I have spent the day talking to Deidre as a sounding board, and thinking while driving, about the question posed by Mr. Coleman last night. I would be open to the possibility of staying, but only under the following considerations.
1. The issue of respect and treatment of the employees by the community must be addressed. It is very inappropriate for the employees to be subjected to the treatment that happens on a daily basis. The community is owned by the residents, and therefore, are all collectively subject to any legal action from harassment or law suite. They need to know that. DH is on very thin ice as it is with insurance and the amount of evidence of slander and liable action from residences, that it must be stopped.
2. The position of GM must be allowed to manage the community without the amount of direct oversight currently received by the board members at large, including the President. Board members should never be allowed to by-pass the president and GM and go directly to the employees. Proper protocol and structure must be followed moving forward. That also means the president going around the GM to the employees must stop. I feel like I am playing catch up most of the time because there are many conversations between board members and employees that I find out about after the fact.
3. I will maintain my current pay structure, but I want to change my schedule from the current "in office", to a non-traditional one. I would want it based on me getting the job done with the current level of integrity and quality, not sitting an office like an hourly employee and being questioned when not in the office. This position was told to be an executive/director level position, but is looked at by many board members and residents as an "in the office" job.
4. I would then be available on a "by appointment" basis, but not necessarily sitting in the office. I will use technology to telecommute and work from home as is feasible, and with cell and computer always available no matter where I am.
5. I have many outside commitments, both in ministry and the community, that have been of great benefit to the reputation and amount of promotion and outside play at Diamondhead. These commitments will, at times, have me, again, out of the office. As long as the job is being done in an acceptable manner, I would require for the flexibility in my schedule to attend those.
6. No more weekly meetings with the president to go over ever minute detail. We can utilize email and meet when necessary for issues that warrant it.
The biggest thing I am lacking in this job is the trust that I feel I have earned, and the level of respect toward the office and position that it deserves, and is required to be effective. I have to be able to be the GM, which means there will be a multitude of things that I do not tell you. That is my job.
As long as we are in budget, personnel issues and department heads are handled correctly, and I am completing the job with integrity and excellence, I would ask for the trust and respect of the board.
If these bring cause for concern I am still open to helping with the transition, but would make my final day at DH no later than August 13.
I look forward to any follow up conversation and will continue to lead with the level of quality I have since the first day I was hired.
Sincerely,
James Turner
I verified with new-President Larry Hibbs after last night's Annual Membership meeting -> James Turner is, and will continue to be, acting General Manager.
Diane Porterfield
