GVR Board Summer Activity
Members, it is hard to believe the ’25–‘26 season is already starting—it feels like the summer just began. Nevertheless, fall classes are underway, performances are filling up, and club leaders are busy making plans for the winter. As President of your Board of Directors, I’d like to let you know what we worked on over the summer.
If you’re new to GVR (welcome!), you should know that GVR is governed by an eleven-person Board comprised solely of members. Three Directors finish three-year terms each year in March. The Board meets most months, year-round. Our role is to set new policy, modify existing policy, monitor the fiscal health of the organization, and manage the CEO, Scott Somers. When making policy decisions, the Board relies on the work of several committees comprised of members like you.
Recently, the GVR Board has tackled two policy-level issues that affect members on a day-to-day basis. At the August meeting, the Board adopted changes to the member Code of Conduct policy. The purpose of the revisions was to provide more timely, consistent, and hopefully effective responses to troublesome member or guest conduct. The Code of Conduct is summarized on the back of your GVR ID card. Policy changes clarified some language that was open to interpretation, increased the authority of the CEO to issue member suspensions, and clarified how a member may appeal a suspension. The revised policies 1.2.4 and 1.3.2 can be found in the Corporate Policy Manual at GVREC.org under the “Governance” tab at the top of the page.
Over the summer, the Board Affairs Committee and staff did extensive work on a topic that comes up every few years: GVR’s guest pass policy. Unauthorized use of GVR facilities is a chronic problem that is difficult to solve because few of our centers are designed with a single point of entry and because we do not spend money on staff to monitor the entrances. Aside from those members who simply let unauthorized users through the gates, the number one avenue for unauthorized access is the GVR guest pass. Guest passes are to be used by temporary visitors who live more than 20 miles from the GVR boundary. That means that non-member residents of Green Valley, Sahuarita, Amado, and Tubac are never eligible guests. Tenants who are staying in rentals, including Airbnb and VRBO rentals, are not guests and should be purchasing tenant passes.
Why is this a concern? For some, the concern is about security—our guest passes, even when used legitimately, do not require the member to attend with the guest and do not identify the guest. We have no way of knowing who is using facilities and many of our members are vulnerable due to advanced age. For others, the concern is about capacity. During peak hours, courts are full, swim lanes are full, parking lots are full, and nobody wants to think they are waiting for an unauthorized guest to be finished with their free recreation activity. For many, the concern is financial. In survey after survey over the years, members say they chose GVR because of the value they get for their dollar. Many people say that GVR’s dues-to-opportunities ratio is one of the best active retirement deals in the country. Keeping expenses down for
CONTACT US — 520-625-3440
Operational matters hotline@gvrec.org
Board policy matters board@gvrec.org
Customer Service 520-625-3440
RECREATION SERVICES
The following centers are open daily from 5:30am–9pm
MAJOR CENTERS
Canoa Hills
Canoa Ranch
Desert Hills
East Center
Las Campanas
Santa Rita Springs
West Center
3660 S Camino del Sol
5750 S Turquoise Mtn Dr
2980 S Camino del Sol
7 S Abrego Dr
565 W Belltower Dr
921 W Via Rio Fuerte
1111 S GVR Dr
(520) 631-7151
(520) 631-0761
(520) 631-8060
(520) 631-8072
(520) 631-7068
(520) 631-8092
(520) 631-7909
Center Operations Assistants (Yellow Shirts) 520-343-2440
SATELLITE CENTERS 520-549-9733
Abrego North
Abrego South
Casa Paloma I
Casa Paloma II
Continental Vistas
Madera Vista
Del Sol Clubhouse, 3355 S Camino del Sol, 6am–9pm Pickleball Center, 2612 S Camino de la Canoa, 6am–dusk
OCTOBER BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
BOARD WORK SESSION
Wednesday, October 8, 2–4pm, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Thursday, October 9, 10–11:30am, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
BOARD AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 14, 1:30–3pm, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 15, 9–10:30am, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
FISCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 21, 1:30–3pm, West Center Room 2 / Zoom
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, October 22, 2–4pm, West Center Auditorium / Zoom
Any change in meeting status will be announced on the GVR website calendar.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
In a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 24, the Board of Directors took the following actions:
• Passed bylaw amendment changes for the 2026 Ballot regarding term limits, the election process, increasing check signing authority, and Governance and Committee reform.
GVR BOARD
1601 N Abrego Dr
1655 S Abrego Dr
400 W Circulo del Paladin
330 N Calle de las Banderolas
906 W Camino Guarina
440 S Camino del Portillo
GVR BOARD OFFICERS
President: Kathi Bachelor
Vice President: Candy English
Secretary: Beth Dingman
Treasurer: Nellie Johnson
Assistant Secretary: Bart Hillyer
Assistant Treasurer: Steve Reynolds
DIRECTORS
Dave Barker
Marge Garneau
Bev Lawless
Lanny Smith
Jodie Walker
GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Committee: Bev Lawless
Board Affairs Committee: Candy English
Fiscal Affairs Committee: Nellie Johnson
Investment Committee: Lanny Smith
Nominations & Elections Committee: Beth Dingman
Planning & Evaluation: Steve Reynolds
Email: board@gvrec.org
Can’t attend a meeting in person?
Scan this QR code for ZOOM meetings.
Did You Know?
Flushable wipes, aren’t. Members who are currently in Green Valley may have noticed a recent addition to restroom doors: a reminder that so-called “flushable” wipes cause expensive plumbing problems. Despite this reminder and a request to discard wipes in the trash, problems continue. For the second time in a few months, Desert Hills was closed due to sewer lines clogged with wipes. Flushing wipes disrupted recreation services to approximately 300 people, consumed fourteen staff hours, and cost $4999.
Trash cans will be provided in all stalls in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, one member suggests wrapping wipes in toilet paper and discarding them in the nearest trash can—an excellent alternative to dropping them in the toilet. Please ignore the misleading packaging and realize that wipes are no more flushable than socks.
Are you interested in joining a club? It’s easy!
• Visit GVRec.org: Click on the Clubs icon to browse the list of available clubs.
• Contact club representatives: Each club provides contact information.
• Attend a meeting or event: Many clubs welcome prospective members to attend a meeting or event before joining.
• Pick up a 2025/26 Clubs Catalog at your nearest center: Find detailed club descriptions, schedules, and contact information in the new catalog.
Want to stay in the loop with what’s happening at GVR?
Make sure you’re on our weekly GVR Update email list. It’s easy to sign up— just head to GVRec.org, go to the INFO HUB, click on GVR Update (eblast), and hit Sign up. Or, email Hotline@GVRec.org and we’ll do it for you.
We keep it simple: no spam, no sharing your email, and you can unsubscribe anytime if it’s not for you.
Children’s Pool Hours
West Center
Weekdays: Noon–9pm Weekends & holidays: ALL day
Abrego South TEMPORARILY CLOSED
All other pools Daily: 11am–1pm AND 4–6pm
TRASH ’EM— DON’T FLUSH ’EM!
‘Flushable’ wipes: keeping plumbers busy and costs high. Wipes clog pipes, shut down centers, and don’t belong in the toilet.
No guest pass required for kids! Children seventeen and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children six and younger must have an adult in the pool with them at all times.
Create and Connect with GVR Classes
As cooler days settle in and autumn colors emerge, October invites us to chill out and try something new. Leisure Ed classes are a great way to unwind, explore creative interests, and enjoy time with others in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Some focus on hands-on art, others offer movement or learning, but all are designed to enrich your day.
One class to look forward to this month is Paint a Bird House with Nancy happening on October 5 from 1–4 pm. The cost is $40 for GVR members and includes all supplies needed to create a unique, decorative birdhouse. Faux birds, dragonflies, picket fencing, windows, and more are available to spark your imagination. No experience is required—just bring a favorite beverage, a snack to share, and your creative spirit.
GVR classes offer a chance to relax, learn something new, and enjoy the season in good company. Sign up online at GVRec.org or call customer service at 520-625-3440.
NEW CLASS! Paint a Bird House with Nancy
OCTOBER 2025
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
OCTOBER ART EXHIBITS
Canoa Hills – Bonnie Gore & Diane Conant
Desert Hills – Santa Rita Art League
Las Campanas – Suzy Webber
East Center – Denise O’Brien
West Center – Santa Rita Art League
Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30pm DH Auditorium
GVR Foundation Bingo 3–7pm WC Auditorium
Day Trip: Borderlandia’s Taco Tour 10am–2pm Nogales, AZ Burger King
Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30pm DH Auditorium
Sit Down with Scott 4–5pm LC Juniper room
Wine & Design: Charcuterie Board 1–3pm LC Juniper room
Board Affairs Committee 1:30–3pm WC Room 2 & Zoom
Tribute: Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young 7–8:30pm WC Auditorium
Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30pm DH Auditorium
GVR Foundation Bingo 3–7pm WC Auditorium
Free lecture Pima Council on Aging 9–10:30pm, EC Auditorium
Singles Club Meeting 9:30–10:30am, DH Aud. Lions Club Bingo 3–7pm, WC Auditorium Tricky Trivia 4:30–6:30pm, DH Aud.
Fiscal Affairs Committee 1:30–3pm WC Room 2 & Zoom
Movie The Addams Family 2pm, $2 WC Auditorium
WEDNESDAY
Artisans’ Grand Opening 9am–4pm
Artisans’ Ribbon 10am–12pm WC Courtyard
Saguaro
members means limiting the use of the facilities to members and their temporary, card-carrying guests. There is no question that additional traffic increases maintenance costs.
Still, the matter of guest access is not a simple one to resolve. The Board is committed to providing members with the opportunity to enjoy the facilities with visiting friends and family. How to go about that, while protecting member interests, is something we are still discussing. In the meantime, if you have good reason to believe that unauthorized guests are using the fitness centers, pools, or sports courts, please call the Center Operations Assistant (COAs wearing those yellow polo shirts) right away. There is always a COA on duty and if they hear about a problem while it is happening, they have a better chance of addressing the member or non-member involved. The COA number is 520-343-2440. I have added it to my cell phone contacts—you might consider doing so as well.
Your thoughts on these and any other policy matters are valuable! At the September 24 meeting, the Board voted to propose a few Bylaws changes to bring before the membership for a vote. There isn’t room here to go into detail, but please know that all members are encouraged to review meeting documents on the website (GVRec. org), attend meetings, review meeting videos on YouTube, and to email the Board at Board@gvrec. org to share your perspectives and ideas. You are always welcome to attend Board and Committee meetings and share your thoughts in person. And, of course, you are encouraged to vote in the annual (February) election and to consider serving on a committee or running for an elected position.
It has been my honor to serve as the GVR Board President twice, now. It’s a big job, but a fulfilling one. I appreciate your support and trust and look forward to the rest of this so-far productive term.
Kathi Bachelor Board President Green Valley Recreation
GVR Member Code of Conduct
It is the policy of GVR to treat all people with dignity, respect and equality regardless of age, race, color, ancestry, country of origin, disability, ethnicity, marital status, family status, veteran status, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
1. Members, tenants, and guests (hereinafter referred to as users) of GVR facilities are required to comply with GVR published rules and regulations.
2. Users are required to carry their GVR ID or pass with them at all times and are required to present their card upon request from GVR staff or volunteers.
3. Users are expected to show common courtesy to employees, directors, volunteers and other members and guests.
4. Users shall not use loud, profane, indecent or abusive language or make any physical threat, harass or take any other such action against anyone, including staff.
5. Users shall not consume alcoholic beverages to the point where the behavior becomes offensive or dangerous to themselves or others. This behavior will not be tolerated. Users are expected to leave the premises peacefully and immediately when requested to do so by GVR staff.
6. Users shall not deface, damage, or remove GVR property.
7. Members shall not violate or aid in the violation of Board Policies (Corporate Policy Manual) or the Bylaws, including policies associated with guests.
8. Members will be held responsible for the conduct of their guests.
9. Users refusing to comply with the Code of Conduct, other policies, and rules of the organization may be asked to leave GVR property. Users asked to leave GVR property are expected to leave peacefully and immediately. For lack of compliance, GVR staff is authorized to contact the Sheriff’s Department to report any person for trespass.
10. Violation of the above codes of conduct may result in a member having his/her rights and privileges suspended, as well as those of their guests or tenants.
GVR Corporate Policy Manual Section 1.2.4
