Friday, February 13th is the last day for filing a candadicy in the 2015 Sun City Anthem Board of Directors Election.   
It is with this final date in mind, that this article is dedicated.
Looking at a 
Senior Homeowners Association...It's 
Membership...and a Need for 
in its Leadership
Being a member of the Sun City Anthem 
community for almost 10 years, I've come to the conclusion that "crusading" is normally a complete waste of one's 
time.
Why?
Fighting "the 
system" only results in criticism and dislike amongst many residents 
despite honest attempts of some to bring change that common sense 
demands.
And nothing demonstrates that more than 
selfish decisions of leaders believing they are unaccountable to those they 
swore to honestly represent.
The saying, "you 
can't fight city hall", is ever so apparent when one looks at the 
continual election of individuals who, for some strange reason, need "power" at this late stage of their 
lives...
...making choices...that simply HURT PEOPLE, as well as the financial integrity of our 
community.
Someone once said 
to me:
"There are three 
types of individuals who reside in a senior homeowners 
association:
1. Those who 
have been successful in life and wish to enjoy its last years in peace without 
community involvement.
2. Those who 
have been successful in life, yet feel they still have "something 
left"....making attempts to "give back" in order to make life an enjoyable 
experience for others.
3. Those who 
have accomplished little in their past lives, yet feel a last ditch effort to 
"be someone" in their own eyes and those of 
others...the followers who now for some insecure reason....believe..."they're 
time has come" for power and control."
....and....sadly in an overwhelming 
number of cases....those in category #3...are normally elected to a Board of 
Directors.
I've often thought about that over the 
years as I've witnessed those words in action....and...unfortunately...they are, 
for the most part, TRUE.
So many GOOD 
people volunteer for various committees with the best of intentions, yet once a 
part of them....CHANGE...or...feel peer pressure...TO 
CHANGE.
Individualism and 
creative thinking become "stifled" as they 
realize their hope of a positive experience has turned into a nightmare of 
frustration....
...as pettiness and "politicking" 
become the norm,  knowing that acceptance among "the 
leaders" also means, agreeing with 
them...
...or...face 
being looked at as a "thorn in the side" with the ultimate result in 
being ostracized by the remaining "team players" who 
accomplish little, other than DO WHAT THEY ARE 
TOLD...
...a sure-fire result of which 
is...STAGNATION.
And what is the reward for always 
defending and being a part of that "system"?
A small group of people congregating in 
a "smoke filled room" deciding who the future BOARD MEMBERS should be...and how 
they plan to keep their "control" in tact by choosing 
only those who have been loyal at "playing the game".
To this, add a 
publication run by an individual whose background is less then honorable 
and who fits category #3 previously described....a 
person who is every bit "in the pocket" of those same 
individuals.
And that....
...pretty much describes the evolution 
of leadership in Sun City Anthem.
Is all of this a fantasy on my 
part?
That is for you to decide...but...when 
you see few, if any individuals, running for positions on our board, with the 
exception of a small group...normally all campaigning together....and...being 
endorsed by one particular publication that boasts a 100% winning 
record...
....that same publication that avoids 
telling the FULL STORY....
...that same publication that has 
SUPPORTED every decision made by those endorsed... 
...despite the 
ADVERSE affect many of those decisions have had on our community....
To continue that path...that mediocre 
past....can have only one result...
MEDIOCRITY
It is time we realize 
that we an aging association that is now 16 years old...that the time has come 
to "pass the baton" to a new and younger 
generation....a generation that must realize that excellent leadership is not 
merely desired, but IMPERATIVE in order to continue your Sun City Anthem 
retirement existence. 
Will any of this change 
?
Not as long as 
those in Category #3 are allowed to prevail.
Could you be a 
Category #2 individual or a Category #1 individual who feels a need to "right..wrongs"?
If so, there is a growing army of many 
residents who want to know who you are....and...if you 
have....
"The Right 
Stuff"
..to lead our community in an 
HONEST and UNSELFISH manner...
... looking at it through the eyes of 
proper experience,  integrity, and individualism....
...sharing your reasoning for 
decisions through fluid communication with your 
constituents...
... in order that they too feel a part 
of an "honest system" to which they would give their time and effort in 
volunteering for various positions....knowing their input would be welcomed 
rather than rebuked.
We hope you will step forward and 
consider running for our Board of Directors...dedicating yourself to 
reestablishing the true meaning of the word ...
"community"
Dick 
Arendt
Anthem 
Opinions
 

 
No comments:
Post a Comment