Membership Responsibilities

To many the Club experience is a means of escaping the rigors of business life and the related stress. Why is it then that so many well intentioned and bright individuals then seek to run their Club. A privilege of membership? Perhaps, but also a responsibility. In an ever increasingly competitive private club environment, an environment that is demanding beyond the scope of many of our personal businesses, as members we can ill afford the luxury of playing at the process. Department head level staff today are better educated than ever before, most with professional associations to provide continuing education. General managers are better trained and qualified as they must be to stay abreast of changing legislation, food and beverage issues, staff management and the day to day maintenance and upkeep of multi-million dollar facilities and operations.

Because we can cook an omelet at home or direct a waiter to bring what we want at a restaurant, because we can direct our lawn service to satisfactorily maintain our residential grounds or because we can direct the marketing activities at our own business, does not necessarily qualify us to run the country club. In fact, as I've quoted in this magazine before, Will Rogers once said it best, "There is nothing quite so stupid as an educated man, once you remove him from his field of education."

One of the truly great perks or privileges of membership is the enjoyment that it can bring my family, myself and my guests. To accomplish this, we as members need to keep the following things in mind. Choose your Club carefully. Understand it's operational philosophy and mission statement. If it does not meet your standards or expectations, find a Club that can.

Be vocal about the kinds of things you expect. Participate. Don't let the vocal minority dictate the policies that effect the majority. Understand that like any restaurant or public venue, your Club can have a bad day. Let management know when this happens. Be understanding but firm that you expect better consistency. You are part of the Club family. Don't be so eager to air the dirty laundry. Do not allow emotion to dictate your actions. Never take it upon yourself to discipline or "dress down"an employee. Don't become part of the problem. Report inappropriate behavior to management.

Support normal increases in annual fees or dues. It is a fact of life in all other businesses. The Club is no different. A Club in and of itself is not a philanthropic organization. It must stretch its revenues and resources to cover its operational costs, like all other businesses. Understand there will be other experiences that you may truly enjoy at other clubs or facilities and wish to incorporate into your Club, but that those activities or venues may not work for your Club. Again be proactive, but understand your Club's philosophy and/or limitations. Abide by your own expectations, but know that in order to provide for your needs that the staff needs the appropriate tools.

Make membership replenishment a way of life. No business can survive without some from of marketing and sales. In the private Club it is the only traditional and in some cases, legal means of matriculation. Through your participation you are assisting the Club, and yourself, in holding costs to a reasonable level per membership. Be active in donating your time to assisting the staff in Club functions and activities. Understand the nature of your involvement as a volunteer and try not to become "over-involved".

Allow your staff to manage the facilities governed by the membership's philosophical goals. Support open and honest communications from the Board and management regarding issues effecting the general membership. Okay, okay, so the article wasn't really about the privileges so much as the responsibilities. But I'll guarantee you this. If you just do just some of these things, if you just try to understand some of the issues and if you will simply participate in the membership replenishment process, your Club, indeed your membership, will become a much more valuable asset to you and to your family.

Membership does have its privileges. We just need to remember that to maintain those privileges, that we as members, have responsibilities as well.

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