Board Of Governors Quietly Working To Extend Their Terms?

Multiple members have reported that the TAC board is moving to extend their ‘terms of service’ by another 4 years.

The previous leader told multiple members that he had limited the terms of the board members to eliminate any conflict of interest. Why would this be reversed? Why would club member leaders use the tactics of a developing nation dictator?

As a membership club, we don’t want people in there too long. Where there is smoke, there is fire. The board needs diversity of thought.

Partial list of board members as of Sept 2021

Board Election Slate Announced- Who Can Lead the Club Better?

The Nominating Committee-proposed list of candidates is as follows:

  • American Citizens (four to be elected)
    Jeffrey Behr
    Joseph Billi
    Joseph Bodenheimer
    John Flanagan
    James Hawrylak
    Catherine Onaka (Ohura)
    Nils Plett
  • Japanese Citizens (one to be elected)
    Kenji Ota
    Reiko Saito
  • Other Nationalities (one to be elected)
    Rune Soelvsteen
    Christa Wallington
  • Connections (one to be elected)
    Olivia Smith

TAC Nihonbashi Starts ‘Highlights Newsletter’

Welcome to Nihonbashi Highlights

Dear Member,

A key part of making the most of your Tokyo American Club membership is staying in the know about your “second home.”

To ensure you don’t miss out on the latest Nihonbashi Club news, announcements and offers, we’re excited to launch this monthly e-newsletter. Look out for it in your inbox on the first Monday of every month.

But we’re also keen to hear from you. If you have any ideas or comments on how we can further enhance the Club experience for all Members, please share them with the TAC Nihonbashi Committee.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you around the Nihonbashi Club.

Ginger Griggs
TAC Nihonbashi Committee Chair

Should TAC Members Or Staff Be Compelled to get the ‘vaccination’ ?

Image from New Zealand

Apparently from the email announcement below, some members of the TAC, including the board of volunteer member leaders, must think that getting the ‘vaccination’ is a good thing. Should members or staff be compelled/encouraged/coerced into taking the experiential injection?

Below is a example of a recent promotional email from the board member in charge of the campaign using TAC facilities to injection residents of Minato ward. How much does this campaign cost the club?

“Member Vaccination Opportunity”

Dear Member, [6 AUG 2021

With the Club’s public COVID-19 vaccination center having administered more than 30,000 vaccine doses since early July, we are excited to be able to extend this program to those Members and their families residing outside of Minato Ward.

After discussions with Minato Ward officials, we can now offer vaccinations for 1,000 non-Minato Ward residents ages 12 and above.

Over the long weekend, Members will be sent a link to register themselves, extended family members, domestic helpers, friends, colleagues and employees of Member-run small businesses on a first-come, first-served basis.

The schedule for the two doses of the Moderna vaccine is as follows:

First dose
• August 11: 5–6:15pm (150 people)
• August 12: 5–6:15pm (150 people)
• August 13: 9:30am–12:30pm (350 people)
• August 13: 3–6pm (350 people)

Second dose
• September 3 (500 people)
• September 4 (500 people)

You will need to supply the name, address and a contact phone number for each person wishing to be included in this program.

Since this is a time-critical opportunity, I encourage you to prepare your list of people to be vaccinated and to apply as soon as you receive the registration link.

Regards,

Sam Rogan
First Vice President
Tokyo American Club

Experimental Injection Opportunity @TAC!

Member Vaccination Opportunity

Dear Member,

With the Club’s public COVID-19 vaccination center having administered more than 30,000 vaccine doses since early July, we are excited to be able to extend this program to those Members and their families residing outside of Minato Ward.

After discussions with Minato Ward officials, we can now offer vaccinations for 1,000 non-Minato Ward residents ages 12 and above.

Over the long weekend, Members will be sent a link to register themselves, extended family members, domestic helpers, friends, colleagues and employees of Member-run small businesses on a first-come, first-served basis.

The schedule for the two doses of the Moderna vaccine is as follows:

First dose
• August 11: 5–6:15pm (150 people)
• August 12: 5–6:15pm (150 people)
• August 13: 9:30am–12:30pm (350 people)
• August 13: 3–6pm (350 people)

Second dose
• September 3 (500 people)
• September 4 (500 people)

You will need to supply the name, address and a contact phone number for each person wishing to be included in this program.

Since this is a time-critical opportunity, I encourage you to prepare your list of people to be vaccinated and to apply as soon as you receive the registration link.

Regards,

Sam Rogan
First Vice President
Tokyo American Club

###ABTAC Observation- Will our club be liable for side effects and health issues as well as deaths caused by administering experimental drugs on our premises?

If one cyanide pill can kill you, we must all carefully consider injection of an unproven concoction into our bodies and the bodies of our loved ones.

In Memory Of Michael Van Zandt

The Tokyo community and Tokyo American Club lost one of the good ones when Michael Van Zandt passed away recently in Florida from complications related to COVID-19. Mike contracted the virus after he had proudly taken his daughter Hannah to her freshman year at college in Colorado and went on to visit his family in Florida. He was hospitalized but lost the battle on Thursday last week.


He leaves behind his beautiful wife Naoko and his two amazing daughters Hannah and Anne.


The more than 350 online posts within 24 hours of Hannah announcing his passing are a testament to the love and high esteem that all of us had for Mike. He was one of the most friendly, loving and loyal people I have ever met. His smile lit up every room he entered, and his intelligence and sharp wit were the stuff of legend. My life is better for having known him, and I was proud to count him my friend.


Many of us are still in shock, but I am sure that Mike’s message to us would be to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and get on with things!


Mike had invested much of his assets in the new business he was leading to an IPO. To put it plainly, his daughters need our help to finish their education. Every single yen will go towards this important task.

Please donate with this link. No donation is too small (or too large).

Message From Volunteer Member Leaders- State-of-Emergency Extension

 COPY OF PUBLIC EMAIL TO MEMBERS
August 5, 2021

Dear Member,

Following the Japanese government’s announcement last week of an extension to the current state of emergency, alcohol service at bars and restaurants at both the Azabudai and Nihonbashi clubhouses will continue to be unavailable through August 31.
The Club’s operating hours will remain the same during this period. As usual, you’re encouraged to check the Club website for the most up-to-date information on events and programs.

With Tokyo and other areas experiencing a new wave of Covid-19 cases, please be sure to follow the Club’s safety guidelines when visiting.
If you travel overseas this summer, you are asked to not visit the Club for a quarantine period of 14 days following your return.

On a more positive note, the Club’s vaccination center for Minato Ward is into its second month of operations, with many Members and staff having been vaccinated.
The ongoing success of this community initiative is a testament to the hard work and innovation of so many Members—led by Sam Rogan, the Club’s first vice president—who volunteered their time and expertise.

Whether you are in Japan or abroad, have a relaxing—and safe—summer.

Michael Benner
Representative Governor
Tokyo American Club

What Are Your Thoughts On A Vote About Raising Dues?

Extraordinary General Meeting: April 28

Dear Member,

At the Board of Governors’ meeting on April 6, the Board approved the convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for April 28.As we detailed at last month’s town hall, the effects of the ongoing pandemic on Club finances have been deep. But this period has provided us with an opportunity to examine a number of issues and to create a plan to place the Club on a fiscally sustainable footing.This plan addresses both our urgent, short-term challenges and longer-term cash requirements in a balanced and equitable manner, sharing the responsibility amongst all Club stakeholders.

At this EGM, we are asking Members to vote on a Board-endorsed proposal with two components:

• To increase monthly membership dues, fees for vacant Company memberships and Life membership daily fees, and to enable up to 500 Members to prepay three years of monthly membership dues and biannual seasonal assessments at their current rate in advance of the proposed dues increase.

• To establish a monthly building maintenance assessment and to eliminate the biannual seasonal assessment by incorporating it equally into 12 months of monthly dues.

We will be providing full details on the proposal above in the coming days. Before the EGM, Club leaders will host a Q&A on Club finances and the proposal to be voted on. Additionally,

I am available to answer any related questions and can be reached at @tac-club.org.

EGM Timeline • April 12 (6pm): Club Finances Q&A•

April 13 (12pm): Online voting registration deadline •

April 13 (evening): Advance online voting opens•

April 21 (10pm): Voting registration deadline•

April 27 (10pm): Advance voting closes•

April 28 (6:30pm): Extraordinary General Meeting

If you are not registered as a Voting Member, I urge you to do so in the next few days. You can find details on how to register on the Club website.

The landmark launch of Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi last week demonstrates what can be achieved even during such challenging times. While our community is well positioned to bounce back from the impact of the pandemic, the strength of our recovery depends upon our collaborative ability to establish a firm financial foundation for the future.

Thank you for your continued support.

Michael Benner Representative Governor Tokyo American Club