The Devil In The Details

Having received a number of inquiries and comments from association members about the recent budget workshop, I feel it appropriate to respond. This post will address 4 specific budget items which impact directly the proposed increases in association dues.


#1 Additional Administrative Office Assistant

As the association has grown, the amount of clerical work has increased. Having worked in the same organization for over 30 years, I understand this completely. No problem.


#2 Deputy Community Manager

When coaching, I was sometimes fortunate to have a player who was extraordinary in terms of talent, work ethic and leadership skills. That player not only performed at a high level himself, but had the ability to raise his teammates’ level as well. I hated to lose him, because it was going to be very difficult, if not impossible to replace him. Frankly, most of the time, it was. I called such a player, “Gold Nuggets.”

John Fox is “Gold Nuggets.”

He has taken the level of service provided by the TSR Association to a new level of efficiency. Unfortunately, that has come at a great cost to him personally. Working 60-70 hour weeks and not having 2 consecutive days off is simply unacceptable. If we don't get him some help, we're going to lose him. The question now becomes, "Are we willing to lose him?"

I am not.

The next question: “Is hiring a Deputy Community Manager the only way to prevent that from happening?” I’m not sure, but I suspect strongly that it is.

#3 Office Space Expansion

Former Board Director Scott Nevin has shared that this has been under consideration for some time. So, while this is the first I’ve heard about it, the Board has been wrestling with it for a number of years.

Office expansion seems to relate to items 1 and 2. We hire more people, we need more space. There's only so much spatial reconfiguring that can be done to accommodate staff increases, before it simply becomes unworkable to the point it is a negative factor in terms of efficiency. In addition, I've worked in such situations. While I was still able to do my job, the feeling that you've been "marginalized" cannot be escaped. Not a pleasant working environment.

As I understand it, there appear to be 2 options at this time.

1) Expand the existing Association Office

2) Use other buildings on the Sea Ranch which may be available

#4 On Going vs. One Time Assessments

It is important to note that while some budget items are one time expenses, others are not. The Administrative Clerical Assistant, the Deputy Community Manager and the Information Technology Manager/Expert will be ongoing yearly expenses. They won’t go away.

Additionally, because a search for a Deputy Community Manager and Information Technology Manager/Expert will be necessary, they will not be hired immediately. The Deputy Community Manager is scheduled to be hired in September 2008, and the Information Technology Manager/Expert in January 2009. Consequently, the assessment increases to fund both, $2.18 and $0.75 respectively, are for a partial year. It would be logical to assume that they would rise in subsequent full years.

While I have generated some of this information myself, others have contributed greatly as well. I encourage all to contribute. As I recently said to an association member, “This is a pretty steep learning curve, and I’d appreciate anything that would help flatten it out some.”


“Too many people are willing to carry the stool, when it’s the piano that needs to be moved.” ----Anonymous

As Always……Be Well,
John Forenti