by Amy Stackhouse
September 7, 2023
Living in the Haciendas is different from many of the other fraccionamientos that the expat community seems drawn to; that is one of the reasons we chose to live here. We didn’t want a transplanted United States retirement experience. We wanted a different immersion. We like the horses and cows that meander through the area. We want to learn and understand the culture a little better. We are trying to learn the language. We were looking for a quieter country life with the options of lots to do nearby. And we have found that.
Within our community, a couple of private social media groups have been created, that residents have come to rely upon to get community input and support. Now, I love social media as much as anyone. Our community groups are a great way to get to know each other superficially, to pass on information, to voice concerns. But they are social groups and do not and should not be a valid medium for conducting official agendas. Since I moved to Mexico, Facebook has proven to be a good source of information, like what band is playing where, where places are located, what time restaurants are open, notices of social events. It’s social media. One of the downsides of social media is the tendency to create a forum for mob mentality disgruntlement. Anonymous deceit, false information, bashing, and disrespectful behavior is as prevalent as any positive information that can be found on any site at any time. It disheartens me to see people lashing out at individuals with the sole purpose of discrediting them. It is counterproductive, malignant, and often misinformed.
I became involved with the Communication Committee as the result of a situation that occurred on social media. I found myself being solicited to join an effort concerning some politics here in the fracc. There was disgruntlement. There was a call to action. I chose to wait and draw my own conclusion when I had more info. I was then personally approached for my support for this agenda. I didn’t feel like I had enough information. I didn’t like being coerced. I had to ask myself if I wanted to react to hearsay or get involved in a more constructive way. I decided to ask to observe a BOD meeting and make my own decision.
After that meeting I asked Shelly if I could help her with communication. Shelly had taken it upon herself to inform the residents of the workings of the BOD. She had been diligently reporting on these meetings since the BOD was elected in August of 2022. Her decision to approach the BOD and offer her time and energy to this should be recognized. I saw her actions as an inspiration for me to act rather than sit idly and critically on the sidelines.
I have been on the committee for 6 months. We were aware that there was a need to provide a forum for better communication between the residents and the administration. The notes Shelly provided kept us informed but provided no opportunity for feedback. This community has been reliant on a system that offered no accountability for the inefficiencies and inconsistent responses. The severance of the former administrator identified the areas that need attention to meet the needs of the residents. Establishing new operating systems will help the BOD reach these goals.
Resident feedback identified unanimous frustration with the lack of a way to contact the BOD. The first thing the Communications Committee requested was a forum for communication. The work order system was in its beginning stages but available for us to try. It has its shortcomings, but it was (and still is) a starting point. It has the potential to provide a wealth of information. As ineffective as it seems to some, it is already providing areas that need improvement and identifying weak links. It is a work in progress.
Establishing better interoffice practices is needed. The ticketing system is the first step to identifying where things need to go. The more the system is used, the more we can identify how to direct concerns, identify where changes need to be made, prioritize the needs of the community. It gives the BOD documented info on the concerns of the residents and the opportunity to reply. But we need to use it to be able to enhance it.
Please be patient and realize that these problems cannot be solved immediately. This community has a lot to repair with limited resources to do so. But we are stronger and more effective when we work together to improve the situation. We have the capability to form committees that work with the BOD to address problems and work to find solutions. I remind you of the successful action of the Enhancement Committee in clearing arroyos and trimming trees in anticipation of the rainy season. They appealed to and worked with the BOD to make that happen quickly and efficiently. The other committees are working to find solutions to resident concerns and are learning about the laws in Mexico in the process. And without the Communication Committee’s efforts, you would not be reading this.
There is good work being done to provide what was never commonly available before. You now have access to notes and minutes about what the BOD and committees are doing to improve your neighborhoods. Resource lists are being created to help us know who to call. You have a work order system that gives your concerns a voice and provides opportunity for change. There is power in numbers. But you must be willing to use the tools you are given, get involved if you can, and recognize that you can be part of the solution. The choice is yours.