March 21, 2007
Koger Update
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As many of you are probablyaware, the Washington Post has published an article about the legalproceedings the State of Virginia has taken against Koger Management.
When we were notified by our auditor last summer about the financialissues within Koger, we immediately began taking action. We beganspeaking to other clusters and Reston Association about replacingKoger. After interviewing the three firms who we felt could best fitour needs, RCS Management was selected.
Wealso put on retainer William Marr as our attorney in preparation for adifficult transition from Koger to RCS. While things seemed to smoothout towards the end, Koger began playing games in regards to moving themoney to the new firm.
As a result, I spent almost a solid day emailing, faxing and getting the proper paperwork to CaBanc, (http://cabanc.com) and locked Koger out of our bank account.
Wehave been working through our attorney with Koger to obtain the neededrecords for a proper 2006 audit. We have obtained bank records for ourauditor and he is waiting on some further records from Koger tocomplete the audit. About $3,000 was reported in discrepancy for the2005 audit. Koger has offered to pay this amount if we do not bring anyfurther claims against them.
I have refused this offer butwill accept the check for the 2005 audit but will not sign any releasesuntil the 2006 audit is completed. It does not look like we are missingany money for 2006 but until the audit is completed, we cannot be sure.
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know and I will do my best to answer them.
Sincerely,
George
Ask not what your volunteer board can do for you, but what you can do for your community
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February 17, 2007
Emergency Preparedness
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I have received an overwhelming response for volunteers to help create an Emergency Response team for Whisperwood. As we continue to develop this team and strategy, we shall be posting updates to the website.
In the meantime, links for two very useful guides can be found on the new Emergency Response page.
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February 16, 2007
Plowing Update
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As RCS and the board continue to be inundated with calls and emails regarding the plowing, I have to admit, I am a bit surprised by some of the commentary we have been receiving.
Our plow company, D&D has been extremely good to us in the past. During most snow emergencies, we have been able to walk out of our homes and see the plowing taken care of before we left for work.
In this instance, they suffered some mechanical failure to their truck and when they were able to get another one out here, they did. Unfortunately, in that time frame, the weather conditions changed and the snow became heavier and frozen on top of everyone being stuck all day, they could not come through and clear out most areas they would have during the day when everyone is at work.
A combination of issues have resulted in our predicament but we are not alone in the northern virginia area suffering from this dilemna. Somehow residents forget that the board members live here too and are negatively impacted worse than the resdients because we have to get this taken care of.
For those unaware, we have gone through a number of plow companies over the years. The board even refused to pay some invoices because those contractors did such a poor job throughout the entire snow season.
Good contractors can be difficult to find but somehow residents think that during a snow emergency (or any other emergency for that matter), the board can pick up a phone and they are many vendors waiting for us to call.
This is not the case. They are all busy handling THEIR customers.
As the neighborhood experienced in many areas, people who couldn't leave or work was cancelled, they helped shovel sidewalks and helped in other ways.
It is times like this that the neighborhood can pull together rather than complaining about the inconvenience. Someone could volunteer to manage people with SUV's in the neighborhood who would like to help others get to work if they need the assistance. We can keep track of elderly residents who might need assistance during emergencies. We as a community can at the very least take care our ourselves by working together.
These ideas are solutions. Solutions solve problems.
Complaints are non-productive when the problem affects the community as a whole. The board is always aware of neighborhood issues because, umm... we live here too! :-)
Being in Action is rewarding and satisfying. Its one of the prime reasons I am the president of the Association.
So when the next emergency happens in the neighborhood, can everyone begin to think a little outside themselves and look to how you can help the community?
Will you stand on the sidelines or be part of the Solution?
Sincerely,
George Callaghan
"Ask not what the volunteer board can do for you but what you can do for your community"
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February 16, 2007
A Stand for the Well Being of Whisperwood Residents
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Not 30 minutes after sending out my last email to the neighborhood did I receive this endearing response from one of our residents.
Hi
George,
Sorry
to hear that you have taken the brunt of this snow/ice storm from the other
residents. You're probably asking yourself why you agreed to run again as
president. I would be happy to help. Heck, the bird flu could hit
tomorrow and we need to be prepared. Do we have a spread sheet by
address with all the residents with phone numbers and special
circumstances? I'm sure you have records, but it might not be in a good
format to use for emergencies. For instance, I noticed that there are
residents in the cluster with the 20 steps to the front door which have not
shoveled out. Since we can't make it up to their front door (and their
front door is iced so it can't open), would be good if we had their phone
number to check in on them. If I give you their street number, can you
look up their phone number?
Thanks,
Debbie
and Rascal
This type of Action makes our neighborhood a place we all want to call "home". This is a solution, not a complaint.
In the future, when considering complaining about a situation, please consider what possible solutions could be taken to resolve them. The board is always open to solutions. We are residents as yourself.
A singular instance of a contractor not able to perform at their normal level does not warrant immediate replacement. Life happens. It is how they handle the mishaps that matter.
In this case, D&D sent out a skid steer loader to begin cleaning up the neighborhood. This is construction equipment. Not a plow truck. this was required due to the nature of the storm. Trucks can't move ice.
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February 14, 2007
Snow Plowing
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Due to some technical difficulties with the plow truck today, our D7d was unable to finish the clearing of the neighborhood this morning. We have been told that it would be resolved today and that the roads will be cleared and treated tonight.
In the past, D&D have completed exceptional work for us, been prompt during the snow storms and moved the snow in an effective manner. We expect this continued level of service. Unfortunately, things like this can happen and finding other people to plow during snow storms is rather difficult.
Please be careful while driving in the neighborhood and watch out for other vehicles passing each other.
Sincerely,
George Callaghan
"Ask not what the volunteer board can do for you, but what you can do for your neighborhood"
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January 11, 2007
New Management Firm
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On January 1, 2007, the Whisperwood Cluster transferred management responsibilities to RCS Management, LLC. RCS was selected during a competitive bid process to replace the previous management company. We were pleased to be chosen and RCS and Whisperwood will partner to promote the overall community image and protect property values within the community. We shall keep Whisperwood a great place to call HOME.
During management transition periods, there can be “bumps in the road.” RCS staff will make every effort to minimize any “bumps” we experience and help to insulate homeowners from any inconvenience or adverse effects. The Board and RCS are working together to make the transition as smooth as possible. However, previous management cooperation is a factor that we cannot control. We thank you in advance for your patience as this transition progresses.
How Do I pay my Whisperwood Dues?
We will be sending out due notices in the near future.
If the address on the check is not a Whisperwood Address, please put the address you would to have it credited to in the memo field of your check. As long as your last name appears on the face of the check, there is no need to include any coupon or ID number, but please include the property address on your check. This will allow us to verify the contact information we have for all homeowners as well.
Beginning the 2nd Quarter 2007, due notices will be sent out by RCS on a regular schedule. These statements will be sent to any homeowner owing that quarter’s dues. If you wish to prepay the entire year, no statements will be mailed to you and you will not be bothered with the quarterly mail.
If you use an auto payment through your bank, please make the appropriate changes to your online account. You should correct the address payments are being sent to. If your payment is sent to the previous management, you may incur a late fee as a result.
What if I paid my dues via credit card?
Some of you may have participated in the automated creditcard payment offered by previous management. This previous system will be replaced. You must forward a payment in the form of a check for the 1st Qtr 2007. Once we reestablish a direct debit system, you will be provided the opportunity to participate. We will provide information with the 2nd Quarter 2007 dues statement and on the website. (http://whisperwood.us) Due to the nature of the previous management, your payment may still be automatically debited from your creditcard. If so, Please contact us directly so we can make sure you are credited properly.
Because of the possible problems with my dues payment being credited to my account, will I be charged a late fee if the previous management made the error?
No, ALL late fees will be waived for the first quarter of 2007.
What if I need to request information, change contact information, etc?
All payments, correspondence, requests for disclosure packets, information update forms and other paperwork MUST be forwarded to RCS Management at:
Whisperwood Cluster Association
c/o RCS Management, LLC
PO Box 8624
Alexandria, VA 22306
As your community’s management, RCS Management will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure that your experiences with Whisperwood are as positive and productive as possible. During the coming months, the RCS staff and I will become versed in your governing documents, familiarize ourselves with the common areas, and begin to learn more about the issues that most affect your community. Again, we thank you in advance for your patience.
If there is anything that we can assist with, please contact me in the office. If I am not able to address your topic, I will make every effort to put you in contact with someone that may be better suited to help.
Sincerely,
Rod Strawderman, AMS ®
Association Management Specialist
Office: 703-778-RCS1 (7271)
Fax: 703-778-RCS2 (7272)
Email: rod@rcsmanagement.org
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