Hawaiian Shores -- Staff Appreciation Event

WATCHDOG © 2011

Aloha Watchdog Readers,

An intimate group of members decided to organize this event after receiving the President's Report in the mail and finding out this way there would be a new organizational structure anticipated to be in place by the first of the Fiscal Year, which begins in just over 6 weeks. Because our staff prepares the packets they sent out to the Members we knew they must be aware of the information stated in the packet which to the knowledge of the Watchdog was information not yet stated at a Board meeting. The Watchdog does not recall hearing a new organizational structure had been approved much less an 'anticipated' implementation date.

We felt morale of our Staff was likely very low and wanted to take the time as soon after receipt of that letter to voice our long standing appreciation of a loyal, present, integrity driven work ethic bunch of employees! The gathering was organized within 24 hrs of the Event thanks completely to two Members, our FORMER Community Relations Committee Chair and FORMER Community Relations Calendar and Communications czar. They contacted the office to determine the pavilion was available and reserved it; went shopping for chips and drinks but wound up cleaning out the deli section and providing a terrific selection of snack goodies. The Staff pitched in spontaneously and brought food too.

While the food was great, the setting beautiful, the weather perfect, for the Watchdog, the best thing was sitting there listening to the familiar voices of a Staff, who deserves our respect and appreciation, making conversation and giggling -- not letting the Damocles Sword hanging over their heads put a damper on their freedom of expression. What was great too was having Current Directors and former Directors there. [Some represented by their words of praise and appreciation from afar] Most of the Former and one of the Current Directors present  have been part of the Staff's lives for the past 4 years. Current Directors -- who are as saddened by the news in the letter sent to the membership as many of us here in this community are -- and former Directors who were not surprised this would happen but nonetheless disappointed the Membership is being short changed by the termination of staff positions so that an ego driven new structure can replace it with staff who will have no allegiance to anyone because they are not paid well, do not have decent benefits and will have someone leading them who will likely not have the Membership's interest as a top priority so much as 'their paycheck and pleasing their boss' as a focus.

The resolve going forward will be different than the previous resolve. The Membership's treasures -- in the form of the Operational costs, the Infrastructure Funds and the Reserve Funds -- must be managed in a reasonable fashion! This will require a competent, guarded and observant Membership who will be active at all meetings speaking up when they hear something they know doesn't sit well. One of the current Board stopped by to do business during the Event and wound up getting a chance to hear from the Members gathered about their concerns regarding the possible reduction of the Reserve Fund from $194,000.00 to $4500.00 if the proposed capital improvements are approved by the Board! He was implored to read his 'Board' packet carefully, do his homework and come to the Board Meeting prepared to answer questions from the Members about the reckless spending such an approval suggests.


A couple of members of this community will be freer than before to keep an eye on things and their well honed and detailed understanding from the inside of what is appropriate and what is not may be the bane of the current Board's existence. 

And now let the games begin! It is campaign season, after all.