Month: November 2010

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TAC Elections: President: Recommendations

Here at MABT, we’ve been poring over the candidate data trying to figure who deserves your vote this time around. We’re still trying to figure out how to insert a poll in here to get your feedback – in the meantime, hit us with your comments!

We will be asking all candidates to respond to a survey on their views on the key issues. Stay tuned!

[Naturally, all the opinions expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not represent the views of TAC or (obviously) the candidates!.]

Here’s our quick take on El Presidente:

Nominee:Lance LeeRod Nussbaum
Recommendation

No way!

Yes way!

Principal says …Doesn’t play well with other boys.New to the school. Still making friends.
Wagtail Comment:Sorry, Lance, but you signed the new GM contract. That’s got people angry. And if you sup with The Devil, you have to accept that sometimes the chalice is poisoned.And that 3% charge on cash payments … Say goodnight, Dick!.The gossip says Rod is closely connected tied to the status quo. Even so, his policy statement hits the right buttons in terms of the key issues: strategy, governance, and transparency.Still, the proof will be in the pudding!
One-Liner:Problem with Lance is it’s always someone else’s fault.A vote for Rod at least gives the Club a chance.
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New TAC Service Fee For Paying Cash?

Member Comment-

I have just received notification of the 3% “handling charge” for monthly bills paid in cash and other means other than direct debit, effective 1/11.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have never been charged a handling fee for paying by cash. On the contrary, cash is free, credit cards sometimes x% plus.
I wonder if this is related to the President’s pre-TH meeting email to members telling us basically that there was nothing to worry about, all was well and good, and we could all relax because our Board had found ingenious ways to solve all financial problems?
What else is coming down the pike to squeeze us by the proverbials? 100 yen for butter we have already had, next perhaps a cover charge in Traders?
I wonder why this decision was not raised by those responsible for it at the meeting last week. This secretive, dictatorial approach is repeated time and again by the so-called leaders of the Club.
I recommend that this topic – both the surcharge itself and the manner in which it has been introduced – be on the list of questions for candidates at the upcoming TH meeting with BOG candidates (as promised by the President last week).

Quoted from P.Cove

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A Performance Review Of The General Manager

If you ask around the club, you will find varying reviewing on varying things.  One subject area seems to get the same review from everyone.  We at the  MABT members receive the same reports regarding the Tokyo American Club general manager.   We’re really wondering what is going on.

This is a very important job as the GM role is entrusted with the staff and resources of the club.  Our money.

We would like to recommend that the Board of Governors review the performance of the GM in managing the resources, rapport with the membership, and financial performance of the club.  If the GM performance is good, then the pay should be good.  If the performance is… well you get the idea.

All the members of the Making A Better TAC (MABT) team were surprised at the renewal of the current GM’s contract by the board of governors.  Of course, you could argue that we need to have consistency in management as we go into our new facility.  Did anyone see what they membership thought about the GM?

We put the question out to you.  We are not here to trash anyone, or to blindly say “they’re doing a great job”.  What is your experience as a TAC member.

Overall are you happy with the GM and his performance over the last few years?  What are some good things the GM has done?  What are some things that concern you?  Please feel free to comment below.  The more feedback we have the better.

Encourage your BOG member to do real reviews of this GM role as it is detrimental to the health of the Tokyo American Club.