Secretary Jean Totten and Director John Fast resigned from the Recreation Centers of Sun City board of directors March 14.

“It is with a heavy heart that I turned in my resignation to the RCSC Board today. I entered into this endeavor with high hopes that I could make a difference. I leave hoping that I did. Thank you for your support!” Totten said in a Facebook post that has since been deleted.

“I liked and trusted them both. This greatly saddens and also worries me. Thank you both for serving on the board,” Emily Litella, a Sun City resident, posted on the Talk of Sun City forum.

Karen Briggs, of Sun City, said serving on the board is a tough job for no pay.

“If you’ve ever served on a board, you would understand. It’s a thankless, mind-numbing, stressful unpaid job,” she said. “I would thank them for serving and would not judge them for retiring. Thanks to both of them for trying. Most people don’t.”

As per RCSC’s Corporate Bylaws, Article IV titled Board of Directors, Section 5, Paragraph (iv): “Vacancies occurring on the board during the year (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31) may be filled by appointment of the board. A majority vote of the board is required for said appointment. An appointment ends on Dec. 31 of the year appointed. An appointed term does not enter in the six-year limit set forth in the Restated Articles of Incorporation.”

Board President Kat Fimmel, Director Karen McAdam and Allan Lenefsky were elected to serve from 2022 to 2024, although Lenefsky resigned last year and Anita Borski was elected in December to fulfill his term. The resignation of Totten and Fast means it appears there will be five board seats up for election at the end of the year.

In the meantime, the seven remaining board members will appoint a resident for each of the open positions to a one-year term. A nominee must receive a majority vote by board members to be appointed, according to the bylaws.

Those interested in seeking board appointment must be at least 55 years of age; must not be related by marriage or birth to any other member of the board, senior management staff, or board candidate; must be a deeded owner of property in Sun City, as well as a resident of Sun City; must be a member in good standing; must reside in Sun City and be available at least 10 months of the year; must meet the requirements to hold an Arizona liquor license; and must be eligible and available to serve a three year term. Three directors are elected each year.

The RCSC board of directors consists of nine volunteer board members. The term for an elected board member is generally three years with a six year term limit.

In the event that more than three vacancies exist, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes after the three three-year terms are filled shall fill the next longest vacant term, the bylaws state.

Board members are to

• hold and administer corporate assets, and direct, control, manage, and supervise the business and financial affairs of the corporation without limitation, except as set forth in the Restated Articles of Incorporation;
• establish, change, and/or delete board policies, cardholders and guest code of conduct, and any rules and regulations of the corporation as deemed necessary and within the authority as outlined in the Restated Articles of Incorporation and the corporate bylaws
• fulfill its fiduciary duty to act in the best interests and for the benefit of the corporation, thus the community as a whole;
• exercise sound business judgment and follow established management practices;
• balance the needs and obligations of the community as a whole with those of individuals;
• establish committees or other methods to obtain input from members;
• conduct open, fair and well-publicized elections;
• encourage input from members on issues; and
• establish and revise, whenever necessary, the corporate bylaws and board policies to maintain accuracy and compliance with state statutes and to best serve the needs of the community.

“I watch everyone complain about how the board is so horrific and dramatic, yet I notice that no one complaining is raising their hands to volunteer,” Briggs said. “No excuses. If you want change, then be the change you want to see and step in and help. If you have served, you have my utmost respect and heartfelt sympathies.”