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.
- 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.