Sun City West charter clubs report high participation, major fundraisers and administrative updates

At a meeting of the Charter Clubs Committee in Sun City West, committee members and liaisons reported membership totals, high program participation and recent charitable fundraising from a range of recreation and social clubs.

The reports matter because the chartered clubs operate most of the community’s organized recreational programming; their membership levels and volunteer-run operations inform facility scheduling, staff support and licensing costs. Committee members said the information will be used to refine administration and to hand off summaries to next year’s committee chair.

Cheryl, a committee member and liaison, summarized visits with nine liaison clubs and said: "Membership at March was 2,493." She reported 71 weekly classes among the clubs she contacted and, from eight clubs that submitted participation numbers, a combined guest and member participation of 22,896 so far this year. Cheryl also said some instructors and classes have seen large increases; she noted Sherry’s Zumba class saw a 30% increase after schedule changes.

Nick, the committee’s sports liaison, highlighted fundraising by sports clubs. He said Pickleball raised $57,000 through the Fund in the Sun event and donated $3,200 to the West Valley Food Bank. Tennis volunteers, Nick said, run a sneaker-collection program that supports the Hart Pantry and also contributed roughly $18,000 a year in food and goods through various efforts. He described other club fundraising as well, citing Swing Into Spring proceeds split with $4,250 to the prides and $4,250 to the posses, and an approximate $3,000 raise at the Cardiac Kids softball tournament.

Committee members emphasized the volume of volunteer work. Nick said larger clubs operate “almost like a professional organization,” with volunteers carrying out recurring tasks, while others praised monitors and rec center staff who manage check-ins, parking and setup between classes.

Casey Huda, the charter clubs manager, confirmed administrative compliance: the CR-6 forms were due May 1 and "every single club has turned them in." Huda said staff and volunteers will work over the summer to simplify the many club forms and make scheduling and bylaws templates clearer; she also said staff will distribute a bylaw template that keeps required verbatim sections while allowing clubs to edit other language.

Other operational details offered by liaisons: the fitness club reported nearly 10,000 visits in the first three months of the year; water fitness runs 11 classes; and some classes moved venues earlier in the year, prompting temporary parking congestion that staff and monitors resolved.

The meeting closed with a reminder that applications to serve on committees are due May 15 and with thanks to volunteers and staff. The committee noted that Nick will take over as chair next year and that the June meeting may be canceled if there is no outstanding business.

Less critical items included routine liaison anecdotes, upcoming summer matinee movie showings provided by rec center staff (separate from the movie club discussion from public comment), and a brief update that Theater West has reapplied for IRS 501(c)(3) status after revocation and is awaiting a response.