Important Imports

by Bob Buddemeier and Connie Kent

Mirabella Portland is, like RVM, a CCRC that is part of  Pacific Retirement Services, Inc.  Their resident-produced quarterly newsmagazine, “3550,” often contains articles relevant to RVM.  In this feature we present brief summary descriptions of two recent articles, along with links for those who might wish to read them.  The link to “3550” provides access to both the current issue and back issues.

Covid Costs PRS, by Ed Parker

https://3550magazine.org, June issue, page 19.

This article is based on co-editor Ed Parker’s interview with Eric Scholty, Executive Director of PRS, concerning the financial effect of the COVID pandemic on PRS finances.  Some key points contained in the article (items in italics are direct quotations):

Eric declined to provide a specific dollar figure for Covid-related losses, but said it was “multi-multi-millions of dollars.” 

However he also said that despite being hit hard financially by the Covid pandemic, PRS had better financial reserves and a stronger management team than most retirement communities.  He also pointed to the PRS strategic planning process that “…should pay attention to what future retirement residents will want “10 to 50 years from now.”

Eric said that some current residents may resist change, but he must introduce changes that will attract future residents. 

——————————————————————————————————————————-

Bylaws Reform Proposed, by John Foreman

https://3550magazine.org, June issue, pp 6-7.

Excerpts from the article are printed below — items in italics are direct quotes.

A few months ago the RAMP council, the governing body of RAMP, appointed an ad hoc bylaws committee … to look at all the bylaws, especially after problems caused by the pandemic (and) the way in which the RAMP bylaws are affected by the bylaws and actions of the related entities: the Mirabella Portland board, the Mirabella Portland Foundation and Pacific Retirement Services Inc.

The proposed changes are now undergoing community review before the intended vote in September.

A major theme …is authorization of the council to make rules to address governance issues… One of the pandemic’s lessons is that the council sometimes needs to be able to adapt quickly to unanticipated changes. 

Another major theme of the revisions is an attempt to bring openness provisions to RAMP proceedings that are analogous to the openness requirements for government activities in the State of Oregon.

Another theme in the revisions is expanding the use of electronic and digital media to help increase the number of members who can participate in RAMP activities.

An important function of RAMP is to advocate for the interests of its members. The revisions expand the purposes of RAMP to include advocacy for the interests of RAMP members before more organizations, including the Pacific Retirement Services, Inc., the parent corporation of the Mirabella Portland board, and the community outside of Mirabella Portland. The revisions authorize RAMP to use funds from sources other than the allocation from the Mirabella Portland that has provided the bulk of RAMP’s operating funds in the past. The revisions also authorize RAMP to retain the services of independent legal counsel should that need arise.