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quote:
Originally posted by monkeywrangler
One of those communities is people who use the community center. I'm not part of that community.
I'm also not part of the community in Kona raising funds for a dog park, or one in New York building a museum.
I don't feel the need to support any of these. Well, maybe the museum, if I liked the art.
I can agree with what you are saying about the community center to a point; however, we do not live in a vacuum. I live in the same neighborhood area as you. I believe we could utilize our area reps in a more efficient manner. As an example, our area reps could hold a get together in the neighborhood. Let's talk; exchange ideas and explore creative ways to deal with problems. It doesn't matter who did what. The question is how do we move forward. That is the hard part. Our ability in coming to a consensus. Let me know what you think.
monkeywrangler
The idea of local neighborhood get togethers is excellent! Talking and exchanging ideas is what community is all about! Taking it to a more localized level could be a game changer so far as solving problems and getting folks to participate more. That’s what I think!
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quote:
Originally posted by Lee M-S
Randomq asked..."And would you still allocate some level of funds to community benefits, even if they did not directly benefit you?"
Define community. I would say it means something like "a group of people who interact in a significant way."
Hawaiian Acres is not a single community, it's a bunch of smaller communities, with varying levels of access to amenities.
One of those communities is people who use the community center. I'm not part of that community.
I'm also not part of the community in Kona raising funds for a dog park, or one in New York building a museum.
I don't feel the need to support any of these. Well, maybe the museum, if I liked the art.
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Its ok by me if you don’t use the center or want to participate in other ways. You are so correct about HA being such a big place. Lots of folks never set foot into the center or go to meetings or read the newsletters or go to the websites. Yet, you did choose to dialog here! Even tho you and I can’t solve everyones’ problems, as you say, you DO care in your own way, and that is the point in our unique no-mandatory-dues subdivision. Support what you like. Support others in what they like, even if it just means leaving them alone to pursue what they choose. It would be nice if folks would not discourage others from paying dues or discourage participation in other ways. Otherwise there will be no choices for any of us.
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quote:
Originally posted by birchl
lee - one of the oddities to hawaiian acres is the sheer size. the community center is there as a resource for every one. firstly you are not paying for some-one else free wi-fi. that cost is $30 for each person that signs up for it. Even seven miles in nearer than the nearest internet cafe. in order to improve that resource, as a place for members to hire, as a playground and drop off point for our children, as a place of information and assistance during crisis, as a meeting point where people can share produce and ideas, as well as a myriad of other purposes, than we need money. i also live miles away from the center, but that doesn't mean that this is not my community.
#10048;
Beautifully said! Mahalo for pointing out how the miles-distant center is still a focal point for you and many, many others!
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quote:
Originally posted by wolverine2
well im just speaking for myself ,, 30 a year and the road fee is a huge benefit to me ,,, I have grandchildren that I love dearly ,, and its damn convenient to have the swings down there and a fence ,, and trash cans ,, and a bathroom for them ,, ( even if you don't have kids ,, ) I have spent many an aft. down there pushing the kids ,,, socializing ,, always felt like a great bargain for me on those merits alone ,, !
i see so much potential in this comm. that i staked a claim ,, i haven't regretted it yet ..
i have been rescued by the bathroom there in a long prostrate emergency ,, many many times ,,
there is a vol. fire dept. . wow
every time i have ever been in center and the office ,,, i have always been greeted and helped in whatever i needed ,, the different people over the years have never failed to help me ,,, i see a huge benefit there as well ,
to be blunt im surprised that the poa and crc have enough money to pay any one enough to make dealing with these people worthwhile ,, ! it has got to be hell on earth trying to help ,, help some of us ,,,no matter what , no one can make everyone happy at once .
make some of these people happy,,, i wouldn't consider doing the office job ,,, i know some of you are horrible.
my point is ,,, i see a huge benefit for my donations,,,, and i have no expectations of being asked or informed before it is spent . the road i drive is no worse than some,, and better than others ,, we all knew this then ,,, so suk it up and quit bellyaching about it ,, i feel like i get plenty in return for my donation ,,
speaking just for me , and some people from Tennessee ,, we got a thing or two to tell you all !
Yes Yes Yes! This is what I’m talking about too! I see HUGE benefit in my paying dues to both HACA & HARC. I trust the board members to do their best to improve our situation, to the great benefit of our community. Most all bd members do this. I staked a claim 27 years ago and have never regretted it either. The playground for the kids was added during my time as office manager and the level of participation from families zoomed upward fast! Find the need, fill the need, Done!
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I'm not telling anyone NOT to pay dues to HACA.
But the community center is all I hear that HACA does with the money. So all of the resources are going to this one thing.
What percentage of HA residents use the CC? Anybody ever done a study, questionnaire, poll? I think that's my main beef here; the CC is being presented as something we all need and use. Yes, it is available to all, but that's not the same as benefiting all.
What if only 10% of HAcreons use the CC? That's not very good use of funds.
The idea of more local get-togethers is a good one. We could find out who really wants the CC, and what other projects might be of interest to others.
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I don't know specifics on numbers or anything. Before I started volunteering, I truly believed no one used the community center. I think it was just because I never went there so I didn't see it. There are a lot of people who go there daily. Besides the regulars who talk story and have coffee, the center is rented out to different clubs and groups. There have been martial arts classes, homeschool gymnasiums, book clubs, etc. Not to mention that the kids in the area really use the grounds. They play ball, swing, and get dropped off from school. The center also houses both the HACA and HARC office(s). Of course there are slow days too. Come hang out sometime and see for yourself. Might even make some new friends 
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A large portion of lot owners don’t pay dues—think about what their reasons might be:
1) can’t afford it (it’s not much money, but some people don’t have that much to spare);
2) don’t see a benefit—absentee owners, people with rental properties, folks who don’t use the CC;
3) don’t like HACA-related people they’ve encountered over the years;
4) don’t feel like they have a say in where the money is spent (I used to pay my dues and go to meetings. At each meeting, a particular board member held a bunch of proxies, so whatever she wanted got passed.);
5) don’t care.
Perhaps addressing some of those issues would help to increase membership. Here are some ideas, numbered to match the reasons above:
1) Maybe have a lottery, giving away one or two free memberships each year so people can participate.
2) Find out what people would like, perhaps through local meetings, or mailers.
3) Demonstrate that things have changed for the better.
4) See #3
5) Leave them alone.
HACA is a community association. It should try to benefit the entire community, not just run a community center.
I thought of a couple things I’d like HACA to do:
--Put the rock sign back up on Kulani. I’d donate $30 specifically toward this.
--Post information about meetings—times, agendas, minutes—on the HA listserve (I’ve asked for this before, and it was done once or twice). This could increase interest in what’s going on, and demonstrate that things have changed (see #3 and 4 above).
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What is the HA listserve?
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Is that the Google group?
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It's an online discussion (google) group. You can join through the HA website http://hawaiianacres.org/
quote:
Originally posted by cfscott
What is the HA listserve?
ed to add open paren
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