[JoelJohnson]

She called his office, their answer was to have the rec center director call my wife and still be of no help!

Anyway, I'm done with this thread.

[Northwoods]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

She called his office, their answer was to have the rec center director call my wife and still be of no help!

Anyway, I'm done with this thread.

JoelJohnson - I agree this isn't right. I just read the Pokemo Club description in the Recreation News. I would also assume it is open to anyone who wants to play. AND... groups are formed as they arrive. If that group can reserve a room for their own "private" group/activity, we should all be able to do that. But I know from personal experience that isn't the case... it is extremely difficult to reserve a room for a "private" group. So the group you've mentioned is being deceptive.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

Bonny (et el)

The rules are that if the club is "open" and there is room (there was) anyone with the proper skill level (she did) must be allowed to play. It is up to the club coordinator to make accommodations. There is NO COST to an open club.

If the club is a "closed" club, then they are to PAY for the room.

To avoid paying for the room by calling it an open club but not allowing someone to join is deceptive.

Again, that is simply not true. A club may require people to join and may also charge dues or a meeting fee. A club may be open only to members. As long as all of the members who belong to the club and attend the meetings are Villagers, there is no charge for the room.

Payment for the rooms only has to do with whether the club is open to non Villagers. If the club is open only to Villagers, in other words, only Villagers can join, then the room is free.

Some clubs have dues or require people to buy tickets in order to attend a meeting or both. These meetings are not open in the sense that anyone can just walk into a meeting. A club can establish a maximum number of members based on the room size or whatever the club leader decides. That means once the club is full, it does not have to take any additional members.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Again, that is simply not true. A club may require people to join and may also charge dues or a meeting fee. A club may be open only to members. As long as all of the members who belong to the club and attend the meetings are Villagers, there is no charge for the room.

Payment for the rooms only has to do with whether the club is open to non Villagers. If the club is open only to Villagers, in other words, only Villagers can join, then the room is free.

Some clubs have dues or require people to buy tickets in order to attend a meeting or both. These meetings are not open in the sense that anyone can just walk into a meeting. A club can establish a maximum number of members based on the room size or whatever the club leader decides. That means once the club is full, it does not have to take any additional members.

I know several of these clubs and I belong to one of them.
When I was having a Christmas party for my friends in the Villages, I could have gotten the card room free. I was having to many people and entertainment for dancing so I paid to have the larger room.
Not sure where everyone is getting their information.

[sallybowron]

Originally Posted by Bonny

This is probably a group of friends and neighbors that live in Santiago that get together at a rec center because their houses aren't big enough for everyone to get together. If they have played together for a long time, they may not want to break up their groups of friends for strangers.
I'm assuming all would have been good if your wife came with her own group of 4.

Not breaking up one's group I understand, but not allowing a newbie to play...I don't

[biker1]

Exactly. My wife runs a class at the rec centers that has a minimal annual fee to cover the expenses of running the classes. She allows people to attend a few times to see if they want to join. After that, if you don't pay you cannot attend. She has never had a problem and she encourages new people to join.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

Again, that is simply not true. A club may require people to join and may also charge dues or a meeting fee. A club may be open only to members. As long as all of the members who belong to the club and attend the meetings are Villagers, there is no charge for the room.

Payment for the rooms only has to do with whether the club is open to non Villagers. If the club is open only to Villagers, in other words, only Villagers can join, then the room is free.

Some clubs have dues or require people to buy tickets in order to attend a meeting or both. These meetings are not open in the sense that anyone can just walk into a meeting. A club can establish a maximum number of members based on the room size or whatever the club leader decides. That means once the club is full, it does not have to take any additional members.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by sallybowron

Not breaking up one's group I understand, but not allowing a newbie to play...I don't

Yes, I get that about allowing a newbie to play, but this was all Santiago people. This was a way for them to get with their neighbors and people that lived in Santiago.

[tallmanf]

Yes we r new to the villages also and are finding the same thing. We went to a water volleyball session and were ignored at first, then told they all have played together for a long time and made us feel like we were intruding. We went to the other side of the pool and a while later one of them came over and said we could play if we really wanted to. We were made to feel intrusive and like outsiders.
the next day we went to play badminton which was advertised newcomers welcome. We got their and they were done and when we questioned why when the schedule said they were supposed to be starting, we got a curt smart answer. Not feeling very welcomed.

[rlcooper70]

I think your wife is absolutely correct. It's plain and simple and there are no excuses. The Villages is all about inclusion. The people at Santiago missed their chance to be gracious and hospitable.

[Madelaine Amee]

I have read and reread this thread and to me it all comes back to commonsense ............... call the leader, tell them you are new to TV and ask them if there is room for you. I've done it several times, these people running these groups are usually very personable and helpful, that's why they are running a group. I have not yet met a grouch running a group ............ for one thing the group would not last too long with an unapproachable leader.

I hate to think that we shut people out, but on the other hand it would seem we do. I live in a very settled neighborhood, but over the last two years we have had neighborhood changes due to attrition, and I am sure it is very difficult for a newcomer to feel comfortable. I think it basically starts with a "good morning, how are you" and grows from there. It takes time to feel comfortable in a new location, whether it is a club or a neighborhood ............... fact of life! If you think back to when you were young and raising children, who made friends first - the kids did, then you met the Mother, and on and on and on. To me it's the cycle of life.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by bbbbbb

We saw one pool and club director who simply sits around and does non stop BS with his friends about real mind stretchers, BALL Games. Wow.

Ain't that just awful? And at the salary they are making too!

[graciegirl]

///

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

I have read and reread this thread and to me it all comes back to commonsense ............... call the leader, tell them you are new to TV and ask them if there is room for you. I've done it several times, these people running these groups are usually very personable and helpful, that's why they are running a group. I have not yet met a grouch running a group ............ for one thing the group would not last too long with an unapproachable leader.

I hate to think that we shut people out, but on the other hand it would seem we do. I live in a very settled neighborhood, but over the last two years we have had neighborhood changes due to attrition, and I am sure it is very difficult for a newcomer to feel comfortable. I think it basically starts with a "good morning, how are you" and grows from there. It takes time to feel comfortable in a new location, whether it is a club or a neighborhood ............... fact of life! If you think back to when you were young and raising children, who made friends first - the kids did, then you met the Mother, and on and on and on. To me it's the cycle of life.

Excellent thoughts.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

///

Gracie: Why did you take this down, I thought it was excellent ........... loved the bit about the DAR!!!! Now you have to put it back so that people know what I am talking about.

[asianthree]

Have been to a few yoga classes (open) always informed this is an advanced group, there may not be room for your mat. I do smile when those who make you feel un welcome have much difficulty with poses, and after class i comment "bless your heart" you must be off your practice today.