Leading: A New Direction

THE NATIONAL CLUB ASSOCIATION (NCA) was founded to advocate on behalf of private clubs, and for nearly 60 years, NCA has worked to help clubs deal with the legislative and regulatory issues affecting them most: taxation, public accommodation legislation, balancing the need for privacy with the realities of outside business, as well as helping clubs find the answers to myriad issues that can affect the industry’s future.

Recently NCA underwent a transformation to empower our government relations department and its advocacy activities. The first component was to emphasize ClubPAC, NCA’s political action committee. Four years ago, we only had $6,200 in ClubPAC funds. Since November 2015, ClubPAC has raised $156,000, contributed $69,000 to candidates who support issues pertinent to the private club community and has $93,000 on hand that we will use for the 2020 election cycle.

The second component is to become much more active in our lobbying activities, which is only achievable through a successful ClubPAC. This year, with the addition of Joe Trauger, NCA’s vice president of government relations, these efforts have already begun. We are advocating for passage of the “Personal Health Investment Today Act,” or PHIT Act, ensuring federal labor policy, such as minimum wage increases, joint employer and overtime regulations, reflect the concerns of the club community; reworking the “Waters of the U.S.” regulations to take into consideration the impact on golf operations; and monitoring state legislation and assisting local clubs in responding.

Most importantly, our lobbying efforts are more bipartisan than ever. For NCA to be successful lobbying on Capitol Hill, we need to have allies on both sides of the political aisle. Historically when NCA’s ClubPAC did support candidates, it was only Republican candidates. We have taken steps to remedy this. This election cycle we have a plan in place to give 40% of ClubPAC funds to Democrats, 55% of ClubPAC funds to Republicans, and have 5% in reserve.

This issue of Club Director is emblematic of our new bipartisan approach. Beginning with our unique cover story about the two party-affiliated private clubs in Washington, D.C. (the National Republican Club of Capitol Hill and the National Democratic Club), and how they work together—even when the current political environment makes it difficult for their members to do so. The National Republican Club of Capitol Hill is a longtime NCA member and I am proud to say that the National Democratic Club has joined NCA as well.

Lobbying isn’t a bad thing, nor is being a lobbyist—despite what you might hear in the media or from political candidates. Be proud that you have a voice in Washington. The nonpartisan Public Affairs Council recently conducted a survey of Capitol Hill staffers that said the best way to influence Congress is traditional in-person visits from lobbyists—75% said it was the most effective! This re-enforces why we have a full-time lobbyist on staff—and are unique in the club industry.

NCA’s new direction strengthens our ability to influence lawmakers, ClubPAC, and our outreach to a party that hasn’t heard from NCA. We look forward to having you on this new journey with us.

Henry Wallmeyer is NCA's president & CEO. He can be reached at wallmeyer@nationalclub.org.