John Chapman, Village Employees Benefit Fund President, Addressed HSVPOA Board Directors

John Chapman, Board President of the Village Employees Benefit Fund (VEBF), addressed the HSVPOA Board of Directors at the July 19, 2023 Board Meeting.

After thanking the POA Board of Directors, Chapman said:

“The VEBF is an independent, non-profit organization in support of POA hourly employees. As our mission statement says:

“Through Fundraising, the Village Employees Benefit Fund gives Hot Springs Village Property Owners and local businesses the opportunity to recognize the dedication of POA hourly workers with an annual ‘Let’s say thanks’ cash appreciation gift and other programs.”

“The fund was established in 1999 by three Village residents after a harsh winter ice storm brought the Village to a virtual standstill. Both on-duty and off-duty employees from various departments showed up to help removed downed trees, plow roads, take stranded motorists home, and see to the welfare of residents in other ways too numerous to mention.

“Giving grateful Villagers an opportunity to thank POA employees for their extra effort, they raised enough money to give each worker a small gift card in appreciation just prior to the following holidays.

“But the Founders also realized that our employees work hard daily to make living in Hot Springs Village a wonderful experience, and decided to keep the fund going.

“Now in our 24th year, the VEBF has grown to the point that we can offer some additional benefits.

“We have a catastrophic emergency fund to help an employee who experiences an unexpected serious personal or family tragedy, for which some additional cash can help them manage unforeseen expenses.

“And we are now offering a scholarship program for employees who wish to pursue additional educational opportunities that would be of benefit in their POA career but which fall outside of the POA’s guidelines for employee training.

“We manage the fund with a Board of Directors that currently consists of ten people, which meets once a month.

“In an effort to keep the Village residents up to date on our activities, we send an email newsletter ten times a year to residents who have asked to receive it. We have established a website, VEF.ORG. We attend the Village Community Fair, Business Expos, and the Village Meet and Greets.

“We are right now entering our fundraising season for 2023. The VEBF has two sources of revenue:

  • “Several Dozen local businesses donate to us as they recognize the value of our mission in support of POA hourly workers.
  • But by far, most donations come from individual Village property owners. We reach every residence with a letter and return envelope, requesting they donate by check through the mail or by credit card through our website. We also advertise in the local print and broadcast media.

“We are able to keep our expenses down to around 10% so that fully 90% of donations received will be used in support of our workers.

“As a result of this fundraising effort, many Village residents are happy to contribute to the VEBF. Of course, we don’t receive donations from every homeowner. One of the objections we hear is that since these workers are being paid to do a job, why should anyone feel obligated to add to it?

“But that objection misses the point of what we are all about. Our purpose is to simply thank these workers by providing what amounts to a year-end bonus they would not otherwise receive.

“And the folks who receive that annual gift just before the holidays know that it comes from the residents and are all the more appreciative of it for that reason.

“It may be a little over the top to say that nothing happens in Hot Springs Village until a POA employee comes to work…but think about it. No round of golf gets played, no fitness center is opened early in the morning, and no concert is performed at the Woodlands Auditorium until a POA Employee shows up and opens the doors.

“The same can be said for any other of the numerous jobs performed by hourly workers in all the POA departments.

“So, all we ask from Villagers is to consider the value these folks bring to their daily lives here in what almost everyone considers to be one of the best places to live anywhere in the country.

“And with that thought, we ask Village residents to donate whatever they can to the Village Employees Benefit Fund.

“Because Nothing happens in Hot Springs Village until a POA employee comes to work.

“Thank you.”

Click here to visit the VEBF Website.

Transcribed by Cheryl Dowden