Making A Better Tokyo American Club (MABT)

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).

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

Since 2010, we’ve seen a number of fellow members working with the TAC management team to run the club. We were told that the financials were solid… before the vote to demolish the old clubhouse. Then when the financial disaster hit, the board changed it’s tune saying.. time to raise the fees for members… This was despite the member board of governors promising that there would be no increased pricing for members. (That was when 30+ members decided it was time to talk and this TAC member site, ABTAC was formed (A Better American Club.com). The Club finances always seem to be easily pushed to the brink.

Invaluable Community

Tokyo American Club is a fantastic slice of the community of Americans, locals, and many other nationalities. TAC is gathering place for leaders from many industries who want to socialize, exercise, and eat. This is what pays the bills.

The COVID Hit

As the club leadership has gone extreme on the ‘safety first’ (revenue last) route, finances have suffered as people are apparently having a hard time using the club. Some members have joked that someone seemed to have confused COVID with Ebola.

Managing the club is no easy task. With COVID you’ve got a vast range of members from the ‘double-maskers’ to the ‘why must I wear a mask in the gym’ crowds that illustrates just the varying opinions and voices in the community. Wear ‘your mask between sips’ thinking in the restaurants has pushed some members to other clubs and the vast choices of restaurants around the Tokyo metropolis. Other members have just been concerned about going to public places and have avoided going out all together. The die-hard members have attempted to use the club normally… with much less service. The actions so far have apparently severely hampered the finances. (Maybe members should be asked in polls on what rules they want regarding masks, operating hours, available equipment, and club staffing of what facilities they might use?)

The Failed Loan Votes

There were two votes pushed by the former Representative Governor to get a loan that was ‘just in case’. Members rejected the loan as it was pushed as being unnecessary, and lacked any direction on who was to manage it in the Club. That brings us to the root of the problem-

As TAC is a multi-million dollar business in Azabudai, clearly member management is insufficient. Few board members have time or expertise in running this size of business. TAC, unlike other hospitality (hotel) businesses that had to work out survival plans TAC has some 3,000+ members paying monthly dues.

To avoid another financial disaster such as happened with the board of governors in 2010 and again in 2020, isn’t it time to get someone who knows how to crunch numbers managing the business? We believe so. Let’s recommend TAC allocate a finance boss that can better manage the funds of the club. TAC needs a solid CFO to make the tough decisions and report to the members! After-all, all members would like to focus on why we joined the club… socializing, exercising, and eating! 😉

A Message From Michael Benner- Supporting Our Club

Dear Member,

This is a year of milestones for the Club. After marking the 10th anniversary of our Azabudai home last month, we open the doors of Tokyo American Club Nihonbashi, our first-ever satellite facility, next month.

These historic moments follow a year of unprecedented challenges for the Club. But throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have put the safety of Members and Club staff first.

By following government guidance and introducing rigorous safety measures (in combination with the Club’s state-of-the-art ventilation and sanitizing systems), we have created an environment in which Members can relax and feel safe.

However, Member usage of the Club has declined, and spending in the dining outlets has decreased significantly. To encourage everyone to visit the Club more frequently, and dine and spend at the Club, let me share some good news:

At its most recent meeting, The Board of Governors eased the guest policy to help you further enjoy the Club.

From March 1, Members’ guests will be able to use the Guest Studios and visit Rainbow Café and Café Med seven days a week. In addition, the monthly limit of two visits per guest will be increased to eight visits. The Board will periodically review these changes.

Last week saw the launch of a brand-new food delivery service. This is the latest example of our adaption to shifting Member needs and follows the introduction of last year’s takeout service, the conversion of CHOP into an all-day lounge, the opening of the Guest Studios as a daytime WFH alternative, and the creation of hybrid meeting packages and numerous online cultural and fitness classes.

All of these services and programs offer Members more opportunities to connect with one another. I encourage you to make use of all that the Club has to offer.

With your support, I strongly believe that we can ensure that our community continues to thrive.

Stay safe.

Michael Benner
Representative Governor
Tokyo American Club

Dear Member,

Following the Japanese government’s recent extension of the state of emergency until March 7, the Board of Governors will continue to comply with the government’s directive for restaurants and bars to close earlier.

During this period, recreation facilities and dining outlets will continue to close at 8pm, with last orders for dine-in food and drinks at 7pm (stay tuned for details of a brand-new delivery service).

Additionally, the Board has decided to close the Club at 9pm from February 6 to March 7.

The decision was taken after a careful analysis that showed that Club usage after 9pm has been sparse and infrequent since the start of the state of emergency last month.

Naturally, the Board and Club management continue to monitor the impact of such measures on Club finances, and we plan to host a town hall later this month to update the membership on the situation.

In the meantime, thank you for continuing to follow the Club’s safety guidelines in order to protect our community and the community beyond.

Stay safe.

Mike Benner
Representative Governor
Tokyo American Club

The opening of the new TAC property in Nihonbashi was announced today. Scheduled to open on 31 March, the new TAC is small but more conveniently located to those in business