Whose community is it? by Darcie Gore
In numerous conversations the topic comes up about how to get more people in the community involved in activities. Why don’t we see more homeowners at activities or Board meetings? The assumption is we all bought in Del Webb for similar reasons, to have activities in which to participate. We wanted to enjoy common facilities were we could relax and visit with friends.
Call me naive, but I thought when you moved to a community you became involved and had a certain responsibility to contribute to that community. If you have ideas, you share them with the staff, like having a award winning chef and author and screenwriter visit and tell us about their craft. People who volunteered their time -as a favor to a friend – for the enjoyment of all the neighbors.
If you see a need fill it, like starting two groups on the weekend when the lodge is quiet and there is nothing else happening. A Meet and Greet that welcomes new residents and helps with the transition to a new community - Gosh, wouldn't that also boost Del Webb's homeowner satisfaction when new homeowners feel welcomed? Nope, not approved! According to the Board it was it is too "vague."
Sunday there is group that plays games at 3:00PM. Just drop in, no requirements, dues or attendance commitments. You can bet I will not try and jump through the hoops again to have it a "recognized" group. A Free Weight Loss support group? Darn, we were just getting this one started, why bother?
I formed a dog club so pet owners can get to know one another, share ideas, pet sitting, and promote responsible pet ownership. I created an online photo album of Glenbrooke dogs so if one gets losts it can be returned quickly. We play Pinochle twice a week.
It was hard to get these things posted on the official calendar so I started this new website. Here, everyone can voice their opinions, share, keep informed, ask if anyone wants to join them for an outing or whatever. You don't have to wait for office hours, staff or official approval ( after all that can be three months before the next Board meeting).
But, now I understand why more people don’t want to get involved. Why go through the hassle? We are retired; we all put up with BS and power hungry, egotistical idiots in the workplace and we just don’t have to do it anymore. Neither do I.
I respect (and feel sorry) for Les and Leo who are volunteering to try and help lead our HOA Association only to have their hands tied by Pulte until the residents control the board. How short sighted of Pulte not to see that sales correspond with happy residents.
Does that mean there will no longer be a Saturday Social Goup. No. It is our community and our clubhouse and we can use it. I am simply done with their paperwork BS. This has been going on for over 6 months and two quarterly Board meetings. We don't need a worthless packet of paper for us to sit around and welcome new residents. Where is the COMMON SENSE? Maybe every group does not need a treasurer or a steering committee. For goodness sake, we just play cards (and supply our own cards).
We will also continue to go to the club house on Sundays at 3:00PM to play games or cards or just visit. I am not sure what the dangerous pinochle group will do (they were not approved either) but Iwill join them!
It seems what is needed is an attitude shift. The Board and staff are not our guardians nor do they need to take care of us. According to the Bylaws their job is to SUPPORT US.
The Board is charged with managing the common facilities for OUR USE and BENEFIT - not theirs. The staff have jobs to help US define our lifestyle and activities not the other way around! They seem to have forgotten we are the customer, consumer and yes, even the stock holders.
Oh, one more thing. I strongly suggest every Board member and staff present at the Board Meeting, spend $6.99 for a copy of Robert's Rules of Order- Newly Revised and save the embarrassing confusion exhibited at today's Board Meeting (and possible legal issues).
If you would like to submit a "Speak your Piece" article, email it to NewsofGlenbrooke@gmail.com
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I think yesterday's board meeting just proved that the Board of Directors is not a Board at all - instead it is Pulte's employees who are paid to attend a meeting every three months in which they discuss before the public meeting exactly what is going to happen and then just go through the motions. Granted they do have a public comment period but their ears are closed and I doubt we'll even see the results of the petition that was submitted. Until we have 75% ownership and a majority on the Board of Directors there won't be fair representation on the Homeowner's Board of Directors. Until then it will continue to be Mr. Van Dam's way with 5-0 votes and the residents just have to sit back and pay the bills. $500+ monthly phone bills, too much staff, many other items yet to be discovered if and when we finally get our copies of the budget. Hopefully, the budget will be mailed before Thanksgiving but I'm not sure it won't be Christmas or New Years....but whatever; there won't be a Board meeting until January so what difference does it make - they adopted next year's budget on October 21st without any community input or involvement. We just have to wait for that 75% resident requirement to get a true Homeowner's Association Board of Directors who represent the residents who live in here at Glenbrooke.
I'm still laughing about the Meet & Greet or Social application being denied.....too "vague". You used the wrong title, should have called it "HAPPY HOUR". I'll bet that wouldn't have been "vague". That's probably why they were in such a bad mood, meeting lasted until 4 PM and they were going to miss their's.
Forget that application..who needs it? Don't need permission to Meet & Greet or socialize, play cards, spinner, talk trash and stuff ourselves with snacks, sweets, water, juice, wine or whatever your choice happens to be. Bring it...we'll eat it!
I wish I could comment on the Board meetings, but I work. I've been living here for over four years and have attended one and it was a mess with nothing really being accomplished. Why they are not held in the evening is anyone's guess, though I'm pretty sure the Pulte people don't want to work late. I agree we are overstaffed and that the staff forgets that they work for us.
I would love to get into the minds of our HOA representatives, though on second thought, maybe not, and find out why the minute a trash can is left out a notice and threat of a fine goes out, but Abby Way North is littered with cars parked all over the street and has been for years along with several families having multi-generations living with them, and yet these clear violations have never been addressed. Again, the reason they are overlooked is simple - too much work to get it cleared up but walking the community tagging a trash can not in the proper place makes the HOA people look like they are doing their job.
Glenbrooke is a great place to live and I am very happy I made the choice to move here, but I do expect more from the HOA than spying on trash cans and telling people to paint their satelite dish wires.
LOL, sorry! You forgot.......keep your tomato plants 36" tall.
Waaaait.............do I hear another book in the making "Mystery on South Abbey?"
WHOOPS....never been good with directions " Mystery on NORTH Abbey"