August 2023 President's Letter
Jim Hoekwater | Published on 7/31/2023
Gentlemen,
There are two inserts in the August newsletter.
The first insert is a survey that has already been emailed to those with emails. If you have an email and have not received it, check your spam and junk email. If you can respond online, it will facilitate the summarization of the responses. If you do not have computer access or the acumen to reply online, use the paper copy enclosed. Mail the completed survey to Membership Chairman, Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, 48236 or bring to a luncheon meeting and give it to either the Treasurer (Dave Buckler) or Second Vice President (Dan Clark). Please respond no later than October first (also the due date of your 2024 dues).
A similar survey was done approximately two years ago, and the results reported by Jim Callahan in his June 2021 president’s letter:
• What prompted you to join the Men's Club?
o Respondents said: Speakers - 80% Chorale - 80% Camaraderie with fellow members - 60% Sub Clubs - 30% and Location of meetings 30%
• No one indicated displeasure with the Club or its activities.
• 75% wanted the present schedule of 2 meetings/ month to continue.
• 75% felt the dress code should remain of a jacket and tie with 25% suggesting Business Casual (Jacket, but no requirement of a tie)
• 70% wanted the present age requirement of 55 to remain.
We will use these survey results in planning and fabricating the Club's future. Thank you to all those members who participated in guiding our course ahead.
The second insert is your dues invoice of $50 for 2024. The dues have increased by $10 a year as announced in last month’s newsletter. It is worthwhile making note again of the remarkable tradition of Life Members to continue to pay their dues, even though not required. Thank you, Life Members! All members who are able are encouraged to include a nondeductible gift to the Club with their dues. It is not necessary to return the invoice unless you have a change to your directory information. Please note in the memo section of your check either dues or dues and contribution. In 2022, the last full fiscal year reported, dues of non-life members accounted for 35% of the Club’s revenue and 17% came from dues of Life Members, with the remaining 48% coming from sponsorships sold and voluntary contributions made by members.
Our Club is rich in traditions. We will continue to face challenges as opportunities, and respect traditions while surviving and flourishing.
Best Regards,
Jim Hoekwater