WELCOME LETTER

OCTOBER 2, 2004  -  WELCOME

COALITION FORMATION MEETING

Welcome to our October 2nd meeting to form a Southern California coalition of mobilehome owners.  This represents a new beginning for those of us in Southern California who are concerned about protecting the rights of mobilehome owners. 

This will be a working meeting.  We have already been busy putting together some aspects of a new coalition.  The attached AGENDA describes the organization of our meeting today. 

HISTORY: 

At the May 18 GSMOL Board Meeting I delivered a letter and made a two minute presentation – taking a look at what has happened with GSMOL over the last several years, making suggestions to improve GSMOL, and saying I believed someone (Steve Gullage) should be held responsible.   Prior to the last Board of Directors meeting of August 17th a state-wide committee (the Panel) made five suggestions to improve GSMOL.  This Recommendations Report was an attempt to change the focus of GSMOL towards our needs locally.  We asked to be allowed to form study committees, have an email network, and easy access to membership logs in Garden Grove.   I personally hold little hope the suggestions of the Panel will be implemented anytime soon. The Board of Directors has not communicated with anyone on the Panel to our knowledge

Then came the shocker; the financial report presented by Patrick Guzman indicating that GSMOL will be out of operating capital by June 2005.  Now our GSMOL leadership wants you and I to get them out of this mess they themselves created.  They are asking us to get 3000 new members by December 15, 2004.  I believe a plan to save GSMOL should be multifaceted.  It should strongly consider cutting staff and services, using the Californian and the website to inform all members of this crisis, and asking for all to be involved to save GSMOL.  This as yet has not happened.

The solution to our plight (no help at the local level and a failing GSMOL) came to light a couple months ago.  Many GSMOL members and managers in Northern California have organized groups which focus on problems at the local level.  In fact Coalitions have been a part of Northern California mobilehome life for quite some time.  SCMOA is 16 years old.  They have two para-legals who volunteer their time.  There is a $17,000 legal fund.  They have monthly meetings in different parks and put out a monthly newsletter.  There are at least four coalitions in Northern California.  All serving  mobilehome owners in their area.

We believe now is the time to organize ourselves at the local level, independent of GSMOL, while still supporting GSMOL. A Coalition can work hand-in-hand with GSMOL; GSMOL at the state level, the coalition at the local level.  In fact many members and officers of coalitions are also members and officers of GSMOL.  We feel there is no conflict being both GSMOL and Coalition members and leaders.

Frank Wodley

Associate Manager