Resident Communication Committee

Meeting minutes from Perry – 2 p.m. Jan. 31, 2003, at Pocotaligo building (submitted 2-6-03)

Present – Juli Yale, chairwoman; Bob Rasmussen,  Marilyn Fletcher, Bea Boockholdt, Holly Field, Perry Molinaro. Absent –  Hal Meeks, Roland Faricy. CAM Liaison - Steve O'Donnell. Board Liaison - Steve Koehl.

Juli opened the meeting and asked for subcommittee suggestions for 2003 goals. Bob said the live broadcast on Channel 50 of the Board of Directors meeting Jan. 31 provided another way to make Sun City affairs more understandable for residents.

Phone directory – As to goals, the main effort will be to have the directory published on schedule. Sun City is locked into about a 10-year contract with Hargray on advertisements for the book; revenues are split 50-50.  Bob prepared and delivered street maps to the front gate. The two-sided maps show all streets by location and name.

Broadcast – Marilyn’s primary goal is to get on air with high-quality productions on Channels 51 (Sun City education) and 52 (club activities). Completing the broadcast room work and getting TV advertising are among the goals. Bob pointed out that it took about five hours to set up for the Jan. 31 board meeting; Steve O’Donnell noted that space allocation most likely would be a problem as similar productions are planned.

Publications -- Holly said one of the goals is to change printers. An Orangeburg-based company has given the group a proposal that, with the equipment, etc., that it would provide, would result in savings of thousands of dollars a year in publishing costs. Steve O’Donnell said a communications director might be on board in a couple of weeks. Six people were interviewed and at least three of them had the necessary qualifications. The director’s priority will be on SunSations, after which a marketing package would be prepared that would also affect broadcast operations. Any changes in printers would occur after that person is hired. New people on the subcommittee are bringing new ideas, one of which is to include things outside Sun City gates – library, etc. Holly also is working with Julie Marchesi to straighten out records on SunSations advertising collections, contracts, etc.

Newcomers – Bea’s goal is to get more people and to get more done in welcoming newcomers. December 2002 – 39 news residents from 22 homes were greeted; one coffee with 15 attendees from eight homes. January 2003 – Greeted 59 new residents from 30 homes; gave three coffees with 50 attendees from 29 homes. Year 2002  -- Greeted 475 new residents from 256 homes; gave 22 coffees with 352 attendees from 213 homes.

Other stuff – Remaining 2003 meeting schedule (10 a.m. in the logo building): March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10.