RobDoc
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 14, 1998
- Messages
- 34,195
Since we arrived too late for the OKW meeting yesterday, we attended the SSR meeting this afternoon.
As others have already reported on the upcoming DDP program for DVC members, I won't repeat that info but will comment on some of the other discussion. There was a pretty large audience- I'd guess it was over 200 members. Total DVC membership is over 95,000 right now and they anticipate reaching 100K in 2006.
Per usual procedure, the DVC Board of Directors meeting lasted about 5 minutes and was tightly scripted. Immediarely following, the DVC members meeting was convened as was also a tightly scripted event. There was an opportunity for members in attendance to ask questions about the proposed 2006 budget before an actual vote was taken. The vote was made by the unit representative and not by those in attendance. The SSR budget was approved as submitted and the '06 dues will be $3.98. The operating budget is actually a little lower than 2005 on a per point basis, but the projected Ad Valorem Taxes are higher, thus the increase over 2005. The questions from the audience were responded to and Jim Lewis directed the board to include actual budget numbers for the preceding year in the future when the proposal is sent out so we, as owners, can better compare the increases. They did explain that for SSR, the increase in transportation is based on the number of stops made in the resort- two stops have been added recently in the Paddock area. The transportation budget is based on time spent in the resort by the buses. OKW has 5 stops and SSR will eventually have more than that in all likelyhood. Fuel increases were also responsible for some of the increase. The developer subsidy will be in place at least thru 2006. They are ahead of construction schedule and expect the Phase III buildings to be open in early 2007. Phase I and II are both complete at this time with all 12 buildings open now.
The Turf Club will be expanded to offer table service dining at the resort. Artist sketches were on display of the new restaurant. Two more pools will be included and another pool bar.
Also to be added in the near future at SSR will be horsedrawn carriage rides- in keeping with the theme for the resort.
Jim Lewis made comments about the upcoming improvements to the DVC website- before the end of this year we will have the ability to view our reservation history online and pay dues. In the spring and by the end of 2006 they hope to add more functionality including the ability to make mortgage payments online as well as banking/borrowing transactions. He was asked about making reservations online and replied that will be a goal, but no timeline has been set. He underscored the challenges with the reservation system- room availability both from cash (CRO) and member inventory, points being used for non-DVC options freeing up more cash availability, banking/borrowing, etc. He acknowledged that many other timeshares offer online capability (most are outsourced), but few have the same needs as DVC regarding the issues already outlined.
He also mentioned that they will be addressing MS hours and will be making changes to those hours. He emphasized the need to balance additional hours with our dues and questions from the audience about those living in CA and overseas served to illustrate the issues he had already outlined. Having MS open 24/7 would be a very expensive operation. He suggested that Sat hours were a likelyhood. (Stay Tuned!!)
Jim Lewis is a vibrant personality and seems like a great cheerleader for DVC. I look forward to his leadership in the coming years. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes and there was ample time afterwards to talk with individuals if desired. I was able to speak with Jim Lewis, Sonya Deese-Byrnes and Lynn Mitchell briefly afterwards before heading over to the Merry Member Mixer (report on the Planning Board).
I apologize if any of this is a repeat of earlier posts. I'm sure I've left out many things and will try to add them if/when they come to memory. If there are any questions, please ask.
As others have already reported on the upcoming DDP program for DVC members, I won't repeat that info but will comment on some of the other discussion. There was a pretty large audience- I'd guess it was over 200 members. Total DVC membership is over 95,000 right now and they anticipate reaching 100K in 2006.
Per usual procedure, the DVC Board of Directors meeting lasted about 5 minutes and was tightly scripted. Immediarely following, the DVC members meeting was convened as was also a tightly scripted event. There was an opportunity for members in attendance to ask questions about the proposed 2006 budget before an actual vote was taken. The vote was made by the unit representative and not by those in attendance. The SSR budget was approved as submitted and the '06 dues will be $3.98. The operating budget is actually a little lower than 2005 on a per point basis, but the projected Ad Valorem Taxes are higher, thus the increase over 2005. The questions from the audience were responded to and Jim Lewis directed the board to include actual budget numbers for the preceding year in the future when the proposal is sent out so we, as owners, can better compare the increases. They did explain that for SSR, the increase in transportation is based on the number of stops made in the resort- two stops have been added recently in the Paddock area. The transportation budget is based on time spent in the resort by the buses. OKW has 5 stops and SSR will eventually have more than that in all likelyhood. Fuel increases were also responsible for some of the increase. The developer subsidy will be in place at least thru 2006. They are ahead of construction schedule and expect the Phase III buildings to be open in early 2007. Phase I and II are both complete at this time with all 12 buildings open now.
The Turf Club will be expanded to offer table service dining at the resort. Artist sketches were on display of the new restaurant. Two more pools will be included and another pool bar.
Also to be added in the near future at SSR will be horsedrawn carriage rides- in keeping with the theme for the resort.
Jim Lewis made comments about the upcoming improvements to the DVC website- before the end of this year we will have the ability to view our reservation history online and pay dues. In the spring and by the end of 2006 they hope to add more functionality including the ability to make mortgage payments online as well as banking/borrowing transactions. He was asked about making reservations online and replied that will be a goal, but no timeline has been set. He underscored the challenges with the reservation system- room availability both from cash (CRO) and member inventory, points being used for non-DVC options freeing up more cash availability, banking/borrowing, etc. He acknowledged that many other timeshares offer online capability (most are outsourced), but few have the same needs as DVC regarding the issues already outlined.
He also mentioned that they will be addressing MS hours and will be making changes to those hours. He emphasized the need to balance additional hours with our dues and questions from the audience about those living in CA and overseas served to illustrate the issues he had already outlined. Having MS open 24/7 would be a very expensive operation. He suggested that Sat hours were a likelyhood. (Stay Tuned!!)
Jim Lewis is a vibrant personality and seems like a great cheerleader for DVC. I look forward to his leadership in the coming years. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes and there was ample time afterwards to talk with individuals if desired. I was able to speak with Jim Lewis, Sonya Deese-Byrnes and Lynn Mitchell briefly afterwards before heading over to the Merry Member Mixer (report on the Planning Board).
I apologize if any of this is a repeat of earlier posts. I'm sure I've left out many things and will try to add them if/when they come to memory. If there are any questions, please ask.
too funny!
