilities. Example would be Del Webb Blvd. No more restaurants there, just medical facilities.
There would need to be a revitalization program with incentives to bring in local businesses with local proprietors. These issues feel like Dejavu as these same issues were brought forward many years ago. The same idea of making a plan to bring in businesses other than medical facilities was brought forward before. It would take the board to embrace the idea of revitalizing the community to be a place of growth for small businesses and embrace a plan to make it happen. In my opinion we don’t need more medical facilities, we need small grocery stores, restaurants, shops featuring local crafts and a way to attract people to make the community a destination once again. And most importantly, promote the area as a place to live and thrive.