Media Contact: Cindy Vizza, 202-822-9822 or vizza@nationalclub.org
New D&O Insurance Coverage Program for NCA Members
Program Offers Competitive Pricing, Reliable Coverage, Efficient Claims Service
(Washington, D.C., August 30, 2010)--The National Club Association is pleased to announce that effective September 1, 2010, NCA is offering D&O and Fiduciary coverage through Bollinger, a national leader in providing insurance products and services to the club industry. This program replaces NCA’s earlier D&O program because the previous carrier made a decision to exit the nonprofit D&O marketplace. In seeking new coverage, NCA worked to ensure that several key elements of the program were maintained from the previous offering:
- Pricing that is competitive in the current marketplace
- Comprehensive coverage that provides peace of mind for club officers and directors and recognizes evolving governance needs of clubs
- A carrier with a high quality rating and a demonstrated record of performance
“Bollinger is excited to partner with the National Club Association in order to offer the countries finest clubs a proven marketplace for insurance products and services,” said Thomas Walker, senior vice president of Bollinger Club Programs. “We have always valued the resources that the NCA has offered to the club industry and believe this new partnership will certainly enhance those opportunities.”
Competitive pricing, broad policy language, efficient and effective claims service are some of the hallmarks of this new program, which will be offered through Chartis, rated by A.M. Best as an "A" rated insurance carrier.
Due to its long-term experience and commitment, Bollinger has developed some of the broadest and most reliable coverage enhancements available for clubs. As the endorsed D&O Program Administrator, Bollinger will underwrite the program on behalf of Chartis. In addition to Bollinger's expertise, Chartis and its affiliate companies have a long track record of providing D&O insurance to the club industry. Therefore, these companies represent some of the longest tenured providers of D&O coverage to the club industry. This will provide great continuity and consistency for current, participating club members as the program continues and peace of mind for new participants.
In addition, Bollinger and Chartis will offer new opportunities for enhanced risk management review and education for your club if you participate in the endorsed program. Since 1983, Bollinger has offered their "Club Program" to a full range of clients including golf, country, tennis, city and yacht/sail clubs.
For more information, contact Bollinger via e-mail: bollingerclubinsuranceprogram@bollingerinsurance.com. Additional information is also available at www.bollingerinsurance.com/golf.
About NCA
Since 1961, the National Club Association (NCA) has served as the primary advocate for private clubs, representing their business, legal and legislative interests, while providing a wealth of invaluable resources to address educational needs of clubs related to operations, model club practices and effective leadership. For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org.
About Bollinger Insurance
Originally founded in 1876, Bollinger Insurance is currently ranked by Business Insurance as the 17th largest insurance broker in the U.S., with premiums exceeding $900 Million. The company remains privately owned with offices throughout the northeast and represents clients across the U.S.
Media Contact: Amanda Janaskie, 202-822-9822 or janaskie@natioonalclub.org
National Club Association Foundation Elects Two New Board Members:
Jeffrey McFadden, CCM, CCE and Tammy Tassitano, CPA
(Washington, D.C., August 26, 2010)— The National Club Association Foundation recently announced the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Jeffrey McFadden, CCM, CCE, and Tammy Tassitano, CPA, were elected to serve on the NCA Foundation Board through 2011.
“We are extremely delighted to have these two individuals join our board to continue building on our outreach efforts to the club community,” said Bob James, Executive Director of Westchester Country Club and NCA Foundation Chairman. “We know they’ll both be great additions to the board in helping the Foundation support projects and provide resources that would otherwise not be available for the private club industry.”
Jeff McFadden has been the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of The Union League in Philadelphia for twelve years, but he has been a part of the private club industry for more than two decades. This past year, The Union League was rated as one of the top five city clubs in the United States on the 2009 Platinum Club of America list. Jeff brings a strong background of foundation management to the board, as he oversees multiple foundations at his club, including the Abraham Lincoln Foundation, the Scholarship Foundation and the Youth Work Foundation.
Tammy Tassitano is the National Director of Club Services and a partner of McGladrey & Pullen, serving as the club/association team leader. With a focus on private country clubs, yacht clubs, resorts and common interest realty associations, Tammy has provided a full range of hospitality related audit, accounting, tax and advisory services for the past 20 years. Tammy is also responsible for McGladrey & Pullen’s annual trends report, Florida Trends in Private Clubs, and has served as the President of the Florida Golf Coast Chapter of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.
About the NCA Foundation
The NCA Foundation is the National Club Association's charitable arm and funds critical trends studies and underwrites educational programs and research. Established in 1993, the NCA Foundation seeks to prepare clubs and the club industry for the future by assessing significant developments in the world around them and providing effective solutions to help clubs and their leaders respond. For more information, visit www.ncafoundation.org. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Amanda Janaskie by calling 800-625-6221 or via e-mail at janaskie@nationalclub.org.
Media Contact: Cindy Vizza, 202-822-9822 or vizza@nationalclub.org
The National Club Association Launches New Corporate Partner Program
Program Provides New Ways to Promote Industry Resources and Provide Benefits to Clubs
(Washington, D.C., July 23, 2010)—The National Club Association today announces the launch of a new Corporate Partner Program to benefit private clubs and industry partners. NCA has restructured its long-standing Associate Membership program to provide organizations that do business with private clubs an opportunity to market their services and increase their exposure to the industry, and also to increase the number of resources available to NCA’s member clubs through additional educational programming.
The NCA Corporate Partner Program will provide a platform for industry partners to educate the club community and serve as resources through a variety of opportunities, including webinars, editorial content in NCA publications and educational training sessions at NCA events. Under the new program, partnership levels will be categorized into four different categories, each with its own set of benefits and opportunities:
- Associate Membership – vendor partners and allied organizations receive industry news, resources and legislative updates through NCA publications and increased exposure through NCA’s website and Buyers Guide.
- Corporate Partners – includes all benefits of Associate membership and adds bundled marketing opportunities through NCA print and online marketing channels.
- Strategic Alliance Partners – Allied organizations and vendor partners become resources for club members through contributions of editorial content and club member Q & A platforms.
- Chairman’s Club Partners – includes all the benefits, resources and opportunities of previous categories, and also works closely with NCA on research and business development activities.
The Strategic Alliance and Chairman’s Club Partner levels will provide opportunities for corporate partners to offer member clubs additional resources through:
- Webinars – NCA will work with partner organizations to deliver timely, relevant and informative programs filled with useful information for both NCA member clubs and non-members.
- “Ask the Experts” – Strategic Alliance and Chairman’s Club Partners will serve as resources through NCA’s “Ask the Experts” series, whereby NCA member clubs can ask industry-related questions, both online and at the “Ask the Experts” Roundtable at the 2011 National Club Conference.
- Editorial content in Club Director and NCAConnect – Strategic Alliance and Chairman’s Club partners will contribute educational content for NCA periodicals, expanding the pool of editorial contributors and enhancing content and perspective.
NCA represents some of the most prominent clubs across the U.S. Seventy-eight percent of its membership consist of golf/country clubs, while city, athletic and yacht clubs form the remainder. Sixty-four percent of NCA members generate gross revenue of more than $3 million.
For more information regarding NCA’s Corporate Partner Program, please visit www.nationalclub.org or contact Joel Nepomuceno at 202-822-9822 or nepomuceno@nationalclub.org.
About NCA:
NCA is a national, nonprofit trade association dedicated to serving the business interests of private clubs, including golf and country clubs, yacht clubs and social clubs. The organization lobbies Congress on behalf of its members and produces educational materials on a range of public policy issues including taxes, health care, immigration, and club operations issues such as governance, compliance, hospitality trends and human resources-related topics. Visit www.nationalclub.org for more information.
NCA participates in third annual National Golf Day
$76 Billion Golf Industry has Day on Capitol Hill
(Washington, DC, April 29, 2010)—Golf is a $75.9 billion industry, larger than the motion picture and recording industries combined. This economic impact of the golf industry in America was conveyed by National Club Association board members and staff as they joined others from the industry to promote the economic, environmental and social contributions of golf on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, April 28, for National Golf Day 2010. Since 2008, NCA and leaders from prominent allied associations have participated in Golf Day events targeted to members of Congress to help foster a better understanding of the golf industry and its contributions.
WE ARE GOLF, the industry-wide initiative to showcase the important economic, human and environmental benefits of the industry, was a new addition to this year’s National Golf Day. NCA supports this initiative to share the message about the contributions that golf brings to communities across the nation. Some of the key points include:
• Nationally, the golf industry provides 2 million jobs in the U.S. and total wage income of $61 billion. Golfers purchased $2.47 billion in golf supplies, generated $18 billion in travel expenditures and contributed $860 million for the publishing industry for golf-related magazines.
• Golf contributes $3.5 billion per year for charitable causes through thousands of local fundraising events nationwide. Professional golf tournaments in the U.S. are managed by charitable organizations that collectively generated more than $135 million for charity in 2008. The PGA TOUR has raised more than $2.5 million for military groups.
• Golf course facilities are engaged in voluntary efforts to advance environmental sustainability, including on average since 1996, making five different environmental improvements such as irrigation system upgrades, installing native plantings, creating wildlife habitat areas, enhancing wetlands, improving buffer strips, erosion control measures, and improving fuel and chemical storage.
• Less than 15 percent of golf courses utilize municipal water supplies as a source for irrigation water. Many golf course use non-drinking water supplies such as wells, ponds, and stormwater. Approximately 12 percent of golf courses in the U.S. use recycled water for irrigation.
“Our ongoing dialog with Congress about the many benefits of the golf industry helps to overcome perceptions that golf is an elitist sport,” says Brian R. Kroh, NCA Chairman. “In fact, many are small businesses, employing thousands of workers and having significant impact on the economy, the environment, the tax revenues and charitable contributions each year.”
Kroh, who is general manager of the John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla., points out that in the state of Florida there are 1,128 golf courses that have a direct economic output of $7.5 billion with a total economic output of $13.8 billion, providing 167,377 jobs with a total wage income of $4.6 billion. John’s Island Club employs 500 workers.
National Golf Day activities began with the First Tee Congressional Breakfast featuring Corey Pavin, PGA professional golfer and captain of the 2010 Ryder Cup Team USA.
In addition to meetings arranged by WE ARE GOLF with House GOP members and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, NCA Chairman Brian R. Kroh, NCA Director Bob Schramm, NCA President & CEO Susanne R. Wegrzyn and NCA Vice President of Government Relations Brad D. Steele met with the staffs of the House Small Business Committee, the Energy & Commerce Committee, and the Ways & Means Committee.
About NCA:
The 2010 National Club Conference to be Held May 23-24
(Washington, DC, April 20, 2010)— Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), the youngest member of Congress, will provide the conference’s keynote address, a Washington insider’s outlook for the November elections. The 2010 National Club Conference, which will be held at the Union League Club of Chicago, will bring together leaders from across the industry to network and discuss the latest trends, issues and politics affecting the dynamic private club world.
“The private club industry has begun a transformation to secure its place in the new economy,” according to Brian R. Kroh, chairman of the National Club Association. “This future includes a stronger, united front in which dramatic leadership from clubs of all types and sizes across the country are joining together to promote issues and legislation that will have a positive impact on our industry.”
Sessions for this year include best practices in membership marketing, private club use of Internet marketing, hospitality and golf industry trends, and an outlook on key legislative issues for clubs and a review of the new health care law.
The 2010 National Club Conference is supported by the following sponsors: McMahon Group, Condon O’Meara McGinty & Donnelly LLP, AON, IBS and the National Club Association Foundation.
For additional information, please visit www.nationalclubconference.org.
About NCA
NCA Releases The Legal Reference Guide for Private Clubs
Clubs Have Legal Questions – NCA Has Answers
(WASHINGTON, D.C., February 16, 2010)—In today’s litigious society, private clubs must ensure they’re protected against potential legal risks and exposure. The National Club Association’s newest publication, The Legal Reference Guide for Private Clubs, is a comprehensive resource for club managers and volunteer leaders and their club counsel to help navigate the legal maze of issues that could confront them.
Chapters in The Legal Reference Guide for Private Clubs cover topics such as private and tax-exempt status, membership, general liability issues, employment law, food and beverage law, operational matters, governance, finance, environmental law, and real estate and construction law. This guide also provides sample policies, checklists and forms.
Written by attorneys specializing in private club issues, this definitive resource will provide the private club industry with guidelines and policies to help clubs and their counsel manage legal risks and exposure.
The publication was partially underwritten by the National Club Association Foundation. The NCA member price for the book is $249; the nonmember price is $349. The book is available at the NCA online bookstore at www.nationalclub.org or by calling 800-625-6221.
About NCA
Since 1961, the National Club Association (NCA) has served as the primary advocate for private clubs, representing their business, legal and legislative interests, while providing a wealth of invaluable resources to address educational needs of clubs related to operations, model club practices and effective leadership. For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org.
About the NCA Foundation
The NCA Foundation is committed to providing effective solutions to ensure a successful future for the private club industry. Established in 1993, the NCA Foundation has funded research and education programs to provide insight and analysis of the forces likely to shape the future club experience.
NCA Releases New Private Club Operations Report
Private Clubs Deal with the Economy, Evolving Technology, Member Policies and Operations
(WASHINGTON, D.C., October 28, 2009)—The downturn in the economy has had an impact on the private club industry and clubs have taken action in order to remain not only viable, but also a place where members want to come. This is just one of the findings included in the 2009 Private Club Operations Report from the National Club Association. More than 68 percent of respondents have increased membership marketing and 60 percent have put greater focus on retention. On the cost-cutting side, 50 percent have reduced staff and 40 percent deferred capital expenses. In addition, of all survey respondents, 70 percent anticipate increasing their dues in the next year.
The 2009 Private Club Operations Report provides private club leaders with more than 100 charts and tables that indicate benchmarks on all aspects of club operations. Data compiled and analyzed is based on an August 2009 National Club Association survey of club managers and controllers.
Report findings cover information about how clubs are dealing with the economy—now and in the future. Club policies, such as minimums, dress codes, cell phones, and significant others are presented. Club leaders can learn how other clubs are adapting to ever-evolving technology with information about club Web sites, software and technology budgets. Golf course operations information, such as the average number of rounds of golf played in the last year, average greens fees, and the change in member rounds in the past three years is presented.
The food and beverage operations section features average annual total covers, change in average menu prices in the past year and food and beverage department sales net profit or loss information, among other information. In addition, the report provides revenue and expense breakdowns of the responding clubs and operating ratios.
This valuable resource contains a wealth of the latest, must-have benchmarking data for all aspects of club operations. Club leaders can use the information to determine where their club stands today and arm them with information critical for future success.
The publication was partially underwritten by the National Club Association Foundation. Member price for the book is $129; nonmember price is $199. The book is available at the NCA online bookstore at www.nationalclub.org or by calling 800-625-6221.
About NCA
Since 1961, the National Club Association (NCA) has served as the primary advocate for private clubs, representing their business, legal and legislative interests, while providing a wealth of invaluable resources to address educational needs of clubs related to operations, model club practices and effective leadership. For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org.
NCA Releases New Publication on Private Club Membership Marketing
Best Practices Will Help Membership Development in Tough Economy
(WASHINGTON, D.C., February 16, 2009)—Do you have membership marketing questions? The National Club Association has answers and is proud to announce the release of Membership Marketing: Best Practices for Private Clubs. This new publication is aimed to help private clubs with membership development. The 100+ page book provides expert advice on how to increase membership for your private club through professional marketing planning, strategy and research methods. The book includes information ranging from brand marketing and club identity and membership development case studies to tools for marketing your club and how to create budgets and staff your marketing program.
“In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever to have a strong membership development program,” said NCA President & CEO Susanne R. Wegrzyn. “This new publication also helps clubs understand issues surrounding membership marketing and provides guidelines for protecting clubs’ private status.”
Membership Marketing provides private club leaders with tips, tools and best practices for recruitment and retention, and includes a CD-Rom with writable forms. Member price for the book is $99; nonmember price is $149. The book is available at the NCA online bookstore at www.nationalclub.org.
About NCA
Since 1961, the National Club Association (NCA) has served as the primary advocate for private clubs, representing their business, legal and legislative interests, while providing a wealth of invaluable resources to address educational needs of clubs related to operations, model club practices and effective leadership. For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org.
The National Club Conference 2009 to be Held April 26–28
The Economy, New Administration Will be Focus of Sessions
(Washington, DC, February 10, 2009)—The economic outlook for private clubs and the legal, legislative and regulatory environment in which clubs operate—all of these topics and more will be covered at The National Club Conference 2009. The National Club Association is holding the sixth annual conference April 26-28 at the Capitol Hill Club and Madison Hotel in Washington, D.C. The conference is designed to bring club industry leaders together with key decision makers in Washington, D.C., to discuss the latest trends, issues and politics affecting the dynamic private club world.
The 2009 conference will draw large attendance due to the new administration, and several critical issues will be examined and discussed in detail. Sessions for this year include Hospitality Industry Trends and Economic Outlook, Planning In—and for—Turbulent Times, Membership Trends and Marketing Opportunities, Key Areas of Legal Liability, 2009 Regulatory Environment for Clubs and Views from Capitol Hill.
The National Club Conference 2009 is supported by the following sponsors: NCA Foundation, AON, Condon O’Meara McGinty & Donnelly LLP, HFTP, and National Capital Club Managers Association.
For additional information, please visit www.nationalclubconference.org.
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NCA and NCA Foundation Announce New Board Directors and Officers
(WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2008) The National Club Association’s board of directors recently met in Key Largo, Fla., for its semi-annual board meeting and elected new board members and officers.
Kirk Reese, CCM, general manager and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Country Club, and Kevin Reilly, JD, CPA, partner of PKF Witt Mares, one of the largest regional accounting and business consulting firms in the United States, are the newest additions to NCA’s board.
With more than 25 years of experience in the club industry, Reese took the reins of the prestigious and historic Los Angeles Country Club in 2003. Reese’s previous experience involves five years as general manager and chief operating officer at the Chevy Chase Club, as well as managerial positions at The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Among numerous accomplishments, Reilly has been recognized as one of SmartCEO magazine’s SmartCPAs in the Greater Washington, D.C., area. His areas of practice include hospitality consulting, real estate consulting, individual and business tax planning and preparation, and business advisory services. He is a guest lecturer at universities and colleges on tax issues and a speaker for club industry groups and has authored a number of publications relating to federal taxes and private clubs.
New officers were also elected at NCA’s annual board meeting in Key Largo, Fla. The new officers include: Chairman Douglas T. Howe, partner with Century Golf and Arnold Palmer Golf Management in Dallas; Vice Chairman Brian R. Kroh, CCM, general manager of John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla.; Secretary Michael L. Hardy, Esq., environmental attorney and partner-in-charge of Thompson Hine’s Cleveland office; Treasurer John D. Zook, CPA/PFS, MBA, assistant professor of accounting at LaSalle University in Philadelphia and the founder and managing director of Zook, Dinon & Roman, P.A., Certified Public Accountants in Moorestown, N.J.; and Immediate Past Chairman David B. Chag, CCM, general manager of The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Also re-elected to the board of directors for three-year terms were Samuel P. Bell Jr. of Los Angeles; Philip R. Kiester, general manager of Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, Va.; Gerald L. Maatman Jr., partner with Seyfarth Shaw, Chicago; and Wendy K. Zurstadt, chief financial officer of the Polo Club of Boca Raton, Fla.
In addition, re-elected to the NCA Foundation board of directors for three-year terms were: Joseph F. Beditz, president and chief executive officer of the National Golf Foundation; John Blake, chief operating officer of MembersFirst, Inc.; and Daniel M. Denehy, CCM, president of the Consulting Group of John Sibbald Associates.
For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org or call (202) 822-9822.
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About NCA
Since 1961, the National Club Association (NCA) has served as the primary advocate for private clubs, representing their business, legal and legislative interests, while providing a wealth of invaluable resources to address educational needs of clubs related to operations, model club practices and effective leadership.
Two New Member Join NCA’s Board of Directors for 2008
(WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 16, 2007)—The National Club Association’s board of directors recently met in Charleston, S.C., for its semi-annual board meeting and elected two new directors.
Philip R. Kiester, general manager of the Farmington Country Club in Farmington, Va., and Wendy K. Zurstadt, chief financial officer of the Polo Club of Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Fla., are the newest additions to NCA’s board.
Kiester has nearly 12 years experience as Farmington’s general manager and 35 years experience in the hospitality industry. He won the McMahon Group’s “Excellence in Club Management” award in 2000, and, during his tenure, Farmington was chosen as a Club Leader’s Forum “Platinum Club of America” three times. Also, Kiester served president of Virginia’s CMAA chapter and as a guest lecturer in hospitality and club management programs at Cornell University, Virginia Tech University and James Madison University.
With exactly 20 years experience in the club industry, Zurstadt most recently served on the Hospitality Finance & Technology Professionals’ board of directors, filling the position of president in 2002-03. In 2003, Zurstadt helped in the publication of the “Uniform System of Financial Reporting,” which has set the standards for reporting in the club industry, and in 2005, she won the HFTP Paragon Award for her contributions to the hospitality industry. Before joining The Polo Club, she worked for Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Conn., for 18 years.
The officers of NCA’s executive board include: Chairman David B. Chag, CCM, the general manager of The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Mass.; Vice Chairman Douglas T. Howe, the executive vice president of new business development at ClubCorp USA Inc. in Dallas; Secretary Brian R. Kroh, CCM, the general manager of John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, Fla.; Treasurer Michael L. Hardy, Esq., an attorney with Thompson Hine in Cleveland, Ohio; and Immediate Past Chairman James P. Lower, Esq., a partner with Hanna and Morton LLP in Los Angeles.
For more information, visit www.nationalclub.org or call (202) 822-9822.
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About NCA
Since 1961, The National Club Association (NCA) has served as the advocate for private clubs, representing the business, legal and legislative interests of social, recreational and athletic clubs.
NCA Releases Redesigned Club Director
(Washington, D.C.—July 9, 2007)—The National Club Association recently debuted its newly redesigned flagship publication, Club Director. For the first time in more than a decade, the association has changed the design direction and editorial content of this venerable, highly regarded publication.
The redesign, headed by Pensaré Design Group based in Washington, D.C., gives a fresh, contemporary face to Club Director with an increased emphasis on readability and sensibility. Readers will notice more graphs, charts, photography, and pull quotes and a more consistent look within the departments and features.
Readers will also notice Club Director’s strong editorial content was retained and enhanced with new department titles that better describe each department’s editorial focus. For example, one of the magazine’s most popular departments, “Club Alert Network News,” is now “Laws & Regs.”
Also, two new departments—“Spotlight” and “By the Numbers”—have been added to the magazine. “Spotlight” is made up of news, NCA member activities, tips from club leaders, and unique programs and information on clubs from one of six regions of the country. The June/July issue focuses on clubs in the Northeast, and the August/September issue will shine the spotlight on the Great Plains region. The second new department, “By the Numbers,” provides a back-page snapshot of pertinent statistics on topics of importance to private clubs.
As always, each issue of Club Director will also include an in-depth, analysis-oriented cover story and at least two to three feature-length articles, including sidebars, on cutting-edge topics and how-to issues for club leaders.
NCA has spent the last year launching its new corporate identity, logo and brand message and overhauling its products, publications, and communications initiatives in order to serve our members better. As NCA’s official publication, Club Director acts as the main member communications vehicle for NCA and aims to help club leaders make key policy decisions to facilitate member service more efficiently.
With its cleaner, more sophisticated look, Club Director will continue its reputation as the premier informational resource club leaders go to for practical, applicable insights on industry trends, tax and regulatory compliance issues, effective governance techniques, operational problems, and policy data.
NCA Announces New Board of Directors for 2007
(Washington, DC, Nov. 27, 2006)—The National Club Association recently met in Scottsdale, AZ, for its semi-annual board meeting and elected NCA’s new officers.
David B. Chag, CCM, the general manager of The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, MA, is NCA’s new chairman. Chag is also a past president of the South Texas Region Lone Star Chapter and New England Chapter of Club Managers Association of America and serves as an adjunct professor for the club management course at Boston University.
Douglas T. Howe, the executive vice president of new business development at ClubCorp USA Inc. in Dallas, TX, is NCA’s new vice-chairman. A graduate of Glendale College, Howe is also affiliated with the National Golf Course Owners Association, the Club Managers Association of America, and the National Golf Foundation.
Brian R. Kroh, CCM, the general manager of John’s Island Club in Vero Beach, FL, was elected as secretary. Kroh is actively involved with the Florida Chapter of CMAA and previously was a regional director for that chapter.
Michael L. Hardy, an attorney with a primary focus in environmental law at Thompson Hine LLP in Cleveland, OH, was elected as NCA’s new treasurer. Hardy is also a member of the board of trustees of the Nature Center of Shaker Lakes; a member of the Union Club of Cleveland, Ohio; a member of the Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland; and a member of the Club at Key Center.
NCA’s former chairman James P. Lower, a partner with the Los Angeles-based law firm Hanna and Morton LLP, will serve as immediate past chairman until 2009. In addition to the numerous legal committees on which he has served, Lower is also a member of the board of the California State Club Association and is active in the club community as a member of The California Club, the Los Angeles Yacht Club, the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, and Catalina Marineros.
Future Trends & Issues: A Private Club Perspective
(Washington, DC, July 28, 2006)—The National Club Association is proud to release the 2006 edition of its annual trends report, Future Trends & Issues: A Private Club Perspective. This year’s edition has been expanded to include timely information about disaster planning, immigration issues and their impact on reform efforts, new trends in dining, the Internet and related security issues, and much more.
Since 2002 NCA has tracked various trends that affect the industry, conducting membership surveys, focus groups, and personal interviews with industry leaders. The association also maintains an extensive library of materials that track future trends. The result of this ongoing effort is the ability to provide an industry perspective, both in print and at many speaking engagements throughout the country.
NCA is committed to keeping its members and the industry supplied with timely information on trends so that club leaders can track and plan for the future. This latest edition is provided as a member service to help your club remain on the cutting edge of issues and forces that shape our industry.
Deepdale Golf Club Wins Its Case Against Eminent Domain
(Washington, DC, July 5, 2006)—Deepdale Golf Club, located in the village of North Hills, NY, enjoyed a victory when the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate passed legislation on June 22 that derailed the village’s efforts to use the power of eminent domain to seize the club property.
The National Club Association congratulates Deepdale on its victory and pledges continued attention to the eminent domain issue.
On June 28, the North Hills mayor’s office issued a press release, which announced the state’s decision and noted that, although many village residents want to pursue legal action against the legislation, he will recommend to the village’s trustees no further action be taken to acquire Deepdale Golf Club. The mayor also noted the village has received “extensive attention and has been the subject of a great deal of misinformation in the past few months.”
The case between Deepdale Golf Club and North Hills became national news when Deepdale’s management and members learned of the village’s intentions to condemn the club under eminent-domain laws. North Hills Mayor Marvin Natiss was at the forefront of these plans.
Deepdale Golf Club immediately filed two lawsuits to block a condemnation, and the subsequent months consisted of public accusations, press coverage, and heated debates.
NCA has followed all of the events in the Deepdale case closely for the last several months and worked to educate our industry regarding the impact of a successful seizure in this case. At NCA’s Club Conference in April, Jim McCarthy, of McCarthy Communications in Washington, DC, spoke to attendees about the eminent domain debate surrounding Deepdale and explained the details of the case, its effects on the industry, and how both sides have used marketing and the media to defend their rights.
Although the eminent domain debate surrounding Deepdale Golf Club appears to be over, the underlying issue of eminent domain abuse remains in many states.NCA and its government relations department will remain vigilant on the issue as it pertains to the private club industry.
NCA Foundation Votes on New Board of Directors
(Washington, DC, June 21, 2006)—The National Club Association Foundation recently announced the election results for this year’s board of directors and slate of officers, based on recommendations made by NCA’s board of directors at the Foundation’s May 12 board meeting.
Six current NCA Foundation board members were re-elected for three-year terms, expiring in 2009: Harold B. Berman, Esq.; David B. Chag, CCM, general manager, The Country Club, Brookline, MA; Charles F. Forbes, Esq.; Robert C. James, CCM, executive director, Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY; Fred L. Somers Jr., Esq.; and Frank T. Stover, CCM, general manager, The Chicago Club, Chicago.
New officers were also elected for the 2006-2007 year. James will replace Forbes as chairman, and Kevin F. Reilly, Esq., CPA, will replace Somers as secretary/treasurer. Berman will stay on as vice president.
The NCA Foundation, established in 1992, carries out valuable programs and projects for private clubs across the country, including analyses of major trends likely to affect clubs in the future; studies on key issues such as taxes, club governance, and membership policies; and educational seminars filled with up-to-date and important information.
Contributors to the Foundation include individual clubs, club leaders, and firms and organizations serving the club industry. For more information on the Foundation or on how to make a tax-deductible contribution, contact Drew Davis, membership development specialist, at (202) 822-9822 or davis@nationalclub.org.
NCA Releases Call to Action in Support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
(Washington, DC, May 16, 2006)—The National Club Association sent an urgent action alert today to its members urging them to contact legislators in support of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, or S. 2611.
The current H-2B visa program legislation, the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, will expire on Sept. 30, 2006, meaning unless further congressional action occurs, many employers—from private clubs to landscape companies to seafood processors—will be negatively affected. Most private clubs rely heavily on the use of foreign guest workers. If the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005 expires and S. 2611 is not passed, many clubs will not have enough workers to fill positions during peak seasons.
Congress has started the process of renewing the act by adding an H-2B extension to the larger S. 2611 bill. This legislation should be debated on the Senate floor this week, and a vote could come shortly after.
NCA has encouraged its members to act quickly and contact local and state representatives to show support of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006.
