The recent wildfires in Los Angeles remind us of the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While disasters can be unsettling, The Villages Golf and Country Club is proactively addressing your concerns and working diligently to enhance community safety.

Key Actions Underway:

1. Emergency Preparedness Transition: The Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC) is transitioning under the General Manager’s Office to strengthen its structure and capabilities. This effort, guided by the newly formed Emergency Preparedness Transition Committee (EPTC), is working to tailor our program for our unique community. The Villages Team will also be adding a dedicated Emergency Preparedness Coordinator to lead these efforts.
2. Enhanced Safety Measures: Our Public Safety and Public Works teams hold keys to all emergency gates, ensuring rapid response during evacuations. Additionally, San Jose Fire Department, specifically Engine 11, has access to these gates, allowing for swift coordination. Any evacuation would be coordinate by the San Jose Police and Fire Departments.
3. Planning and Coordination: The EPTC is in the discovery phase, collaborating with city, state, and federal agencies while learning from other communities’ emergency programs. The final recommendations for an Integrated Emergency Plan are on track for presentation to the Club Board by March.
4. Resident Communication and Education: The Communications Team is working closely with Emergency Preparedness volunteers to provide updates at Resident Orientations, Member events and through The Villager Online. The next orientation is scheduled for January 15, offering a chance to ask questions and learn more.

Evacuation Planning: Villagers’ safety is our top priority. The current evacuation routes are located on the member portal under public safety – fire safety and emergency operations plan tab or https://member.thevillagesgcc.com/static/fire-safety-and-emergency-operations/. In the event of an evacuation, clear procedures are being reworked to unlock secondary gates and notify Villagers swiftly. While no plan can guarantee absolute safety, these measures aim to minimize risks and ensure an organized response.

How You Can Stay Informed: We encourage all residents to stay connected by attending orientations, reading updates in The Villager Online, and reaching out to key contacts:

• GM Theresa Ostrander: tostrander@the-villages.com
• Director of Public Safety Matt Hidalgo: mhidalgo@the-villages.com

Together, we can foster a safer, more resilient community. Thank you for your continued trust and engagement as we work to protect The Villages and all who call it home

Dear Villagers,

We understand you may be experiencing slower internet speeds, buffering, or intermittent connectivity across our Club Facilities.  These issues, caused by outdated technology infrastructure, have been increasingly magnified across the administrative offices. Our business operating systems have also faced constant disruptions, including Wi-Fi and internet issues, login challenges, and service interruptions affecting critical tools like point-of-sale systems and credit card machines.

To address these challenges, we are undertaking a major technology upgrade that will stabilize connectivity across The Villages, including public Wi-Fi at amenities such as the Clubhouse, Fitness Center, and Community Centers, as well as in business offices:

• Server Upgrade: Our current servers, running on Microsoft 2008, have not received critical updates for years. We are upgrading to the 2019 system to ensure security, stability, and improved functionality.
• Switch Installations: New switches are being installed at the Security Plaza, Golf Pro Shop, and Clubhouse, with upgrades to all other locations to replace non-working or outdated equipment. This initiative aims to improve network reliability, enhance connectivity, and support current and future technological needs across The Villages.
• Access Points:

  • Upgrades: Aging Wi-Fi access points at Villages amenities are being replaced with modern, high-capacity equipment to improve connectivity for public and business networks.
  • Coverage: The upgrades include the Villages Public Wi-Fi network and the connectivity within our business offices.

• Network Closets and Power Supply: Outdated network closets are being cleaned up, and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) are being installed to enhance reliability and protect against outages.

These upgrades, alongside the migration to Microsoft 365, will ensure faster, more reliable connectivity across The Villages. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward a more connected and efficient community.

I want to share what’s driving us toward our future at The Villages Golf and Country Club. We’re undergoing significant organizational change, transitioning from decentralized dysfunction to centralized excellence. Embracing the philosophy of Right Skills, Right People, Right Seats, we are aligning with core competencies and reviving The Villages Guiding Principles.

Our mission is to lead with purpose, focusing on core services and embracing technology for a 21st-century experience. We’re committed to service excellence, taking responsibility, and doing the right thing—even when no one is looking. We’re committed to transparency and facing hard truths as we move forward. The next series of GM Corner messages will introduce the Villages team.

Join me on the last Wednesday of each month at Fireside Chats in the Clubhouse for open discussions. These meetings, along with our regularly scheduled forums (Executive Round Table), provide platforms to share the evolution of The Villages, setting new standards, and collectively raising the bar. Together, we will reshape a community that excels and sets a new pace.

                        —Theresa Ostrander Villages General Manager