Executive Director’s Column by Randy Ankeny GRF Executive Director  

One of the marvelous things about Community Unity is that it enables us to welcome and help our fellow Shareholders in a way we couldn’t as individuals.

It doesn’t matter if you have recently just moved in or are a long term resident of our community, one of best pieces of advice we can give to our shareholders is to be considerate of your neighbors, your fellow shareholders.

Living in close proximity is a big adjustment for many who join our community, but it is a good policy to be on good terms with all or most of your fellow shareholders. Think of it like an insurance policy. 

The peace of mind that comes with knowing you are surrounded by people who are there for you is priceless.

A strong network of neighbors will help you feel more secure if they are actively watching out for each other while away. Neighbors are great for watering the plants, checking the mail, removing flyers or packages left at the door that could otherwise alert potential concerns when you’re away.

Good neighbors can come to the rescue when you are in a bind whether it’s something small like lending you an iron, or cup of milk for a recipe; or something major like providing assistance in the unfortunate case of an emergency.

The stress and tension that results from bad neighbors can create a miserable community living experience. Nobody enjoys receiving dirty looks, snide comments or enduring other passive aggressive and immature behavior (like blasting loud music intentionally).

To avoid this, here are some tips to help build good relationships with other residents:

Do:

• Make a good first impression by introducing yourself…i.e. “hi, I’m Becky I live just next door to you.”

• Ask some basic questions, learn a little about your fellow residents and share a little about yourself.

• Acknowledge your fellow shareholders with a smile and a quick “hello” when passing by.

• Let your fellow shareholders know you are available if they ever need help.

• Exchange contact information (if you are comfortable doing so).

• Make an effort to be polite and respectful.

• Show common courtesy.

• Repay a fellow shareholder who does you a favor with a small thank-you gift or note; let them know you appreciate their favor.

• Be willing to return the favor to a fellow shareholder who helps you.

• Be tolerant, try not to take your fellow shareholders’ actions or comments per-

sonally. Chances are they were not directed at you.

• Watch your noise levels; you’re probably being too loud if neighbors can hear your conversation or music inside their homes.

• Ask for assistance when you need it; many fellow shareholders are willing to lend a hammer or an ear.

• Calmly and politely discuss concerns with your fellow shareholders as soon as they arise and before they escalate into larger issues.

• Return all borrowed items quickly and with gratitude (include a thank you note or a small gift is a nice touch).

• Live the golden rule, treat others as you’d like to be treated.

Don’t:

• Feel like you have to be a social butterfly (in fact, being too friendly can come across as being a busybody, which will turn some people off).

• Blow them off when they say “hello” or wish you a good day.

• Host a large party without inviting or at least talking to your neighbors.

• Drop by every day unannounced. Having a good neighbor in your building can be great, but it doesn’t mean you have to be best friends unless they really are.Use good judgment and respect their space and privacy.

• Park in your fellow shareholder’s parking space.

• Allow your friends or visitors to park in your fellow shareholders parking space.

• Park on the sidewalk or on grass or other landscaping.

Member Column

(Editor’s note: The following story was related during a speech by Mutual 5 resident James Greer to members of the Golden Rain Foundation Board at their annual banquet.)

by James Greer

Mutual 11

Let me tell you a quick story of what having a “heart to help” can do. Last summer the Temple Baptist church in Long Beach was preparing for a school backpack give away.

The backpack program began several years ago when a generous benefactor funded the purchase of backpacks and school supplies

for children in the area surrounding Temple Baptist church.

In an effort to attract volunteers to help assemble and distribute the backpacks, Karyn Russell, the wife of Pastor Torrie Russell posted a request for volunteers on JustServe.org, a free website dedicated to providing service opportunities for local volunteers.

Seeing the posting, a local Latter-day Saint church contacted Russell to ask fo more details on how they could help.

Unfortunately, Karyn had to tell them that their benefactor was not going to contribute this year and they were going to have to cancel the project.

Knowing the impact this project had on inner-city children, the LDS church rallied members to provide volunteers plus the needed cash, backpacks and supplies to make it happen. The two churches and their volunteers worked together and coordinated the purchasing, delivery, assembly and distribution of the backpacks as scheduled.

In a flurry of activity, hundreds of volunteers gathered at Temple Baptist, where local restaurants contributed food and beverages for the workers as they prepared over 300 backpacks.

By noon, every backpack had been given away to children who would otherwise have had to complete a school year without the supplies every child needs to succeed.

This marvelous effort will be repeated this fall when volunteers from Temple Baptist and the LDS church work together to bless the lives of even more inner-city school children by doubling the number of backpacks.

In a community the size of Leisure World, there are thousands of opportunities to serve. And as you will discover, if you haven’t already, there are hundreds who would rather criticize and complain.

But, there are only a select few with a heart to help and a sense of caring who are willing to serve those that need help. And you are those few.

It has been said that, “without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”

So, my challenge to each of you is to set aside your pre-conceived notions of what you think Seal Beach Leisure World needs and follow my five simple suggestions:

• If you have a personal agenda. Give everyone a copy, and see if it’s worth following.

• If you always have an axe to grind. You’ll never be the sharpest tool in the shed.

• If you have a pet peeve. Decide whether to give it a home, or let it go.

• If you have a score to settle. Stop keeping score, and settle.

• If you have a hunger for power. Swallow your pride, and hunger no more.

Thank you and may God bless you in your service to our community.

Setting It Straight

Due to an editing error in Sandra Massa-Lavitt’s column last week, the words “in Texas” were incorrectly inserted at the end of the first sentence