Jacaranda Island Monthly Social Planning Group

A 2025 Report to Jacaranda Islanders

Introduction:
For the past 14 years, the Jacaranda Island Monthly Social Planning Group has voluntarily coordinated the planning and implementation of our very successful monthly socials, which have been one important factor in improving the
camaraderie and sense of unity in our great neighborhood. In addition to securing the necessary facilities permits for the use of the room at Fish Hawk and other sites, the Planning Group solicits volunteers to serve as hosts/co-hosts for most of our socials, with the Planning Group responsible for hosting the annual Holiday Social and the Valentine Dinner/Dance.
 

In an effort to assure that our future socials continue to meet the interests of our neighbors, the Planning Group conducted a monthly social on July 8, 2025 at Fish Hawk Recreation Center that focused on a brainstorming activity which allowed the 35 attendees to offer suggestions about the kinds of socials, meals
and entertainment they prefer. In addition, suggestions were received on whether to use some of our socials as fundraisers for worthy, local causes; how to better involve new neighbors; and how to encourage more neighbors to volunteer as hosts/co-hosts.
 

After charting all the brainstorming responses at the social, the Planning Group met on July 21 to analyze the many suggestions, as well as those it received via e-mail from snowbirds and others who were unable to attend the social.
Suggestions that were similar were grouped together. The data were further analyzed and conclusions were drawn that will guide the Planning Group’s decisions in the future. It is our hope that, with the support of our neighborhood, the implementation of as many of the suggestions as possible will enable us tocontinue to provide a valued social activity each month.
 

Decisions:
1. Indoor Games/Activities: Many suggestions were made regarding games and activities that would result in the active involvement of attendees at our socials. The Planning Group has compiled a list of these games and activitiesthat will be presented to prospective hosts with the offer of assistance inhelping them organize the game/activity. Some possible activities include:

• Bingo; Trivia; Beanbag Baseball; Sip & Paint; Chinese or Silent
• Auction; Casino Night; All-Star Baseball Trivia; Cook-Off Social(themed)

2. Outdoor Activities: The Planning Group will support a number of outdoorsocials/activities each year. It has compiled a list of suggested games and activities that will be shared with prospective hosts. Since such outdoor socials may be affected by inclement weather, the large room at Fish Hawk
Recreation Center can be retained as a back-up for activities that can be moved indoors. Some possible activities include:

• Block Party;
• Golf Cart Scavenger Hunt;
• Himalayan Putting Contest atPalmer; an
• Additional Sports Night (now scheduled for October,13 2026)
• Golf Cart Poker;
• Road Rally

3. Presentations/Indoor Programs: The Planning Group will support non-commercial presentations by speakers on topics that may be of interest to Jacaranda Islanders. A list of suggested topics has been compiled and will be shared with interested hosts. Some possible topics include:

• Information on hurricanes
• Artistic Show & Tell by Jacaranda Islanders (January 13, 2026 Social)
• Presentation by Clubs
• Making homes more energy efficient
• Improving health via diet, exercise, vitamins, yoga, etc.
• Understanding the aging process
• Animal and bird life in our area
• Warnings about fraud
• Military history
• Drones
• Ligntning Rods…Myths and Realities
• Medical Director, Sheriff; Fire & Rescue

4. Meals:

The Planning Group will continue to recommend to hosts the options of planning catered meals; pot-luck dinners; salads-only; desserts only; themed dinners (Italian Night, German night, etc.); snacks only; or no meal socials. Pot-luck meals should include ingredient labels. Also supported willbe “Cook-Off” socials, with some attendees cooking, some serving as judges.

5. Paid Entertainment:

With prior approval from the Planning Group, hosts may contract appropriate entertainment, and will recommend for approval the
cost-sharing arrangements between the social’s registration fee and support from our 50/50 funds on a case-by-case basis. Efforts will be made to control the volume of musical events, in response to feedback received from neighbors. Hosts who plan musical events may consider DJ’s instead of livebands in an effort to control costs.

6. Encouraging More Neighbors to Serve as Volunteer Hosts/Co-Hosts:
 

Volunteer hosts who have not hosted before, and wish to be assisted in the planning of socials, may request assistance from members of the Planning Group for the arrangement of catering and/or entertainment, where desired.

Requests for assistance should be directed to Rich Flaim at
halloflame@comcast.net. Handy “Guidelines for Hosts” and a “Checklist” are made available to prospective hosts.

7. Requests to Support Fundraising for Worthy Causes:

The Planning Group will support requests to use socials as fundraisers for worthy causes or charities that are local in nature.

The expectation will be that the neighbor who suggests such a social will agree to serve as host for that event. The
Planning Group also supports the suggestion that one social each year bedesignated as a fundraiser for our monthly socials to supplement our 50/50 fund.

8. Improving the Involvement of new “Islanders:” Members of the Planning Group will invite new neighbors to sit at their table during the next social. All neighbors are encouraged to do the same as a way of welcoming new residents to our neighborhood. The Planning Group will continue to send new neighbors a “Welcome to Jacaranda Island” letter.

The Monthly Social Planning Group invites neighbors to contact Rich Flaim at halloflame@comcast.net with any questions or further suggestions regarding our monthly socials, and to volunteer to serve as host or co-host for a future social.

Also, special thanks go out to all neighbors who participated in the Brainstorming social on July 8, and to those who sent their suggestions via email.
 

Members of the Jacaranda Island Monthly Social Planning Group