Traders Bar One of our favorites @ Tokyo American Club
We learned from the volunteer leadership at the TAC that (the three member governor board) want to raise our dues. Per the Town hall TAC staff apparently did research to ‘benchmark’ the rates. The conclusion by the three was that the dues haven’t been raised for years. ((However, one member highlighted how TAC is more expensive for families).
Although TAC member ‘owners’ don’t mind an increase in dues. It must be logical and justified. After all, the Shuto expressway was supposed to be free once the cost of building it were covered. We know how that story goes every time you pay to drive on the Tokyo highway. Two things-
If TAC is struggling financially, wouldn’t it make sense to fully open the club so members feel welcome to use it? If members come, they will spend money.
Eliminate the mask police and the hospitable requirement to wear masks in their club.
Let’s face it. The virus fear is really a phantom virus. It’s real, it kills some vulnerable people (old, overweight, preexisting conditions). However very few people(much less members) know someone first hand who actually died of it.
If volunteer leaders and TAC management want to raise the dues, no problem. Put it to a vote. But before you do that, you’d better open up the club fully or explain to the hundreds of perplexed members why you are really preventing members from enjoying their social club.
Are you a members? Have you got ideas? Please feel free to suggest below. Remember, keep it positive and constructive. Thanks!
Like many members , we live near the club and were using it every day. We picked our location so we could use our membership. We have a family membership and my spouse and teenage kids use the place as well. I was very happy that the Club was ‘reopened’ a couple weeks ago. The feeling was brief. We’re getting charged full fees for a club I can’t fully use. What used to be a daily visit to stay fit in the am has become a fight to get a spot a couple days a week, if we’re lucky. The worst part about things now is the silly mask. At our company (major firm) masks are recommended but optional. I’ve been trying to exercise but it is silly to cover up our faces when we work out. I have observed, masks have become very divisive. Some employees have become condescending and downright abusive. Not acceptable. As a paying member, I don’t need mask police checking to see that my mask is on ‘properly’.
We joined TAC as our social club. To us, it really has become an ‘anti-social’ club and I’m not sure how much longer members will put up with this nonsense.
It’s no longer refreshing or fun to visit the club. You can barely recognize other members if at all. Where’s the social there? Where’s the value of visiting the club?
If you’re going to charge us full fees to use the TAC give us full access. If you’re going to continue to muzzle us and limit our usage, I expect our dues should be reduced until you decide to truly open up the club. Most people in our circles don’t agree with the decisions being made here. Frankly, I don’t know anyone who approves of the limited club access right now. If they do, they probably don’t regularly use the gym or pool.
Event was mostly a financial discussion to pave the way for the elected board members suggestions of how to financially fix the damages on the club and the changes in revenue forecasting for 2020. Below is an aggregated list put tougher by four members in virtual attendance based on questions and comments from the membership.
What’s the future?
We learned that the decisions to close the TAC were made by three volunteer currently elected board members
Many members are unhappy with the closing of the club
Considerable research is being made to ‘bench mark’ the club for salaries, best practice, and operations
The family membership is more expensive than any other club in the world
Since members have been locked out of the club there may be an exodus of people giving up their membership
Members were not happy about the dictatorial approach about how decisions are made by the top three governors
Surveys are being sent out to the various 200 volunteer members of the club regarding closing but not to the general paying membership. Purpose was to gauge members opinion
Members were upset about being charged for parking they cannot use
Members do not agree with forced wearing of masks
Banquet and food income is down due to the virus fears and decision to shut down the club
Comment was made that it is easier to shut down the club than it is to restart it.
Despite being the American Club, decisions are being made to match loose or gray Tokyo government or CDC suggestions
Members do not want to be charged for dues while he locked out of their club
Members are angry about the reservations system to use the gym/REC areas, locker rooms, and pool
Members commented, TAC is not being run like a business but more like a hospital with staff and no patients
Members would like the freedom to use the club if they are expected to pay, fearful members are suggested to stay home.
Due to decision to not reopen the club and GM and finance volunteer leader meeting with bank about getting loans
Volunteer board recommending dues increase due to cover decision to close club and continued refusal to allow members to freely use the club.
Some members recommending members wanting to fully open club should sign indemnity agreement and be allowed to freely use club if full membership dues continue to be charged.
Members found little differences between ‘phases of reopening’
Division exists between fearful members moving towards tanking the club and members frequently using club.
Elderly member wanted exclusion from volunteer three member board’s ‘recommendation’ to raise dues on membership.
Despite being the American Club, decisions are being made to match loose or gray Tokyo government or CDC suggestions
Members do not want to be charged for dues while locked out of their club
Members are angry about the reservations system to use the gym/REC areas, locker rooms, and pool
The club membership is now 50% local Japanese nationals.
Decision to limit gym usage and usage masks based on local association that TAC is not a member of.
No discussions about virus and if there were an outbreak at this meeting
Conclusion so far- Due to the large turn out at the Townhall and online, members are very concerned about the decisions being made. Of course, if the club will continue to restrict use, members will not come, membership will not grow, and revenue will continue to tank.
It is unclear why the current elected leaders have opted to follow these strict guidelines. Is it to get a bailout? Is it to avoid getting shut down by local government if a member caught the flu?
Did our group miss anything? Please add to comments and one of us will edit or add.
Most importantly, please share the MABT (Making A Better TAC) site with other positive, concerned members. After all, we are all ‘owners’ of the club. We hope the people making the decisions, will listen to those who are not fearful but those who want the Club to prosper and grow.
Since the restricted reopening of the club, the parking lots tell the story. It seems few people are actually able to use the facilities. Facemasks, limited usage, anti-social distancing. and facilities limited to a few members at once. All for fear of a virus…
It has been nearly two weeks since our Club reopened, and it has been encouraging to see Members enjoying the facilities once again.
As mentioned in last week’s e-mail, from June 20 we will implement Phase II of our three-phase reopening plan. This follows the Tokyo government’s lifting of its COVID-19 alert, indicating that the spread of the virus is presently under control.
Some of our “new normal” safety guidelines will remain, but we have restored more of the valued services you have come to expect from your Club.
Phase II Standards • Club daily hours: 6am–11pm(please check individual facilities’ hours) • Club entry points: B1 Family entrance (from 6am) and 1F Family entrance (from 11am); 1F Formal entrance will be closed. • Traders’ Bar hours: Monday–Thursday (11am–11pm); Fridays (11am–12am); weekends and holidays (11am–10pm). Last orders for drinks: 30 minutes prior to closing. • Recreation facility online reservations open daily at noon(12pm). • “Trusted player and household” policy for Members wishing to participate in activities with non-family members in the following areas: Squash Courts, Gymnasium, Sky Pool, O-Zone, Kids’ Lounge, Music Rooms, 19th Hole and Logan Room (capacity restrictions apply based on activity and room size). • Adult Locker Rooms (including dry and steam saunas, whirlpool baths and plunge pools) and Adult Sun Terrace available without reservations (registration at 4F Recreation Desk required). • Personal trainer sessions available (maximum: three trainers per session). • Gymnasium reservations extended to 60 minutes per session. • Open swim sessions adjusted to 60 minutes per reservation. • Kids’ Water Park sessions extended to 45 minutes per reservation. • Limited private and group classes and lessons available. • Children’s Library, Teen Connection and Logan Room reopen. Mandatory reservation required for Teen Connection and Logan Room. • Browsing of books at Library available (handled books to be sanitized). Members required to sanitize hands at entrance. • Article check and cloakroom available at B1 Member Services.
Phase II Continuing Standards • Temperature screening and membership cards checks at both entrances. • Face masks required at all times while at the Club (except when eating, drinking, swimming, showering or partaking in an activity in which wearing a mask is deemed unsuitable). • Social distancing should be followed throughout the facility. • CHOP Steakhouse, Vista, 220° [Modern Teppan], Bowling Center, Fun Zone, Jungle Gym and Childcare Center closed. • Reservations required for Fitness Center, Sky Pool, Gymnasium, Squash Courts, 19th Hole, Music Rooms, Kids’ Lounge and O-Zone. • Some rental equipment, including workout shoes and Sky Pool sandals, unavailable. • Valet parking unavailable. • Favorites to Go (takeout food service) pickup: Rainbow Café
As we monitor official guidance and adjust our safety measures accordingly over the coming weeks and months, we ask for your patience and understanding. Further details on Phase II can be found on the Keeping Your Club Safewebpage. Phase III measures will be announced in due course.
In the meantime, if you haven’t yet registered for today’s town hall on Club finances, you can still sign up to attend virtually.
Today, TAC members received the annual additional invoices for ‘bonuses to employees’. Would it be a good idea to defer this additional billing until the TAC is fully accessible to the club membership?
(1 June 2020)The Tokyo American Club reopens today for members who have paid for two months of membership but have not been able to access the weight rooms, squash courts, the restaurants, bowling alley, and other facilities in the club.
You will have you temperature checked on entry. You’ll have to wear a mask inside the facility at all times, even when you exercise. However, members report that they have to book time to get into the gym. With a limit of 3 visits a week, it could be a challenge for the serious fitness buff.
Tokyo American Club, Tokyo, Japan
What’s you take on the reopening? What could TAC do better? For whomever is making these decisions and what would you suggest they change?
Tokyo American Club is owned by its members. Yet, the club really does not seem to be accessible despite its reopening.
You may want to comment on the Facebook page of TAC, but a quick search of FB won’t find any decision makers listed on the platform.
What is your experience so far with the newly reopened TAC? Please feel free to share this site with others.
Making a better Tokyo American Club (MABT) is a multi-member website dedicated to making sure members get value from their experience and to be a voice of Supportive TAC members.
(Sunday – 31 May 2020) The Russian Embassy was filled with people Sunday for some type of celebration. Voices of kids playing and adults enjoying time together could be heard throughout the neighborhood. In the meantime, the Tokyo American Club sits empty next door…
Ahead of the Club’s reopening tomorrow morning, I would like to clarify our requirements on wearing a mask or face covering while at the Club.
As part of our Phase I measures to create a safe environment for all Members and staff, we ask that all Members ages 3 and above wear a face covering from the moment they enter the facility.
You must keep your mask on at all times, except when eating, drinking, swimming, showering or partaking in an activity in which wearing a mask is deemed unsuitable or unnecessary. Please check the Keeping Your Club Safe webpagefor details.
This measure is in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States.
With regards to the Fitness Center, this requirement is a crucial infection-prevention measure featured in the published guidelines of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) of Japan. The guidelines are based on the advice of specialists appointed by the Office for New Coronavirus Infection Response, Cabinet Secretariat, and are mandatory for fitness centers to reopen in accordance with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s New Coronavirus Infectious Disease Control Experts’ Council’s “New Lifestyle” guidelines.
Medical experts have deemed exercising while wearing a mask to be safe, although people with underlying cardiovascular or respiratory conditions should take extra caution when exercising with a mask on. Since you are more likely to fatigue quicker while working out in a mask, the FIA advises people to monitor their condition while training and to reduce their exercise load where necessary.
With many reusable and training masks now available online and in stores, Members are encouraged to find a mask that is both comfortable for exercise and that meets FIA guidelines.
These are unprecedented times and we ask for your support and understanding as we navigate the coming weeks and months.
With the safety of Members and staff our priority, we look forward to welcoming you back to the Clubfrom tomorrow.
