Randy Young, TLIA President
Contributed by: TLIA President, Randy Young
One TL resident to another in the not–to-distant-future: “You remember the Social Committee, don’t you?” “Oh sure I do. They used to put on all those great events. What ever happened to them anyway?” Can you imagine Tower Lakes without a Social Committee? No annual or seasonal events, no Fourth of July, Chili Cook-Off, Progressive Dinner… Wouldn’t that be disappointing? I am talking about the very real possibility of the TLIA Social Committee becoming a thing of the past, just a fading memory of fun times in a great neighborhood. All the neighborhood events and activities we have come to love and expect could just fade away. The absence of community volunteerism in the last year, coupled with the need to recruit new Social Committee members, has left the future of the Social Committee in jeopardy, and with it, many important community activities. Traditionally, the SC recruits members on a yearly basis to replace members rolling off each August. Over the past several years, that volunteerism has wained and there are not enough members to continue in the committee’s current structure. They simply do not have enough members to sustain the group. With that in mind, the committee has proposed to the Board — and I hope you will review — a new operating approach that they believe will enhance the opportunity to volunteer and join in on the fun. In short, the key to this proposal is the elimination of several requirements that may have discouraged some from joining. The restructure, taking effect in August, will no longer require volunteers to commit to two years on the committee. Nor will it require volunteers to join as a couple. Under the proposal, singletons can volunteer to be planners for individual events or responsibilities during the year. This proposal gives more choices in how members can participate and gives people greater options to volunteer, guided by their interests. I would like to use this new proposal as a challenge for the entire community. The future of our Social Committee is at stake. If the Social Committee dissolves, the loss will echo throughout our community for years to come. This is a fresh start for the committee and our community. See the story on page 6 and review the new ideas. I hope you decide, along with the Board, that this is an opportunity for everyone to give a little back and volunteer their time. A chance to continue bonding as a community in fun, social ways!