JudithM
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 5, 1999
- Messages
- 5,456
The OKW annual meeting was held last Wednesday, December 1. Please note & remember that these are my notes taken during the meeting. Hopefully I can read my own writing & interpret what I wrote 
.
The Board Meeting lasted about five minutes & followed the same format as it does every year. The Association meeting followed a minute or two later; again same format as previous years ... Budget presentation & budget question & answer; adjournment of the formal meeting followed by general info & general Q&A.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: Terri Schultz, DVC Treasurer, presented the budget. Operating expenses are basically the the day-to-day expenses to maintain the resort; these expenses went up about 5% due to the new pool slide & more housekeeping because OKW was more highly occupied. There are funds in the reserves budget set aside for the pool slide. Taxes are up about 7% all over DVC due to an increase in the Orange County assessment. Taxes for 2004 are about 8 cents more for 2004 than was estimated last year.
BUDGET Q & A included:
1. question about excess assessment - excess assessment rolled into reserve every year but one;
2. effects of hurricanes - minimal damages at WDW, no affect on dues; VB different story;
3. question about tax increase & estimates - budget is set in October & the county tax bill arrived more recently;
4. ad valorem taxes similar in WDW DVC resorts? - close in each WDW DVC resort because they are assessed pretty similarly;
5. as DVC member population ages, is there money to study possibility of adding more elevators? - Terri will check & get back to the member.
MEETING ADJOURNED!
"FUN STUFF" (Jim Lewis' phrase!):
1. 85,000+ member households shows the passion members have for the product;
2. DVC member enhancements include SSR member updates; special preview of Stitch; new dining discounts; Cirque discounts; member exclusive merchandise; Disney Magazine discount; discounts at the spa at SSR; resorts added to Concierge Collection; relaunched website. Jim said the website is more member friendly & includes a virtual tour of DVC properties & by the end of 2005 features will be added including banking points, check your point activity & check your loans & dues.
3. Jim talked about Member Homecoming - 2200 members attended the exclusive events.
4. He talked about the Grand Opening of SSR being the 7th DVC resort. The 3rd phase is scheduled for completion in 2007 with 828 units (OKW has 531). Jim seemed frustrated that 2007 is the closest he can get anyone to commit to - he wants an exact day & time!!.
5. Jim mentioned the renaming of Community Drive to DVC Way.
6. Jim talked about the hurricanes in FL - 4 in FL, 3 of which had a direct impact on central FL. He said DVC resorts at WDW were built exceptionally well & there was zero impact on dues. He said VB was very different in that it closed & reopened twice even after 122 mph winds after Jeanne. DVC CMs appreciated the many calls to Member Services that showed the members care & concern for CMs.
2005 MEMBER EVENTS & ENHANCEMENTS: still with Jim Lewis
1. SS Member Cruise, 4 day member only, sold out in 5 hours (something he said made me think he was at MS that Saturday); he said they are planning to do more member activities.
2. Merry Member Mixer during the holidays; Atlanta Braves Spring Training; McDonald's discount (I think he said DTD only, but I could be wrong); discount at San Angel in Mexico; member updates
3. OKW pool slide should open in mid-December. He said, "We take your feedback very seriously."
YOU ASKED. WE DID.
1. annual meeting dates were announced about 6 weeks after the 2003 meetings & were in the Member Clubhouse email & Vacation Magic;
2. 2005 budget on the website;
3. member discounts - DVC works with WDW;
4. more prior notice for cruise announcement - September 2005 announced 11 months out.
DVC CONDO SURVEY: 7500 surveys sent to members; 1250 completed (17%); overall satisfaction - 92% excellent or very good; overall satisfaction of Member Services - 91% (ex. or v.g.); overall satisfaction of Accounting - 86% (ex. or v.g.).
SONYA's TURN
Sonya, the General Manager at OKW introduced her operations folks, many who have area positions at OKW & SSR.
Guest Satisfaction Survey for OKW is done monthly. Her stats were through the year to date as of September: overall satisfaction - 89% excellent or very good; overall satisfaction at arrival/check-in - 82% (ex. or v.g.); overall
satisfaction with room - 83% (ex. or v.g.); & overall satisfaction with interaction/experience with staff - 91% (ex. or v.g.).
Sonya then went through what was accomplished/done in 2004 including guest room refurbishments in building 34-56 - tables, TVs, sleeper sofas, microwaves, dishwahers, DVDs, flooring, painting; refurbishment of bus shelters; trim & replaced landscaping; enhanced the Hospitality House to give it a more tropical feel; replaced eercise equipment; entrance brick work new; automatic door opening to Olivia's/General Store.
Work in progress includes pool slide & lifegurads; resurfacing the feature pool & dolphins while pool is closed for addition of the pool slide; paint the
lighthouse; etc.
2005 projects include replacing bedspreads [I'll explain this one in a separate thread.] & accent pillows & patio furniture; restriping the parking lots; something with the sauna (I forget ).
Last but not least the DVC AP/PAP discounts were announced. Amazing how many members were hearing about this for the first time!
General Q&A included:
1. kudos/thank yous to DVC CMs especially at OKW for their time & efforts especially during the hurricanes;
2. DVD vs. VCRs - Jim said VCRs were replaced with DVDs because most people are interested in DVDs; Sonya added that repair & parts were expensive & that DVDs are an additional entertainment option [Member commented she could not record her favorite shows while at WDW.]; DVDs in studios was brought up & Sonya said the armoires won't hold them safely;
3. the cost of high speed Internet - Jim said it is always nice if it was free, but they will take a look, but he didn't think the price would go away;
4. shower curtain rings in studios - Sonya agreed plastic is awful & they are being replaced;
5. signage to walk to the boat dock at SSR [I know this was the OKW meeting!] - Sonya will take a look;
6. suggestion for possible additions to the Concierge Collection; & expansion of DVC in other areas of the USA;
7. lighted water fountain not lit - the head of enginnering spoke up & said the motor had burned out & he hopes to have it fixed before Christmas;
8. member mentioned the 92% overall satisfaction - Terri said they are not resting on their laurels ... they do take all feedback seriously.
That about sums up what I have in my notes. I know this is long, but some of you asked for it!! If you have read this far, thank you!! If anyone else was there & has additions or comments, please feel free to post them.
.The Board Meeting lasted about five minutes & followed the same format as it does every year. The Association meeting followed a minute or two later; again same format as previous years ... Budget presentation & budget question & answer; adjournment of the formal meeting followed by general info & general Q&A.
BUDGET PRESENTATION: Terri Schultz, DVC Treasurer, presented the budget. Operating expenses are basically the the day-to-day expenses to maintain the resort; these expenses went up about 5% due to the new pool slide & more housekeeping because OKW was more highly occupied. There are funds in the reserves budget set aside for the pool slide. Taxes are up about 7% all over DVC due to an increase in the Orange County assessment. Taxes for 2004 are about 8 cents more for 2004 than was estimated last year.
BUDGET Q & A included:
1. question about excess assessment - excess assessment rolled into reserve every year but one;
2. effects of hurricanes - minimal damages at WDW, no affect on dues; VB different story;
3. question about tax increase & estimates - budget is set in October & the county tax bill arrived more recently;
4. ad valorem taxes similar in WDW DVC resorts? - close in each WDW DVC resort because they are assessed pretty similarly;
5. as DVC member population ages, is there money to study possibility of adding more elevators? - Terri will check & get back to the member.
MEETING ADJOURNED!
"FUN STUFF" (Jim Lewis' phrase!):
1. 85,000+ member households shows the passion members have for the product;
2. DVC member enhancements include SSR member updates; special preview of Stitch; new dining discounts; Cirque discounts; member exclusive merchandise; Disney Magazine discount; discounts at the spa at SSR; resorts added to Concierge Collection; relaunched website. Jim said the website is more member friendly & includes a virtual tour of DVC properties & by the end of 2005 features will be added including banking points, check your point activity & check your loans & dues.
3. Jim talked about Member Homecoming - 2200 members attended the exclusive events.
4. He talked about the Grand Opening of SSR being the 7th DVC resort. The 3rd phase is scheduled for completion in 2007 with 828 units (OKW has 531). Jim seemed frustrated that 2007 is the closest he can get anyone to commit to - he wants an exact day & time
!!.5. Jim mentioned the renaming of Community Drive to DVC Way.
6. Jim talked about the hurricanes in FL - 4 in FL, 3 of which had a direct impact on central FL. He said DVC resorts at WDW were built exceptionally well & there was zero impact on dues. He said VB was very different in that it closed & reopened twice even after 122 mph winds after Jeanne. DVC CMs appreciated the many calls to Member Services that showed the members care & concern for CMs.
2005 MEMBER EVENTS & ENHANCEMENTS: still with Jim Lewis
1. SS Member Cruise, 4 day member only, sold out in 5 hours (something he said made me think he was at MS that Saturday); he said they are planning to do more member activities.
2. Merry Member Mixer during the holidays; Atlanta Braves Spring Training; McDonald's discount (I think he said DTD only, but I could be wrong); discount at San Angel in Mexico; member updates
3. OKW pool slide should open in mid-December. He said, "We take your feedback very seriously."
YOU ASKED. WE DID.
1. annual meeting dates were announced about 6 weeks after the 2003 meetings & were in the Member Clubhouse email & Vacation Magic;
2. 2005 budget on the website;
3. member discounts - DVC works with WDW;
4. more prior notice for cruise announcement - September 2005 announced 11 months out.
DVC CONDO SURVEY: 7500 surveys sent to members; 1250 completed (17%); overall satisfaction - 92% excellent or very good; overall satisfaction of Member Services - 91% (ex. or v.g.); overall satisfaction of Accounting - 86% (ex. or v.g.).
SONYA's TURN
Sonya, the General Manager at OKW introduced her operations folks, many who have area positions at OKW & SSR.
Guest Satisfaction Survey for OKW is done monthly. Her stats were through the year to date as of September: overall satisfaction - 89% excellent or very good; overall satisfaction at arrival/check-in - 82% (ex. or v.g.); overall
satisfaction with room - 83% (ex. or v.g.); & overall satisfaction with interaction/experience with staff - 91% (ex. or v.g.).
Sonya then went through what was accomplished/done in 2004 including guest room refurbishments in building 34-56 - tables, TVs, sleeper sofas, microwaves, dishwahers, DVDs, flooring, painting; refurbishment of bus shelters; trim & replaced landscaping; enhanced the Hospitality House to give it a more tropical feel; replaced eercise equipment; entrance brick work new; automatic door opening to Olivia's/General Store.
Work in progress includes pool slide & lifegurads; resurfacing the feature pool & dolphins while pool is closed for addition of the pool slide; paint the
lighthouse; etc.
2005 projects include replacing bedspreads [I'll explain this one in a separate thread.] & accent pillows & patio furniture; restriping the parking lots; something with the sauna (I forget
).Last but not least the DVC AP/PAP discounts were announced. Amazing how many members were hearing about this for the first time!
General Q&A included:
1. kudos/thank yous to DVC CMs especially at OKW for their time & efforts especially during the hurricanes;
2. DVD vs. VCRs - Jim said VCRs were replaced with DVDs because most people are interested in DVDs; Sonya added that repair & parts were expensive & that DVDs are an additional entertainment option [Member commented she could not record her favorite shows while at WDW.]; DVDs in studios was brought up & Sonya said the armoires won't hold them safely;
3. the cost of high speed Internet - Jim said it is always nice if it was free, but they will take a look, but he didn't think the price would go away;
4. shower curtain rings in studios - Sonya agreed plastic is awful & they are being replaced;
5. signage to walk to the boat dock at SSR [I know this was the OKW meeting
!] - Sonya will take a look;6. suggestion for possible additions to the Concierge Collection; & expansion of DVC in other areas of the USA;
7. lighted water fountain not lit - the head of enginnering spoke up & said the motor had burned out & he hopes to have it fixed before Christmas;
8. member mentioned the 92% overall satisfaction - Terri said they are not resting on their laurels ... they do take all feedback seriously.
That about sums up what I have in my notes. I know this is long, but some of you asked for it
!! If you have read this far, thank you!! If anyone else was there & has additions or comments, please feel free to post them.
