by Jan Ek
The new uniform shirts were rolled out in August for all employees and an overwhelming majority of reports from cardholders is that they have been a success! Cardholders have reported that they are fun, bright and cheery and have made it much easier for them to identify and find RCSC employees and seek assistance. Did you know that most RCSC employees already wore uniforms? Our goal in searching for a uniform was that it needed to be a colorful unisex, camp shirt style with at least 50% cotton for comfort and some polyester for easy care with a very reasonable cost. Additionally, they needed to be able to handle our orders in a timely manner. These requirements produced very limited options and while I get teased, as I am sure other employees do as well, about when we are going to Hawaii, the fact is that we have lots of palm trees in Sun City and when the cactus are in bloom the flowers are gorgeous and if you have not been out on a boat on Viewpoint Lake, you need to visit the Lakeview Recreation Center and go for a boat ride. My personal experience with wearing the new RCSC uniform is that I have never been treated so well here! Cardholders are happy to see me; they smile and greet me back and know that I am happy to help them. The opportunity to interact and assist cardholders has increased substantially as the result of wearing the uniform, a win- win state of affairs in my book.
Financial Report:
We have ended August 31, 2013 well within our operating and capital budget year-to-date. We have $1.3M not spent year-to-date in repairs and maintenance projects which will be carried forward into 2014 if they are not completed by year end, which has become normal practice for RCSC to ensure that sufficient funds are available through the end of the year. All divisions remain within their net operating budget excluding the golf division whose negative variance occurred in the first quarter of this year due to weather conditions.
Bowling Centers:
Recently the bowling department renewed the premium membership for LeagueSecretary.com. This website is where all league standings are posted for both bowling centers. The premium membership allows all RCSC bowlers to view various graphs and detailed scoring information about themselves, their league or any other RCSC leagues. Bowlers are able to view statistical information which could drastically improve their game.
The bowling department has upgraded the software for processing bowling league scores and statistics. The bowling department processes 41 leagues each week, which includes uploading data to the web, inputting weekly scores, printing recap sheets, printing standing sheets and processing USBC award scores. The league record service is provided to all RCSC leagues at no extra charge.
The Sun City Bowling Association has announced that it will be adding $1,000 to the prize fund for their annual doubles tournament to be held on November 16, 2013 at Bell Lanes. The tournament is open to all members of the Sun City Bowling Association that are 50 years of age or older.
Cardholder Services:
The payments on past due assessments increased slightly in August and were 8% higher than monthly averages over the past year. July billings went past due at a rate of 7.5%, slightly higher than the monthly average rate. June balances went over 60 days past due at monthly rate of 4.6%, which is consistent with the average. Outstanding balances related to property transfers decreased by 1.5% in August and represent 53% of all receivables due and 50% of past due balances.
Trustee sale notices on Sun City properties held steady at 49 for the end of August. The number of properties owned by lending institutions reduced down to 83 this month.
The Preservation and Improvement Fees collected in June were $510,000. Year to date PIF fees are $4,737,440, which is $1.9M over budget for the year.
RCSC has rolled out its new web portal for Cardholders to use. The new RCSC Web Portal consolidates functions that were previously completed through external partners including: annual property assessment payments and email subscription participation. New functionality added for Cardholders through the web portal includes voting in Board of Director elections and booking tee times. By enhancing our online services we will be able to extend the times that Cardholders can transact business with RCSC, as well as improve our communications with Cardholders.
Human Resources:
It has been over three years since the Health Reform Act was enacted. In order to comply with this reform, we have had to make changes in certain benefits that our plan provides as well as provide several new notices to all employees. Going into 2014, the Act has imposed another notice requirement on RCSC. The notice is to be provided to all employees, even those who are not eligible to participate in our group health plan. The notice informs employees there will be a new way to buy health insurance, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and provides basic information about the new Marketplace (also known as the Exchange) including the open enrollment period which begins October 1, 2013 for coverage beginning January 1, 2014. RCSC has complied with the notice requirements informing all employees through a paycheck distribution on Friday, September 20, 2013.
RCSC has had several inquiries regarding the hiring of Sun City residents. In reviewing our statistics, we find of the 278 individuals on staff, 208 or 75% reside in Sun City. RCSC recruits and accepts job applications from the surrounding communities as well to fill open positions. This practice assists in complying with federal and state labor law requirements and protects the Corporation.
Member Services:
In light of the fact that our Club Coordinator, Amy Goble, has left her employment at RCSC to work from home which is more suited to her family needs at this time, we have promoted Theresa Cirino to Director of Member Services. Katherine O’Connor has joined our team as the Member Services Administrative Coordinator. The updated organizational chart is available on our website under the corporate, then corporate documents tabs.
The Member Services division of our organization includes all events, entertainment and activities, as well as audio, video, and sound technician services. In addition, it includes the coordination for clubs to include enforcement of Board Policy 12 for Chartered Clubs, reservation of RCSC facilities for club events and meetings, and assistance for club officers and executive board members. Member Services division also includes RCSC cardholder communications and the marketing of Sun City, although Joelyn Higgins, RCSC’s Communications & Marketing Coordinator, continues to report directly to the General Manager with a connection to the Director of Member Services.
For those who may be unsure of the difference between the Cardholder Services office and the Member Services division. Cardholder Services office is where RCSC Member or Privilege cards can be obtained, payment of Cardholder fees are processed and accepted; i.e., annual property assessments, privilege card fees, annual golf passes, preservation and improvement fees, transfer fees, and etc., collection processes for past dues fees are administered, and records of property ownership are maintained.
SunViews:
Beginning today, with the October issue of the SunViews, RCSC’s monthly newsletter will be included in an edition of the Daily News-Sun delivered to every home in Sun City, unless the occupants have requested otherwise. They will be delivered to the recreation and bowling centers, pro shops, etc. by RCSC’s courier tomorrow morning. If you want the SunViews hot off the press, you can pick one up today here at the table in the back of the room.
Chartered Clubs:
Club officer packets are ready to be picked up in the Clubs Office at Lakeview. The packet contains the 2014 club schedules, SunViews submission dates and the list of important dates.
The infamous Arts & Crafts Fair is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 29th & 30th, after Thanksgiving at Sundial. Mark your calendars, don’t miss it!
Events & Entertainment:
The Farmer’s Market will begin again on Thursday morning, October 17th, at 8:00am. There are plenty of new vendors and RCSC clubs that will be there with their fresh produce, wares and goodies. We look forward to a very successful 2nd season.
We have just added a new event to the October calendar. On Monday, October 28th, from 6:00-8:00pm we will be hosting a “Monster Mash Sock Hop” at the Sundial Auditorium. Tickets are $10 and are on sale at the Clubs & Activities office. Costumes are encouraged.
The Fall Sun Bowl season kicks off this Sunday with the Nashville Country Roadshow at 7:00pm. All October shows will be on Sunday evenings at 6:30pm; November shows are at 6:00pm, with one exception: the Tribute to our Veterans on November 10th will begin at 2:00pm. Food trucks will be in the new food court 1½ hours before every show. Sun Bowl shows are for RCSC Cardholders and their invited guests only. See the SunViews or RCSC website for the lineup of entertainment.
Web Portal:
In order for RCSC Members to vote 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 that you have the correct email address for each individual and entity (if any) such as a Trust or LLC. To update your email address for each RCSC Cardholder number, please send an email to webportal@sunaz.com with the following information: Cardholder Number, Name, Date of Birth, Property Address, and Email Address. Your RCSC Cardholder record will be updated and you will be emailed an initial password to access your account online. Remember that we only have staff available to respond to you Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm.
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.
Everyone will need to complete this process as this is also how you will vote (if eligible), receive your RCSC news alert emails and pay your assessments, giving you immediate access to RCSC facilities if your assessments are due.
Once you have initiated your web portal account, which is maintained all in-house now by RCSC, you will find it easy to use and available 24 hours a day….plus you can even make your tee times from it online.
To help you with the process please pick up the “Getting Started on the RCSC Web Portal” flyers available for you at the back of the room today, or at any of the RCSC facilities. For those seeking additional assistance, there will be web portal training sessions as follows:
Friday, October 25 1:30pm Lakeview Social Hall #1
Thursday, November 7 1:30pm Marinette Auditorium
Wednesday, November 13 10:00am Fairway Arizona Rooms 1 & 2