I am committed to strengthening communication throughout the community. Clear, consistent communication is one of the main reasons I’m running. I want every resident to feel informed, included, and confident in the decisions being made on their behalf. Communications is also about receiving and listening to resident’s input in order to better represent their desires.

We have tools, like email surveys, to help owners become more informed and involved; we should increase their usage on park wide issues. For example: changes to our Rules & Regulations, enforcement and fines, TV for the future, etc.

A top priority will be completing our community website and making sure it becomes a true resource—fully updated, easy to navigate, and home to all of our historical and working documents. I believe strongly that all motions (and supporting documents) should be available on the website for residents to review and comment on before they are voted on by the board. Minutes too should be not only posted in timely manner, but need to accurately reflect the rational and who voted for/against the motion. I would also like to see a complete, accurate community calendar so everyone knows what’s happening and when. Until the Venture Out website reliably posts meeting videos, I will continue recording and posting them on www.vobehindthescenes.com so no one is left in the dark.

The board could also assist our secretary in creating and maintaining a public Condo Board task tracking list, so everyone can see what has been accomplished and what still needs attention.

These are just a few ideas to improve our Association communications. I look forward to hearing recommendations from the Communications Committee for additional ways to improve communications.

I believe accountability is the foundation of trust. Since transparency is fundamental to accountability, I want to make sure the board and its committees (especially finance) conduct all business in the open and as required by Arizona law.

That means staying ahead of deadlines like filing taxes on time, and avoiding last minute decisions like hiring the same auditor that the board said they would never again use.

Our financials should be presented and posted every month—or, at the very least, accompanied by a clear explanation if they are delayed. The same goes for meeting minutes: draft minutes should be available within ten days, as the board agreed, and official minutes should be posted promptly after ratification.

I will oppose the use of Unanimous Consent motions except in true emergencies, and I will work to ensure we never “stop gap” our adherence to our Bylaws or Declarations.

Committee meetings are required under AZ law to be open to residents with only a few legal exemptions. I would like to ensure our association committee meetings adhere to this law, including the Finance Committee. I will also advocate for the finance committee to strictly adhere to their Terms Of Reference as advisors to the board—rather than making/implementing decisions without full board approval.

I am a strong believer in policy governance because it creates structure, fairness, and predictability. The board’s role is to set policy, and the General Manager’s role is to implement those policies—not create new ones.

I will work to ensure that this balance is respected so residents always know where authority lies and how decisions are made.

Venture Out is a special place, and I want to protect the qualities that make it such a great community. Our amenities are part of our identity and our quality of life, even when they aren’t revenue generating.

• We’ve already lost some amenities – like the photo directory (which helped a lot of us put names to faces)
• We’ve reduced some amenities – weekly outlines have become monthly (necessitating a ton of emails with schedule changes and updates for activities that either didn’t make the cutoff or were added after the cutoff)
• We almost lost the printed phone book (but it was saved by a huge community uproar)
• What’s next – rather than repair them, the water station amenity goes away entirely?

I will fight to preserve them because they matter to the people who live here—and because they help make Venture Out the truly unique and desirable community it is.

I love to volunteer in VO!

All my life I have been involved in many service programs for my communities, through Boy Scouts, churches, schools, and Habitat for Humanity. The service opportunities I enjoyed the most were about helping members in society unable to do things for themselves like light carpentry, food distribution, and visitations.

One of the first things I did when I moved to VO was to get my food handler’s certification so I could help in the kitchen; especially during the summers when fewer volunteers are available. (But you’ll also see me pitching in to clear plates and anything else I can do to help the kitchen volunteers throughout the year.)

This last summer I took care of the aluminum can collection and crushing until the seasonal volunteers returned, and worked with Brian in Activities so funds from the cans could continue to benefit our Social Club year-round. I’ve signed up to be a runner for our maintenance department and trained to operate the Arizona Zamboni (street sweeper).

Numerous residents have asked for my help with small projects in everything from installing doorbells and assisting with computer problems, to building extra handrails, and I have happily helped them.

Recently, I was selected as Volunteer of the Month for VO.

Since becoming an owner at Venture Out, I have attended almost all condo meetings/round tables/work sessions, multiple condo committee meetings, and social board meetings. By attending these I have developed a fairly broad grasp of the political, monetary, and management aspects of our community.

I am currently secretary for the Governing Documents committee.

My entertainment and current and past club participation in VO includes Golf, Sewing, Happy Harpers, Tennis, Bridge, and multiple other card and game groups. Also, of course, participating as an audience member and supporter for the many varied clubs and events here, like 50-50 raffle fundraisers, sports tournaments, golf cart parades, Tuesdays on The Terrace, TGIR, VO concerts, tree lightings, Coffee House performances, and so much more! One of my personal favorites is the bundt cake fundraiser. (I can’t wait till the Ice Cream Cart starts up again this season!)

Administration

My first career was in education. I began as a teacher, then nine years later I became a vice-principal for six years, and the following nine years I served as a principal.

As an administrator in Christian schools, my position was very similar to our general manager’s. I worked with parents and board members, developed and oversaw budgets over $2 million, oversaw and participated in many construction projects including a $4 million new wing project, and managed up to 35 employees – certified and classified.

This experience gives me the ability to understand our administrative needs and help our Board find positive outcomes for admin/management and homeowners.

Information Technology

My second career was as a computer and IT specialist. I am knowledgeable in client/server environments, multiple operating systems, networking, programming, and database administration. As a web developer, I wrote code to meet client needs, kept track of multiple clients, and worked with marketing to meet exacting specifications.

This experience will be beneficial in managing the ever-present needs of growing infrastructure and technology in our park. We’re already well on the way with advances in technology. I look forward to assisting with their completion, and ensuring that future technology changes go smoothly.

Construction

My last career was as a contractor for residential and commercial remodels, with a specific focus on home bath and kitchen remodels.

Working in construction gave me experience working with bids, timelines, and clients. I am well versed in construction techniques, building codes, and fire & life safety requirements.

This experience allows me to see the big picture as well as the fine details in any project, whether that’s construction, technology, rules and regulations, or anything else needing board involvement.