Their meetings schedule may not change just yet, but the Recreation Centers of Sun City West Board of Directors set some ambitious goals for the association in 2107.

The board adopted a raft of goals for the organization at its Dec. 15 regular meeting. Following approval of minor amendments to clarify deadlines for individual goals, the board approved a plan, which will guide the priorities of RCSCW staff in the coming year.

Among the goals approved were four key provisions, each with a specific deadline attached.

By May 31, staff will develop a plan to gather information from members, which will then be used to craft recommendations for the board to act upon. This information may be gathered though pubic forums, surveys and other sources.

Board member Ed Van Cott questioned the time provided – which was subsequently amended from an original Jan. 1 deadline – and whether staff would be able to come up with a plan to implement the goals in time.

“I think we can do this,” said Mike Whiting, RCSCW general manager, of the new deadline.

By Aug. 31, staff will conduct an annual goal-setting meeting for the board. This will include training from an outside consultant versed in the Carver model. The Carver model refers to the Carver Policy Governance Model, a widely regarded system developed by John and Miriam Carver to guide nonprofit governing boards. Visit www.policygovernance.com.

The August goal will also include efforts to assess the needs of members. An attendee at the public event questioned the board, asking how they will differentiate need from want.

“Here is an example,” said board member Tim Hurley. “A kid wants a new bicycle, but he needs new shoes.”

The comment was met by chuckles from the audience of nearly two dozen.

To meet another goal due by June, staff will develop a plan to educate the community about diminishing water resources.

Finally, by the current board’s final meeting on June 22, staff will develop at least five opportunities for civic engagement directly related to recreation, as stated in the amended resolution. These efforts could include, among other things, surveys, forums, blogs, meet and greets, and presentations delivered at chartered club quarterly meetings.

The board approved the four goals on a vote of 8-0. The nine-member panel is operating with only eight following the resignation of Ernie Prindle, which the board learned about by email Dec. 14.

The board will vote on how to address Mr. Prindle’s exit from the body at its next regular meeting, 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 at the R.H. Johnson Recreation Center lecture hall, 19803 R.H. Johnson Blvd., said board president Wanda Schnabel.

Schedule unchanged

Following discussions at meetings and in committees over the past few months, the board chose to table the issue of changing its general manager operations meeting schedule.

As reported (“RCSCW board to consider meeting changes,” Sun City West Independent, Dec. 14, 2016), the board had planned to decide on converting one of two Monday meetings devoted to operations into a strategic planning meeting and to move that meeting from the lecture hall to the board conference room.

By the Dec. 15 meeting, the plan to be considered had morphed to eliminate the Friday workshop meetings altogether and move their business to the Monday meetings. A few board members opposed the motion – some because of details of its wording, and some on basic principle.

“If I say this one more time, I’m going to throw up,” joked board member Jim Young, who has consistently opposed reducing the number of meetings. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Mr. Young said he is concerned changes to the meetings schedule and, possibly, changing the venue of some meetings, will have the effect of confusing potential attendees and limiting their involvement.

The board tabled the motion and may take up the issue again in January.