I read the other day in the weekly Independent, a letter to the editor, where a commenter took the liberty of suggesting those of us speaking out were a bunch of disgruntled members who liked to whine. It brought a smile to my face, seriously, i've heard it all before. It's always been the oldest trick in the book, paint someone with a brush as being unhappy. And to be honest, it's only gotten worse in recent years. Now days, labels are what work. Getting people fired up and angry is the common technique used to attract and create the chaos we all live in. I hate it. One of the reasons i appreciate the Sun City Advocates is, we understand, anger is a flawed emotion that quickly burns out. That's not to say we don't get frustrated by the actions of the board and management, but realistically, the long game isn't won by pushing the hot buttons that trigger angst. We know better. We have defined the SC Advocates by branding who and what we are with three components; communication, education and participation. While it will be a long, slow and arduous process, we are willing to proceed step by step. Because we speak out at meetings, or write articles less than complementary about the board or management has nothing to do with getting you to hate them, or even become angry with them. Our goal is to help you understand why we are frustrated by how they (the board and management) have changed Sun City. Make no mistake, we are totally blunt about how it happened. To pretend it was an accident, that members rights were stripped from them, would be outrageously foolish on our part. The changes were on purpose and on point. Rather than a shared responsibility between member and board/management their goal was total and complete control. For most members, they fail to understand Sun City's history. New members moving here see the board and management making every decision and accept it, because that was how it was where they came from. The truth is, that was not how Sun City was built or why we were as successful as we were/are. Which brings us full circle to the letter writer in the Independent. The Sun City Advocates are doing what we do, not because we hate anyone, but because we love the community we chose as our home, and in many cases, the last place on earth we would live. Why would we not try and make the best it can be? And to be clear, it could be so much better than it is.
Is that the same individual who said the parliamentarian ordered the removal of the lectern? Don’t know if that is true or how the letter writer knows that but the parliamentarian should keep her involvement in Sun City contained to Robert’s Rules. She should have no involvement, day, or advice on anything else. The fact that she is a lawyer is troubling. Is she involved with the same firm representing Sun City?
Same letter writer SCR and you are right, her job as the parliamentarian is to address Robert's Rules of Order. I suspect that covers a broad latitude, but i also agree at times she crosses that line. I don't think she was part of the firm the RCSC uses, her last position was something to do with the republican party. It's on the site here somewhere. The fact we have one is a good thing, which was kind of the point the letter writer was trying to make, which essentially made no sense because most of us like we have one sitting there. It's just best if she stays in her lane, but alas, it is what it is.
Here’s the referenced “ Opinion.” COMPLAINTS Fuss over board actions hypocritical I’ve watched all the Recreation Centers of Sun City board meetings on YouTube over the past several months, including the infamous June 24, 2021, meeting. It’s been quite an education. In a very recent letter, one of the disgruntled members bemoaned how the board has not “improved” in 2022. She cited the presence of the parliamentarian as an example. I’d like to point out that the parliamentarian is only up on that stage because this small group of disgruntled members threw hissy fits over the board’s supposed “abuse” of Robert’s Rules of Orders. These members bullied the board into getting a parliamentarian and now that there is one, she’s become the “enemy” also. Hmmm. I wonder why. Could it be that, by my count, there have been at least five instances where member demands have been turned down by the parliamentarian, plus it was the parliamentarian who had their beloved lectern removed from the auditorium at one point (it’s been returned now). I guess this is a classic case of “be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.” Greg Brummer SUN CITY Sun City Indepedent print edition 02.23.2022
Interesting how the writer makes his point; using the lectern as proof positive the fact the board hired a parliamentarian somehow punished the group of "disgruntled members." Yikes. First off, that (the lectern) would hardly be something the Robert's Rules of Order expert should be involved in or with. If she suggested it be removed, it was foolishness. If the board or management suggested it, foolishness yet again. Think not? They brought it back because it made them look small and petty, no matter where the idea came from. When all else fails for those seeing us (Sun City Advocates) as a bunch of disgruntled members, do me a favor and go read the Articles of Incorporation. Something i would be willing to bet the letter writer has never done. Should he do that, he would quickly come to understand the exact reason for the RCSC to exist...The Membership. End of story.
Republican chairman Rae Chornenky steps down Posted at 12:50 PM, Nov 11, 2020 and last updated 6:28 PM, Nov 11, 2020 https://www.abc15.com/news/election-2020/maricopa-county-republican-chairman-rae-chornenky-steps-down
