Good morning Thank you all for coming

Every year in September … … we all gather for the Annual General Meeting of Linnéa Sol. It’s a day on which we try to get owners involved in the continuous constructive building of our community, a day which should reflect what we are all trying to achieve on a daily basis - all year round.

Let’s all leave today … … with the feeling that we are part of a thriving international community, with the feeling that the whole is more important than any individual part. Only that will bring us forward.

Yesterday … … I looked up the word “Community” in the dictionary. It started by saying: “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common” which is totally true for Linnéa Sol. We all either live here or come to our holiday home in the very same place.

But further on it stated: the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common. Which means that every participant’s attitude should be to enjoy the time they spend here and for the owners at least would mean that we should all put our noses in the same direction, making this community thrive, a fun place to be for all.

Now that would imply ... … that every participant - whether they be owners or tenants - has to follow certain rules. These rules weren’t decided by a single individual nor by a court of law. These rules were decided by the entire community in AGM’s of the past years. Rules voted by a majority of owners.

The causes … … of these rules, to me anyway, are obvious. They make sure we are all reminded now and then that this is a community. That we all need to keep putting our noses in the same direction. Without those rules, the individual would start being number 1 again, leading to chaos. Ego getting in the way of common sense.

Each and every summer … … numerous participants - owners and tenants alike - seem to forget they are going to spend time in a community. Apart from neglecting the rules, there are those who seem to think they should go against them deliberately. This goes from just being selfish to being downright rude, bullying others, making nightly noise and even vandalism.

It is up to every owner … … to make their tenants follow the rules. Putting them up in your apartments is not a difficult task. Why not send them out together with each rental contract?

It is legally … … practically impossible to fine both tenants and owners for misbehaving. It seems also in our daily experience to be practically impossible to make both tenants and owners abide by these very same rules. Rules that were voted by the entire community.

To those simply not … … wanting to follow the simplest of rules, I have only one message: “Go and buy or rent a house in the desert”. There is no place for you among us. It’s like driving through a red light. I do not care if you yourself get hurt. But I will not let innocent bystanders be the victim of your irresponsible actions.

I would like to say … … a few words about the job of the president and the vice presidents. They are elected to serve the community. We would like to believe they are elected because of their skills, like having technical knowledge, speaking languages, being good with numbers in accounting, and so on.

Apparently … … some believe we are the janitors of the community, cleaning up everyone’s mess after a relaxing day of ignoring the rules. Although accidents can happen, please don’t all sit by until someone has called a member of the board to do the dirty work. This too is “having certain attitudes and interests in common”. That doesn’t only go for cleaning up pool every summer, but it also means that if you as an owner see something wrong, you take the necessary action.

”Showers” On a happier note, we did achieve some goals this year. As voted in last year’s AGM, the new shower walls were built. Push buttons now prevent water spills.

“Parking lot”

“Parking lot” The twelve uncomfortable parking spaces behind block 3 have been reduced to 11 comfortable parking spaces, meaning that now you can open your car doors with less of a danger of damaging your neighbour’s car.

”Decalcifier”

”Decalcifier” The communal decalcifier is doing its job. It was installed in June.

Perhaps the most important message of today is that you deserve to relax when you are at Linnéa Sol. Keep only one thing in mind: We deserve to relax as well.

This is my last act as president of Linnéa Sol. I would like to thank you all for your confidence over the years, your advice and your help in keeping Linnéa Sol the beautiful community it is today.

Special thanks to the entire Board and the people of Mediterráneo, who have made this presidency a walk in the park. It is their expertise that guides us through the more difficult matters. Keep in mind that whenever something seems to be so very easy or even nearly invisible, that probably is because the person responsible really knows what they are doing.

I hope to see you all at the party later today, which starts at 5 I hope to see you all at the party later today, which starts at 5.30 and not at 5 as mentioned earlier.

I wish next year’s Board all the success they need I wish next year’s Board all the success they need. Please do not hesitate to knock on my door for help.