Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/72380
Membership By Michelle Pinson, VP Membership & Marketing Because it's yours D o you remember the first time you experienced the WAC? I do. As a kid, I had the good fortune of visiting the Club with my friend and her mom, who had a business meeting here. Mrs. Straub thought it would be fun to treat us to a night at the WAC since we were already here, so Mary and I stayed safely ensconced in our WAC hotel room until her mom's meeting was over. Then we went to the pool and had a great dinner at the Club. As an 8-year-old, I had no frame of Michelle Pinson can be reached at 206.464.3092 or mpinson@wac.net. more than 30 years later I get to relive that experience every day. And so do you. The basic needs of connection, nurturing, fun and safety are all met within the walls of this Clubhouse. It's been that way since the doors opened, and it will continue to be that way. I am struck by the continuous evolution of this Club. We call it continuous improvement in our mission statement, and I marvel at the Club's ongoing ability to keep its history and tradition alive while continuously evolving to meet the needs of an active and contemporary membership. The bottom line is this: The WAC would not exist without reference for a private club, but a first impression was cemented into my memory: • I felt safe. • I felt comfortable. • The people were really nice. • I had a lot of fun. • I wanted to come back. Looking back, it seems remarkable that you. You have personally invested yourself and your hard- earned money to help create and enhance this community. The WAC exists because of you—enjoy it For WAC members, this is a very personal investment. You certainly have your choice of restaurants, your choice of fitness facilities, your choice of hotels and spas, and your choice of where to conduct business and socialize in this city. So why do you do it here? Because it's yours. You own it. You have a stake in it. You want it to thrive. For our part, as WAC leaders and team members, we must consistently and relentlessly strive to understand and provide the things you need. We work hard to connect you to the things that can help you most, and we make it our business to do that every day. Here's a glimpse at what your modest investment in your Club gets you. VALUE: You see this word a lot these days. What people valued before the recession has evolved in this post-recession world. To the discerning membership of the WAC, value means many things. Looking at the chart that accompanies this article, it's easy to see the value per dollar provided by the Club. The WAC is also always looking for ways to improve member value. Consider our Park & Save and early bird parking rates, our great prices for massages and other spa services, our member rates for stays at the Inn at the WAC, dining deals, recent upgrades to our Clubhouse's energy efficiency … the list goes on. 16 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | JULY 2012 LUKE RUTAN (3)