Summer will be a busy time behind closed doors for the RCSC Board. On tap is hiring a new GM and Director of Golf Operations, filling a board vacancy, rewriting the bylaws (again), bringing the new website on stream (I think), contracting with a consultant to develop a master plan, and completing the programming phase of the MountainView renovation. Summer is also a time when a great deal of capital maintenance takes place. Which brings me to a question: Does the RCSC Board really operate as a Board or as an operationally focused decision-making body? Many don't understand the difference so I thought I would give my views for readers consideration. Traditionally, the job of the Board is to provide policy and oversight. While the Board is granted broad decision-making power by the corporate documents, it is generally expected that it will delegate most powers to the managers of the organization. The Board and its committees then focus on higher level activities such as planning and policy. IMHO RCSC Boards are principally operationally focused. Thus, we have witnessed long discussions at board meetings about stinky toilets, drainage issues at club facilities and other minutiae that would normally be handled by management. We have also witnessed Board members take on the role of project managers. It appears to me this has always been the Modis Operandi for RCSC Boards who have become advocates for their vocal minority constituents. Is this really the best way to oversee a recreational community? What say you?
I think one thing that can be definitely said, because it has been said many times by many others, is that our Board of Directors need some sort of training on how to function as a Board! Hard to expect the Board to function on all cylinders when at least 1/3rd of them get changed-out every year, and it probably takes almost that entire first year to figure out how things work. Then don't forget, they get stuck serving on several committees as well as being liaisons to several outside concerns. Personally, I think the Board is tasked with to many responsibilities, many of which can and should be handled by community members, but it seems nobody trusts the community members to do the right thing, or at least what the Board thinks is the right thing? It's a no wonder the Board can't devote the proper amount of time to an issue when they're spread so thin. Just my opinion.
Golly gee! "It's obviously time for a change. What has been done is not working. These board members should not be serving on the committee meetings. Talk about burnout. That's a lot to expect from a "retiree". Each subset of RCSC needs its own board, which has meetings and reports to the RCSC board. Do you think Peter Fine sits in on each Banner hospital board meeting? Create an org chart of what's needed and go from there. Maybe more will volunteer their time if they don't have to give so much of it. But let's let history dictate our future. Josie P, Mar 18, 2024
I believe we have consensus the Board needs to rethink their roles and responsibilities. But will they?
