Success Factors in Private Clubs

Abstract

A survey of 574 members, managers, and board members of U.S. private clubs found agreement among those groups regarding the factors that promote the success of a club. Foremost were the following factors: Club managers must be committed to help the club attain its goals; the board allows managers to make day-to-day decisions; and club management must represent the "best interests" of the club. At the bottom of the scale were such factors as: The club seeks revenue sources from outside the membership; the club has reciprocity with other clubs; and the club serves as a selling vehicle for real estate. The factors proposed on the survey had been prescreened by a panel of club managers, yielding a list of 38 success factors. The prescreening undoubtedly contributed to the level of agreement found among the three groups regarding these factors.