AVAA Update – Building a Resident-Owned Community
Our Mission
Our mission is to grow and foster a self-reliant community of adults aged 55 and older, with the vision of transforming Alonda Villa MHP into a resident-owned community built on the values of friendship, compassion, and community.
Progress So Far
Your AVAA committee is running like a well-oiled machine! Here’s what we have already accomplished:
- Organized a nonprofit registered with the state.
- Sent a certified letter to Alonda LLC stating our intention to buy.
- Launched a website (alondavilla.com) and a bulletin board to improve communication.
- Opened a business bank account as required by the state.
- Reached out to politicians, the City of Lacey, the City of Olympia, and the county for information and support.
- Began fundraising to build financial resources.
- Researched future risks and costs by attending city, county, and state planning meetings.
- Commissioned an appraisal with SH&H Valuation and Consulting Firm, with a walkthrough scheduled for 8/25.
Current Work
The committee is now focused on documenting, mapping, and estimating costs to repair or replace critical infrastructure:
- Aging water system
- Septic systems
- Roofs
- Roads and driveways
- Future sewer requirements from the county
These items affect the current value of the park and will require long-term planning to reduce financial risks if the purchase goes through.
Our Goal
Becoming our own advocate will take significant effort, but we are fortunate to have a community full of residents with diverse skills, knowledge, and experiences. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to controlling our future and securing financial stability and quality of life.
Important Reminder
AVAA is independent of Commonwealth, the Residential Team, and all park operations.
- Do not leave donations at the clubhouse.
- Do not bring complaints about AVAA to Commonwealth or Victoria.
- If you prefer not to be contacted by AVAA, please put it in writing and we will remove you from our list. Otherwise, we will continue to share updates and treat all residents equally.
Our Role
At this stage, AVAA is a nonprofit dedicated to:
- Building a business case to negotiate a fair purchase price with Alonda LLC.
- Acquiring financing for the purchase.
Key points:
- AVAA operates only on money from donations and fundraising.
- Only 10 board members (as defined by state paperwork) are covered under our liability umbrella.
- AVAA will remain transparent, sharing updates and gathering community feedback.
- To stay nimble, we will not hold public board meetings or publish board meeting minutes.
Once a purchase price is secured and financing is arranged, AVAA will disband, and a new resident-owned association will be formed. That association will:
- Allow residents who become shareholders to pay monthly dues and elect a board.
- Allow non-shareholders to remain as lot renters, without voting rights or input on governance.
Treasurer’s Report
- Donations received: $12,624.06 from 65 units.
- Expenses: $4,750 paid for the appraisal.
- Current balance: $7,674.06, which includes $840 from the Spaghetti Feed ticket sales.
👉 Please remember: for cash donations, leave a note with your name so we can issue a receipt.
Maintenance & Valuation Committee
We are forming a committee to gather information, map infrastructure, and get contractor bids for major costs, focusing on:
- Driveways and streets
- Septic systems (map and age)
- Water infrastructure (map and age)
- Roofs (clubhouse and shed)
- Future sewer connection requirements (county 10-year plan)
Even if you can’t volunteer, please report issues like cracked driveways, water leaks, slow or failing septic systems, and road damage to a committee member. This information helps with accurate valuation and long-term planning.
Volunteers Needed
The response so far has been amazing — but we still need more hands! Every skill and perspective is valuable. The more residents involved, the stronger and more successful our efforts will be.
“It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” — Queen Elizabeth II
Next Meeting
📅 October 14th at 6:30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Kathleen Poague (Unit 1302)
Chairperson