The words transparency and transparent have a number of definitions, most of which describe being able to see through something: glass, film, tape, water, whatever . And then there is another use of the word. That’s when the activities of an organization or governing body are being considered and evaluated by anyone with an interest in the group’s activities. They want to know what’s going on and expect Transparency.
So what’s the point? Especially here in Sun City? The CAM Board, Management Team, its members and staff are under constant pressure to be Transparent when reporting, or not reporting, to the residents. How many times has that question been raised? How many times have criticisms been made about the lack of Transparency.
So who wants to know what about what? How much does someone want or need to know? Unless you are a walking GOOGLE, no one Board or staff member can possibly provide all answers to everyone all the time. More times than not, a simple straight forward question to a responsible person will provide an answer.
Common-sense decisions by the Board or Management and a fastidious practice of “follow up” as to what information is of value and of interest to the residents will satisfy the demands of those seeking Transparency.
Nine thousand people living in a 2200-acre residential development serviced by two Lodges with many recreational facilities and staffed by about 60 full time employees with an annual operating budget of about $8,000,000 and governed under a multi faceted document and specific laws of the State of Illinois is a lot to be transparent about. Identifying and reporting about common sense issues and activities is the key.
Withholding or delaying common sense information to the residents is a short cut to NOT being Transparent. Doing otherwise will keep a lot more people happy and informed.
The Executive Director has recently made a special attempt in the Lifestyle publication to be Transparent by listing the various areas requiring managerial oversight and topics being acted upon in those areas. A list of who does what was also included in a prior publication. A list of COTW (Committee of the Whole) agenda topics was posted on the weekly Director’s email blast. Add to that the Meet & Greet sessions, email Blasts, Town hall Meetings, Monthly Board Meetings, Lifestyle Articles, an Open-Door Policy, and the ever popular Rumor Mill, which is not reliable but continues to fill the pipelines. All of these venues cannot tell everybody everything about everything all the time but the anticipated window of Transparency continues to open.
In the mean time…ask and you shall receive.
Jim Darow
Neighborhood 5
