Plans would expand representation, modernize operations, and secure key federal funding
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The ROC Association gathered last week at its annual meeting to refine a vision to streamline the organization to more effectively serve the 331 Member ROCs in 21 states it represents.
Association leaders are seeking to double the size of the Board of Directors, modernize voting options and overhaul candidate nomination requirements, as well as accelerate efforts to attract more federal funding resources to improve existing ROCs and make resident ownership a reality in more manufactured home communities across the country.
Before digging in, Association leaders took a moment to celebrate wins since the last annual meeting, including welcoming 18 new ROCs, adding Spanish interpretation to all Better Together calls, developing a welcome packet that’s distributed to all new ROC Boards and Members, implementing a Disaster Relief Fund for ROCs and playing an active role in hiring new ROC USA President Emily Thaden.
The Directors stressed that securing $225 million in PRICE funding was a landmark moment in the movement, but that working to make it a permanent program can be a game-changer for ROCs.
I cannot tell you enough how absolutely impressed I am with the advocacy work that this mighty group of people has embarked on.
Emily Thaden, ROC USA President
New England Region Director Deb Winiewicz told a few dozen ROC leaders assembled in the room and joining virtually on video conference about traveling to Capitol Hill with fellow Directors Marjory Gilsrud and John Egan to talk to policymakers about the critical importance of PRICE Fund financing to preserve and enhance manufactured home communities.
“We met with three different Senate offices, and we were only supposed to have 20 minutes each. They let us know that that was it,” Winiewicz said. “But they were so interested in what we had to say about resident ownership in manufactured home communities and the work that you all do, that we ended up being there an hour and a half.
“We were proud to be there as your voice. They heard our voice, but we were the voice of hundreds of people all across the country.”
Looking internally, the Board spent time earlier in day working with ROC leaders on a series of proposed bylaw changes that will go out for a vote later this year. Among them are several minor proposals designed to clean up the way the organization operates, such as allowing for electronic voting in elections, providing flexibility in naming and redrawing the Association’s regions to reflect growth and spread of ROCs, officially allowing for video conference meetings and rearranging the structure (but not wording) the existing bylaws for clarity.
More substantial proposed updates would expand the Association from three Directors to six, with one additional Director position created in each region.
“These appointed Directors would have all the same responsibilities as the elected directors except they would not serve as officers or sit on the ROC USA Board,” said Kelly Jensen, Director from the Mountain West region, adding that their terms would be staggered from the elected Directors to preserve Board continuity, and that the logistics of the appointment process are still in the works. “The territories are so big and it’s hard to cover with one person. This will give ROCs better representation and make it easier for us to help you.”
Another change would amend the current requirement that a candidate for the Association Board be nominated by their own ROC’s Board of Directors. Moving forward, a candidate could be nominated by any ROC Board in their region, ensuring that more communities have a say in who can run for a leadership post.
Once all bylaw change proposals are complete, they will be shared with every ROC and a vote will be scheduled to put the changes into action.
The annual meeting concluded with a fireside chat with the Directors and Thaden, where they talked about their goals for the future.
Thaden, who said she just passed her 90-day mark at ROC USA, praised the effort and dedication of the Association.
“I cannot tell you enough how absolutely impressed I am with the advocacy work that this mighty group of people has embarked on,” Thaden said. “This is really challenging work, but the work is important, not just to ROC USA, but to all our Members. It’s your efforts that have helped us get done what we’ve gotten done so far.”
Gilsrud, the Association’s Board Chair, said she wants to work on titling changes to benefit homeowners.
“In most states, homes are still treated like cars, and that makes it hard to get loans to buy or repair our homes,” Gilsrud said. “I think where a lot of the homes are older, and need repairs, it’s important we help with getting some of the laws changed.”
Learn more about the ROC Association and how you can get involved at www.rocassociation.org.
Bylaw Change Timeline
• Nov. 30: Ballots are sent vis U.S. Mail to every ROC Board President and Secretary.
• December-January: Every ROC Board puts the proposed amendments on their December or January Board Agenda and holds a vote.
• Feb. 1: Results are announced.
• NOTE: In order to reach quorum, 25 percent of ROCs (83 ROCs total) must return ballots!