THE CONCEPT of looking ahead is uniquely challenging in the world in which we currently live. We are still in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis. The environment in the U.S. has not improved to the point where we can comfortably resume activities and operations that were deemed normal pre-COVID-19.
The pandemic has created a natural fear within each of us, to varying degrees. The virus and its long-term efects on public health and industry are still largely unknown. Many of us do not know how it will afect us—personally, professionally, in our communities or at our clubs. Like all people and businesses, club industry leaders and their clubs are doing their best to work through the fear to sustain, stay open for the members, and protect their employees. It is a challenging time, but the club community is resilient when it bands together.
What role does the National Club Association (NCA) play in this environment? The most powerful thing that our organization can do is to educate our members to be their best and strongest as they work to guide their clubs through this historic period. One of the primary responsibilities as the voice for the club industry is to collaborate to gather important information and then share it with our member clubs to help them navigate a path forward.
All clubs are responding to the evolving pandemic and its surrounding uncertainty in different ways. There is no better time than now for NCA to use its reach and expansive expert network to gather information about what clubs are doing to effectively navigate the pandemic, evaluate what has been successful, and see where clubs have struggled. How have clubs dealt with members or employees testing positive for the virus? What safety protocol has been most efective? How have clubs worked within local restrictions to deliver a member experience that is enjoyable and safe? How are we thinking outside the box?
Current members trust NCA to be their credible source for relevant and timely information on the state of the club world. We have the ability and the responsibility to gather and disseminate information to our members in a concise and effcient manner. As NCA Chair, I encourage you to contact NCA staf to share your experiences, questions and concerns regarding the pandemic to help the Association tailor our education efforts to benefit you and the entire club community.
Additionally, a number of COVID-19- related bills have been enacted by Congress to provide relief to businesses trying to stay afloat and protect their employees. NCA members continue to look for direction in interpreting the relief options available. Through our government relations activities led by Vice President Joe Trauger, we have the advocacy and education resources to assist clubs in clarifying the details of these programs and provide guidance on how their clubs could potentially utilize them.
Unfortunately, there is no clear end in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic. The work that we do now to understand and communicate what’s happening at our clubs in the midst of the pandemic will be critical in helping to protect our clubs successfully in the future. Additionally, the harder we work to identify what our clubs need, the better equipped we can be as an advocate to help make our lawmakers understand the industry’s needs.
Navigating the challenges presented by the pandemic is undoubtedly the primary focus for clubs right now. But we should also look ahead to take measures to strengthen our organization in the years to come.
In line with our 2019 strategic plan update, NCA will move forward to build a sound structure that supports our governance practices. We are fortunate to have board and committee members with decades of industry experience, knowledge and expertise. Defining their roles and setting clear expectations is just as important to effective operations at NCA as it is as our own clubs. Reinforcing a solid foundation will help make transitions to new chairs, board directors and committee members seamless, and allow NCA to effectively serve its purpose: providing advocacy, insight and governance for our members.
Christine Pooler, CCM, ECM, is NCA Chair and general manager at Indian Creek Country Club in Indian Creek, Fla. She can be reached at cpooler@ indiancreekcountryclub.org.