May 2024 Newsletter - Village Employees Benefit Fund

This year, 2024, is the 25^th anniversary of the Village Employees Benefit Fund!

That’s right, the VEBF has been recognizing our POA hourly employees with cash appreciation gifts since 1999. It is encouraging to me that Villagers have recognized the value the VEBF brings to our employees, and continue to make contributions that enable us to keep the fund going year after year.

I also think that after 25 years, the VEBF has become a tradition here in Hot Springs Village. Many long-time residents have been contributing for years. And many of the newer residents we meet immediately understand the importance of donating to a fund created for the specific reason of thanking hourly workers for their efforts on our behalf.

Finally, the reason the VEBF was founded in 1999, is still true today among the next generation of POA hourly employees. Then, three Village residents set out to find a way to thank POA employees for their heroic efforts to assist Villagers after a severe ice storm crippled the Village. Now, current hourly POA employees carry on the tradition of often above-and-beyond service, as we have seen recently in the aftermath of the March tornado.

Please read on! One of our newest board members, Lloyd Sherman, has written an article for the newsletter, and his board member profile follows. And, you’ll get to “meet” some more of our POA hourly employees through their photos and short bios.

Thank you for reading this newsletter and being part of the VEBF family. And remember...

“Nothing happens in Hot Springs Village, until a POA hourly employee comes to work”.

John Chapman, VEBF Board President

MEET YOUR POA HOURLY EMPLOYEES

Jeff Ray

Jeff Ray has been with the POA for over 8 years, and is currently an Operator Foreman. He uses his cash appreciation gift from the VEBF to purchase Christmas gifts for his family and grandchildren.

James Mullins

James is a Line Maintenance Tech II, now in his 4^th year as a POA employee. He thanks the VEBF and the residents who contribute to it, for the cash gift that allows him to make a payment on his truck, with a little left over to buy himself some new clothes.

Gary Sobek

Gary is a newly-hired POA employee, in the position of Engineering Tech I. He was pleasantly surprised to receive his cash gift from the VEBF, and added “I really appreciate what the VEBF members do for the POA employees.”

THE VILLAGE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND – DID YOU KNOW?

By Lloyd Sherman, VEBF Board Member

This is the second in a series of articles to help property owners understand exactly what the VEBF is, but more importantly, what it is not!

The Village Employee Benefit Fund (hereinafter VEBF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1999. It is a separate entity and not part of the POA or tied to POA employee benefits. VEBF was founded by property owners to recognize and thank hourly workers for their service. Monies come from the generous donations of property owners and businesses in, and around, the Village.

Did you know that the VEBF began in 1999 following an ice storm? The original founders, Bud Holt, Bob Smith, and Bill Brusenhan met to find a way to say “THANK YOU” to each of the POA employees whose work so directly impacted the quality of their lives. That first year, the founders were able to raise donations from their friends so that each employee was given a $16 “THANK YOU” holiday gift from the Fund. By 2023 that amount grew to $320 for full-time hourly employees and $160 for part-time hourly employees.

Did you know that the VEBF is a totally volunteer organization comprised of fellow property owners? There are no salaries paid and all funds collected are for the sole use and benefit of hourly employees of the POA. Any expenses incurred support our ability to educate, inform, and fundraise for this mission.

Did you know, the VEBF is not an extension of, department of, or any way associated with the POA, other than the property owners saying thank you to hourly employees for helping make Hot Springs Village the great place that it is?

Did you know, the VEBF awards continuing education scholarships to POA employees to expand their skills and expertise to better serve Hot Springs Village?

Did you know, the VEBF provides catastrophic assistance for POA hourly workers who experience a serious personal emergency and need financial assistance.

What the VEBF is all about is recognizing those hourly employees who show up day in and day out and get the job done by acknowledging what they mean to the community once a year with an appreciation cash gift. We will also assist those who apply and are approved for continuing education to increase their value to the community and their job function.

The three R’s of retaining employees are Respect, Recognition, and Reward. As property owners who expect great customer service when we have a need, it is in our best interest to do all we can to help retain employees. Our part in that process can be acknowledging that we appreciate our employees come the end of the year.

To learn more about, or donate to the fund, go to the VEBF website at www.vebf.org. Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VEBFund.

VEBF BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

NAME: Lloyd Sherman

SPOUSE’S NAME: Linda Sherman

WE MOVED HERE FROM: Dallas, TX by way of the Republic of Panama

BECAUSE: We heard about HSV while living in Panama and came for a visit when we moved back. We stayed in a VRBO for a week and loved it and decided to move here.

MY HOBBIES OR INTERESTS ARE: I really enjoy working but beyond that it was golf until retired by my Dr. last year, fishing, yard work, and giving back to the community.

WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION BEFORE YOU RETIRED? I had four industries; Banking for 10 years; technology for 18 years; my own business consulting business for 12 years; and now a Realtor®.

WHAT PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? I had many, but the most rewarding was the many experiences I had assisting small and medium size business to turn their businesses around and remain solvent.

MY BIGGEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION CAME FROM: Growing up dirt poor and taking paths where I would never find myself in that condition again. I am extremely driven.

PEOPLE WOULD BE MOST SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT ME THAT I: Probably my infatuation with Survivor and desire to compete (and I use that term lightly) in that arena. I submitted for three years and in the third year I was selected to move through the vetting process but had to withdraw due to unexpected health problems with my wife.

WHAT APPEALS TO YOU ABOUT THE VEBF, AND SERVING AS A BOARD MEMBER? As I mentioned, I like giving back to the community and what better way than to serve with an organization who supports the hourly employees of HSV.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A VILLAGE RESIDENT WHO THINKS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE VEBF IS NOT NECESSARY? I would essentially point out it is customary to tip wait staff in restaurants in appreciation for service and why should it be any different for the rank and file (hourly) employees who serve this community day in and day out. I’ve given to this worthy cause since first learning of its existence, please do likewise.

VEBF CORPORATE SPONSORS

Click logos below to link to our sponsors online.

Hot Springs Village Employees Benefit Fund was established on September 22, 1999, to receive and disburse appreciation funds contributed by the property owners of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

These funds are for the benefit and support of all qualified POA employees (excluding Top Management) as defined in the by-laws.

Our intent is to demonstrate the recognition, appreciation, and respect that our property owners and others have for all those who work to support and maintain Hot Springs Village.

The Village Employees Benefit Fund newsletters are sponsored by

Dannet Botkin, CEO & Owner of

Designs Group Consulting.

VEBF.org vebfund@gmail.com