ROC NW Update – Alonda Villa
On Friday, May 22nd, ROC NW placed Alonda Villa in a “Not Feasible” stage. The committee has not been able to get any information from ROC. A letter posted on the website and included in the last Resident Report explained that our monthly costs would have to increase by 68% for the purchase to become feasible. Our sister park, Canyon Terrace, was also deemed “Not Feasible” by 48%.
In conversations with Ryan Erickson (Joe’s representative), he confirmed they had little discussion with ROC and did not know why. They were just as disappointed and upset as we are. Joe has no other buyers. Joe still wants to sell to us.
Committee Plans
- Do not rely solely on ROC NW.
- Continue working to get politicians to advocate for us. (We have posted their names and contact information so residents can reach out to them directly.)
- Determine the market value of the park.
- Explore alternative funding sources or negotiate with Joe to lower the price.
- Retain a lawyer (pro bono if possible) to identify legal requirements.
There has been no further communication with ROC NW or with politicians at this time, but our efforts will continue.
Next Steps – Get Unified & Advocate for Ourselves
- Seek other resources.
- Negotiate (Appraisal, Lawyer, List of Park Expenses, Funding).
- Research how other parks have organized and succeeded.
John Setterstrom has reached out to contacts who serve on charity boards to seek advice on how best to proceed. It was recommended that we obtain two types of legal advice:
- A legal specialist in non-profit organizations.
- A legal specialist in commercial real estate valuation and purchases.
John has received recommendations for both and has made initial contact. However, there will be some costs. A pro bono lawyer appears unrealistic since waiting lists are nearly two years long, and such lawyers typically do not specialize in the areas we need. They would likely recommend hiring the appropriate specialist.
Financial Update
We are opening a bank account and have already received several donations. A Financial Committee has been formed with three members: one from the “Alonda Villa Co-op Opportunity Committee” and two from the community. Their role is to manage and report on funds. Only these three individuals will have access and signature authority. More details will be shared at the next residential meeting on June 10th at 1:00 p.m.
Looking Ahead
Becoming our own advocate and agent will require significant effort. The good news is that we have an amazing group of residents with diverse skills, knowledge, and experience. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us move one step closer to gaining control of our future. Our goal is to become our own advocate and ensure we have a voice in shaping our financial destiny.
Opportunities – Volunteers Needed
Communication Sub-Committee
- Records/Secretaries
- Document creation
- Record-keeping
- Website/Bulletin board creation and maintenance
- Branding (Mission, Vision, Name, Logo)
Fundraising Sub-Committee
- Grant research and writing
- Fundraisers
- Donations
Outreach Sub-Committee
- Politician outreach and research
- Media and community engagement
Logistics Sub-Committee
- Meeting setup
- News distribution
- Table manning
Treasurer Sub-Committee (led by John Setterstrom)
- Treasurer and two co-signers
We had an amazing response at the meeting, with many people signing up to help. But we still need more volunteers! Each of us brings something valuable to the table. The more people who join in, the greater our chances of success. With more eyes and ears, we are less likely to miss important opportunities or overlook critical details.
If we can imagine it, we can achieve it. So let’s all imagine BIG!
Kathleen Poague
Committee Chairperson
Unit 1302