Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Guidelines For Club Administration
Guidelines For Club Administration
Guidelines For Club Administration
As a director of the club you and your fellow board members are charged with
responsibility for the control and direction of your club as set forth in the bylaws. It
will be no easy job, but it will afford you a wealth of business and social experience,
plus a great deal of personal satisfaction; and on occasion your directorship will gain
you certain amount of recognition.
Your primary duty as a director will be to help set club policies. The manager is the
one who should carry out these policies because he or she is the professional
operating head of the club.
As a director make it a habit to patronize your club regularly. Try to eat at your club
at least once every week so you will be thoroughly familiar with the food and
service. Observe employees and their approach to their work in trying to please all
the members. If some facet of service appears to be out of place, notify the
manager. He or she is the person from whom to receive an explanation, and the
person who should take any corrective action.
Avoid the temptation to feel you should, in any effort to soothe the complaining
member, agree on the spot with his or her position. Avoid discussing, if at all
possible, the negative aspects of the club. Emphasize the positive, even if it means
hiding your own concerns about the certain club operations. You have, by agreeing
to run for the board, accepted the responsibility of dealing with the club’s problems,
and it is best to do so as quietly and efficiently as possible without stirring up
emotions.
As a director keep in mind that you are representing all members of the club and
not just a select few. Your decisions as a board member should be based on what
you honestly believe is best for the members and the club as a whole. Disregard
your personal feelings and try to be completely objective and statesmanlike.
At board meetings remember that your fellow directors are as sincere in their beliefs
as you are in yours. If you don’t agree with an idea or a statement, analyze it
impartially.
Just as in most corporations, the director in a club can act only through the majority
vote of the board. Unless delegated special authority or responsibility by the board
or bylaws, the director may act only in concert with fellow directors, not as an
individual. The individual director who short circuits the board, officers, and/or
manager is harming the club and undermining its constituted authority.
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Board members must advance the credibility of the board and establish confidence
within the membership at large that its governing body operates openly, offers
opportunity to express dissent and operates with responsibility and awareness of its
duty.
In your relationship with club employees, don’t usurp the manager’s authority by
disciplining or asking special favors. Remember that disciplinary action should be
carried out through the club manager. Convey any complaints, to him or her
immediately. Any corrective action is only effective when initiated promptly.
The manager supervises or works closely with other executive personnel of the club,
such as the Sports and Games Manager or Polo and Equestrian Manager. In some
clubs these specialists may be more directly responsible to a specific committee,
although many clubs find that for efficiency it is preferable that they report to the
club manager.
The manager is responsible for the maintenance, care and cleanliness of the
clubhouse, and for general expenses and purchasing necessary in the operation of
the club. He or she sees that all decisions of the board are carried out.
The general manager form of operation has been adopted by many clubs. Under
this concept the basic flow of authority is from the board to the general manager to
all other employees. The general manager is completely responsible for all phases
of management and accountable to the board for the performance of the entire
management team. The club must have, in writing, the purpose, authority and
responsibility of every managers.
Objectives. The Manila Polo Club is a non-profit organization. It was formed primarily to
provide recreation, food and beverage to enhance the well-being of its proprietary and
associate members and secondarily, to cater to the member’s dependent’s and business
associates.
The club has a social conscience. It aims to contribute to nation-building by providing jobs not
only in terms of sports careers but also in the form of contractual jobs to young people who
otherwise would be idle and out in the streets.
The club goes one step further. It provides the more gifted and more determined of the
member’s dependent’s and the young opportunities to excel in the field of sports by allowing its
sports facilities to be utilized for national youth sports development programs. The club shall be
guided in all future activities by this policy.
Board of Directors. The corporate powers of the club, the management of its operations and
control of its properties are vested in a board of nine directors. These directors are elected by
the members at the annual meeting of the club. Each director must own in his own right, at the
time of his election, and during his term of office, a proprietary membership certificate.
Directors receives no salaries or fees as such.
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Officers. The board of directors elect from among themselves a President, a First and Second
Vice President, a Treasurer and Secretary, and may from time to time elect one or more
Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as it may deem proper.
Staff. The day to day operations of the club are undertaken by a staff of employees headed by
the club manager, who reports to the board of directors, through the President.
COMMITTEES
Committees are not policy-making bodies, but they can investigate and recommend
policies when they consider it necessary.
With the advice of the club manager, who comes in contact with more members
that an officer or director, the president can develop a list of those who have the
time to serve on committees, as well as the interest, optimism, knowledge of
certain subjects, flexibility, leadership characteristics, and a quality too often
overlooked – the ability to listen and be cooperative.
The club should have, in writing, the purpose and authority of every standing
committee. Otherwise, a committee might channel its efforts in the wrong
direction, or in no direction at all. Without written objectives, or a need to meet, a
committee might become a hindrance to the club operation. Committee members
with leadership potential might lose interest in serving the club.
Responsibilities and Authority. The Chairman is responsible for and has commensurate
authority to effect the fulfillment of his duties set forth below. In accordance with policy and
accepted procedure, the chairman may delegate appropriate portions of his responsibilities
together with the corresponding authority to the club manager, but he may not delegate nor
relinquish his overall responsibility for results or any portion of his accountability.
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Functions and Activities:
2. Security Committee
5. Publications Committee
6. Library Committee
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FUNCTIONS OF THE SPORTS AND GAMES
Primary Function. The Chairman is charged with the responsibility of promulgating (subject to
the approval of the board) policies relative to the continuous improvement of the food and
beverage service and ensuring that club standards of food and beverage preparation and
service are maintained at reasonable cost.
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e. Recommended to the board those applicants who, in the opinion of the Directorate
members, possess the qualifications, background, social standing, etc. to become
members of the club.
f. Make arrangements for a meeting between the board of directors and the applicants
recommended by the directorate, each applicant being accompanied by the sponsor.
g. Advise those applicants who have been elected to membership, depending on the
results of the regular membership meeting.
h. Furnish each new member a copy of the Article of Incorporation and Rules and
Regulations of the club.
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b. Recommend to the board of directors contracts for entertainment.
c. Ensure that all expenses for social activities are within the approved budget.
d. Coordinate with the FB Directorate Chairman all the necessary F&B requirements
concerning social activities.
In general, these committees are responsible for programs, rules, activities and
maintenance in their respective areas. Such committees are charged with
stimulating interest, informing members of the various activities under their
jurisdiction, administering prizes and trophies, and, in some cases, establishing
necessary rules of etiquette. They also are expected to keep well informed about
club activities and work closely with the managers.
These are the “GUIDELINES FOR CLUB ADMINISTRATION.” They are the principles
under which many successful clubs throughout the world operate.