“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” – Ronald Reagan
Although this quote from President Ronald Reagan always elicits a chuckle, the truth is that often times, the actions our government takes are no laughing matter. In 1961, the National Club Association was formed to ensure that private clubs would have a voice and be heard by our government on a tax issue. That role as advocate for the private club industry continues to be just as important today, on the eve of our 50th anniversary.
MEMBER-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION
The National Club Association is similar in many ways to countless other trade associations in Washington. We represent an industry comprised of small businesses that employ thousands of Americans. We lobby on behalf of our industry on Capitol Hill, ensuring our members have a voice in our government. We provide education, expertise and resources to help our members run their businesses more effectively. We are a member-driven organization, in existence to serve our member clubs.
But unlike many trade associations, NCA has an advantage: our members understand how important a strong, vibrant membership base is to our survival. Just like a private club, NCA has to recruit new members to keep our organization strong.
NCA faces the same membership recruitment issues that your club faces—recruiting new members, demonstrating value for the membership dollar, getting members to participate and stay engaged.
Not unlike your prospects, NCA members are increasingly value-driven, and we strive to provide value for your investment in membership. Your membership allows us to continue our work to lobby on behalf of the industry in Washington. Without your support, NCA wouldn’t be here to answer your questions about club governance, legislation or regulatory challenges, or human resource issues.
While your goal—as a manager or board member—is to protect the overall financial health and wellbeing of your members and your club, that’s also the job of NCA, protecting the overall wellbeing of the private club industry. You are responsible for one club; we are protecting nearly 4,000. And we look out for the well-being of all of the industry’s clubs, whether they are members or not. We need every club to consider the value of NCA membership.
As we approach the celebration of our 50th year, NCA is embarking on a more expanded membership recruitment campaign. We will ask every member of NCA to recruit just one new club to join. Forward a fellow manager the latest Washington Weekly Update, or pass along a member alert about the new health care law, so he or she can see the valuable information NCA provides to its members.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
In a recent issue of Club Director, Chairman Brian Kroh outlined ways you can get involved and help us keep an active, vibrant membership so NCA can continue to serve you effectively. I cannot overstate the importance of becoming an active member and an advocate for NCA. Please call a manager or fellow board member at a club in your area to see if they are already a member of NCA. If not, tell them why you feel it’s important to be involved and ask them to join. We see our greatest success when managers and board members hear from their peers why NCA membership is valuable to their club.
A member is a part of the whole, therefore each and every one of us is responsible for its future success and growth. I’m reminded of another quote by Ronald Reagan, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” It is our right as citizens to take an active role in our government, to step up and to have a say on behalf of our members, our clubs and our industry. It’s time for every one of us to step up and take an active role in the National Club Association. We’re counting on you to help grow our numbers and our strength.
Kirk Reese is general manager and chief operating officer at The Los Angeles Country Club and is on NCA’s board of directors and serves as the chairman of NCA’s membership committee.