“If I, taking care of everyone’s interests, also take care of my own, you can’t talk about a conflict of interest” – Silvio Berlusconi. While it might seem somewhat counterintuitive to open a discussion on conflicts of interest with a quotation from the famous, or perhaps infamous, former Italian Prime Minister, the thoughts embodied in
Q: How much of the board’s work should be shared with the membership? A: In an era of transparency, the question of how much of the board’s work should be shared with the membership becomes increasingly important. The board must carefully weigh the quest for transparency, the need for confidentiality and
A private club is a remarkably complex small business. It’s home to multiple enterprises such as a restaurant, tennis center, gym or a golf course that would otherwise serve as stand alone small businesses out in the community. With so many moving parts that are customer service centric, detail oriented and fast-paced, it’s crucial
Commercial property and casualty insurance premiums are usually significant expense items in a club’s budget. As such, it is beneficial for clubs to diligently evaluate the options available to them in the marketplace and have a process in place that will yield the best outcome. Since 2008, more clubs are taking
Philanthropy in the United States, which exists in many forms, has seen substantial growth since the 1980s. Guidestar lists more than one million foundations on its website. Even with the recession, Americans continue to contribute in record numbers to charitable organizations. Baby Boomers contribute a bigger share of
There is no doubt that every private club leader in the country gave a sigh of relief when the president delayed the “Employer Mandate” provision found in the health care law. The news was certainly a victory for NCA and our allies on the Small Business Coalition for Affordable Healthcare, and it
“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes…but no plans.” — Peter Drucker Renowned management consultant Peter Drucker must have been thinking about private clubs when he made this statement about “commitment.” In this article, learn how to commit to improving the club
Women’s traditional role in society has been evolving for decades, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 40 percent of working wives now earn more than their husbands. Women began graduating from college in greater numbers than men in 1985 and a recent article in USA
The rigor with which a club’s admission process is developed, nurtured and applied articulates the quality of the club and its members’ intentions. Unlike business or professional organizations that may be legally required to be open to all vocationally qualified individuals, or groups with public
Q: Has the recent recession brought about changes in the role GMs play at private clubs? If so, what is changing? A: As a firm, our responsibility is to ensure that a club’s key leadership positions are filled by talent that matches the club’s culture and