Your Board Has Charters. Your Team Has Assumptions.
Private clubs have gotten serious about governance. Committee charters. Right-sized boards. Director orientation. Written role descriptions for every volunteer who serves. The discipline is real, and the results show. Then the conversation stops at the general manager’s door. Beyond that door is the team that actually runs the club: golf, grounds, culinary, membership, finance, facilities, […]
Effective Club Boards: Is Yours One of Them?
Board governance in the private club industry is uniquely challenging. If you’ve heard me speak at your club or another board meeting, you’ve probably heard me say that serving on a private club board is, in many ways, more difficult than serving on the board of another nonprofit, a private company, or even a public […]
Should Your Club Create a Foundation?
Acknowledgment: The Club Council will publish a five-part series by Kevin F. Reilly, J.D., CPA, on philanthropy in private clubs. Inspired by “Clubs in Philanthropy,” originally co-authored by Reilly and Larry J. Absheer, MBA, for NCA’s Club Director magazine, these articles revisit and expand upon those ideas for today’s private club leaders. For many private clubs, the idea of establishing a foundation […]
What’s Missing in Club Renovations
Private clubs are investing in facilities at an unprecedented pace. Once-in-a-generation clubhouse redevelopments, complete facility rebuilds, expanded dining venues, wellness centers, and racquet complexes are reshaping clubs across the country. These eight-figure investments will influence member experiences, operating models, and financial stewardship for decades to come. Projects of this magnitude receive tremendous attention. Boards review […]
Making an Impact That Matters: Philanthropy and the Modern Club
Acknowledgment: Over the coming months, The Club Council will publish a five-part series by Kevin F. Reilly, J.D., CPA, on philanthropy in private clubs. Inspired by “Clubs in Philanthropy,” originally co-authored by Reilly and Larry J. Absheer, MBA, for NCA’s Club Director magazine, these articles revisit and expand upon those ideas for today’s private club […]
Beyond the Blueprint: Why Strategic Planning Is More Than A Facilities Plan
Too Many Clubs Confuse Facilities Planning with Strategic Planning Build the clubhouse.Renovate the golf course.Expand the fitness center. Then hope the future takes care of itself. The problem? Strategic planning is not “build it and they will come.” Facilities matter — tremendously. Members experience the club physically every day, and clubs that fail to invest […]
Pouring with Purpose: Rethinking Wine-by-the-Glass
What’s in the glass matters more than ever. Today’s members aren’t just ordering wine—they’re seeking experiences. A thoughtfully designed wine-by-the-glass program can transform your dining operation, influence behavior, and quietly drive revenue in ways many clubs overlook. A horse walks into a bar and asks for a glass of wine. The bartender slides one over, […]
The COO Review Process: Where Most Boards Fall Short
Most COO reviews don’t fail because of bad intent—they fail from a lack of discipline. As Nick Sidorakis outlines, too many boards treat the process like a report card instead of what it should be: a valuable tool that drives leadership forward.
Rethinking Club Dining: Why Consistency Outperforms Trends
What if the biggest mistake in club dining isn’t execution—but chasing the wrong things? Members don’t come to the club for trends. They come for trust, familiarity, and consistency. In this piece, Robert Mancuso challenges a common assumption in our industry—and offers a more disciplined approach to building a menu that actually resonates. Click the […]
Managing Unsupervised Minors
Effective management of unaccompanied minors starts with clear rules, defined boundaries, and consistent communication. By putting thoughtful policies and proactive engagement in place, clubs not only protect safety and the member experience but also help young members grow into respectful, responsible contributors to the community. Click the link to view the article in full, written […]