by Jan Ek
Financial Report:
We have ended October well within our operating and capital budgets year-to-date. All divisions have met their budget goals year-to-date, excluding the golf division. The golf division experienced a significant negative variance from budget in the first quarter of 2013 due to cold and wet weather. They have managed to get that negative variance from $136,703 at the end of March to only $38,988 at the end of October. Considering that much of this gain was captured in what is considered as primarily golf’s off-season, kudos to Director of Golf Brian Duthu and his team for making a difference!
Bowling Centers:
The Arizona State Senior Open Championship tournament will be held for two weekends beginning Thanksgiving weekend. The Arizona State Senior Tournament has participants from almost every city in Arizona. The bowling staff always enjoys hosting the Tournament; they feel it gives them a chance to show off the RCSC bowling facilities.
Lakeview Lanes will be hosting the annual New Year’s Eve party again this year. The party is sponsored and organized by the Sun City Bowling Association.
Bell Lanes has 802 bowlers for the current season compared to 799 bowlers last season. Lakeview Lanes has 1,055 bowlers for the current season compared to 951 bowlers last season. Overall, that’s an increase of 107 bowlers which is a $23,000 increase in bowling revenue for the current season.
Cardholder Services:
The payments on past due assessments were down in October with the recent trend of payments at or above the monthly averages for the past year being broken. September billings went past due at a rate of 7.1%, which is at the monthly average rate. August balances went over 60 days past due at a monthly rate of 4.3%, which is just under the average. Outstanding balances related to property transfers increased by almost 9% in October and represent 55% of all receivables due and 53% of past due balances. Without this increase in transfer related invoices, total accounts receivable would have been about a 1% decrease.
Trustee sale notices on Sun City properties reduced again to 39 for the end of October. The number of properties owned by lending institutions reduced down by 10% to 72 this month.
The Preservation and Improvement Fees collected in October were $435,000. Year-to-date PIF fees are $5,776,040, which is $2,446,050 over budget and $43,965 more than last year. Remember that the PIF budget is done extremely conservatively to assure that money is available when PIF projects are budgeted.
Web Portal:
To date just over 1,600 Cardholders have signed up for web portal access. We have held three web portal training sessions for Cardholders. These were well attended and Cardholders gave positive feedback on the topics covered. We have added one more session before the end of this year’s Board Election, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3rd at 1:30PM at Fairway Center’s Arizona Room 1.
In order for RCSC Members to vote on-line in this year’s upcoming Board election, each Member must initiate their RCSC Web Portal account. Your first step is to confirm with Cardholder Services at the Lakeview Recreation Center via email at webportal@sunaz.com that you have the correct email address for each individual Member. Your RCSC Cardholder record will be updated and you will be emailed an initial password to access your account online. Then go to our website www.sunaz.com at the top of the page and click on “Web Portal – New!” This page contains information and a link to the web portal, as well as a complete and detailed user’s guide for using the web portal.
To help you with the process please pick up the “Getting Started on the RCSC Web Portal” flyers available for you at any of the RCSC facilities. On-line voting is available now.
Human Resources:
Recently, a disgruntled former employee filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against RCSC. Upon receipt of the complaint, we conducted a thorough investigation of the charges. Finding no evidence of discrimination, we responded to the complaint. In early November, we received a determination notice from the EEOC that the file was being closed because they were unable to conclude that there were any violations of statutes by RCSC.
The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) enhanced the E-Verify program to combat identity fraud by identifying and determining fraudulent use of social security numbers for employment eligibility verification. The new safeguard enables USCIS to lock a SSN that appears to have been misused, protecting it from further potential misuse in E-Verify. If an employee attempts to use a locked SSN, E-Verify generates a “Tentative Non-confirmation” document notifying the employee and the employer allowing time for the employee to resolve the issue. If it is resolved, a notice of “Employment Authorized” status will appear in E-Verify.
RCSC participated in an E-Verify system survey regarding the ease of use of the system and the value of the enhancements. The HR department uses the system to verify every employee’s authorization and right to work in the U.S. The system is efficient saving much time. HR personnel are responsible for completing tutorials and testing on an ongoing basis in order to continue to use the program.
Member Services:
The Clubs Office will be meeting with representatives of a group of residents interested in starting a Kayak Club at Viewpoint Lake.
The Arts & Crafts Fair is scheduled for Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, November 29th & 30th, at Sundial.
The Farmer’s Market will take a break following the December 19 market and will resume on Thursday, January 9, 2014.
The Tribute to the Veterans show was received quite well by the 800 to 1,000 in attendance. However, when the sun came out from behind the clouds, the afternoon became uncomfortably warm. Next year we will look at doing the Tribute in the evening.
The Sun City Idol finale’ was a big success! NBC’s Today Show was in the house filming the Sun City Poms for a segment to air in early December. A German filmmaker recorded footage of the Tip Top Dancers, among others, for a documentary that will be submitted to the Sundance Film Festival next year. Adrienne Christie was the first place winner. When Adrienne came to audition, she stated that singing for an audience was on her “Bucket List” and that she had never sung in public before. With her son and granddaughter in the audience, Adrienne sang in the finals and they had never heard her sing before. She mesmerized the audience with her beautiful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream.” After she won the competition, the audience stood up and sang “Happy Birthday” to her. That night, November 13, was her 72nd birthday. I understand that since her performance she has been asked to sing for the Piano Club’s holiday party.
Detour Company Theatre presentation of Seussical Jr. was a very authentic theatre experience. Detour Company Theatre consists of a group of adults with developmental and other special needs (deafness, blindness, CP, autism). The performers wowed the audience with their excitement and enthusiasm. The show received a standing ovation and the positive comments made by attendees were heartfelt and overwhelming, definitely a moving performance.
Mark your calendars for two very important dates in December:
Tuesday, December 10th – Christmas Spectacular Concert – Sundial Auditorium 7pm, free to RCSC Cardholders and their invited guests and complete with hot cocoa and hot apple cider.
Friday, December 13th – 5th Annual Sun City Holiday Celebration – Lakeview Center 3:30pm which will include a performance by the Aqua Suns Club, our famous Duck Race, Pie Walk, Hole-in-One Mini Golf Contest, a Money Tree, and the Boat Parade. Get your Duck Bucks now and remember that all proceeds benefit the Sun City Community Assistance Network this year. SC CAN provides assistance to disabled persons and low income seniors in meeting their basic needs and maintaining an independent life style and was chosen by RCSC’s Management Team as their benefactor of its 2013 fund raising efforts.