Non-residents on Broadlands swim team

So only 4 more residents can apply to CSL from now until May? What happens after those 4 apply? What if more residents apply or what if some of the waitlisted ODSL applicants want CSL as an alternate option? The point is that 11 of our kids will not get to be on the team because 11 non-residents are ...

 

To whoever left the note on my car windshield this morning, thanks for yout thoughts, but it's hard for me to respond to anonymous notes. I was home at the time. I would have preferred you knocked on the door to discuss this with me.
I really am a nice guy and like hearing from residents.

 

Your lucky it wasn't tied to rock or brick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I agree, it's a great activity and it's good for the kid in the community, But I would take that away from that team if their board or management can't get their act together and resolve their issues. It's unfair, but can you imagine what those kids are exposed to if among adults, they act this way.

 

The 2 teams do not interact during the year, only the board members at their monthly meetings. I can attest that the kids are unaware of most of the activities that go on behind the scenes to make the teams run. My 3 all swim and besides what they may over hear from my interaction they know nothing.

Staci

 

It was a nice, respectful note.

 

When you say "most" does that mean that some has been witnessed by the children?

I hope not, this kind of frivolous nonsense makes for trouble in the long run and can be detrimental for promoting good sportsmanship and overall acceptable conduct and quite frankly make the Broadlands look bad.

 

I can personally say, as someone whose family has been involved with swim team for the past 11 seasons, we have had nothing but positive experiences, and have some of the best friendships because of swim team! It is unfortunate that a few (and I mean just a few) that give some people a poor impression of what the team is all about. I would hope that these previous posts would not give someone thinking of signing up for the team second thoughts about doing so. The Broadlands Piranhas Swim Team is a great organization and experience for any swimmer and their family!

 

I agree. However, the "few" that are giving a poor impression of the team are people that have leadership positions. If team members have lost confidence in any of the team leaders, what can/should be done about it? Just wait it out for the next elections?

Does the swim team want this type of representation? This thread, if accurate, is exposing several things - inappropriate conduct (the rude comments made at the meeting), disregard for the team's rules (violation of by-law regarding non-resident registration), and a willingness to "recruit" outside members at the expense of residents.

The postings here, the note(s) given to Cliff, and any emails and phone calls sent to HOA board members are all indications that there are some team members and/or residents concerned about the issues being discussed here. The CSL President is normally the person one would go to if there was a problem on the CSL team. But if the CSL President is part of the problem, then what?

 

I agree with ayayagirl. The swim team is a positive experience for the kids and the struggles going on with the leadership do not effect the children.

I did want to clarify that it is my understanding which may be wrong, but outside members were not recruited per se, but a link to registration was provided to all 2008 swim team returning members. The outside membership swimmers ( I think) were children who were part of the team last summer. I feel this makes a difference in understanding the current situation. They were part of the team and therefore perhaps can continue with the friendships, relationships, etc that have been formed as a Piranha outside membership or resident. They were part of the team.

I really try to not get involved in the politics of it all, but felt I needed to speak up since I want to believe that this was not some evil plot to deceive the residents and the board members. Maybe I am naive, but I hate the malicious banter that continues without full knowledge of all the information.

 

$$$$$$$$

 

With the exception of Chsalas who seems to be motivated by a desire to get rid of unwelcome parking that results from merely 3-4 home swim meets a year by ODSL's swim team; I believe most posters here have quite a bit of inside knowledge of the inner workings of the swim team. I don't believe that anyone has posted "malicious banter" at all. I think this forum is the only venue for many issues and a great outlet for many including parents of swim team kids who are trying to help improve a challenging situation.

Discussing a very real situation doesn't make people "malicious" and I find that a bit insulting. It's because people care about the swim team that they are trying to resolve some of the above mentioned issues. I can tell you that many of the posters here are VERY involved parents who HAVE gotten involved and worked their tails off to make what has become a truly wonderful summer experience for all of our kids that participate on swim team. We should thank them for their efforts rather than insult them.

They are willing to put it out there to improve things. My kids have no idea about any politics by parents. They love summer swim and have a great time. That's why we do it. It's my experience that the people who "try not to get involved in the politics" are also not familiar with some of the negatives that should be rectified. That's fine to be blissfully unaware of what's really going on...but just because you're not aware, doesn't mean that the people posting here don't have genuine concerns and ARE aware of many facts of the issues at hand. I can tell you for one: there currently are non-residents registered for the team for the first time. Meaning: they are not all returning families.

The policy in the past was always to wait until the HOA provided a list of those non-residents that bought pool passes to the swim team and then, and only then did the swim team contact outside members about registering for the team. There were always TWO separate and distinct links: one for residents and one for non-residents. That did not happen this year. Maybe it was an oversight, which could happen. But then why not say that vs. saying you need these non-residents because they are uniquely qualified volunteers. The residents are wonderful volunteers and quite capable as evidenced by the successful swim team experience year after year.

I think the point of most posters here is that they would like to see the negativity in the leadership that they have personally experienced stop so that the swim team can continue to be the positive experience that we all know it to be.

Sometimes, you have to have people speak up to effect change. Of course we can be respectful and cooperative. But that also doesn't mean continuing to turn a blind eye or be a door mat when you see some things that just aren't right on the face of it. Enough is enough sometimes. Thanks to all of you fellow posters. :love:

 

I'd like to add one other thought. When it gets to the point that someone as involved, hard-working and concerned with our community as Staci is feels the need to resign from the Rec Committee which she has run for the past 6 years and taken all kinds of grief and then some....then maybe it's time to do something.

Of course we would all like it to be pleasant and feel that we all get along and "don't rock the boat" or you'll be seen as a dissenter/complainer. But I don't believe there is any place for people who are VOLUNTEERS to feel disrespected and intimidated. It doesn't have to be one extreme or the other: if you "complain" then swim team gets a bad rap or worse abandoned altogether OR you have to remain silent. There is a happy medium. We can find a way to have the leadership work together respectfully (or replace them) and have a swim team.

 

If the few non-resident children on the team THIS year were on the team LAST year, I think that they should remain on the team.

ASSUMPTION ALERT!!! The door was probably opened at the formation of the team to allow non-Broadlands residents to join and if there are not any written by-laws stating that residents have preferential treatment over non-residents then I feel "legacy" children should be allowed to remain on the team. "IF" the by-laws need to updated, do it, but for next year.

 

Some would think your veiled jab at chsalas was "malicious".

And just because you do not think something is malicious banter, someone else may. So PLEASE stop trying to be some sorta forum etiquette police! It is not your job!!! If some of us want to be "so-called" malicious or rude, SO BE IT! If YOU don't like reading it, then don't or use the ignore feature on your "bully posters".

 

Right back at ya T8erman! And you need to re-read MY comments. I didn't call anyone malicious. I said I didn't think anyone was being malicious. How awful of me........

 

Maybe I should re-read your post but after few paragraphs of your "Ms. Manners" drivel , the rest becomes a blur. :conf4:

 

Take your own advice; if you don't like it DON'T read it. :rolleyes3: