The Bear Paw

April 2016

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As the President of the Tahoe Sands Time Share Owners Association, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the owners who braved the rain to attend our March 12, 2016 Annual Owners Meeting in Sacramento, California. Along with the election of board members, resort update, and committee reports, we also discussed why it is so important to become involved in helping our resort flourish. We need owner involvement and participation on resort committees in order to educate them regarding the day-to-day operations of the resort. It is critical that potential board members understand the inner workings of our resort as well as the interface between the Association and the Management Company since we will be partners in managing the resort for at least the next five years. You may think that anyone who is an owner can sit on the Board of Directors, and while that is true, we have learned that the best prospective board members have been engaged, involved and dedicated owners that participate on a committee as a member or chairperson to obtain the knowledge and experience to best support the Association. Please get involved!

Your board is working hard to make progress with regular maintenance needs as well as renovations and improvements to provide quality accommodations for all our owners. We shared in our last newsletter numerous projects that were accomplished in 2015 including new decks, window replacements, door upgrades, new cabinets, granite countertops, fixtures, flooring, furniture and lighting in cabins 506, 507 and 508. This project was completed at a significantly reduced cost with our management company acting as owner builder to complete the work. This project is a good example of how a solid partnership between our association and management company can benefit our owners and financials.

Your Board of Directors voted in late 2015 to raise the maintenance fees for 2016. We regret having to raise these fees but have been forced to raise them in order to meet our financial obligations and maintenance requirements of our resort. Our Management Company and your Board of Directors continue to be committed to the goal of making Tahoe Sands Resort truly exceptional.

~ Robert Wemheuer, Association President

STRATEGIC PLANNING & RENOVATION UPDATE

The Strategic Planning Committee has been coordinating efforts with the Renovation and Maintenance Committees to better serve you. As we focus on our long range (15 to 20 year ) view and dedication to making the best use of available resources, we are also addressing the immediate needs and providing the board with recommendations for allocating funds as they become available.

A group of four committee members, as well as management, went through the units last fall in order to identify urgent/immediate needs. This was a great opportunity for the committee to gain a knowledgeable perspective of what order to place on future developments. The board has approved $5,000 to get preliminary drawings for a new five or six unit building on the lake side (to replace units 301, 302, 303 and 305, as well as a housekeeping unit). We are awaiting bids on this, but, keep in mind, this will be a slow process.

In the meantime, staff has rebuilt the foundation and structure of unit 305, is addressing safety issues like the 401 and 404 decks, repairing broken window locks and mechanisms, and is installing new handscraped bamboo flooring in several of the units this spring. Have you seen the new flooring? Give us your feedback.

Additionally, we have made an effort to provide top notch service to all our owners and guests. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Sands, and welcome your suggestions.

~ Jean Thompson, Strategic Planning Chair

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CONTACTS

Administration

(530) 546-2592

Reservations

(888) 546-7575

Fax

(530) 546-3291

Sales

(530) 546-3324

Owner Services

(530) 546-2592 x611

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 109

Tahoe Vista, CA 96148

E-mail

TAHSANDS@LTOL.COM

Website

www.tahoesandsresort.com

RCI

(800) 338-7777

Interval International

(800) 843-8843

ResorTime

(877) 867-6506

ICE Gallery

(866) 814-6295

Platinum Interchange

(800) 854-2324

Crown Vacation Exchange

(877) 262-7696

OWNER UPDATES...News you can use!

Assessment Dues Payment Plan—Annual assessments are due every year on January 1st. Did you know that you can pre-pay your dues? Many owners pay their dues throughout the year. You can send us a payment at any time and we will apply a credit to your account. If you have questions, please contact Joanna Bailey at the resort.

Reservation Survey Results—A survey was sent out to the entire membership with the November mailing for an alternative to our current first come, first serve system. We received 258 responses. 141 chose the current system while 117 chose the monthly system. The owners have spoken and we will maintain our current reservation system.

Bonus Time Deals—Bonus Time is a great way to enjoy extra time at your resort. Here are some special deals you won’t want to miss. Also, join the FACEBOOK Tahoe Sands Owners Group and take advantage of last minute offers provided throughout the year!

Rules and Regulations Update—The Board of Directors voted at the March 12, 2016 meeting to amend reservation Rule 1.3, Exception 2 to exclude June 30, and all July check-in dates for 2017. This decision was based on owner feedback that the 2016 exclusion was a reasonable compromise. A complete copy of your Rules and Regulations are available on our website at www.tahoesandsresort.com

Stay Informed—Sign up today for our member relations e-mail list and receive reminders about upcoming events, board meetings, work weekend and other pertinent information. E-mail Kay Buty at; kaybuty@gmail.com

New and Improved Website Coming Soon….

Trip Advisor, YELP and Facebook Reviews—We need your help to increase our number of reviews and share with other owners and guests your thoughts about our resort and why you love it. Many thanks to all of you who have written a review, your support has made a difference and increased our ratings! Reviews help potential owners and guests get to know our resort...your positive input matters, write a review today!

WE NEED YOU! Your Association needs owners who are passionate about the resor t and dedicated to making a difference and making it a better place for every owner! Consider becoming a member of a committee or even a committee chairperson. There are many ways to get involved. Email tahsands@ltol.com or contact the resort for more information!

Association Committees

~ Renovation/ADA ~ Strategic Planning ~ Maintenance/Safety ~ Finance

~ Member Relations ~ Policy & Rules ~ Insurance & Legal ~ Nominating

~ Frequent Stay Card Stay at the resort for a total of 5 Bonus Time nights in a year and get the 6th night free. Bonus Time rules apply.

~ 50% Off—3rd Night Book two nights of Bonus Time and get the 3rd night at 50% off. Bonus Time rules apply.

~ Friends and Family Offer Owners may offer Bonus Time to family and friends through December 31, 2016. The owner must make the reservation for the guest. Bonus Time rules apply. June, July and August weekends, and all holidays are excluded.

Contact the front desk for all the details or to make reservations at (888) 546-7575.

Bonus Time rates: Studio $88.00

One Bedroom $108.00

Two Bedroom $124.00

Remember... Bonus Time can be booked up to 30 days in advance!

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Your Board of Directors:

President Robert Wemheuer

Vice President Gary Duignan

CFO Doug Thompson

Secretary Norm Allen

Member-at-Large Jean Thompson

Board of Director Meeting Dates:

June 4, 2016

Tahoe Vista, CA

October 22, 2016

Tahoe Vista, CA

January 21, 2017

Tahoe Vista, CA

March 11, 2017

Sacramento, CA

Annual Meeting

March 11, 2017

Foothill Community Center

5510 Diablo Dr.

Sacramento, CA

RESORT UPDATE

NEW RESORT MANAGER—Please join us in welcoming Robert Curry to the Tahoe Sands Resort Team! Robert is your new Resort Manager. Over the past couple months Robert has been immersed in the day-to-day operations to learn what we are doing well, where we have room to improve and is focused on the goal of making every stay at the resort a great one!

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS—The winter and spring has been a very busy time for the resort. Not only did Mother Nature deliver some awesome snow for owners and guests to enjoy, your board delivered on allocating funds to many well deserved projects as well as a few safety issues;

Unit Flooring—We are currently replacing flooring in the following units by summer; 202, 216, 307, 309, 514 & 515. The next units on our list to complete by the end of 2016 (if funds allow) are 115, 205, 209, 215, 404 & 407.

Murphy Bed Mattresses—All mattresses will be replaced by Memorial Weekend

Sofa Sleepers—Numerous sofa sleepers have come to the end of their comfortable life so we are replacing them by summer

Sofa Sleeper Mattresses—Some sofa sleepers are still in decent shape but their mattresses are ready to retire so we are replacing 28 of them with a new memory foam mattress for your sleeping enjoyment

Lanai Drapes—We are in the process of ordering all new dual curtain drapes and rods for the downstairs 100’s units

Cookware Sets—Having a kitchen is one of the great benefits of timeshare resorts. Having great pans to cook with is another, so 28 new stainless steel sets are on their way

Flat Screen TV’s—We continue to replace older televisions with larger flat screen HD models

Lobby Remodel—We are currently remodeling the front desk/lobby with new carpet, a redesigned front desk with an ADA counter and an updated look and reconfigured space.

Lakeside Pool—The board has approved funds to resurface and repair the lakeside pool in time for everyone to enjoy this summer

Mountainside Pool—Repairs are scheduled before summer to address the mountainside pool deck

Window Repairs—Many windows, especially in the 300’s have had hardware and lock issues. The maintenance staff has dedicated time this spring to acquiring the parts and repairing in house making the windows safe and the fix very cost effective

New Windows—The board has allocated funds for new windows to be installed in units 401, 404 and 405. The new double pane vinyl windows will replace many single pane, non-functioning windows and will decrease the traffic noise for these roadside units.

UNIT IMPROVEMENTS—The entire staff, the renovation, strategic planning and maintenance committees have all been working together to go through every unit and create a comprehensive list of amenities, needs, issues and features. Our staff has tackled so many small things this spring that can make such a big difference for you, the owner! Be sure to complete your maintenance request forms as your input is valued and appreciated. Day by day, week by week and month by month we will together make every room a place you will love to call your home away from home.

ELECTION RESULTS—The 2016 election concluded when the vote count was completed during the Annual Meeting on March 12, 2016. Norm Allen and Jean Thompson were re-elected to the Board of Directors. They will serve a two-year term commencing on March 12, 2016.

Tahoe Sands Resort

Fund-a-Project

Owners often share input on projects that they would like to

see accomplished or improvements that they want to support. Over the years many owners have made donations of

items that have been a great support to the Association.

Below we have a list of some projects that we are hoping to

fund over the coming year. Together we can all be a part of making the resort a better place

to own and enjoy!

New Canvas Artwork

Unit Décor

Reading Lamps

Full Length Mirrors

Kitchen Wish List Items

To Fund-a-Project or make a donation toward our resort

wishlist fund, please call Robert Curry at 530-546-2592, Ext. 629

_____________________

A big thanks to the owners who have generously made

donations to the resort and sincere appreciation

to all our owner volunteers who have given so much to the

resort this year!

WORK PARTY WEEKEND—May 14, 2016

Calling all owners...whether you are a veteran participant or a first-timer joining the fun, the 2016 work party weekend is sure to be a great time! This annual event is your chance

to show your pride of ownership, meet other owners and share your “can do” attitude!

PROJECTS

Beach Clean Up

Mulching Planter Beds & Garden Areas

Mountainside Clean Up

Flower Planting & Garden Weeding

Tent Set Up

Outdoor Furniture Cleaning

Mountainside Pool Painting

Special room rates of $35.00 per night for Friday & Saturday for participants, based on availability. For more information contact Kay Buty, Member Relations Chairperson at

kaybuty@gmail.com. Contact the Front Desk to make your reservation today!

PRST-STD

US POSTAGE

PAID

SIERRAMAIL

96143

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

WHAT TO BRING:

Work Gloves

Work Clothes & Shoes

Hat & Sunscreen

Tools

Lots of Energy

PO Box 109

Tahoe Vista, CA 96148