Post by Admin on Jul 21, 2016 11:15:16 GMT -5
President’s Message 07/20/2016
The month of July has appeared rather quiet on the surface and thankfully so, after the last week of June. There has been lots going on however with the routine administration and maintenance of the resort. S-bag is a well oiled machine and it goes humming along day by day even when there are no “crises” to confront. Thanks for that goes to our excellent staff and management company.
As far as those “crises” are concerned. The ‘jury is still out‘ on the discrimination cH allenge. We can’t expect a judge’s ruling on that for at least another month. Meanwhile waiting in the wings is an appeal to the DEO’s decision to approve our revitalized “governing documents”. That will take place on August 11th. The legal costs are piling up as some of the same folks who preach fiduciary responsibility to the Board continue to force us to defend ourselves against their never-ending cH allenges. I recognize that the justice system is supposed to be available to all but wouldn’t you think that at some point those who continue to bring the same old charges would have to pay the costs when they lose? We are investigating that angle.
It was a real treat for my wife and I to be back in S-bag that last week in June and to catch up with some of the full-time residents. I was able to attend Koffee Klatch and address those in attendance that Monday. Now a whole month has flown by and I realize that in three months or less we northerners will begin to head south again.
In preparation for the fall we have been giving some consideration to the committees that we would like to have in place in order to assist the BOD in the administration of various facets of S-bag’s operations. Lots of attention was given to the Organizational Committee which worked so hard to make sure that our “revitalization” application process was done strictly according to the rules. That committee has completed its work but we have several “standing committees”, within the resort, which oversee everything from the annual election to Friday night bingo.
Members of these committees often go unrecognized and in some cases the same people have been faithfully filling a need for many years.
We were reminded in May, with the passing of Ed Romanoski, that some of those who have been very involved with activities in the resort for years, will not always be with us. This calls for an awakening to the fact that new leadership is essential. Those who have been filling a role for a long time need to be apprenticing new folks so that when the time comes, we will have prepared leadership to continue the work.
In order for this to happen two things need to occur:
Those who are currently in charge need to be willing to prepare to be replaced. We are witnessing a changing of the guard. If we still have any “charter members” of SLohA in the resort they must be pushing the century mark. A 55 year old owner in 1972 would now be 99 years of age. We may still have amongst us some who have founded and overseen activities nearly from the original incorporation of SLohA. It is understandable that those who have devoted a large part of their lives to the operation of some activity within the resort would find it hard to step aside. But we need to moving in that direction.
The second thing that needs to happen is that newer, “younger” owners need to step up and assume responsibility for the flawless continuation of operations within S-bag. It is so easy to sit back and enjoy the stability and security that the resort offers, without ever questioning who is doing all the work but be assured, what we have here in S-bag did not happen without effort and it will not continue without the hard work of a committed group of volunteers.
So, something to think about. If you have never served in a position of responsibility in the past, think about what you can do.
If you have served long and hard, plan to turn over the reigns. There is no use asking for help if we won’t use it when it arrives.
Opportunities to serve will be well advertised over the coming months.
leery
The month of July has appeared rather quiet on the surface and thankfully so, after the last week of June. There has been lots going on however with the routine administration and maintenance of the resort. S-bag is a well oiled machine and it goes humming along day by day even when there are no “crises” to confront. Thanks for that goes to our excellent staff and management company.
As far as those “crises” are concerned. The ‘jury is still out‘ on the discrimination cH allenge. We can’t expect a judge’s ruling on that for at least another month. Meanwhile waiting in the wings is an appeal to the DEO’s decision to approve our revitalized “governing documents”. That will take place on August 11th. The legal costs are piling up as some of the same folks who preach fiduciary responsibility to the Board continue to force us to defend ourselves against their never-ending cH allenges. I recognize that the justice system is supposed to be available to all but wouldn’t you think that at some point those who continue to bring the same old charges would have to pay the costs when they lose? We are investigating that angle.
It was a real treat for my wife and I to be back in S-bag that last week in June and to catch up with some of the full-time residents. I was able to attend Koffee Klatch and address those in attendance that Monday. Now a whole month has flown by and I realize that in three months or less we northerners will begin to head south again.
In preparation for the fall we have been giving some consideration to the committees that we would like to have in place in order to assist the BOD in the administration of various facets of S-bag’s operations. Lots of attention was given to the Organizational Committee which worked so hard to make sure that our “revitalization” application process was done strictly according to the rules. That committee has completed its work but we have several “standing committees”, within the resort, which oversee everything from the annual election to Friday night bingo.
Members of these committees often go unrecognized and in some cases the same people have been faithfully filling a need for many years.
We were reminded in May, with the passing of Ed Romanoski, that some of those who have been very involved with activities in the resort for years, will not always be with us. This calls for an awakening to the fact that new leadership is essential. Those who have been filling a role for a long time need to be apprenticing new folks so that when the time comes, we will have prepared leadership to continue the work.
In order for this to happen two things need to occur:
Those who are currently in charge need to be willing to prepare to be replaced. We are witnessing a changing of the guard. If we still have any “charter members” of SLohA in the resort they must be pushing the century mark. A 55 year old owner in 1972 would now be 99 years of age. We may still have amongst us some who have founded and overseen activities nearly from the original incorporation of SLohA. It is understandable that those who have devoted a large part of their lives to the operation of some activity within the resort would find it hard to step aside. But we need to moving in that direction.
The second thing that needs to happen is that newer, “younger” owners need to step up and assume responsibility for the flawless continuation of operations within S-bag. It is so easy to sit back and enjoy the stability and security that the resort offers, without ever questioning who is doing all the work but be assured, what we have here in S-bag did not happen without effort and it will not continue without the hard work of a committed group of volunteers.
So, something to think about. If you have never served in a position of responsibility in the past, think about what you can do.
If you have served long and hard, plan to turn over the reigns. There is no use asking for help if we won’t use it when it arrives.
Opportunities to serve will be well advertised over the coming months.
leery
Here's something novel to "look into": STOP PROVOKING LAWSUITS with your illegal actions! In the final analysis, the jurisprudence system will determine who pays what in the Final Order! It is not within the purview of SLohA to make that decision and YOU cannot compel a prevailing party to pay your legal expenses when YOU have been found at fault. Judges often do not award legal fees to either party in a Final Order! Do you plan to spend more SLohA money on trying to find a way around a judge's Final Order? Another new rule?
Good point on the volunteerism; natural age-related attrition had to change the face of things sooner or later. Unfortunately, like golf--once a recreational institution among the retired set--certain recreational activities are of no interest to the youthful elderly generations. Leisure time preferences have changed and it is unlikely that in 5-10 years SLohA will resemble the park that it is today or be willing to support the same activities and infrastructure.
Additionally, there are many who do not believe in the business model of the HOA and have no desire to part of its machinations. If I were on a Committee, it would be one to reform the corporate model of running the business of commonly-owned property.
