President’s Column

I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve as the Missouri Athletic Club’s 106th President and excited to kick off what should be a great year. The Missouri Athletic Club has been an institution in the St. Louis community for over 100 years with camaraderie, fellowship, family, and tradition defining the spirit of the Club. The dedication of our staff and the generosity of our Members helped us endure the challenges of the global pandemic. Now we embark upon a time of celebration as life returns to normal and we have the ability to utilize our Club to the fullest. The energy at the Club is invigorating, and there has never been a better time to be a Member. Over the next year, I welcome the opportunity to get to know as many of you as possible and work alongside my fellow Governors, committee members, and our dedicated staff as we work to grow and strengthen our Club. Thank you to the outgoing senior class whose selfless service helped us navigate strict regulations, financial challenges, and the uncertainty borne from contending with COVID-19. Thank you, Dan (President Lett) for your leadership, your friendship, and your amazing sense of humor. Everyone will remember your legacy: keeping the Club’s spirit alive with two closed Clubhouses. Thank you, Nat (Governor Walsh), Jeff (Governor Moore), and Gene (Governor Frederick). Thank you for your energy and your willingness to lend your time and talents to support our Club. Your final year was marked by unprecedented challenges. The extra efforts you put forth to enhance the CSCs, Club Life and develop our Civic Engagement Task Force have helped create the excitement we currently see in the Club today. Without your leadership, we might not be here today! To Cheri (Governor McLaughlin), thank you and welcome back. Giving us another three years is above and beyond. To the newest Governors… welcome! Carter, Neal, Mark and Mark, I look forward to working with each one of you. We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I am confident you all will make a big impact on the Club. We just had a tremendous election with 10 Members stepping up to serve the Club. I am thrilled that all 10 candidates will be serving in some leadership capacity over the next year, a true testament to the collective group’s dedication. The Missouri Athletic Club history is unique. It’s completely different than any other club within our region. Over the next year, we will focus on Member Engagement, Member Recruitment, Facility Enhancements, and Staff Support utilizing the Strategic Framework developed over the last year to guide our initiatives moving forward which are needed to build upon our Club’s position of strength. Our dedication to providing premier service is our core guiding principle.

Member Engagement initiatives will focus on enhancing the Member experience as we look to provide additional amenities, enhance our reciprocal program, and explore possible new Club Life programs and strategic partnerships. Key to growing our Club is an engaged Member base advocating for our Club’s unique points of differentiation.

Member Recruitment initiatives will focus on diversifying our membership while embracing our strong Civic Leadership roots. In May, we officially kicked off our brand strategy work with Bigwidesky, a small St. Louis consultancy. The work will help us achieve our ambitions through the creation of a formal marketing plan highlighting our premier image and providing a common voice that can be communicated to our membership and beyond.

Facilities Enhancements includes continued investment behind capital projects while defining a future vision for each Clubhouse including exploring the benefits of a facilities master plan. Our resources are limited, but our commitment to supporting our Members’ demands is unwavering.

Staff Support initiatives will focus on investing in our staff, enhancing employee engagement as well as retention, and defining a strong succession plan. Our staff differentiates us from all other Clubs within the region, and we are dedicated to ensuring their success. We will provide updates on key initiatives. I owe you all transparent, proactive communication about our successes as well as our challenges. Our membership base is strong and growing. In May, we approved 49 new Memberships. There is a buzz of excitement when you walk into the Clubhouses. But we are not without our challenges. Currently, we are contending with challenges filling some staff vacancies. If you know someone looking to join an organization that values and supports their staff, please recommend them to the Missouri Athletic Club. Finally, I wanted to take this opportunity to honor Past President Kim Tucci. Two years ago, he graciously offered to run my campaign even as he battled cancer. Because of the Club, I was able to get to know him, but sadly, it was in his final days. In that time, he provided me with advice and encouragement that have been constant sources of inspiration. All of us that knew him, admired him, and my goal this year is to follow the example he set through his lifetime of selfless service. If you see me around the Club, make sure you sure stop me and engage me. I’m excited for the future of the Missouri Athletic Club, and proud to tell everyone I am a Member of this premier Club.

Respectfully yours,

Angie Minges, President Missouri Athletic Club