Nowakowski: Member participation welcomed, encouraged in Sun City

The shortest days of winter are behind us now as the 2023 Recreation Centers of Sun City Board of Directors assumes its duties, chief among being “to do anything and everything lawfully necessary in the interest of the Members of the Corporation.”

In this spirit, as days lengthen and activities and events fill our busy schedules, we welcome suggestions, assistance and participation from our fellow residents and pledge to keep service to our membership our guiding mission. 

After a historic turnout in the recent board election, we are pleased to welcome newly elected board members Jean Totten, secretary, and John Fast, treasurer, to our midst, while welcoming back re-elected director Steve Collins, vice president. Former director Sue Wilson resigned from the board effective, Dec. 31, 2022, leading to an unexpected first-order of business for the new board to appoint a replacement. In accordance with RCSC bylaws, the vacancy thus created will be filled by a person who receives a majority vote of the board. Our intention is to install at the next board business meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26 in the auditorium at Sundial Center, 14801 N. 103rd Ave. — a ninth board member, whose appointment will end at the conclusion of this year.

Sun City’s unique history involved twists and turns as success and failure vied with each other in testing the proposition that a community could successfully govern itself. The process of self-governance can be messy, and we recognize that some decisions we’ll be called to make will not enjoy unanimous approval.

As we evaluate the challenges and opportunities facing our community — past, present and future — we want you to know what we, a diverse group of individuals with diverse opinions, are thinking. The best decisions are often distilled from the crucible of robust debate. You deserve to both witness and shape the decision-making process, which we trust will lead to a healthy community, enjoying the present and facing the future with eagerness and anticipation.

Please continue to bring your ideas to the exchange meetings conducted the second Monday of each month and let us know if you’ve got suggestions for improvement. While we hope to move projects forward with dispatch, we also recognize the need for careful deliberation, data gathering and vision casting. You can help us by filling out the member survey that was sent out by email starting Jan. 16, or if preferable by paper copy available at the Corporate Offices at Lakeview Center, 10626 W. Thunderbird Blvd., or the Sun City Visitors Center, 16824 N. 99th Ave.

Here’s hoping that 2023 will be a banner year for Sun City! Let’s rally together and get started now.

Editor’s Note: The Independent welcomes all points of view. Email your opinions, pro or con, to AzOpinions@iniusa.org.