Focus on the Facts

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Silence is Golden: Why Confidentiality is Key for Private Club Boards

In our work with private club boards, we have met many officers who are concerned about maintaining the confidentiality of boardroom discussions. Their harrowing tales about the messes that ensue when those efforts fail are the inspiration for this...

A Paradox of People: The HR Professional's Role in Club Culture

AFTER TWO YEARS on the pandemic roller coaster, the club industry is facing a paradox of people—specifically members and employees—that poses a threat to club culture. On the member side, many clubs have been surprised to find themselves in a...

Cause and Effect: The Link Between Governance and Financial Success

In our 2023 Club Governance Survey Report, we noted gaps in board education and alignment across the industry. For clubs that did not embrace comprehensive board education, the result was inconsistent practices and understanding in such key areas as...

Lead Us Not into Temptation…

Like It or Not, Dues Increases are the Appropriate Response to Inflationary Pressure.

Labor shortages and other inflationary pressures are budget busters. In the current environment, private club leaders are scrambling to cover current year...

Succession Planning in Private Clubs

Originally published by the National Club Association in the Experts Corner section of Club Director Magazine (Spring 2022)

CLUB BENCHMARKING has conducted a Club Governance Survey annually since 2017. In every survey, succession planning for...

Club Finance 101: The Significance of Depreciation

It’s estimated that a new car loses about 10% of its value the minute you drive it off the lot, and as much as 20% in the first year of ownership. We have no trouble understanding that the car still has a certain amount of value if we were to sell...

How Top-Tier Clubs Get Ahead of Competitors and Stay There

Originally published in the Winter 2022 issue of National Club Association's Club Director magazine

If you are a leader of a top-tier private club (or a club that aspires to be top tier), you understand that relevance is not just a buzz word—it is...

Long-Term Debt in Private Clubs

Taking on long-term debt at a private club is one of the most important decisions a board can make. The long-term consequences of taking on debt will limit the flexibility of the club and future administrations for many years to come.

The Annual Agenda: Mapping Your Path to Success

After more than a decade of supporting private clubs on the journey to strategic governance, we are convinced that it would be impossible to overstate the importance of planning in that process. For those who might question our conclusion, we ask...

Board Orientations: The Formula for Effective Governance

Private clubs operate in an industry that is highly fragmented and they are far more complex than revenues might suggest. Constitutions, bylaws and operating practices tend to be homegrown. Board member terms are relatively short by commercial...