Sun Cities Today Blog

Cool

Maybe not the best header in the world given Sun City AZ will be topping out in the low 100 degree mark today; but the event that got me back into the writing mode is totally cool. I got called a few weeks back and was asked to fill in at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum in May; seems they had some open spots for docents (guides for those of us less sophisticated) and could i pitch in? I’ve been sorely remiss in doing much of anything with the museum since i went off the board at the end of last year and quickly grabbed the two spots i had open on my schedule.

What great memories coming back and opening up. The past three years were very special for me. Fond memories would be a gross understatement. The joy of being close to those early years in Sun City is almost overwhelming. I know it may not be that way for everyone, but the history of Sun City is still something that leaves me feeling excited and nostalgic for those days gone by. Just knowing people threw caution to the wind and moved to the middle of nowhere and started over is thrilling to try to picture.

In my past life, i often started presentations with the simple suggestion for people to close their eyes and try to ”picture in their mind” whatever the subject i was speaking on. The reality was (and still is) some folks can do it far better than others. I’ve always been about visualizing. Seeing the potential and experiencing the event or outcome beforehand is a technique that only enhances the enjoyment when it finally does unfold. World class athletes talk about seeing the shot before they make it, so if it’s good enough for them, why not us average, everyday Joes’?

And therein lies the beauty of the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum; walking in the door, it unfolds before your very eyes. Powerful stories, captivating pictures and staggering memories of days long gone help transport us back to the 60′s and 70′s. Seeing the pleasure on the faces of those who came before us speaks volumes. Reading the oral histories becomes an object lesson in what was happening back then still being a common occurrence some forty or fifty years later. All too often visitors depart feeling like they have become a part of something very special.

But why not? They truly have. Sun City and it’s story of success, pending failure and then rebirth are fascinating and engaging. Especially for those of us who have chosen to live either in Sun City or Sun City West. We are unique and understanding those differences only helps us appreciate just how good we have got it. There is no better place to find them than at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum. unfortunately it is open only by appointment during the months of June, July and August. Small (or large) groups can set up times to tour by calling 623-974-2568 most mornings between 9 am and noon and speaking with Julie. If you can’t make it in, try visiting the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum website at this link .

One last thing, during this blistering summer heat…stay cool and if you can’t, at least be cool.

Learning at the knee of the masters…

Little bit of redundancy here, but i tend to do that. Writing for me is a bit like thinking out loud; it helps me percolate up what i know and how it works. If i’ve learned anything in life, it is virtually everything has been done before. Simply by taking the time to look i’ve almost always been able to avoid pitfalls and find road maps that spared me blunders.

Learning from those who been there, done that is just common sense. Rather than belabor this, let me put it into perspective that is both current and relevent to now. We (the RCSC) are in th the midst of creating a marketing program; something they have never done.

The last time that happened was under DEVCO, and once they were built out in 1978, the “selling” of Sun City ceased. Contained in those first 18 years is the perfect blueprint of how it worked. It is a fascinating study in quality and quantity compared to a simple, clean concept that for most would have appeared to be understated.

Quick recap: First 5 years (1960-1965), massive national campaign with ads that would have the cast of Mad Men drooling. Seriously, they were that damn good. The problem was, there was nowhere’s near enough return on investment. The 50 person advertising company working for DEVCO, as good as they were, it didn’t get the job done.

Meeker comes to Sun City, mid 1965 and one of his first actions was to let them all go. He replaces it with a 3 person team and they focus on a Play and Stay program and building a true sense of community. I won’t belabor it, he was brilliant and by turning the community loose as a sales force, he explodes the myth that Sun City was a place old people went to die. By the way, did i mention he sold 2000 homes a year from 1968 to 1978?

Here’s the real kicker; in those years there was virtually no competition. Today, there’s near on 400 age restricted communities and the builders selling homes in them have massive marketing budgets. Sun City can never compete in the “traditional” types of marketing; nor should they ever try.

Let’s be blunt, the value in us driving sales in Sun City is about two things: The more homes that sell, the more money we collect in the Preservation and Improvement Fee (PIF). Of more importance to those living here, we enhance the value of their property and make Sun City less desirable to those looking at Sun City as just a “cheap place to live” or invest.

Bringing this full circle, let me spell out it from my perspective. Our marketing program should be almost totally internal. By focusing on building a stronger sense of community, we go to the heart of what sells Sun City…those of us living here. No one loves it like we do and by arming residents with the tools to promote the community we follow in Meeker’s footsteps.

I see that being done in a number of different ways: More effective communications, better branding of the community, targeted marketing and events with a purpose and great promotion. I know it sounds like a lot, but we do some of those things already, we just need to do them better. Ouch; sounds trite, but by setting goals and reaching them we move that much closer to preserving both the value and values that were built into Sun City.

Awesome!

Yesterday in Sun City…

A glimpse of things to come: A great time was had by all as we gathered to listen to Judith Ann Trolander. The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum hosted the special presentation by the author of From Sun City to the Villages. This well done text-book is a must read for those who are interested in the growth and development of age restricted communities.

Professor Trolander, from the University of Duluth, took us on a journey of the senior’s migration from the rocking chair to the age of active retirement. It was enlightening and the one thing most clear was that Del Webb and his people were the innovators. The fact is, Sun City residents live in the place it all began. Other communities followed, but were all inspired by the original Sun City.

The question and answer session was great. We had several couples in the audience and after the event got a chance to talk to several of them. Perhaps the best commentary was from the most recent buyers who have found their place in the sun. They loved the community and like all of us, wonder why more “boomer’s” aren’t looking at Sun City.

Simple IMHO (in my humble opinion); if they know about Sun City, people still think it’s a place where old people go to die. Nothing new there, that’s been the case from the day they began selling homes in the valley of the sun. The perception has always been strangled by those blindly believing what their mind see’s rather than what the reality is.

Meeker understood this and combatted it by an aggressive program of bringing people to the community and letting nature take its course. Love affairs were instantaneous and home purchases followed time after time. The Play and Stay was his brain child. Odd, because today nothing has changed, people visit, buy and love their new home.

Last night we left the walls and went to Phoenix to the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum). First time there and quite an experience. The place is huge and we’ll have to back to see the bulk of it. Friends invited us to go see a show that was passing through and it was a real treat. The unusual group was both fun and frivolous. The Caravan of Thieves were unlike anything we typically find in Sun City but it was definitely an enjoyably night out.

All of this is just the lead up to what hopefully becomes a more interesting perspective of what Sun City is and where we hope to take it. The internet has so much potential to show and tell those looking for a retirement destination and that Sun City should be worthy a look. Within months the RCSC’s new marketing site will be live and looking for ways to showcase all Sun City has to offer. One of the feature’s i would love to see is a “yesterday in Sun City” complete with picture and blurbs about what made the day so special. We’ll see.

For now, we’re busy enjoying both the ride and the destination. Nice!

Communication

Suffice to say, my first three months on the Rec Centers of Sun City (RCSC) board have been interesting. The challenges of working within a structure built over near on 50 years often are daunting. Time tends to solidify the process and because the day-to-day demands are so high on the paid staff, the organization moves slowly (that’s not a bad thing).

The important aspect of this is they do move. Glacially may be a bit slower than i’d like to see, but doing anything well is almost always better than just doing something differently. Perhaps the best part of this is i have found the board members have come to the table with an open mind and an eye to the future.

The biggest struggle for all of us are the time lines; a three-year term give us really a short period to make any kind of meaningful changes. Setting direction is the first step and working with committees to help determine where we are going is an important part in the process. Imagine how the staff feels with a constant revolving door as new board members bring new ideas.

For purposes of this discourse, i want to hone in on the committee i chair; member communications. I asked to be assigned to it; i see it as one of the areas we can address and have some of the quickest results. At our March meeting the committee identified a dozen areas we feel we have purview over (though we missed a couple). Now we will begin looking at each of them in-depth.

In preparation for this Tuesday’s (4-10-12) meeting at 1 pm in the board room at Lakeview i began an internet search. Google is fabulous and after typing in “effective communication” and hitting search, i quickly got back an amazing 102,000,000 results. Nope, didn’t read them all (he said with a smile), but i did begin reading through some of the more interesting ones.

The oddity is there often is a wide difference of opinion between what we see as effectively communicating versus a lot of communications. I think much of what has happened over the years at the RCSC is that communications become simply what we need to do on a month to month basis. Rather than taking on a life of its own, it simply exists out of sheer need.

I’m excited by the prospect of addressing these kinds of issues with the communications committee. Much of my life has been built around achieving outcomes; basing direction on how well we are doing on any given task. I found when things weren’t working as well as they could or should have, it was time for an honest evaluation, assessment and redirection.

I would invite any Sun City resident interested to sit in on this Tuesday’s meeting as a guest. We are on the cusp of formatting a new direction in a number of areas on how we communicate with members of the RCSC and if you want to be part of it, stop on by and join us. It will be an eye-opening experience for all of us.

It’s about time…

I’m fascinated by words that have entirely different meanings, even though they say the same thing. “It’s about time” is one of those phrases. Better than that, it helps describe why i’ve been missing in action of late. I just noted my last blog was posted the end of February; meaning i have been woefully inadequate in converting my thoughts on Sun City living to text. Sorry.

Seems my time is at more of a premium these days; which in turn means i’m less interested in giving away those quiet moments where i can read a good book, put down a lawn bowl or play around on the computer. Selfish? Maybe, but that is one of the joys of being retired: Doing what you want, when you want to do it.

And before anyone thinks i’m playing the martyr card here, serving on the Rec Centers of Sun City (RCSC) board isn’t all that consuming. Yes, there are days on the calendar each month we are committed to. Some weeks are worse than others, but it’s far from a job and way more enjoyable.

There’s another thing; the marketing committee is working on a website using a the WordPress platform and there may well be blogging options included with it. It has the potential to allow those of us who like to occasionally express ourselves with something other than a golf club the opportunity to share our thoughts and drive traffic with something more than a static site.

It’s exciting and just the tip of the iceberg relative to things coming down the road in Sun City. My first three months on the RCSC board have been wonderfully enlightening. Haven’t always agreed, but i have found both staff and other board members willing to listen and let ideas churn and percolate. That’s healthy.

Stay tuned, lots happening and i my opinion, all for the common good. For those mystified by the single phrase/double meaning reference early on, let me clarify; It’s about time i got off my big old fat butt and did some writing and the reason i hadn’t, was simply because it was about the lack of time i had available. Cool eh?

Sybil…then and now

If one is so inclined, they can do some digging and find a previous post (approximately 8 months back) where i introduced Sybil to the blogging world. She was all of eight pounds when we got her and while we struggled with a name for a bit, she quickly aided us by demonstrating a multiple personality disorder that left us little choice. Sybil fit the bill perfectly.

She turned 1-year-old on Sunday this past week and she has grown into quite a character. This magnificent standard tuxedo party poodle hasn’t completely abandoned puppiedom, but she grows better with each passing week. Those of you who have had the joy of puppies in your life, know what i mean. There’s nothing like a puppy who has the capacity to eat virtually anything they can get their mouth around. We took a large pineapple palm down out back as it was the source of more fiber than we cared to think about for her.

Most of those days are in the past (we hope). The reality is, one always need keep an eye out as she works her way towards her terrible twos. She is now close to 55 pounds, still likes to hop around like a kangaroo and still loves to torment her older sister Phoenix. Nixie takes it like a trooper as Sybil latches on to her ears and pulls for all she is worth. Hit and run, hit and run as the older pup (also a standard poodle) mostly ignores her sisters juvenile delinquencies.

I’ll keep it brief as i know way too many people who go on and on about how their dog is the best, the smartest, and the most loved animal on 4 feet. Truth be told, almost all of them are sweethearts and invariably provide us with hours of fun and tons of love each and every day of our lives. Having a dog is a good thing, and loving them is even better.

Just be careful if you see us out and about. Sybil thinks everyone is talking to her and she wants to watch what you are doing. And lord forbid if you come by the house, that crazy girl is convinced you only came by to see her. The oddity is she won’t try to kiss you to death, she will bug you till you acknowledge her and make her the center of your attention. But then what puppy doesn’t want to feel special?

What drives you?

Pretty personal question eh? Course i could move a few words around and it becomes less so; What do you drive? But really, who cares how you get from point A to point B? Seriously, i don’t mean to minimize the whole “boys and their toys” deal, but life should be deeper than that.

Nope, i’m talking about what gets your juices flowing? What makes you excited and thrilled to be alive? What turns your crank? Puts the siz in your sizzle? Come on now, you must be getting the picture. There’s got to be more driving the bus than just crawling out of bed every day and just doing it cause it’s there.

Sometimes i find retirement leaves us a little less (huh?). Hold on, let me explain: For many, work defined/defines us. It shouldn’t, but all too often it does. We get caught up in that frenzy and forget there is a whole other other out there. Mind you this is coming from someone who struggles with the term “balance.”

Lest i loose you completely, let me just say i found it easy to retire and leave it all behind. Having spent the past near on nine years, away from the craziness of work, i transitioned without much challenge. Playing became a way of life and while i always had stuff going on, i was free to walk about the cabin, no seat-belts needed.

Since joining the RCSC board, i have come to find myself somewhat reinvigorated. Nope, not a “missing work” thing, but just kind of excited about the prospects to grow, learn and give back. All too often as we age we forget we are still capable of picking up things that help us be better, do better.

Case in point: Twice this week i received emails from residents who wanted to share their opinions. Some good, some less than. As is my type, rather than chat on the phone i wanted to talk face to face. In the first situation, we didn’t see eye to eye. He invited me to his house and so i stopped by. We had a great time and spent a hour plus talking about Sun City and life in general.

The second is happening this morning: i am going to a residents house for coffee and hear some ideas he has long held. His excitement level is near the ten level and what’s cool is, listening to him gets mine in that same range. Seriously, i love people who feel their emotions and are able to articulate them. Agreeing is secondary (if that).

The point here is; both these guys are in their 80′s. Both are opinionated and both wanted someone to listen to their thoughts. That’s the perfect storm for me; i learned long ago listening was 85% of good communications skills. Besides, i love having the discussion with folks who love Sun City and care enough to want to share their thoughts.

Best of all, no matter the outcome, this is a win/win. I know from both guys this is the kind of stuff that gets their juices flowing and if you haven’t figured it out yet…it does for me as well. While others ponder the state of the nation, the fate of the world and all things Oscar related, i elect to live a much less stressful, more fulfilling Sun City simplicity. Nice.

Building a strong Foundation…

The good news in Sun City is people live longer; the bad news is, some of those that do, outlive their resources. It’s a challenge that has been in the community for years. As an interesting footnote: There was a time (1980′s) when Sun City didn’t have the ancillary care we do today. A study was done by a major university that pointed out that shortcoming and within 15 years large numbers of assisted and independent living complex’s sprung up within the walls.

Back to the case at hand: In 1986, the RCSC recognized a need. They saw a growing number of residents trying to get by on very limited resources and even though rec fee’s were low, some of the population could not make the payment. It’s been the way of the community for years; identify a problem and then find ways to fix it.

To do so, the board established the Sun City Foundation. It is an organization funded solely by donations from residents, clubs and organizations wanting to help their neighbors. With some 25 years under its belt, they have done a great job of assisting those in the most dire of need. It’s one of the things that makes Sun City so special.

This past week, i was elected to be president of the Foundation (one of the two board members assigned to the board has to be the president while the other serves as the vp). I’m not a big fan of titles, i’ve always more impressed by what people accomplish than by what their title was/is. Nothing has changed; i still see my roll as serving the residents and helping bring the Foundation to a more prominent role in the community.

We all know how financially challenging it is in this economy. We know people are living longer and costs are rising far quicker than any increases to social security. That hits those on fixed incomes harder. It leaves too many of our seniors in harms way. The assistance we give them is limited but i’m told by the board members doing the evaluations how much people appreciate the help.

At our last board meeting we had a great discussion. A good number of the board wanted to look at better defining and perhaps expanding the role the Sun City Foundation played in the community. Obviously that’s the easy part. The tougher choices will be based solely on just how much Sun City residents want to help those in need?

The Foundation does not exist without those of us who are able to send a few dollars more when we pay our rec fees. It won’t be easy, but we feel by better promoting the organization and showcasing its importance, Sun City residents will rise to the occasion like they have always done.

Stay tuned…

Chicken Soup for the Sun City Soul…

Anyone who has read any of the awesome Chicken Soup series knows the compelling stories that fill the pages and the inspiration that comes from them. It’s almost like being at a Gaither Family Homecoming where the Gaither Vocal Band rocks the house.

So this morning i literally sprung (pretty amazing for an old fat white guy) from the big old king-sized.. To say i was feeling inspiration wouldn’t be enough; motivation, exhilaration and rejuvenation just barely capture what was driving me to the keyboard to start banging out my thoughts

It’s funny, these stirrings in the soul have found me almost from the first day i stumbled across Sun City. To be honest, i wasn’t sure what they were in the beginning, i just knew there was something pretty cool going on inside me.

Turns out i’m not alone. Yesterday was another of our yearly orientation programs for new Sun City residents. I’ve made them all and never leave the sessions without that state of being pumped. Every time i get a chance to interact with those who just found Sun City it takes me back to that place in time, that first year in 2003 when we moved to Sun City and made it our home.

Retirement was a destination and we had reached it. The best part was, it was just the start of a whole new journey. I get to renew those feelings as i stop folks who walk by whatever table i’m working at. It’s odd, i know hundreds of Sun City residents but i don’t have many “close friends”. Truth be told i’d just as soon read a good book, than hang out and mingle with the boys.

But i digress, or is it regress, who cares? Since moving to Sun City, i’ve always put myself in volunteer positions where i get to talk to people. I become a social animal, albeit for that brief point where we share our stories of how and why we ended in the best retirement community in the country (IMHO).

The funny thing is i tend to pick those people who look i did when first arriving here: A bit overwhelmed by what i had stumbled upon, newbies that look like they have a thirst to take it all in. You can see it in the glow on their faces and the light in their eyes. It’s exciting to me to know they still exist, much like it did back when Sun City first opened in 1960.

Yesterday i talked to folks from Alaska who were still working; two weeks on, two off. A couple form New York who looked like they were lost in each other and when i mentioned it they responded with “that’s how us old hippies are.” I chatted with several folks who had moved here in November but hadn’t picked up their rec cards yet because they have been too busy remodeling their homes. And the ones that were still unpacking, having moved in a mere 4 days back were still in the state of shock.

The point is, every story is different, yet every one has the same excited ring to it. The funny thing is there are hundreds of oral histories at the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum that tell of that identical excitement. It’s about feeling good about their decision to having moved to Sun City.

It dawned on me after the close we are missing the mark. We should be able to record that new comer presentation and post it to our coming soon marketing website; make it available for everyone and anyone. Beyond the canned stuff, we can do roving mic interviews, talking to those new folks and letting the world see and feel that joy.

I know this sounds like an infomercial for Sun City, so be it. I’ve never been a salesman, but when i love something, the passion for it invariably becomes readilly apparent. Let’s face it, promoting something you love should be easy. Sun City is that darn good!