Many new residents and several ‘seasoned’ residents still don’t understand what TMAC is and how it functions. Below is the ‘Introduction’ portion of the Rules & Regulations, designed to address specific areas of the Bylaws. Think of it as ‘cliff notes’ or a ‘Reader’s Digest’ plain and simple explanation for some of the most common questions asked.
“INTRODUCTION
The Tanglewood Master Activities Committee (TMAC) was incorporated to coordinate, centralize, and monitor its social activities.
This Corporation is governed by the TMAC Articles of Incorporation, TMAC Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, the State of Florida non-profit corporate laws and governed by Florida Bingo and Gaming laws. TMAC is registered with the state of Florida to charge and remit to the state all appropriate sales tax. In addition, TMAC is governed by the 501 (C) (7) Federal Income Tax Exemption of the Internal Revenue Code.
The success of TMAC and its various committees relies solely upon the support of its volunteer residents who provide their efforts and services free of charge to the community.
Elected officers, appointed officers and volunteers are to receive no cash payments. Officers and Members may be eligible for reimbursements for expenses incurred in preparing for or performing these services.
The reimbursed expenses need to be documented by receipts turned into the TMAC treasurer. Officers and Members may also be entitled to nominal value rewards such as but not limited to free tee shirts, meals, end of season parties, free or reduced rate entry into events that Members actively participate in. This may not apply to all Committees and the rewards vary by Committee. It is up to each Committee to establish and enforce their own guidelines or rules related to rewards.
The Master Activities Committee is a vehicle designed to help make Tanglewood an entertaining and satisfying place to live, allowing its residents to plan, organize and promote their own activities.
All Volunteers associated with The Master Activities Committee while participating in TMAC sponsored events are protected from liability by both Florida and Federal Law. Florida Statute 768.1355, The Florida Volunteer Protection Act, as well as the federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997. These statues apply directly to volunteers who are working on behalf of registered nonprofit organizations such as TMAC, which is an IRS designated 501(C) (7).
In addition, TMAC has secured both Director and Officers insurance and General Liability insurance. The Directors and Officers insurance protects our officers from personal liability associated with the performance of their duties. General Liability insurance protects participants of TMAC events, should they be injured, as well as the assets of the corporation.
Activity committees have fundraising capabilities.”
As you can see, THIS is what make Tanglewood stand apart from all other communities like ours. Once you decide to ‘join’ a committee, the feeling of belonging to something special is one way to explore your new lifestyle.
For this writer, it was where we met our new best friends. We actually have more friends here than we ever did while living up north. If you are truly retired, Answer this: do you really care what day it is? Can you honestly say you know, right this minute, what the date is for today? What day of the week is it? Other than meeting friends to attend/get involved in some activity, would you care even what month it is? What does all that have to do with joining a committee? Well, when you drive by the clubhouse and the parking lot is full, I usually ask myself…what day is it? what am I missing? What’s going on in there? I actually keep copy of the newsletter or my phone handy to look in TWRTimes for the social schedule to tell me what the heck is going on inside that clubhouse that I’m missing!
Tanglewood is a social club, if you want it to be. If not, fine, but unless you’re ill, you can’t walk out your door without seeing someone either riding a bike, walking, walking their dog. driving a golf cart, or just sitting on their porch. It’s because nearly everyone here has somewhere to go, meet up with friends, and do what? Play pickleball, water volleyball, Petanque, line dancing, go shopping, etc. Somewhere, inside the gates of Tanglewood, you will have the opportunity to meet around a thousand residents. There is more to do here in this park than any other place except for Disney, Universal and probably the Villages.
We are a well protected, loved, and secure ‘family of residents’ who watch out for one another. How do you get to know so many people? Try joining a TMAC Committee. Next Wednesday inside the clubhouse from 3-4pm is a monthly TMAC meeting. All residents are invited to come and listen to what we’ve been planning for the future. You will have a time to ask any of the 24 committees, officers etc. questions about what they have to offer you.
Yes, there are Rules and Regulations to follow. Most are just common sense things that need to be said, in order to keep the peace. Also, when someone does go bat s#?t crazy because you’re sitting in the chair they’ve sat in for 20 years. We have a rule for that, somewhere…Just kidding… You’re missing out on loads of fun and personal fulfillment if you don’t get involved with some kind of hobby.
I hope to see you at the TMAC meeting next week.
