Mere mention of the IRS tends to trigger certain symptoms among club board members: sweaty palms, worried looks, and the overwhelming feeling that, though you’ve tried to do everything right, you still may have done something wrong. That’s O.K. It’s a natural reaction. But, contrary
Sound governance practices and principles are the foundation of a successful club. They lay the groundwork for the club’s board and its decisions, as well as ensure that club procedures adhere to strong legal and ethical standards. NCA, in conjunction with the NCA Foundation, recently
In recent months, news about unions and union organizing efforts has been steadily creeping up above the fold. A large part of the discussion—especially within the private club industry—has centered on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board). The NLRB is a five-member agency
In the first article in our membership development series, we detailed how to identify the key target groups for new member recruitment. When it comes to membership development, though, simply identifying the best member prospects isn’t enough. Once a club determines which groups to target
Even though the American economy is slow to rebound, some products have seen sharp price increases in the past year. In particular, commodity prices have skyrocketed, leaving restaurants, including those at private clubs, struggling to keep up. Consumers have seen higher prices at grocery stores
Tough economic times can bring out the best and the worst in people. While everyone would like to believe that all employees act ethically and responsibly all of the time, fraud does happen. Clubs should take a closer look at their fraud insurance and take
In these unstable economic times, attracting new members and increasing club revenue are often seen as jobs 1 and 1a for many general managers. Unfortunately, depending on how a club leader approaches it, successfully adding to the bottom line can actually endanger a club’s private
Whatever standards private clubs may adopt, few can deny that success and excellence are based heavily upon outstanding member service. While some clubs may offer extensive amenities and others may not, the quality of service is a universal equalizer within the industry. At its heart,
With the unemployment rate at 8.6 percent, leaving 13.9 million unemployed Americans nationwide looking for work, the 12.8 million-worker restaurant industry shouldn’t seem to have difficulty filling positions. But, all that might be about to change. Economic improvement is on the horizon, and many believe
Private clubs are steeped in tradition, but despite their solid, time-honored foundations, certain elements of current trends infuse themselves into daily club life. Some of these elements are the fly-by-night fads of a culture constantly on the move, and others are the unique elements of