Tip: Keep a list of medicines and medical conditions for each family member. Place it in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator. In the event of paramedics coming to your home to render aid, this will give the first responder valuable information of your medical condition.
Vial of Life Informational Video: https://youtu.be/3ZzDDzWbMd4
Print the Vial of Life Kit: https://www.vialoflife.com/print-free-vial-kits/
Printed copies should be expected in your mailbox the first week of October.
Check out the archive of past issues at: www.scshca.com/view
As published in The View, October 2021:
Change of Seasons as the World Turns
By the time you read this in our October View Magazine, summer in our beautiful community will have passed, at least on the calendar but hopefully on the thermometer as well. Cooler days and nights will be the norm. Our neighbors will be back from their vacations, and our snowbirds will be starting to return. With the holiday season not far off, and “High Season” on the horizon once again, all the activities which make SCSH such a special place should be back and booming.
Fortunately for all of us, the world keeps turning; and your fellow volunteer homeowners who serve as Directors of your Board and staff the many advisory committees have kept working to preserve, protect, maintain, and improve our place in the sun. This all brings me to what I would like to focus on and get all our homeowners to begin to think about. We have many volunteers and important committees that help to keep our HOA dues from rising by working alongside the Board. But most of us are not aware that our Bylaws only provide for three very important “standing committees.”
Article 10 of the Bylaws provides for the Architectural Review Committee – now referred to as the Design Review Committee or DRC for short – which interprets and enforces the requirements of our governing documents respecting the appearance and beauty of our homes and lots. There is also the Covenants Committee that acts as “a jury of your peers’” to assist the Board in the enforcement of other rules and regulations which, in effect, comprise our community’s Municipal Code. Finally, there is a committee which we only see and hear about for a few months each year from October to the time of our Annual Meeting and Election of Directors each April. This is the Nominating Committee, which has the very important task of encouraging homeowners to step forward and run for the open Director positions plus to ensure that our elections are transparent, informative, and free and fair in accordance with the provisions of our Governing Documents and HOA law.
The Nominating Committee currently has the following members: Dan McFarlane, Pete Anderson, Robert Israel, Carolyn Collins, and Linda Strongin Grant. You will be hearing more from this Committee in the weeks and months just ahead. Their duties are specifically set out in Bylaws Section 7.4, but one of those duties is to make “reasonable efforts to recruit at least two (2) candidates for each position on the Board that is to be filled by vote of the Members.” There will be three Director seats to be filled by the three candidates receiving the most votes of homeowners. In accordance with the Governing Documents, because more than two positions will be filled, cumulative voting will be in effect.
Because some of our past Director elections have been uncontested, the Committee will be making efforts to encourage interested candidates to throw their hats in the ring, so to speak. Hopefully, there will be at least six homeowners stepping forward to run. By the way, no Member of the Nominating Committee may be nominated as a candidate for the election to the Board (Section 7.4.3).
If you have an interest in serving your HOA in the important position of Director, or if you know a fellow homeowner whom you would encourage to do so and support, please reach out to them and to the committee or any of its members about your interest, suggested nomination, or questions. The deadline for submitting Nomination Forms – at the time of writing this – has not been set but will likely be before Thanksgiving 2021 because it must be at least four months before the Annual Meeting on April 5, 2022.
So, my fellow homeowners, it is not too early to begin thinking about who you want to see leading our community, setting the tone, and making the important decisions on our Board of Directors.
Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.
By Larry Anderson and Larry Helseth
Finance Advisory Committee Co-Chairs
As published in The View, October 2021:
Instead of our normal report we’d like to use this month’s article to pay special tribute to our retiring Finance Advisory Committee (FAC) Chairman, Bill Wethe.
Bill,
On behalf of the entire SCSH Community, the FAC wants to express our appreciation for your leadership and transformational efforts as FAC Chairman over the last five years. We are in a much sounder financial position because of your tireless and seemingly endless efforts as a leader, mentor, and caretaker of all our financial matters.
With your guidance, the FAC and the Board Treasurers have developed strong policies and procedures that will continue to enhance financial management, while providing confidence and stability for years to come. We all marvel at the number of hours you have devoted to the tasks at hand, your knowledge of our governing documents, how they need to be applied to new issues, and your extensive experience in the HOA management industry. You never lost sight of the big picture, yet no detail escaped your scrutiny.
You have provided Board members with invaluable analyses on a myriad of topics. Your expertise in construction, maintenance, and enhancements to hospitality venues has been a tremendous asset that is going to be difficult to replace.
Enjoy your “newly available time” to visit more often with your family members in Orange County and Arizona, play some golf, and participate in volunteer opportunities in the Coachella Valley and Orange County.
Thank you again for your service and dedication.
FAC Members: Larry Anderson and Larry Helseth Co-Chairs, Bob Jester, Jerry Cavoretto, Mike Whelan, Mike Nilsson, Todd Murphy, and FAC Subcommittee Members on the Replacement Fund and Reserve Study: Chris Stevens, and Don Salvatore.
Contact the author at finance@scshca.com.
Our six-week program starts October 25, 2021, and ends December 3, 2021, with an Award Ceremony with prizes on Monday, December 6, 2021. The entry fee for the program is $28. Only Credit Card payments will be accepted.
Fall into Fitness will consist of a variety of special fitness classes, programs and events designed specifically for (ONLY) FALL INTO FITNESS Participants. The goal is to encourage participants to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the Holidays as well as after the program is over. This is not only an exercise program, but also a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating commitment. Body composition readings will be available at NutriShop in Indio.
📄 Fall into Fitness 2021 Flyer
📄 Fall into Fitness 2021 Rules
📄 Fall into Fitness 2021 Registration Form
📄 Fall into Fitness Schedule (Program Participants Only)
For questions call the Montecito Fitness center:
(760) 345-4349 ext. 2111
Due to the current emergency mask mandate, Mah Jongg games have been cancelled until further notice.
Mah Jongg Club
To see more videos, visit our Videos page by clicking here.
URGENT: The Let's Meet & Eat Club event (The Killer Dueling Pianos) scheduled for this Wednesday, September 22 has been cancelled due to the fact that there are more positive COVID-19 cases here in our community. Please help us spread the word by telling your friends and neighbors. We confirmed with Big John this morning that no indoor events should be held until this wave passes. No checks have been cashed; all checks will be shredded, and no credits or refunds will be issued.
At this point, the event on October 10, with The New Sensations, is still on schedule. We will evaluate the situation at that time.
Thank you!
Due to the current emergency mask mandate, Bingo Night is cancelled until further notice.
Games Plus Club
The Board met in Executive Session and approved an Emergency Rule, effective tomorrow morning, at the open of business; masks must be worn by all individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, while indoors when on common area. Violators may be subject to disciplinary action.
Committees, Clubs, and Groups are strongly encouraged to meet via Zoom or GoToMeeting.
Thank you.
Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast296
Below is a synopsis of this episode.
Sadly, one of our family's home caught fire this morning and burned to the point where the city of Indio had to red tag it. Fortunately, they and their dog are all safe and they were able to salvage their car, but everything else they own is gone except for what they were wearing on their backs. So for now they need primarily items for personal hygiene like toothpaste and brushes but let's not go too far down the road for now because it can get overwhelming. Next they need about a week's worth of clothing for him and for her. She has given me permission to give their phone number out. Please be respectful and don't call too late. Let's do what we can to help get them restarted in the rebuilding of their lives.
So this is a good time to give out a reminder to take pictures of some of the items you have in your house and a file of some of the important things you have. Keep the file in a place so you can grab it quickly if you need to get out of your house. The heat dries these houses out very quickly so they are prime for burning.
Take care out there.
Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast294
Below is a synopsis of this episode.
This podcast will provide an update on what is happening in our community:
1. Vanessa Ayon, HOA Asst. Gen. Mgr.: The Annual Golf Walk 2021 (South Course) will be on Fri., Nov. 5th, 8:00 am. Please register at either Fitness Center by Sept. 27. Everyone will receive a tee shirt and snacks will be available. No bikes, scooters nor dogs or cats, please. Starting and finishing behind the Pro Shop by the Shadows Restaurant. Gus Ramirez, our IT guy, will be there to take photos of everyone. This is a free event.
2. Kathy Lindstrom, Chair, Food & Beverage Adv. Com.: Update on food and beverage services:
3. John:
In closing, just a reminder to keep your pets off the extremely hot pavement. I appreciate you taking the time with this podcast. It was a long one but I had a lot to cover.
Tip: If you haven't received one, or misplaced it, there are cards available at the Montecito Clubhouse rounders. Keep them in your clothes closet and place one in a street-facing window in the event of an emergency.
Preparation for the common area's seasonal flowers color change is scheduled to begin September 20. Vintage Landscape will remove the summer flowers and prepare the soil for fall flowers. The process consists of turning over the soil for aerification and adding fertilization to prepare the soil for the new flowers. The new seasonal flowers are scheduled to be installed October 18 – October 22.
For questions regarding the annual seasonal flower color change, please contact the Facilities Department at 760-345-4349 ext. 2406.
Tip: Take a First Aid training class and purchase a home first aid kit. Keep one in your car as well.
Fly the United States Flag at Half-Staff on Saturday, September 11, 2021
in Honor of Patriot Day
Saturday, September 11th, 2021 marks the 20 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 which crashed in suburban Pennsylvania. Patriot Day serves as a remembrance of the lives lost on that September morning.
By a joint resolution approved 12/18/2001, (Public Law 107-89) has designated September 11th of each year as "Patriot Day" which also directs the flags be lowered to half-staff for the entire day on September 11.
A section of the law is below:
''§ 144. Patriot Day''(a) DESIGNATION.-September 11 is Patriot Day.''(b) PROCLAMATION.-The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation calling on-
''(1) State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities;
''(2) all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States and interested organizations and individuals to display the flag of the United States at halfstaff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001; and'
'(3) the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.''.
Tip: Have a plan for emergencies and practice it.
To see more videos, visit our Videos page by clicking here.
Tip: The City of Indio hosts several Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training sessions each year. These are very worthwhile! See:
☞ https://www.indio.org/your_government/preparedness_prog/cert.htm
US Flags at Half-Staff Immediately Until
Sunset on Monday, August 30, 2021
HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
As a mark of respect for the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, August 30, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
Printed copies should be expected in your mailbox the first week of September.
Check out the archive of past issues at: www.scshca.com/view
As published in The View, September 2021:
I have asked one of our past Board Presidents to give us some thoughts in this edition of The View. I respect Stu Stryker for all the time he put into this community volunteering and keeping up the joy of living here.
We have all heard the old adage, “You can please some of the people all the time … ”. You know how it goes. Nothing has changed here. No matter what decisions a Board makes, some won’t agree. Good Boards make their decisions, popular or not, based on what is good for the health of the entire community, not for a select group. It’s been my experience, having served on other Boards besides in Sun City Shadow Hills, that Boards do not last if they do not make decisions for the betterment of the whole community. Board members are not perfect, they are human. Don’t judge them by one action but by the body of their work, and that takes time.
In the past, when we as a Board would make a decision, a certain group who wanted to run the community would find fault. No matter which way a decision went, this group was against it. If we spent money outright for long-term savings, it wasn’t the right thing to do. If we saved the community money by lowering dues, it wasn’t the right thing to do. It was a no-win scenario with this small but very vocal group. I am hopeful that our current Board doesn’t have to face this type of opposition.
A brief note on lowering dues. It was once mentioned that lowering dues during inflationary times was not the thing to do. When a Board puts together a budget, it must cover all the needs of the community. If it happens to be lower than the previous year, the dues are lower. A Board cannot just arbitrarily raise dues. For the record, inflation during that period was .02%.
As I walk around the community, I am seeing many things that are being fixed, repairs that had not been done properly are being corrected, and in general things are being cleaned up. This tells me our Board is moving in the right direction. We have also had contract disputes that have been resolved. To me, it appears that our Board is being proactive in solving issues. We have had some community events, and I hear there are more to come. These are the things our community needs to be a desirable place for people to live. These are the things that will make us a successful and well-maintained community.
The best improvement over previous years is the fantastic support we get today from our community volunteers – from staffing the clubhouse, to serving on a committee or as a Board member. Our members are a gold mine of experience, and it’s good to see our community still utilizing their talents.
When our Board started, we only had six Advisory Committees. By the time we left, we had doubled that amount. It’s good to see our current Board is continuing that trend. We still have a wealth of untapped knowledge out there, and I thank all our residents, past and present, for their service.
– Stu Stryker
Thank you, Stu Stryker, for all you did here at Sun City Shadow Hills. I also want to thank your wife, Nikki Stryker, for sharing you with this community during your time as a volunteer.
Contact the author at john.macdonnell@scshca.com.
By Larry Anderson and Larry Helseth
Finance Advisory Committee Co-Chairs
As published in The View, September 2021:
FAC Members
Larry Helseth returns to the FAC with the resignations of Bruce Marley in July and Bill Wethe in August. Larry previously served on FAC in 2016 through 2018. We now have seven members and Board approval for a total of nine members. As of this writing, we are interviewing one candidate. We are always looking for owners who have a financial background including accounting and financial reporting and an interest in serving on the FAC or on its Subcommittee on the Reserve Study. Please contact either of the Co-Chairs if you would like to discuss completing an Advisory Committee Interest Form.
Work Completed
During the month of August 2021, the FAC and its Subcommittee continued their work including:
Work in Process
Further Information
Additional FAC Members: Bob Jester, Jerry Cavoretto, Mike Whelan, Mike Nilsson, and Todd Murphy. FAC Subcommittee Members on the Replacement Fund and Reserve Study: Chris Stevens, Don Salvatore, Bob Jester, Mike Whelan, and Larry Helseth, Chair.
Contact the author at finance@scshca.com.
Tip: Keep a "Go Bag" under your bed and one in your car in case of an emergency evacuation. It should include things like personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing), shoes, socks, flash light, extra batteries, radio, some nonperishable food, water, etc. An example can be found at the following website:
Audio may be found at: www.scshca.com/podcast292
Below is a synopsis of this episode.
John: I thought it would be important to give you an update on what safety practices we've been following toward COVID-19 and the variants. I've invited Tyler Ingle, our GM, and Mark Dodge, CEO of Desert Resort Management, to share their information with you as well.
We have been working very hard to make sure this community is safe and we've been following the State and County Guidelines. There have been a lot of questions about what exactly are guidelines. The guidelines are coming down from the State government and they go to the local health departments and to the local regional health divisions of each county. In our county we talk quite frequently to Jose to find out what we need to do here at Sun City Shadow Hills. When he advises us, we act on it almost immediately. The Board has already given our management team and DRM the authority to make things happen when something happens in our county. Some people are saying that DRM isn't doing what they can because they won't make their employees get vaccinated or they won't do this or that or that the HOA doesn't care. Well, that's not true. We care so much about this community. When I ran for the Board, I told you that I would always be up front with you and tell you what is happening in this community and I have done that. I live with everything that I tell you folks and I will continue to do that. If I didn't say it, then I will stand up and defend it -- that's for sure.
We've received so many emails that we think it's time for us to tell you directly how things are going.
Tyler Ingle: Effective August 1st, we with DRM went back to a mask mandate indoors for all of our employees. Vintage Landscape, Allied Universal and Troon all agreed to wear masks indoors regardless of their vaccination status. Out of an abundance of caution we wanted to keep everybody safe and show to the community here that we are committed to doing what's right. It is totally voluntary to disclose vaccine status but we've had approximately 73% of our DRM employees attest to the fact that they are fully vaccinated. We expect that number to be up to 85% or higher by the end of September. Riverside County overall is less than 50% fully vaccinated. At this time, DRM hasn't made it a requirement for their employees to be vaccinated but that may change in the future.
Mark Dodge: DRM has employees in a lot of communities like Sun City Shadow Hills and there has been an ongoing effort in all of those locations, and in our corporate office as well, to get our staff fully vaccinated and to have very few exceptions. The property here is indicative of that. We know through conversations with our employees who has been vaccinated and who has not. Our goal is to have our employees fully vaccinated. We know who we are going to be able to get through those obstacles with and who we are not. We are looking at where we could relocate those employees refusing to get vaccinated to where it would fit them and they would not need to have contact with any of our homeowners. That process looks different in any of our communities. We have one community with over 100 employees and they are already at almost 90%.
And that’s amazing because 60 of those are field maintenance workers. The same thing is going on here. We are looking at the remaining population who is left and the decision to get vaccinated or not is a very personal one and usually fits into one or two categories. But we are not at the point of swinging a hammer and hammering employees into getting vaccinated. We may have to get to that point but we are at the decision-making point where we have to see what we have to do to get to 100%. So we're not taking that approach yet. We're approaching the individual employees, we know who they are and we're managing them and their contacts, and approaching the employees to get everyone to make the decision themselves. September is our soft deadline where we would like to be company- wide where we don't need to be having these discussions at the senior management level week after week.
John: I know we have been doing everything we could to be as safe as possible. We've been staying in contact with the employees, staying on top of how they're feeling to make sure we're not having any issues, and if anyone isn't feeling well I know you've been telling them to stay home. We really haven't had any of those issues. I know if we had gone to a mandatory vaccine about a month ago, we would have lost how many of our employees, Tyler -- 50%. So we would have had to shut down different programs, Lifestyles, so that was an incentive for you guys as the management team to see what you could work out with the employees so we didn't get to that position. You've been working really hard to keep our community safe and I personally appreciate that and you guys taking the time to come in here today to get this information out to the community. We are close.
And as Mark Dodge says, if there is an employee here and we have to move them around, we'll do that if they don't want to get their shot. That should be reassurance enough to know that this team here is working hard for this community. I was hoping we could get Jose on the phone today to give us a drop down on what's happening in the county, but he is out of the office. Tyler, you and I had a chance to talk with him last week and he told us that there is still a pattern of recommended masks for people who are not vaccinated, people who are indoors or less than 6 feet apart. That is not mandatory but a suggestion from the State and the County. If that changes, we'll definitely get that out to the community.
So, Sun City, we're here for you. We appreciate your time. Be safe and have a great day.
