LIKE YOU, the National Club Association (NCA) was looking forward to 2021, but not just because it got us past the tumultuous 2020 (not that 2021 has started out much differently), but also because it gives us a chance to celebrate NCA’s 60th anniversary.
The National Club Association was formed in 1961 by a dozen clubs that got together to fight for the repeal of the 20% federal excise tax levied on club dues or fees. One year earlier, that same tax had been reduced to 10% on other forms of entertainment, but not clubs. Clubs felt they were being unfairly targeted. Does that sound familiar?
Working almost entirely with private contributions, the founding NCA members spoke throughout the country to lobby the club industry as well as Congress. By June of 1965, NCA had grown to 50 member clubs and Congress repealed the excise tax on club dues or fees.
What makes this victory even more impressive is that in the February 1958 issue of USGA Journal and Turf Management, USGA’s General Counsel William Ward Foshay wrote about the unlikelihood of this succeeding in his article “Moves to Lighten Tax on Club Dues.” He said, “The President of the USGA has also recommended the reduction in the 20% tax rate. Under present circumstances, action in this regard appears unlikely.”
That was in 1958. NCA got to work in 1961, and by 1965 we had accomplished what seemed unlikely by the USGA just a few years prior. This tells me two things: Advocacy works, and there is strength in numbers. That is as true today as it was in 1965. NCA is your advocate and your leader in club resources and services. However, what we did in our infancy is different than what we are doing for clubs today, but it is just as vital.
Today, NCA is still leading the way for the private club community on legislative and regulatory issues (see Joe Trauger’s government relations feature) and have made our political action committee ClubPAC a viable tool for NCA’s advocacy efforts as a nonpartisan lobbying organization being guided by a comprehensive policy agenda.
We are also leading the industry in efforts such as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). NCA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is raising awareness of the benefits of diversity and inclusion in private club staffs and members through programs and initiatives such as a survey, webinars, the National Club Conference and a Diversity Blueprint. There is a tremendous business case for diversity and it really is as simple as if you are inclusive, then diversity will follow. I invite you to read more on the industry’s DEI efforts, including an interview with diversity consultant Heather Kim and the WE ARE GOLF Diversity Task Force.
If you are looking to get us a gift, diamond is the traditional gift for
a 60th anniversary. It is said that this precious gemstone is a tribute to a
rock-solid relationship, symbolizing light, durability and faithfulness. I
can’t think of something that describes NCA better.
Happy 60th!
