Sarasota Yacht Club - Platinum Clubs of the World Application

Introducing

SARASOTA YACHT CLUB Mission The world-class, award-winning Sarasota Yacht Club is home to a diverse membership and professional staff who inspire lifelong friendships and extraordinary experiences in our culturally-rich waterfront city.

Vision An essential part of our members’ lives, our community’s fabric, and our staff’s wellbeing, inspiring lifelong connections that can’t be duplicated.

With a rich history dating back to 1907, the Club’s official incorporation as Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC) took place in 1926.

Universal

RECOGNITION ► SYC

is active within the Club Managers of America Association, National Club Association, and has hosted numerous events for colleagues. ► The

Club is a longtime member of Chaine des Rotisseurs. ► The

SYC Youth Sailing Team has competed nationally.

One of our sailors has qualified for the United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) National Team and six sailors are on the regional team. ► The

2021 USODA Team Racing Midwinter Championship, hosted by SYC, was a national youth regatta with more than 100 participating sailors, representing 26 clubs and 12 states.

Awards & Accolades SYC belongs to many preeminent organizations and has garnered international recognition: A Designated Platinum Club of America and the World by Club Leaders Forum ►

A Distinguished Elite Club

by BoardRoom Magazine ►

A Recipient of Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Seal of Commitment ►

►

A Designated Clean Marina

►

Member of International Associate Clubs

►

Member of Yachting Clubs of America

Founding Member of Florida Council of Yacht Clubs ►

2021-2022

2021-2022

A Respected MEMBERSHIP ► SYC

takes pride in its traditional yacht club events including the monthly Sundown Ceremony and the annual Lighting of the Fleet, Blessing of the Fleet, Change of Watch, and the Sarasota Yacht Club Annual Invitational Regatta. ► Legacy

memberships are on the rise with one family that includes four generations of membership. ► Members

are brought in through a methodical process of interviews and Board of Directors approval. Currently the Club has a one year wait list for membership. ► Introductions

of new members are held at the monthly Sundown Ceremony and included in member communications. New member mixer events and quarterly new member orientations further welcome these members and their families to the Club. ► Events

are held to connect members through their commonalities, including Clubs Within the Club, SYC Connect, College Football Watch Parties, Sunset Cruises and much more. ► Community-centered

philanthropic efforts are cultivated through SYC Cares and driven by member involvement. ► Club

members enjoy multi-generational events such as our annual Pooch Parade and Halloween event which provide an opportunity for members of all ages to connect.

Excellence In

AMENITIES & FACILITIES ► The

Sailing Center was built in 2018 with a waterfront deck completed in 2020 and the race fleet was expanded in 2019. These additions have allowed our SYC Sailing Team to flourish. ► The

poolside Spinnaker Bar & Grill, updated pool area, and updated furniture was completed in 2019 providing our members with a seaside paradise. ► A

waterfront bocce court was added in 2019, offering yet another space for leisure and camaraderie for our members. ► SYC ► The

expanded our kayak and paddleboard fleet for complimentary member usage.

Wine Vault was completed in 2020, allowing for a larger wine selection.

► The

Marina Master Plan was developed to include an additional dock with significant upgrades to the current three docks. The completion date is estimated for 2024 with an estimated cost of $11 million. ► The ► The

Club’s current capital reserves are at $3.15 million.

Fitness Center offers updated fitness equipment and locker rooms for 24 hour member usage.

Exceptional

SERVICE STANDARDS ► Our

staff continue to be the highest ranked area of operation as documented in member surveys in 2019, 2020, and 2021. ► SYC

strives to be the employer of choice.

► The

Club celebrates our employees through recognizing important milestones, holiday gatherings, and a Manager and Employee of the Quarter peer nomination program. ► Employees

are kept safe with complimentary COVID-19 testing, necessary P.P.E., and a continuously updated Employee Safety Manual. ► Staff

benefits include: 100% health and dental insurance, low-cost vision coverage, life insurance coverage, 401k matching, and an employee assistance program. ► Employee

scholarship funds are offered for educational purposes.

► A

variety of ongoing trainings are offered to all levels of staff to expand their opportunities and uplift SYC’s level of service. ► The

Strategic Plan also encourages staff to be involved with local nonprofits. For example staff assisted with a school supplies donation drive for Tuttle Elementary School and a holiday gift drive for the Salvation Army of Sarasota County.

Adapting To

CHANGING TIMES ► SYC

employs ongoing methods for receiving general member feedback both via surveys and face-to-face communication, including focus groups. ► The

Club continues to reach out to families with young children by creating a Parent Advisory Council, a youth member leadership program, and teen focus groups. ► A

comprehensive campus plan was created with a 15-year outlook to include varied usage by different age groups and demographics. ► A

detailed Strategic Plan outlines seven strategic goals that guide the direction of the Club leading up to its 2026 centennial.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response ►

►

SYC kept staff and members safe with complimentary on-site COVID-19 testing, necessary P.P.E., and temperature checks.

Curb/dockside pick-up food and beverage services were expanded, and in-house dining was made safer with limited capacity, social distancing, and sanitation practices. Air purifying units were installed throughout the Clubhouse and periodic disinfectant fogging was performed in tandem with thorough cleaning protocols.

Member appreciation, member health, and member engagement were held as top priorities throughout the pandemic.

Grocery delivery was offered to homebound members, the Club helped with connecting members through technology, and virtual content was created for members to experience SYC from anywhere.

Member Connection: Stay Connected with SYC, a digital member engagement and communications campaign was launched to connect members from near and far.

Content on the subjects of staying connected through positivity, operational updates, learning and fun, and friends was shared with members via emails, the website, and social media pages. The content featured unique virtual and at-home activities, experiences, and opportunities for members to stay connected. ►

Management & OPERATIONS ► The

Club’s management team developed business plans for their departments through our Operation ME (Member Engagement/”It starts with me and what I can do”) program. ► The

Promise is a training and service program designed by a Ritz-Carlton trainer. The purpose is to create a unifying staff service promise, with a personal service promise developed by each staff member. ► General

Manager/COO Karen Harmon was chosen as the recipient of the Distinguished Executive Award from Boardroom Magazine. ► Our

dashboard is a tracking tool to measure progress for each of the Club’s goals and action steps. The associated color-coded heat map is updated quarterly. ► A

member engagement committee was formed as a vital partnership between membership and management to enhance retention efforts.

Department business plans focus primarily on member experience leading to increased retention rates. ► The

Executive Operations Manual was developed to strategically guide each department in tandem with the Strategic Plan. ► SYC

has begun a partnership with the United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) to grow the sport of youth sailing on a local and national level.

The Overall EXPERIENCE ► Holiday

events, member appreciation events, themed special events, and children’s events fill the Club calendar year-round. ► Ceremonies

are held throughout the year to honor and recognize our members including SYC Salutes Our Veterans, Remembrance Ceremony, and Celebrating Our Graduates. ► Cooking

classes led by our executive chef, curated wine dinners with winemakers, and fine dining experiences are carefully planned for member enjoyment. ► Creative

dining specials are offered daily with our mixology team crafting unique cocktails, our sommelier selecting fine wines, and our chef creating unique and delicious meals.

► Monthly

cruises are planned and lead by our boating members with destinations on the Gulf Coast of Florida. ► Unique

learning experiences are offered to members including scuba diving certification courses, boating knowledge and safety courses, and lectures featuring a variety of topics. ► The

SYC magazine, Spars & Tacks, is published quarterly and available in print by mail, at the Club, or online. ► Sailing

is held as a priority of the Club with lessons for all ages, competitive and fun regattas, and a prominent youth sailing program. ► Staff

members are trained with the mindset of “Every member, Every Day, Whatever it Takes,” encouraging our staff to take the initiative to be creative and compassionate in their service.

1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34236 www.sarasotayachtclub.org │ 941.365.4191