Rotonda West Association, Inc.
Community Relations Committee
Minutes
Wednesday March 5, 2008

Present: Earl Haas, (Chair.) Don Mahon, Sue Artz, David Pulaski, John Forster, Robin Hendricks and
Linda Harrison

Absent: Ken Hirsch and Wayne Mengel

Management: Dianne Brophy, Secretary and Jay Lyons, Office Manager

Other Members: Nick Gizzi, John Carroll and Bob Bondeson

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm. Roll call was taken. The Minutes of the February 6, 2008, were approved as written.

West Ways: Robin Hendricks gave a report on the March/April West Ways and passed out a planning sheet to the committee. The date for submission of photographs and articles is listed on the planning sheet. April 14, through the 16 will be the production date and the target mailing date is April 30. Regular features are listed first for the proposed contents of the West Ways. Ms. Hendricks asked the committee to review the contents checking for any omissions or corrections, as this is her first West Ways. Articles with (tbw) beside them are to be written. There could be an additional article on the status of Jay Lyons CAM license, a Rotonda West real estate report, and adding a feature What’s Going On photo. This would be a photo and a caption. This would show what is going on in the community. The Deed Restriction article by George Burger still has to be written. There will be a feature article by Bob Winter on the Grant for littoral zone plantings at the White Marsh Memorial Park. Linda Harrison stated with hurricane season starting June 1, she would like to put a hurricane checklist article in the West Ways. This article would include removing outside furniture and ornaments, which could become flying missiles. Remove all lose tree branches and tree fronds, have insurance information readily available and have gas in grill for cooking. This will be done in bullet form.

Earl Haas asked the committee for any ideas on the West Ways. Sue Artz said Rotonda West has a Buckeye Club. Sue would like to challenge other states to start clubs. Sue stated she would be happy to assist others getting a club of this type started.

Nick Gizzi said in a Community Association magazine he received there was an interesting article, “Do you know where your Association Documents Are?” There are residents who come into the office that do not know about the Deed Restrictions and have never received our Governing Documents. The article stated if you don’t have your Association Documents contact the office. Robin Hendricks stated she could adapt from the article or ask for permission to reprint. Don Mahon said John Forster wrote an article, “I Don’t Know the Rules.” The article mentioned all the excuses from residents who don’t know about the Deed Restrictions.

Nick Gizzi stated at the next Board of Directors’ meeting he would announce the creation of the Rotonda West Foundation, Inc. This is totally separate from the RWA. We are going to try to bring in all the Rotondas and do community service. Hopefully at a future date we will have a building fund separate from the RWA. We would like you to have space for this announcement that will be made at the next Board of Directors meeting. It is a 5013C. Donations will be tax exempt. Don Mahon asked if the end purpose is for a community center. Nick said the end purpose is to pull the community together and at the center not have a community center, but a civic center for the Rotonda communities. The old Property Owners Association, that had money for a community center, dissolved and turned the money over to the Greater Rotonda Organization with the same goal. That organization is now turning the money over to the Rotonda West Foundation, Inc. with the stipulation that it can only be used toward a building. We have $90,000.00 toward a building. Nick Gizzi stated he will ask the Rotonda West Association for use of the Community Center until the Foundation has its own building. Earl Haas asked if there is an organization responsible for the Foundation now. Nick said a very small group probably three (3) people. We have to recruit many volunteers. John Carroll asked has there been conversation with the other Rotonda Associations. Nick Gizzi said no. John Brandenberger will be notified so the other Rotonda Associations can be informed of the Rotonda West Foundation, Inc.

Website: No report. Jay Lyons said he spoke with Ken Hirsch regarding the change of the domain providers for the website name RotondaWest.org. Every year we have to re-new the website name. We were paying $20.00 per year for the renewal. Ken Hirsch found another domain provider who will maintain the site for $6.95 per year for the same service.

John Carroll said the minutes are behind on the website. John Forster said each committee chairperson is responsible to forward minutes to the website.

Old Business: Earl Haas said under old business he would like to discuss the Rotonda West Association, Inc. joining the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. At previous meetings this committee discussed the benefits and cost of joining the Chamber of Commerce. The cost is approximately $300.00 per year because we are a not for profit business. The most important factor in joining the Chamber would be the opportunity for the manager to join the Government Relations Committee. That committee is comprised of members representing business, banks, education, utilities, real estate, economic development, legislation and more. We like the legislation part because we need to have a good working relationship with Charlotte County Commissioners and directors. Being on that committee would be a plus in getting the help that we need from the County. Earl asked if the committee approves having the Rotonda West Association join the Chamber? The Association does not have the funds available to join at this time. The committee stated they approve joining the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. Dave Pulaski motioned the Community Relations Committee recommend to the Board of Directors that Rotonda West Association, Inc. join the Englewood Chamber of Commerce when funds become available. Seconded by John Forster. Motion carried.

Don Mahon said four (4) years ago this committee put together Media Relations Guidelines. At that time, there were serious problems with the Englewood Sun. Dissident Board members statements tarnished the image of Rotonda West. The manager was designated as the key contact person for the local media. To date there has not been problems. There is a new website regarding Rotonda West Association. There was discussion regarding this website. Jay Lyons stated no one wants to validate the website with a response, and I do not believe we should. Don Mahon said we should re-activate the Media Guidelines. We have lost our contacts with the local newspapers do to turnovers at the local newspapers. I will update the guidelines and bring them to the next meeting. Earl Haas said when contact is made by the media to any committee member it should be referred to the manager for a response. Earl went on to say this matter should be mentioned at all committee meetings.

New Business: Earl asked Sue if Welcome to Rotonda was a function of the Women’s Club. Yes, but it is not being done at this time because there has not been much turnover with properties, and it was hard to ask sponsors for donations when they were receiving very little in return. The Women’s Club will do the Welcome to Rotonda again when the real estate market turns around. The donated money was used for Lemon Bay High School scholarships.

Earl Haas said he has received telephone calls from residents asking how they can get involved and what activities does Rotonda West provide. Jay Lyons said what he would like to do on a quarterly basis is have some kind of an event at the Community Center. At that meeting the new residents would be informed of the Deed Restrictions and what functions and services are available. For the new residents who do not attend we can send out packages. Linda Harrison suggested that representatives from County departments be invited to let residents know what is available. Jay Lyons said this should be a Community Relations event. Linda Harrison suggested that on next month’s agenda three (3) dates be selected for possible times to have these events. Jay Lyons suggested that the dates be at the end of the quarter.

Earl Haas said at the last Board of Directors meeting each committee was challenged to come up with a Five Year Plan. What would this committee like to be about in five (5) years? We need to think about this. Nick Gizzi stated in order to budget properly in the future we need to have numbers. You need to have a plan in place to accomplish the goals set in the Five Year Plan. Chairperson Haas said we would bring the Five Year Plan to a meeting. John Carroll said the proposed Five Year Plan should be submitted to the Budget and Finance Committee. Chairman Haas stated we need realistic numbers to bring to the Board of Directors in July. Discussion followed on what the Five Year Plan would include.

Jay Lyons stated, since this will impact every committee in Rotonda West, the Women’s Club has been lobbying and putting together a program for installing an AED devise in the Community Center. This is an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator. This was brought to my attention mid February. I have raised the issue of potential liability by having the AED in the building. Training would be provided to any of the club members who would be interested. The three (3) who would be trained is the office staff, Dianne, Norene and myself. Since we are here 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, we would probably be the ones to administer any AED issue that would have to be accomplished. We have asked for an opinion from our attorney and our insurance carrier relative to the installation of the AED. Our insurance carrier told us no. Discussion followed on the Good Samaritan Law. Jay stated an individual could not be sued if they are providing life saving services, but we all know that’s only worth the paper it is written on. Anybody can sue anyone for any reason. Jay went on to say that other organizations would tell you the AED is useless without oxygen. If there are other issues with the person you have provided care to, you need oxygen as well. Jay explained how the AED works. With the age of the people who use the facility and the organizations that use the facility it is a huge concern. There is a moral issue here as well. We have the opportunity to take the AED devise from the Women’s Club and install it, but what if we don’t. John Carroll said you could be sued. Jay Lyons said someone could apply the AED devise to a person with all good intentions; however, the person passed on. The family could say why didn’t you do this or that. Then the family goes to a personal litigation attorney and they sue. Anyone can be sued for any reason. The insurance company recommended that the devise not be installed in the Community Center. The attorney has not yet provided a specific opinion. I believe the attorney’s opinion will be the same as the insurance company. Don Mahon said we should get a written letter from the insurance company. Jay Lyons said he would like to get an opinion from the attorney and incorporate the opinion from the insurance company in a letter. This will be on the agenda at the next Board of Directors meeting.

The meeting concluded at 4:00 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on April 2, 2008.

Dianne Brophy, Secretary