ACCENT_March & April

55th Annual General Meeting

Events in March & April

March 18

ACC's 55th Annual General Meeting

& SUPERVISORS

ELECTION FOR BOARD OF GOVERNORS

YOUR VOTE COUNTS

March 4

2023 Father and Daughter Ball

Saturday, 6 - 9 p.m.

Location: California Room

Member:

NT$2,900+10% per Father and Daughter

NT$1,450+10% For Each Additional Daughter

Guest:

NT$3,300+10% per Father and Daughter

NT$1,650+10% For Each Additional Daughter

March 6 - 19

2023 Spring Singles Tennis Tournament

Categories:

Men & Women Singles

Boys & Girls Singles: A & B Levels

*Junior event will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

March 11

2023 Spring Wine Bazaar

Saturday, 1 – 6 p.m.

Location: California Room

March 12 / 26

April 9 / 23

Sunday Brunch

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m.

Location: California Room & San Francisco Room

Adult Price: NT$1,100+10% per person

Child Price: NT$550+10% per person (Aged 5-12)

March 20

Join us for our exclusive ACC Golf Outing

Location: Sunrise Golf & Country Club

Saturday, 10 a.m.

March 18

Member Appreciation Party

Saturday, 5 – 9:30 p.m.

Party Ticket NT$788

Under 12 years-of-age Free Entry

April 9

2023 ACC Easter Party

Sunday, 10 a.m. – Noon.

Member Kids NT$680

Guest Kids NT$780 (Monday, March 20 Open for guest registration)

April 10 - 30

2023 Spring Tennis Doubles

Tournament

Categories:

Men & Women Doubles - April 10 to 23

Mixed Doubles - April 19 to 30

Junior Doubles - April 15

*Junior Doubles: A & B Level Categories

April 10 - May 14

TOP SWIM CHALLENGE IN 35 DAYS

April 21

Two Three Comedy

Friday, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Rendezvous

Member NT$550+10%

Guest NT$650 +10%

Ticket Includes One Complimentary Glass of Beer

April 22

Annual 2023 Basketball Championships

Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: Multi Purpose Sports Complex

For the latest informotion please visit our online calendar at: www.americanclub.org.tw/events/

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Maria Ting President

Injay Tai Vice-President; HR Committee

Bill Seto Treasurer; Finance Committee

Edward Wang Secretary; Planning Committee

Elaine Chang

Community Outreach Committee

Liran Golan MIS Committee

Max Liu

Food and Beverage Committee

Pradeep Mehrotra Events Committee

Paul Miao

Victor Su

Dennis Yung

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

George Chung-Chie Chou

Membership & Rules Committee

Amber Persson Sports Committee

H. Henry Chang

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Peter Wood General Manager

Gerry Gibb

IT Director

Deborah Ho

Human Resources Director

Peter Hsu Executive Chef

Peter Hu

Purchasing Manager

Freeman Lin Operations Director

Ting Chang

Food & Beverage Manager

Alex Lee Chief of Engineering

Alice Liu

Finance Director

Fanny Tung

Senior Membership Manager

Emily Wang Hair & Spa Manager

Hui-Yi Wang

Marketing Communication Manager

March . April 2023

President’s Message

Treasurer's Report

General Manager's Message

2023 Member Survey Report

Membership News

Special Feature

Seven Decades of Unconditional Love

The Magazine that Connects the Local and International Communities

Sports at the Club

Basketball Championships

Top Swim Challenge In 35 Days

Around ACC

January and February at the Club

Dining at the Club

Lots to Tempt Your Taste Buds This Month

Photo

Live

Lunar

the California room, Super Bowl LVII

Dear Members,

The past 12 months since our Annual General Meeting (AGM) last March passed in the blink of an eye. Together with our Management Team and feedback from volunteers on our various committees, the Board has accomplished a lot during this time. I am confident more will be achieved together in the coming year. I seek your physical presence at this year’s AGM so that we may fully recap the activities from 2022 and present the goals for 2023 to you.

The AGM and Board Elections on March 18, 2023 at 10AM

The Annual General Meeting notice, agenda and supporting documents have been mailed to you, including the slate of Board candidates for the upcoming election. The 2022 financial statements are accessible through the Club’s secure website and also available at the Club. Please look for further correspondence, and also a date and time to an informational session ahead of the AGM, where I will explain the proposals for your approval in more detail.

A Brief Look Back and Forward Oversight of General Manager

One of the most important roles of the Board is to oversee our General Manager’s leadership in all aspect of the Club’s operations. Since he joined ACC in December 2021, Peter has been highly visible throughout the Club and his team has been responsive to Members’ inquiries. The results from the 2022 Membership Survey reflect the positive direction that the Club is heading.

Despite challenges due to the ongoing pandemic, rising costs of goods and noticeable staff shortages that are experienced by the industry-at-large, I believe Peter, his Management Team and Staff have risen to the occasion and created a variety of memorable experiences for Members as well as the Staff.

There is always room and the need to improve. Now with a full year’s tenure under his belt, and a good understanding of the unique needs of our Club, I am confident Peter and his team will continue to be receptive and creative to meet and even exceed the expectations of our Members.

Financial Stewardship

Financial oversight is also an important Board responsibility as Club’s funding comes from our fellow Members. Working with the GM, the Board proposes and/or vote on resolutions that support the Club’s goals as well as improve overall operating efficiency. Governor Bill Seto shares more details in his Treasurer’s Report on the past year. Because the Board reviews spending requests carefully and holds Management to the highest standards of transparency and fairness, as such, we also strictly uphold the conflict of interest policy applicable to serving Board members ourselves (see Page 4) .

Strategic Plan

I am very grateful to the Board’s dedication and time commitment to ACC, particularly for the insightful discussions we held last September which resulted in our new Strategic Plan. This plan serves as a roadmap for the Club’s Board and Management for the next five years. We updated our Vision, Mission and Values and stated more clearly what they mean for our Club. We also set seven objectives under which annual goals will align and be reviewed regularly for progress.

These seven objectives are:

1. Highest Quality in Dining and Services

2. International Environment as an American Club

Maria Ting

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

3. Community and Sustainability for Social Impact

4. Grade A Physical Environment

5. Lasting Memories for All Ages

6. The Right Talent and Employer of Choice

7. Accountability from all Stakeholders

To address each objective, actions have already been taken by Management, with support from the Board and feedback from the various committees. For example, we hosted a number of events such as the Holiday Bazaar/Craft Fair that bring awareness to local charities in our community, with more to come.

Completed 2022 capital projects include the installation of a new electronic car license-plate recognition system in January, resurfacing of the tennis courts during the summer, and the long overdue renovation of the staff locker rooms in December.

Management has also been proactive to upkeep our physical facility through repairs and touch ups in order to protect these assets the Club has invested in over the years. A three-to-five year Capital Plan has been developed so that we can methodically continue to upgrade our physical environment. Additional parking solutions remain an ongoing item that the Board will explore and implement.

More goals are set so we can uphold our vision as a premier family-oriented club that marries traditions and innovation while making a positive impact in the community. Peter and I will share in more detail at the AGM and through our other correspondence.

Call for 2023/2024 Committee Volunteers

Thank you to all of the Members who volunteered to serve on the various Committees this past year. Your participation and feedback were invaluable to the Board and Management across many aspects of our Club.

From Community Outreach, Food & Beverage, Events, Sports, to Finance, Human Resources,

Membership & Rules, Management Information System, and Planning, the advisory role of committee volunteers help support the Board and Management in their goal to enhance the Members’ experience.

If you would like to volunteer your time and expertise for a committee in 2023/2024, please email your interest to committees@americanclub. org.tw.

It has been an Honor and Privilege

Lastly, I wish to express my gratitude to you for the opportunity to serve as the ACC’s Board President these past two years. I learned so much, and met many Members and Staff whose support and advice I will carry with me beyond my term on the Board.

I remain indebted to my fellow Board members, particularly the Executive Committee, for the tremendous amount of patience and advice you all have given me to navigate through various issues together, large and small, which impact our Club.

There remains a few more follow up items in my remaining year as a Board governor. But because of these past three years, I have come to appreciate everything about the ACC so much more. I pledge to remain an active member and also my support wherever is needed.

See you on March 18 at the AGM, and the various activities planned throughout the day, including the Members Appreciation Party, to follow!

President

Bill Seto

The Accounts for ACC for the year ended on December 31, 2022 have been closed. Below are some of the key items.

Amounts

in millions of NT$’s.

From the comparison of the 2020, 2021 and 2022 figures, the revenue of the Club recovered from the down year in 2021 when the Club had to reduce normal operations significantly for two months during the summer. While the Club recovered from 2021, the recent rise in costs has had a negative impact on the 2022 operating results. Based on recent trends, we should expect a continuous increase in the costs of operating the Club. Management has been instructed on the need for efficiency in all aspects of operations while continuing to improve offerings to Members.

The Finance Committee, comprised of seven (7) long-standing members as well as Board Members and Management, has been reviewing charges and fees that have not been adjusted for a long time. For example, Minimum Spending has not been adjusted since 2001. The recommendations are to update them to counter the rising costs. Another notable area is that the Club has been incurring credit card processing charges in the amount of more than NT$ 4 million annually. We will need solutions to mitigate such costs.

Investment in up-keeping the Club, including Capital Expenditures, has been conservative during the past few years. The infrastructure of the Club is showing its age. In late 2022 the Board had to authorize an emergency budget to replace power equipment on the roof that was on the verge of failing.

The facility plan for the future is a Three to Five-Year Facility Capital Expenditure Plan on making sure the infrastructure of the Club is up-to-date with safety and enhancing the Club’s operation being the primary goals. Each year of the Three to Five-Year Facility Capital Plan is subject to review and approval. Additional details will be presented at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.

As of December 31st, 2022, available cash plus deposit, after taking into account pension liability and net account receivables/payables, is NT$ 254 million. The amount of outstanding bond owed to Members is NT$ 290 million.

The Club’s financial position is on good footing. It allows the Club to look for opportunities to introduce more services, replace and invest in new equipment, including fitness equipment, modernize the general outlook, and possibly expansion, etc. Relevant Committees are tasked to review and endorse project proposals. The elected Board of Governors is responsible to approve and monitor the projects from start to completion.

In utilizing the Club’s financial resources, there is a “conflict of interest” protocol in place and it will be continuously improved.

I look forward to seeing you at the AGM and responding to your questions.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Bill Seto Treasurer Finance Committee

GENERAL MANAGER’S MESSAGE

Additionally, for one day only, on Saturday 18th March, we offer the opportunity to buy F & B credit to use at the Club for the rest of the year. So for every NT$1,000 you buy, it will only cost you NT$888. You can purchase up to NT$100,000, but it does need to be used up before the end of the year. There is no pre-booking for the credit; you will need to come to the Club in person on the day to sign the check, and within a few days, we will be able to credit your account. Please see the website and my letter, or ask at the Front Desk for more details.

Peter Wood

Dear Members,

It was so good to see so many of you over the recent festive seasons. It was even more special this year as Christmas was followed so soon by the Chinese New Year. But all the "memorable activities and meaningful experiences" is part of "Our Mission" statement and what the Club is all about.

AGM & Member Appreciation Day

As time passes, the next important event is the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 18th March. Please review the information below, the information already sent out, and on the noticeboard and website.

While we understand that many of you are happy with the Club, it is still essential for all eligible voting Members to participate in the upcoming AGM, either in person or by Proxy, as the Club has to generate a quorum.

Under Article 77 of the Clubs Constitution:

"A quorum for General Meetings is met when over one half (1/2) of the total Voting Bondholders is present or by proxy. No action taken in a General Meeting in the absence of a quorum shall be a legal or binding action."

Committees

As the Committee term is ending, on behalf of the Management and staff, I would like to thank the Board and all Committee Members for their support and advice this past year. It is a voluntary role, and it is such an important one for the Club, as it helps Management in the direction to take the Club.

Also, with a new term starting, if there are Members who would like to join various Committees, please see the information on how to participate.

Food & Beverage

As you will have seen, quite a bit of work has been done on refreshing the menus. The changes in the Gyoson menu have been well received, and the variety we can now offer is nice to see. Also, I like that when I go into the restaurant, I hear the Teppanyaki chef in action; it adds ambiance to the room.

In the Terrace, we will have a revised menu; as you will soon see, there are some new dishes, a reworking of old ones, and offering more options and ways to have a menu item. The Vegetarian and Plant Based section has been enhanced, giving a good selection to everyone who would like healthier eating. At the same time, we have increased the offerings from Chef Kumar.

So this means that we need to have

688 Membership, so I do ask if you are eligible to take part that you do, do so, and please let your family and friends know about this critical aspect of the Clubs life.

Also, on Saturday, 18th March, we have Member Appreciation Day. This is a thank you to all Members for supporting your Club this past year. It will be for Members and their families only.

We start in the morning with a light complimentary continental breakfast in the Terrace. Or those that can not join the Annuap Party in the evening, then this year we are opening the games and fun on the tennis court for the kids at lunchtime, free of charge. Please come at lunchtime and have a nice meal, and your kids can have a great time with all the games from noon until 2:00 pm.

In the evening, we have the Member Appreciation Party, which was a great success last year, as it is only for Members. The fun is for all the family with the kid's games, and for the adults, a live band, great food, and free-flowing drinks. So if you have not yet made your reservation, please do so.

In Sigis, the weekend Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding is popular, with Members enjoying some of the great selections of wine by the carafe to accompany it. We will also have a new menu soon; there are several enhancements we have been working on and some great value nightly options.

The new wine list has been very successful since we launched it, and again this has been revised, and, as we promised, we looked at the balance of it and made some changes.

Thank you again for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you at the AGM and Members Appreciation Day.

Kind regards

General Manager

Overall Club.

There was an excellent response to the survey, with 625 responses, equating to 40% of the Membership. So, thank you to all who took the time to complete the survey.

To ensure we have a clear picture, the Club has benchmarked against 2019 for items such as the budget, as this was the last time there was a "typical year." So we are again looking at how we compare with 2019 for the survey.

Overall, Club Score was up on 2019 at 4.11, with the strongly agree increasing by 4.6% over 2019. This year's goal is to maintain the high score from strongly agree and agree; it will be challenging as the score continues to be around 97%.

Overall I am Pleased With Club

Board Communications

Your Board continues to be determined that its communications with the Members should be a key highlight. The result shows the overall score being maintained at over 4, and a clear increase on 2019 of 5.6% on the strongly agree and agree score.

As we lead up to the AGM, please support your Club and participate in the AGM, either in person or by Proxy; it is crucial for your Club.

The Board keeps the Membership adequately informed on Club matters

Also, it is important to note that the Membership is willing to refer friends and business colleagues to join the Club, with the score remaining high at 4.41 and nearly 45% extremely likely to refer a clear increase on 2019. So, if you have someone you would like to introduce to the Club, then let the Membership Team know.

Likelihood

Join

Food & Beverage/Events

It was a challenging year with staffing, but with the strong Board support, Management has worked through it. It did cause issues with the quality of service and consistency, but since we have been able to stabilize the staffing, there has been a return to a better Member Experience.

The overall scores for all the outlets compared to 2019 have all been up and menu quality has shown a significant increase, with the Terrace excellent score up 9.3% and Sigis up 8.6%. There is more to do here, and with the new Terrace and Sigis menu we hope that we will be able to address more of the needs of the Membership. The Club put in a new wine list which has been well received and we will also be refreshing this.

With all the restrictions, the last few years have been difficult for Banquets, but it has been promising to see the return to business in the last few months. There have been good comments on the improvement in food, and the overall score compared to 2019 has increased by 11.4% in the excellent and good scoring.

How do you rate the communication between the Club and Members

MEMBERSHIP SURVEY REPORT

Tennis has increased the excellent score by 9.4% over 2019. Swimming has consistently scored well, but it also shows a slight increase.

We know Members would like to increase the number of facilities, but due to space limitations, it isn't easy. Still, we were able to resurface the tennis court, which has been well received as per the below chart, and also we introduced new treadmills, with Member support in the decision to the gym.

Also, nearly 84% of the Members who responded said they would host a business meeting or party at the Club. So, if you have a particular family or business celebration, do let the team know.

Events were a key focus last year, as in 2021, we could not host any. The Club has always had a good reputation for children's events, but a lot of focus was put into events for adults, and while we can do more, there was a 12.8% increase in the excellent and good categories compared to 2019.

Communication Tools

The last couple of years has been very different in communication needs. But for more general Club news, it is good to see the weekly e-newsletter continues to maintain its importance. But it is encouraging to see how the use of the website has increased from 2019 to now, an 11.8% increase. We have also cleaned up the search function on the website, so you will now only get active events, so please do use this function when you want information.

Sports & Recreation

Again, the scores have been good, staff service here is very important, and in the gym, the staff service score has increased to 84.7%, which is a 7.1% increase on 2019. Also, the gym classes show a good growth in the excellent category.

The Management Team would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey, as it is an essential barometer for how we are doing. We look forward to focusing further on the Member's Experience this year and are always happy to receive feedback and comments.

Please use the QR code to see the full survey results

A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

Ms. Nollo Ming Mei Lee & Mr. Kuan Han Wu

Mr. David Cha Wai Wu & Mrs. Leen Yen Lee Wu

Mr. Douglas William Matheson & Ms. Shih Hui Chuang

Mr. Mohamed Adnan Khashoggi

Mr. Chester Chiao & Ms. Cindy Hsin Hui Lin

Mr. Aditya Ramkrishna

Mr. Jeremy Paul Henderson & Ms. Patricia Wang

Mr. Collin White Hoyer & Mrs. Danielle Sweeney Hoyer

Ms. Barbara Ann Shine

Ms. Pi Lin Huang

Mr. Aftab Noor Ahmed & Mrs. Tazeen Ahmed

Mr. Wolfgang Saum & Ms. Adriana Pizzo

Mr. Rexford H. Chang

Mr. Jeff Chien Fu Wu & Ms. Yvonne Yi An Chou

Mr. Chih Chien Yen & Ms. Chao Chi Lin

Ms. Ting Hsu & Mr. Howard Ferng

Ms. Josie Xi Zhao

Mr. Albert Gin Chang & Ms. Maggie Meng Hua Tsai

Mr. Richard Chen & Mrs. Emily Chen

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A FOND FAREWELL TO MEMBERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED

Mr. Zachary David Fraser & Ms. Mi Kyoung Park

Mr. Kin Wah Chay & Ms. Lay Cheng Toh

Mr. Ning Fang & Ms. Guang Jie Wu

Mr. De Yun Lin & Ms. I Pin Yeh

Mr. Paulus Mok & Ms. Ellen Chau

Mr. Thorsten Strein & Mrs. Aminah Strein

Mr. Vivek Sharma & Mrs. Dee Sharma

Mr. Nick Stuart Carne-Ross & Ms. Katrina Lucia Weston

Mr. Gary Liang & Ms. Karin Ho

Mr. Jawad Manssour & Ms. Gabriella Sara Birgitta Willia

Mr. Joseph Wai Kwan Ho & Ms. Phyllis Chui Shan Wong

Ms. Alby Wai Yi Lee & Mr. Joseph Lee

Ms. Amy Shuh-Der Yen & Andrew Chien-Fong Lei (Leave of Absence)

Mr. Michael David Kendzierski & Ms. Kristen Elizabeth Taylor

Mr. Andrew Cunningham & Mrs. Andrea Cunningham

Ms. Coco Chia-Jen Tien & Mr. Howard Hao-Wen Yang

Mr. Jeremy M Sowers & Mrs. Courtney E Sowers

Seven Decades of Unconditional Love –

Doris Brougham’s Journey in Taiwan

Written by Bridget Liao

Photo by Overseas Radio & Television Inc. 救世傳播協會

For anyone who receives an education in Taiwan, 彭蒙惠 is a household name, along with the earliest and biggest English radio program “Studio Classroom”. Her warm and energetic voice has been part of our collective memories growing up. The name that we are more familiar with in the ACC is Doris Brougham, who is a long-standing Club Member. Now 96 years old, her life story is more brilliant than fiction.

Doris took the road less taken. She found the mission in her life way back in her childhood, so when she was ready, without hesitation, she left her hometown in Seattle, and got on a boat to China, with her trumpet, a Bible, and an enthusiastic heart to evangelize about her beloved God. That year, she was only 21. It was a period of wars and turmoil in China. Many missionaries went back to their hometown for safety concerns, but nothing could shatter Doris’s determination to serve God, so with the same goal, she came to Taiwan in 1951.

Doris landed in the remote rural area of Hualien and taught music at the Yu-Shan Theological College and Seminary. She organized a choir and performed publicly whenever there was an opportunity. Observing the locals, she found that almost every household had a radio, and it was the most popular form of information at the time. A brandnew idea was formed in her head, which was to spread the gospel through her own radio. It all began with a humble start in her tiny studio with just herself, to founding the non-profit organization, "Overseas Radio & Television Inc." which created some of the most heard brands such as Studio Classroom. Little did Doris know the launch of Studio Classroom in 1962 would change her life and the lives of Taiwanese.

Shortly after Studio Classroom was on air, the prestigious linguist, Yutang Lin, after being impressed by the clear-enunciated and abundant contents of her radio, invited Doris to record a set of tapes to accompany a series of middle-school English texts. Later they even collaborated on writing English learning materials for more students in Taiwan, setting the foundation of English education in Taiwan. Studio Classroom and its other English-learning brands have evolved and reached more platforms such as television, the internet, and smartphone applications.

Readers might ask, what is the drive that made her devote most of her life to Taiwan, a small island that is so far from her country and different from her culture? What gave her the strength to stay when her parents passed away or when she said goodbye to two beautiful romantic relationships to follow her dream and thus remained single all her life? It was the unconditional, endless love that she has for the people and the land of Taiwan. Doris was here when Taiwan withdrew from United Nations and faced an unstable political situation. She was also here when one of the deadliest earthquakes took place on September 21, 1999. She is not only here, but also puts energy and passion into everything she touches.

Now we can learn more about her mesmerizing life story witnessing the change of the world throughout almost a century in the autobiographical musical, “The Journey of Love”. After living in Taiwan for over 50 years, she finally obtained permanent residency in Taiwan. However, we and Doris already know that long before this, she was already one of us, a true Taiwanese.

“The Journey of Love”

高雄 衛武營國家藝術文化中心戲劇

4/1 (六) 14:30 、 4/2 ( 日 ) 14:30

臺中 臺中國家歌劇院大劇院

4/8 (六) 19:30 、 4/9 ( 日 ) 14:30

臺北 臺北國父紀念館

4/15 (六) 14:30 、 4/16 (日) 14:30

早鳥 85 折優惠 即日起 ~2/14

The magazine that connects the local and international communities

Written by Tom Parry Jones

Photo by Suzan Babcock

Since 1987, the Community Services Center has been an institution which has played a role in the lives of expats throughout Taipei. From welcoming new arrivals to the island’s shores to offering assistance across all facets of daily lives, the Center never fails to make a difference.

One of the ways the Center has succeeded in its outreach into the public consciousness on a wider scale is through its publication, Centered on Taipei.

This English language magazine has become an important cross-cultural resource for individuals in Taipei.

From its humble beginnings, it has since evolved from a lifestyle magazine into a community-centred publication which not only hopes to highlight the beneficial services of the Center to a greater audience but also to allow locals to play an active role in their adopted community.

Amassing over 900 volunteer writers since the magazine’s inception, it has always been a breeding ground for creativity and community cooperation. From first-time writers to published professionals, Centered on Taipei has allowed a vast spectrum of individuals to express their thoughts and deepest interests.

With a dedicated team of staff and faithful volunteers, the publication has fostered a sense of community amongst contributors and readers alike. Mirroring the crucible of culture that Taipei represents, the magazine attracts input from both locals and the international community who utilize their diverse backgrounds and unique perspective to develop some invaluable contributions.

At the forefront of the magazine’s production is the editor, Suzan Babcock. Having worked for the magazine since 2014, she has been instrumental in evolving the magazine into a multifacet -

ed publication and establishing an environment of mutual cooperation and heartfelt respect.

Through Suzan’s innovative vision, she’s shown great passion for giving the people of Taipei an equal opportunity to share their passions and interests with the people of this great city.

From photographers to writers, all manner of creative souls has been given an opportunity to play a role in their community. This unique form of communal collaboration is what Suzan is truly passionate about, as she says, "members of these different communities have given up their time to contribute to the magazine because it is how they would like to make a contribution to where they are living."

The work of this dedicated and passionate array of volunteers has resulted in the magazine’s growth to new heights and allowed the publication to expand its outreach throughout the city and Taiwan as a whole.

Those include the likes of La Benida Hui, who in years past earned a BFA in Illustrations from Parsons School of Design before founding Rare Animals Really Endangered (R.A.R.E.). Over the past 3 years, the writer, photographer and environmental extraordinaire has dedicated her time to making significant contributions to the magazine.

Other highly esteemed contributors include Jessica Kay Lee, who utilized her master’s in clinical psychology from Columbia University in the hopes she could support women, mothers and caretakers through private and executive meditation coaching and wellness psychoeducation. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to write for the magazine.

While some contributors have been writing articles for years, Suzan and the helpful staff

at Centered on Taipei are always on the lookout for new and exciting content creators.

So, you might be asking yourself, could I write an article? Yes, you can! Individuals from all manners of educational and social backgrounds congregate within the pages of the magazine.

The Centered on Taipei team regards each and every individual as an equal partner in developing a magazine which benefits the community. As Suzan says herself, "I think that part of the magazine's appeal is that our team embraces all those who approach us and in return, through their writing or photography, they embrace others."

As such, it’s the goal of Suzan and Centered on Taipei to find new and innovative ways to further their outreach into the community, both for potential new readers and willing contributors.

Being the community magazine that it has become, it’s the hope of Suzan and the Centered on Taipei team that the community itself can rally around the publication. The goal has always been to foster a greater sense of community amongst the people of Taipei and to allow its citizens to play an active role in the community.

*You can find Centered on Taipei magazine in American Club's library every month.

Squash “Open House” with Taiwan’s National Team Players

Sunday, April 16 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Want to take up a sport that’s fun, great for your fitness and never have to deal with the heat of the sun or inclement weather? Why not explore the indoor sport of squash. We and along with players of the Taiwan National team welcome you to our “Open House” event and is free for anyone who is interested. Have a tryout with us! Learn about the strokes, what balls to use, to understanding the game and rules.

No experience or equipment necessary for beginners and intermediates who have not dusted off the racquet for some time. Come meet our Squash coach and CATCH our Taiwan National players in action as well!

• 1:00 p.m. Welcome

• 1:15 - 3:00 p.m. Beginner/Intermediate Clinic • 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Exhibition Match

For more information, contact the Pro Shop at 02-2885 8260 ext. 368

Squash Handicap Competition

Sunday, March 12, from 12:00 to 5:00p.m.

The Club is excited to host a squash handicap competition based on your squash level. The handicap competition event is designed to maximize participation through the Club with players participating from all levels; allowing newer players to have a fair and fun game of squash against more experienced players. This is a social event above all else.

2023 Spring Singles Tennis Tournament

Monday,

March 6 to Sunday, March 19

Calling all aspiring tennis champions, this year’s Spring Singles Tennis Tournament will be upon us very soon. It will be a great way to get out on court and test your game. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from the best, play against the best, and even make new friends along the way.

Categories:

Men & Women Singles

Boys & Girls Singles: A & B Levels

*Junior event will take place on Friday, March 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. to Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2023 Spring Tennis Doubles Tournament

Monday, April 10 to Sunday, April 30

This year’s Spring Tennis Doubles Tournament will be upon us very soon. It will be a great way to get out on court with your good friend, best playing partner and test your game. You will have the opportunity to learn from the best, play against the best, and we guarantee at least 2 matches per entrant.

Award Presentation Ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 30 from 3:00 – 5:00pm at the Terrace Café.

Sign up now at the Pro Shop today!

Categories:

Men & Women Doubles - April 10 to 23

Mixed Doubles - April 19 to 30

Junior Doubles - April 15

*Junior Doubles: A & B Level Categories

For more information, contact the Pro Shop at 02-2885 8260 ext. 368

TOP SWIM CHALLENGE IN 35 DAYS

2023

Monday, April 10 to Sunday, May 14

Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

ENTRY: Free. Sign up at the Swimming Pool Office

AGE GROUPS: Open

ADVANCED

Total Distance: 72km

Maximum distance per week: 18km

RECREATIONAL

Total Distance: 54km

Maximum distance per week: 13.5km

CHALLENGE PLUS

Total Distance: 36km

Maximum swimming distance per week: 9km

Choices:

• Swimming only

• Combine swimming and Fitness Center workout is an option. (Get on a bike, treadmill or on a rowing machine!)

PRIZES

1st / 2 nd / 3 rd

certificates and medals will be awarded for each of the three categories

NEVER GIVE UP! JOIN US NOW!

Sponsor

Protein has already hit the store shelves.

Get it at the Fitness Center

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Developed and formulated by our professional dietician and food expert, our powder contains minimal sugar and additives, and has no artificial sweetener or thick gel-like consistency. We use only the most natural ingredients to give you the most nutrition.

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SOUTH AFRICAN COCOA

AROUND AT THE CLUB

CNY Calligraphy

January 15

January and February were busy months at the Club as these photos show. Please visit the website for more pictures of Members having fun. We thank all the Members who donated at the Chinese New Year Calligraphy event and for making this event more meaningful every year. The proceeds have already been donated to the Special Olympics for its team’s outfit and the upcoming trip to the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023. We wish them the best on the road to the international competition.

Lion Dance

January 29

Winter Yeti Camp

Letter to Santa

Aperitivo con Prosecco at Sigis

Fat Away Winners

Emily Liu

Richard Huang

Spring W NE BAZAAR

This event does not count toward your F&B Monthly Minimum Amount. This event does not count toward Member Appreciation Program NT$6,000 Credit Amount. For more information, please contact Market Team at 02 2885-8260 ext.238 or email to acc.market@americanclub.org.tw

Super Bowl LVII

Lunar Year Floral Arrangement Workshop

Live at the California Room

Turkey Earthquake Relief Donation

We would like to share a big “Thank You” to our Members who responded rapidly to our call to the Turkey Relief Donation in early February. Your generosity truly showed ACC’s caring value to the international community and we especially appreciate the volunteer drivers who helped deliver all 35 boxes to the collection Center in NeiHu in such a short notice- our very own President- Maria Ting and Member- Vincente Tang.

Spring Happy Woman’s Day

All ladies who book Salon Services during March 6th through March 10th will receive a complimentary coupon for one slice of cake. One-time promo per person.

SALES

All hair products 10% discount during the month of March.

Foot Massage

All kids under 11 book a hair cut from April 4th through April 9th to receive a free one-scoop ice cream coupon.

The Pause that Refreshes! Book a 90 minutes session from Mondays to Thursdays during the month of April to receive a 10% discount. Advanced booking is required.

ACC’s Hair & Spa Team provides you with a comprehensive all-you-need service with just a one-time visit.You must come and indulge.

For details and to make an appointment, please call 2885-8260 ext.578 or direct line 2886-5912 Operations Hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily

Dazhi Branch now open

2 Million Enrollment Worldwide Throughout the years, Eye Level has nurtured millions of students worldwide.

20 Countries Eye Level is now available in 20 countries.

FREE TRIAL CLASS

Dazhi Branch Now Open special opening discounts now available. Call (02) 2805 9922 or email eyeleveltw@gmail.com for details

ACC Book and Discussion Club

scheduled for the third Thursday of each month. For further information and to register your interest, If you are interested in joining the Book Club, please reach out to Emily Wang at emily.wang@americanclub.org.tw or register at the Library.

Nursery Fun Time

Storytime – Wednesdays and Thursdays 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Come and enjoy a fun time. Volunteer Readers by Members Maria Ting, Catherine Thomas and Vivian Yu

Special Game – 2nd Friday of each month 4:00 – 4:30pm & 4:30 – 5:00pm; Maximum 3 kids at a time. First come first serve.

Kids Clay Art – 4th Friday of each month 4:00 – 4:45pm; Maximum 3 kids. Advance sign up required 24 hours prior to the event-day. NT$100 per kid.

If you would like to submit a review of one of the books in our Library, please contact Emily Wang at emily.wang@americanclub.org.tw

Spare by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex (Memoir) Chip War The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller (Economic)

Homecoming The Path to Prosperity in a Post-Global World by Rana Foroohar (Business)

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt (Fiction)

Awe The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner (Psychology)

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (Mystery)

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Fiction)

Plant a Kiss by Rosenthal, Amy Krouse/ Reynolds, Peter H. (ILT) (Children's)

The World’s Worst Children 3 by David Walliams,Tony Ross (ILT) (Children's)

1:1 Coaching Providing an individualized program has consistently been the core value of "Eye Level”.

2022 Staff Year End Party

Long Term Service-30 years

Repair & Maint. N/Supervisor Hunter Wu

Kitchen-T.O.C Commis II H. C. Hsu

Long Term Service-25 years

Kitchen-Steward Captain Y. M. Chen

Long Term Service-20 years

Security Head of Security Patric Wu

Hair Salon Stylist Salina Lin

Long Term Service-15 years

Accounting Accountant Betty Hsieh

Banquet Manager Eason Lin

Sigis Captain Queena Kuo

Long Term Service-10 years

Membership Supervisor Donna Lin

Play Room Attendant Irene

Fitness Center Senior Receptionist Tracy Liu

Kitchen-Sigis Chef de Partie Jay Lin

Kitchen-Terrace Chef de Partie Lance Chang

Terrace Captain Wendy Cheng

Lantern Festival

Tangyuan at Canteen