Meet the Verde Village Property Owners Association
On the second Tuesday of every month, the Verde Village Property Owners Association meets to give community members an opportunity to gather, plan, and connect. We’re proud to have an organization so dedicated to building a stronger community as a Local First Arizona member! Get to know them and why they are excited and dedicated to what they do.
How many residents make up the Verde Village Property Owners Association? When and why did the association form?
Our association currently has 374 members! Our annual dues are voluntary so we are always grateful to our members who help us keep our community beautiful, safe, and thriving. Paying the annual dues means you get access to all the amenities including the sparkling pool, a large meeting room including a commercial kitchen, a smaller adobe ranch room, a lovely river walk through property owned by our Association and access to many public events put on by the volunteers of the association.
The association was formed in response to a developer who did not follow through on promises to bring basic infrastructure to the neighborhood. Residents united to ensure that he followed through on those promises to build roads and access to utilities. In the following years, our Community Center became the focus of Verde Village’s social life with dances, the new swimming pool, and other opportunities to gather with friends and family.
What role does the association play in the community of Cottonwood?
We are considering a name change from the Verde Village Property Owner’s Association to the Verde Village Community Association as a signal that we welcome renters and surrounding community members to enjoy this great neighborhood. We reach out to residents of Cottonwood with the hope of having them attend performances, and classes, and enjoy our swimming pool. We are technically not within the city limits of Cottonwood, but welcome city and Yavapai County partnerships.
What types of fun events/activities do you plan throughout the year?
We offer a variety of classes and activities. Recently, we hosted a performance by Tommy Rocks and the Halau Hula Napuaokalei’ilima dancers. We also offer monthly dinners, classes in art, hula, and yoga, a community-wide yard sale, a celebration of the summer pool opening, and our 50th anniversary. Our social director resigned, so we’re in need of a volunteer to take over the coordination of our fall/winter activities!
If someone were interested in joining the association, what are the benefits and why should they join?
Joining the association enables the organization to support the amenities this unique neighborhood offers. Not only do we coordinate events and classes at the community center, but we maintain a secluded walkway along the Verde River. Volunteers have built resting spots and picnic tables along the path where visitors can spot waterfowl, river otters and beavers, unique birds, and even turtles. Fishermen often try their luck along the banks as well. We also own and maintain the duck pond where the public can enjoy a variety of visiting and local geese and ducks, and circle the pond on the maintained dirt path. Whenever you drive by the pond, you’ll find people having a picnic, walking their dogs, or simply visiting with neighbors. The association also pays a full-time maintenance man to improve and maintain the community center, riverwalk and duck pond, and keep our communal property free of trash and safe from hazards. Another under-utilized opportunity is the ability to rent the pool, or community center rooms for personal or business events and meetings.
Are there opportunities for volunteering with the association? If so, what kind of volunteer work is preferred?
The VVPOA/VVCA is completely run by volunteers so we are always looking for individuals to step up. Opportunities range from stuffing envelopes to serving on the board. We also need donations of materials and equipment. Volunteers are currently needed to help our kitchen manager with food prep and clean-up during monthly dinners, represent neighborhood units, serve as a pool monitor, direct social activities, serve on the duck pond sub-committee, and nominating committee, to name a few. We have opportunities for anyone who can spare a few hours each week, each month, or just occasionally. Volunteering is a fun way to meet neighbors and to make a difference in our lovely neighborhood. The board recently came up with a guiding mission statement: "The VVCA Community connects us to our neighbors, to Nature, and to the lifestyle we all seek.” I think this sums up our mission nicely!