If you want to see these trends at work, Philadelphia Country Club (PCC) is a good place to start. Like many private clubs across America, the club is committed to increasing engagement among women members, recognizing that this commitment is good for the club.
The promise to better representing women is also extending to the club’s leadership. PCC currently has four women on its board of governors.
“Women as active members of clubs provide a more diverse voice, gender diversity and contribute to women’s economic empowerment,” said Betsy Wilkins, a club member since 1974 who serves on the club’s board. “Women and men members extend our interests in many areas, such as civics, literature, music, and art in a collective way.”
To many members, this new club dynamic is more family-centric. The newfound focus on women members benefits members’ entire families.
“PCC has established its brand as the family club in the area,” said Lauren O’Sullivan, a club member since 1991 and a board member since 2017. “Understanding the role of women in the family structure, managing the household and setting the social schedule is critical to developing and establishing programming for the entire family to enjoy.”
Lisa Figge, a member since 1994 agrees: “As clubs become more family-friendly, they naturally must change their attitude towards women.”
As well as PCC is doing in promoting the needs of women members and fostering women leadership, the members Club Trends spoke with pointed out that there’s still more to be done.
“One area we are not presently addressing is the need for a remote work area for our many professional women,” said O’Sullivan. “So many women work part-time with flexible schedules and they have the ability to work remotely, but we do not have dedicated space on campus that facilitates this. Adding this space would be beneficial for the busy women and would increase the family usage of the club.”
The extent that women serve in leadership roles at PCC goes beyond just the board. Debbie Kelley has served on the Committee on Admissions since 2015 and reflects on the importance for private clubs to provide a governance schedule that aligns with today’s priorities. “Meetings and committee activities for women should be conducted during the day, as well as in the evening, to accommodate the hanging roles of women and their associated schedules.” Kelley adds the increased role of woman is “absolutely imperative for the vitality and longevity of a private club to make sure that their female members feel fulfilled and want to propose their qualified friends for membership.”
Going further up leadership, the club is masterfully led by COO and General Manager Janine Budzius, CCM, CCE., and Clubhouse Manager, Ashly Ryan. Budzius notes that this strong dynamic “is a significant part of our club culture and success.”
Ultimately, it’s creative ideas like this that will help PCC and other clubs better meet the needs of their women members.