VOCA is holding an emergency(what could be such an emergency?) to consider a sewer easement along our multimillion dollar, prime,179 facing parcel so a sewer line can be placed into the Fairway Oaks Subdivision.

January 13: Tuesday SPECIAL VOCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AT 3:00 PM -VOCA Community Center- Banquet Room, 690 Bell Rock Blvd. Request by Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District for Sewer Line Easement on Oakcreek Country Club Golf Course.

In keeping with this boards covert pattern of behavior, the important detail of placing the sewer line into FAIRWAY OAKS subdivision has been left out of the above announcement from The Villager.

FAIRWAY OAKS subdivision has not approved this. There are major consequences should the line enter the subdivision. Last year the Big Park Wastewater Improvement District placed a MANDATORY CONNECT in their ordinance for anyone that is placed in a special improvement district.
We are looking average 20,000 a home x 250 homes = $5,000,000.00

Big Park Wastewater District has just completed a $5,000,000.00 expansion.

Be aware that VOCA has held workshop meetings in the past and there are other targeted subdivisions.

Bell Rock Vistas
Bell Rock Vistas Unit Two
Bell Rock Vistas Unit Three
Fairway Oaks
Sundance

Please plan to attend.

There are better ways to grow a business. Don’t pick up bad habits from VOCA, Big Park Wastewater……….

With 2014 behind us, it is now an appropriate time to reflect back on what VOCA and Oakcreek Country Club accomplished over this past year. It was a busy time for us, and it was truly a team effort that resulted in this year’s achievements. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our employees, committee members, and board. Also significant is the support we received from the Oakcreek Country Club and VOCA members whose corroboration was invaluable in our ability to make changes to our business. Listed below are some of the highlights:

• In late 2013, we outsourced HR and payroll services to a Professional Employer Organization called Oasis. The transition continued into 2014 and went smoothly. We now have improved HR and payroll practices. With the support of Oasis, we also have an Employee Handbook that is legally compliant and updated with our current employee practices.

(Oasis had a 9% cost increase over the previous year and VOCA justified this by saying some companies in the US had 20% increase.)

• In early January, our GM (Tony Rizzo) left VOCA to pursue other opportunities. Since then, the board took a critical look at the operation and the competencies needed to run an HOA of our size, and after much due diligence, hired HOAMCO, an homeowners association management company, to help run the HOA side of our business. This will bring more expertise and efficiency to VOCA, and we look forward to having HOAMCO officially start the engagement effective January 1, 2015.

(Rizzo escaped is more like it. Hoamco is also doing accounting for the Golf side to the tune of $45,000 to $60,000 and we keep leaving that out of the story just like the $417,000 we are spending for new leased golf equipment. They took out a $121,000 loan for new golf carts rather than borrow it from the association reserves. Due diligence was done by 6 board members at secret meetings in private homes without any input from association members. AZ State Statutes were broken for open meetings and now they are rewriting open meeting policies.)

• In February, we entered into a modified agreement with our restaurant operator. The objective of this agreement was to preserve capital by minimizing cash outflow. Since then, our restaurant operators have met all of their financial obligations on a timely basis. Their business continues to build as they book weddings, host special events with hotels and community members, and partner with us on golf events and tournaments. We will continue this collaboration in 2015.

(In August, the present board honored the past boards alleged promise to waive a years rent, made an agreement in August, changed the budget in September, held a fake member forum for input in November having already decided in August and waited until February to vote on it at a board meeting with no open conversation between the board members.)

• The VOCA office was busily occupied with a variety of initiatives over the past year. We had our first shredding day this spring, and as we disposed of our no longer needed files, we extended the service to our VOCA members. Many residents brought boxes of files to shred. We also held a yard sale to get rid of VOCA items that had long been in storage, and invited the VOCA community to hold their own yard sales on the same day through joint advertising. VOCA was able to dispose of items stored both at VOCA and in a rented storage unit. Now we have more room at our community center, and also saved on the monthly cost of offsite storage.

(They disposed of their no longer needed files, this sounds frightening given the decision makers.)

• In our VOCA-owned Kiwanis Park, there were much needed renovations required both on the tennis courts and the playground areas. With much of the funding coming from the tennis members, the courts were recently resurfaced, and windscreens placed around the perimeter. Although weather precluded us from starting the work on our playground, we were able to secure outside funding to help us to replace the area with a rubberized surface. Stay tuned for more information on this project, as well as the generous donors who helped make this project possible.

(Tennis court replacement was included in the last 5-year plan that the current board ignored. The resurfacing was expensive and won’t last long.)

• Last but not least, we are extremely excited to announce a very profitable year for Oakcreek Country Club. We increased membership, as well as outside play through initiatives that helped with pace of play, and enhanced customer experience. We worked on marketing strategies that ensured better return on investment. We put in place competitive and equitable pricing structure that brought in more members as well as outside guests. All the while, we had a course that was in excellent condition.

(Golf side has not contributed to the golf reserve fund for three years. And the funding is still behind for 2014. The so-called profit is actually a result of allowing some memberships to be paid whenever a member joins rather than during the calendar year. The 2015 budget predicts $100,000 income over 2014 and expensed increased $122,000. The superintendent is happy because the board “let’s us do whatever we want.” The golf side is required by the bylaws to contribute financially to the HOA any “unrestricted cash balance. There is never any cash balance contributed.)

All these efforts and more, led to some significant accomplishments including a solid financial year for VOCA and the Oakcreek Country Club. Importantly as a board, we believe that we carried out our duties during 2014 with fiscal responsibility and in compliance with all applicable statutes, and we will continue in 2015 to exercise the same diligence in working towards initiatives that represent the best interests of the overall community.

(Take notice of the word “believe”. Many members “believe” evidence exists that the board has in fact violated state statues and bylaws. Beware of the Architectural and Restrictions committee. They have the most power. How will they wield that power under Hoamco?)

Upon reflection, I’m reminded of what teams as well as communities can accomplish when working towards the same objectives. As president of VOCA, I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who helped and supported us in 2014, and look forward to working together in 2015 for an equally productive year.

(There is no “I” in team.)

(Excerpts from The Villager written by the board president and acting general manager-same person)

It is almost the end of the year, and I don’t know where the time has gone.

(and you won’t because your secret meetings were not documented so members have no idea either if you don’t!)

I find it hard to believe that the holidays will be coming soon.

This time of year will be busy for VOCA. There will be trees to decorate, employee luncheons to plan, and several activities that will be hosted by VOCA
(What the activities will be is anyone’s guess, no notices have been sent out for activities hosted by VOCA for association members, just golfers at this time. In fact, the board is toying with the idea of eliminating the activities committee for the association members next year.)

Outside groups and individuals will also be using our clubhouse for their holiday celebrations. (We will see that story reflected in the budget report, can’t wait)

Some other activities we have planned are as follows:

Wednesday, December 3rd: Golf Forum for our Oakcreek Country Club (OCC) members.
(Association members were not informed nor invited, you do own the golf course and should be watching what is happening very carefully. They are spending 400,000 on the leasing of new equipment, yet it is not a capital expense……plus more)

Among the agenda items: Introduction to Club Corp — a new member benefit, a review of 2014 activities and financials, update on the Golf Master Plan, followed by Q&A. (Are we documenting the different groups being given steep discounts and using our golf course to advertise on their websites? So far, no we have not)

Last but certainly not least: As VOCA prepares for the holidays, we also have a very important transition to make. As most (some) of the VOCA members are aware, we have spent the last couple of months engaged in conversations with both the VOCA community and with HOAMCO, an HOA Management Company, to pursue the possibility of having HOAMCO help VOCA in managing the Homeowners Association side of our business.

(Blatant omission, Hoamco is also managing the golf accounting at the tune of 60,000 plus just for golf!!! Any accountants willing to do that for less give us a call. Funny how they always leave out parts of the story)
(They met is secret for months behind closed doors, in private homes, breaking AZ State Statutes for open meeting laws with no knowledge of the association members who did not ASK for this Hoamco option, the board force fed it on the unsuspecting members who think their fees are not going to go up.)

We had several community meetings, including a Special Member meeting on October 29th. This meeting, convened as a result of a petition from concerned VOCA members, provided us with additional validation of community support. (They informed the membership about the meeting with a pro Hoamco letter written by the board with the boards’ desires. The recommended a yes vote and then proceeded to hold the meeting they had no right to control.)

Of the lot owners that responded to the petition and ballot, 456 indicated their support for the board’s recommendation, and 269 were opposed. Given this affirmation, the board negotiated and executed an agreement with HOAMCO in mid-November. (Lie. The board had been working on the contract before members were informed of anything, done deal)

Although our official contract begins on January 1, 2015, the HOAMCO team will be on-site working with our VOCA staff during the month of December. They will work on SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) that will guide our relationship in accordance with our governing documents. (Right now we are double paying staff positions. We were told at a meeting that Hoamco could take over accounting in one day. It will be about 60 days instead)

We are confident that this collaboration will lead to greater efficiency, discipline, and compliance. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the discussions, gave us feedback, challenged our assumptions, and helped us in making an informed decision. Whether VOCA members agree or disagree with the final outcome, I believe we all benefited from the participation of our active community during this process.
(We learned that things can, in fact, get worse. We would like to thank you for not running for the board again)

Happy holidays to everyone! The staff and board of VOCA hope you have an enjoyable season, celebrating with friends and family.

We(Try you at voca) at VOCA have been going through quite a lively series of discussions and debates as of late, centering on a possible solution to hire a professional company to help us with the management and administration of our homeowners association.

As with any change, there have been lots of questions asked and concerns presented. Understanding that this is a different direction than just hiring a general manager, the board has attempted its best to inform and educate the community.

We have heard from many members who have embraced the idea, as well as those opposed. This is expected of any initiative that embarks on a path that departs from traditional models.

What I also expected out of the VOCA membership was rational, reasonable, and respectful behavior, where both sides of the argument would be presented in good faith, with appropriate dialogue and responses thereby following. The majority of VOCA members did just that, and the overwhelming support and feedback has been much appreciated.

We also had first hand experience with a small number of members who for right or wrong, in an effort to derail the recommendation from the board resulted to tactics that I found unbefitting of our community. No doubt, the email cited below, came from a person who was somehow sparked to action by this group. Parts of the email read as follows:

“Ms. Hanna …….. You were elected as president of VOCA and I understand also filling in as temporary general manager. The first diatribe you posted in the Villager (that I read) focused on nothing but golf. I understand that you may have a great interest in playing golf, most of us could care less!!!!!!! . . . Your next contribution was, it appeared, a download from a manual. A waste of paper and ink. Still nothing of any comprehensible contribution by you to showing any understanding of our community and its needs. . . It is beyond my understanding how you managed to have the position that you do!!!! , Or even less on how you plan on being a worthwhile contributor???? And now your suggestion is that we hire someone to run our HOA. I was unable to attend the meeting about that. But I hope there were some intelligent people there to disagree with your ludicrous plan. If you cannot do your job correctly I suggest you depart. The sooner the better.”

I sent a short response asking her to volunteer and help us with the work we do on the board or on committees, and directed her efforts towards more productive community conversations, to which came a second equally disrespectful response:

“. . . Perhaps you should volunteer for openings that you are qualified for. . . Perhaps your ego is the reason for your need to volunteer, but as of yet nothing else presents itself to the contrary. . . If I felt the need to present myself to a position as yours, I would actually bring something to the table. At present my business and life have other demands that keep me from it. . . It would have been more appropriate had you thought about that before you wanted another notch on your list of ” oh look what else is on my list of, gee I can brag about this during cocktail parties. “You can’t possibly tell yourself you are proud of “PHONING IT IN”. . . You picked it now show us something!!!!!!”

As I read her criticism of both my literary proficiency and my board performance, I started to reflect on the meaning of community. I believe it should be a place of fellowship with others, which results from sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

This doesn’t mean we all agree with one another all the time, but differing opinions aside, people show respect for one another, remain civil, and refrain from personal attacks.

The person who sent the email, has not met me, read only two of my articles, admitted that she has not come to any HOA meetings, and says other demands keep her from bringing “something to the table?” Yet she seems qualified to “diatribe” about a person and an initiative she knows nothing about.

I ask: Why would intelligent people who might very well be pleasant at a “cocktail party” or during a round of golf, behave in ways that don’t appear to represent the best interest of the community?

As board members, we also own property here, and are part of this very neighborhood that we are trying to serve. What could possibly lead people to believe that we would want to intentionally harm the community to which we also have a vested interest?

My vision for VOCA is that we are able to take this good community and make it better: To have it be a place where neighbors look out for one another, and resolve their differences, be it trees hanging over the property line, or weeds overgrown, without filing a complaint with our compliance officer.

It’s a place where more people want to get involved with the activities committee so that we can host more shredding days, yard sales, and parties for Labor Day, Halloween, and New Year’s Eve.

It would be nice if each subdivision had a neighborhood watch, and people looked out for one another so that if a neighbor doesn’t have email, someone knocks on his/her door, and offers to bring him/her to one of our board meetings.

It should be a neighborhood where dogs stay on leashes, and EVERY dog and walker stays off the golf course when play is in session.

Ideally, it’s where a greater purpose far outweighs the agenda of a few, where people create a history guided not by how long we live, but by how sustainably we leave it for others to enjoy.

As sociologist Amitai Etzioni once said, “when the term ‘community’ is used, the notion that typically comes to mind is a place in which people know and care for one another — the kind of place in which people do not merely ask ‘How are you?’ as a formality, but care about the answer.”

Practice what you preach.

“What could lead people to believe the board wants to harm the community?” How about the intentional violation of bylaws and Arizona state statues? The board has admitted to meeting apart from the membership to “formulate a recommendation” to hire Hoamco. Those closed meetings were against the law, which puts the association at risk for a lawsuit.

“The agenda of a few” is more harm. The few board members who refuse to include the membership in decision making are the ones with the “agenda of a few.”

“The board has attempted its best to inform and educate the community.” Really? Not by publishing impartial and factual information in The Villager, a newspaper that costs VOCA over $13,000 to mail to members. Where are the articles about switching from VOCA employees to Hoamco employees? The board began discussions leading to the change over 6 months ago. Instead The Villager pages are wasted with articles about San Jose and insulting commentary about VOCA members.

Or was the recent ballot the educational material? One sided and biased. Where was the opposing view? Not allowed. Discredited.

Discrediting those who present any opposition seems to be the culture of the VOCA board. Claims that the opposition is uninformed, uncivil and attacking are not true and are just plain bullying behavior. A board member was uncivil one when she attempted to pull a microphone away from a VOCA member at a board meeting.

How many honest board members need to resign and how many good employees need to quit before the VOCA membership unites to put a stop to the insulting and destructive behavior by the board?

On October 9, 2014, there was a special meeting of the VOCA board of directors. At that meeting, the board was presented with a petition signed by 150 association members. The petition demanded that the board allow VOCA members to vote about the decision to change the management from VOCA employees to HOAMCO employees.

Putting the petition aside and in spite of much opposition, “the board voted to move forward and formalize an agreement with HOAMCO.”

On October 10, 2014, one board member resigned stating the petition issue and other ethical differences as some reasons she resigned.

After the meeting on October 9, the board admitted they were required to respond to the petition. As a response, the board mailed a letter and ballot to the membership. The letter states, “…this vote of the membership is an advisory vote only and the result is not binding on the board.” The ballot states, “Your Board recommends a yes vote.”

No opposing opinions were included with the ballot and letter.

The ballots are due by 10 am on October 29, 2014. The special meeting that the board is required to hold is set for 3:30 pm on October 29. Members can’t even hear opposing opinions by attending the meeting. The ballots are due prior to the meeting. Again, no opposing opinions were included with the letter and ballot.

Judge for yourself if this is manipulation.