2016 marked another successful year for NCA and NCA CONNECT. Your monthly newsletter offered timely and in-depth coverage of the latest developments impacting clubs. Here is a look back at what were our most popular articles from last year.
Top 10 NCA CONNECT Articles from 2016
Brand authority is the truthfulness of your brand. Is your club what it claims to be? Does it deliver on its brand promise? Does your brand have equity in its market? Is it worth something special?
2. Golf Is Alive And Well, Particularly At Private Clubs
Despite the news headlines, golf is still strong and thriving at clubs. See how clubs are adapting services to change to evolving member needs in golf and other key club areas.
3. 10 Key Club Questions Answered at the National Club Conference
NCA’s 2016 National Club Conference was the most successful and well-attended national conference to date, bringing together industry leaders from around the country to convene in Chicago. The three-day event offered a full slate of exciting activities and education sessions for thought leaders to network, socialize and learn the latest private clubs trends and best practices. Here are 10 questions club leaders answered at this year’s National Club Conference.
4. NLRB Doubles Down on Liability
In a fall 2016 decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), employers who misclassify independent contractors (ICs) may not only be violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), but may also be violating the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
5. Another Reason Why Private Status Matters
The White House announced in early 2016 that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is devising a rule with the Department of Labor requiring businesses with more than 100 employees to report pay by race, ethnicity and gender. This is part of a larger effort to close pay gaps and identify discrimination in the workplace. NCA’s expectation that clubs that are truly private would not have to report this information as their private status protects them from such mandates. However, it serves as a cautionary reminder that private status is of utmost importance to the industry.
6. Top 3 Legal and Workforce Issues for 2016
The legislative, regulatory and judicial environment for clubs has never posed more challenges to clubs. From the proposed Overtime Rule to the longstanding Affordable Care Act (ACA), among other legal issues, clubs should be mindful of the direct impact these matters have on their operations. NCA has compiled a list of the most impactful issues for clubs to be mindful of this past year. Although the number one issue has likely been defeated, other issues remain.
7. 6 Ways to Build a Great Board
What makes great board members so great? The fact is that top private club board leaders are made and seldom born. Learn how to groom these leaders from industry experts.
8. New! Strategic Planning for Private Clubs
In 2016 all NCA members received a copy of Strategic Planning for Private Clubs as a benefit of NCA membership. This publication serves as a step-by-step guide to the strategic planning process for club boards. It includes best practices, tips, checklists, sample forms and resources—all geared toward ensuring your club’s strategic planning process meets its individual needs and circumstances. Learn how you can best utilize this resource at your club. To purchase a copy of this publication, please click here.
9. Overtime Aftermath: What Now?
While the new overtime rule has been stopped, some clubs have already made difficult staffing decisions in order to meet the government directive. Read how clubs should communicate this new development to staff.
10. A Potential Breakthrough in the Immigration Debate
In the spring of 2016, Sen. Jeff Flake (R–Ariz.) proposed a bill that could revolutionize the way clubs fill their employment needs. The legislation, the Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act, is a 10-year pilot program that would create a new guest worker visa for lower skilled jobs. Could this be the bill both major parties agree on?