We’ve awakened a giant!

He fell asleep about 15 sleeping years ago. His life in Sun City was just perfect. He had moved here when he retired after reading a plethora of articles regarding this unique unincorporated community. He told all his friends and family about this jewel in the desert and they told their friends and family.

He enjoyed golfing in the morning on the meticulous greens; and he could visit a different course every day! After golfing, he’d enjoy lunch at home with his wife before she left to play afternoon bridge with her friends. He joined his buddies at the woodworking shop to continue his surprise Christmas gift for his wife. They would meet up in late afternoon for a swim in the pool at Lakeview before their stroll around the gazebo at Viewpoint Lake. 

The life they enjoyed was just as promised. They settled into their new digs and exclaimed how fortunate they were.

As the years went by, they stopped going to the Recreation Centers of Sun City board meetings, as did many of their friends. Why should they waste their time when no one ever listened to them and everything around them appeared to be running like clockwork? They had better things to do!

But one day, their bubble burst! They discovered that everything was not perfect here in Sun City as they thought. Some thought it was just rumors that were spreading, but as time went by, they discovered it wasn’t rumors or gossip; it was the truth. Over the years, they — the members — who pay their annual assessment fee ($496 presently) that covers operating costs, etc., had absolutely no say in the running of their community. Over the years while they were not paying attention, the board of directors changed the bylaws, articles of incorporation and board policies so that their hands were tied, and their wishes fell on deaf ears. Why, they couldn’t even be heard at their annual membership meeting. They finally reached the quorum necessary to conduct business (had not been done since 2009) at that meeting only to be told by the current president that there would be no voting done that day. It was then they realized that perhaps it was time to look backward in order to move forward.

What did the first residents of Sun City have that they didn’t? What did those first residents of Sun City do that they didn’t do? How could they return to those times?

They realized that the sense of community had weakened, whether due to growth experienced or generational gaps. They realized by not looking out for each other, by not communicating with each other, by saying “I’m retired; I’m not going to be involved or volunteer,” the sense of community had all but disappeared, and they realized that they wanted to get it back. They knew it started with baby steps. They knew they had to spread awareness to the community. They hoped to bring back the ideals of old — volunteering, community, educating, welcoming, camaraderie, self-governance. “Those living here came to understand the real value of the community was contained in its process of self-governance. With that, the concept of ownership emerged and there was never a question whether Sun City would be successful.” (Wake Up and Live, Calvin Trillin, The New Yorker, March 27,1964)

This awareness couldn’t have come at a better time. New board members were elected for 2022, and the start of a new year was right around the corner. Members were awakening in every phase of Sun City. Members were looking for ways to become more involved.

That brings us to the Sun City Advocacy Group. What started out as a determined, witty, silver-haired member’s plea to join together to cry foul at the “firing” of a favorite board member in June, progressed to a small group of 13 who knew that they had to make a difference. This movement turned into a Facebook group called Supporters of Karen McAdam.

Now it’s time, not to retire the group, but to change the name to Sun City Advocacy Group. We are hoping with the passing of the guard, we won’t have to fight tooth and nail to be heard. We have no fancy website to reach you; all we have is an email list. We’re not asking you to make speeches or give money. We’re looking for a way to communicate with all members/homeowners in Sun City.

The list is growing. The annual membership meeting outcome and lack of video spurred many to join. Our list numbers very close to 300.

If you are interested in becoming more aware, please consider joining.

Jean Totten

Sun City