TRUE TALES FROM THE CRYPT OF PRIVATE CLUB LEADERSHIP

Series #1 Issue #1

Alifstyle MASTER ILLUSTRATOR

Michael Crandal , CNG

An epic classical romantic comedy drama that is only humorous because ‌

A parody of somewhat fictional private club operations & governance. Faces & meetings (of course) purely fictional. However, if you can’t help but to recognize yourself . . .

PROLOGUE …

(Psssst … better keep this issue in excellent condition.

It could someday be worth a fortune on Pawn Stars!)

Once capon a thyme … in a pan far-far saute’ … we find that the board and senior management of “Can Kicker’s Country Club” had yet to embrace the path of collaborative governance. Thus - the club’s very sustainability hangs in the balance! Here we find a handfull of dissident, yet vocal, discontents slowly beating distant drums of angst about percieved uncontrolled costs of membership.

Club leadership (volunteer board /committees and professional management / staff) works together diligently in the creation of first time ever Zero Based Departmental Operating Budgets.

After untold meetings … projections … forecasts … reports … graphs … and verifiable backup --- the undeniable elephant in the room trumpets loudly: “Dues have been kept artificially low

for a number of years and our club has kicked this can down the road far-far too long!”

With irrefutable facts in hand, club leadership prepares a strategy in how to best present an essential dues increase at the upcoming Annual Meeting. BUT --- then, suddenly - things take a dark and dramatic turn. Let’s listen in …

Our thrilling premier episode now begins where it should – at Scene #1 – Panel #1.

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Do you know the CNG thriving private club ABC’s?

Today’s special is Alphabet Soup!

Assessments are a “No – No”. Board members are kept in the know. Capital reserve plans are firmly in place. Depreciation funded means assets don’t go to waste. Equity memberships need to go. Food minimums — also. Golf is for all genders and family. Hospitality indeed extends to the tee. Initiation income is slowly on the rise. Junior Programs are starting to thrive. Kids are kept busy while young parents give high-fives. Legacy memberships are proving a pipeline to survive. Members & management are in constant harmony. Nominating committee is renowned for selecting quality. Operations are such that all feel pride. People are in the right places — deep and wide. Quality is never left to chance. Restaurants serve nothing but excellence. Sacred cows are not allowed to graze. Traditions are respected while the bar is still continually raised. Unbelievable stories abound of great staff anticipation. Visitors covet members extending invitations. Wait staff service is nothing but the best. X-tra attention is given to all members and guests. Younger members, yes they see — Zee club — Zee club — Zee club! Is the place to be!

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

Michael Crandal, CNG

You really didn’t think this was the end of the story, did you?

STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE EDITIONS! OF:

Alifstyle MASTER ILLUSTRATOR

Oh, just in case you were wondering.

The letters after our author’s name?

Michael Crandal, CNG

Certified Nice Guy.

(Self-certified. But, a nice guy nonetheless.)

Effective Interim GM/COO service with follow-up executive search, moving the ball down the field, setting up incoming leadership for seamless success. Rock-solid expertise/consulting in successful club operations and governance.

(Evidently – he writes comic books on the side. Go figure.)

www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcrandal (760) 464-6103 The Private Club Radio Show Hosted by: Gabriel Aluisy

The industry's weekly broadcast of education, news, predictions, product spotlights, trends and other current developments in the world of private clubs. You should be dialed in!

www.privateclubradio.com Special Thanks to Master Illustrator ALIFSTYLE

This “Comic Book” depicts in humorous ways, the not so funny scenarios that play out when even well-intended club leadership simply “don’t know what they don’t know.” Here is where we start in changing all that …

Your club deserves a new CNG Universal Mission Statement:

“

.”

HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF AREAS WHERE PROVEN EXPERTISE CAN IMMEDIATELY GET STARTED IN WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE OUR NEW MISSION:

Positive leadership in placing the right people in the right places. Developing, motivating and mentoring them. Culling the herd when necessary. Building and maintaining exemplarily management teams is accomplished by identifying talent and monitoring accountability for exceptional results by leadership based on positive support and empowerment, rather than fear or micro-management. A top-tier GM/COO must be engaged in leading Operations.

Updating bylaws and club rules to reflect the times and being relevant. Recasting lines of communication, authority and accountability. Creating position descriptions for board officers and committee chairs. These things REALLY matter and oftentimes needs to be cleaned up in order for the leadership team (Board and Management) to truly deliver day-to-day exceptional member experiences that solidify the club’s future.

“Every management decision and established policy must ultimately support the mission at hand: ‘Our member’s very favorite place to be.’

While one size does NOT fit all — once the board and executive level management agree on the mission at hand — we simply map out their plan, gain momentum and don’t look back.”

Michael Crandal, CNG