A Diverse Membership and Service Team in a World-Class Facility

Since its founding by 51 American businessmen in 1928, the Tokyo American Club (TAC), a Boardroom Distinguished Club, has been a social nexus in Tokyo.

Just as the Japanese capital has developed over the decades, so has the club. It's now home to more than 4,000 members and their families from over 60 countries. In addition, the club's staff is drawn from more than 40 nations.

While this club's members are extremely proud of its world-class facilities, they are even prouder of the thousands of friendships the club has helped to build among members. Without a doubt, it is the hub of international exchange in this incredibly dynamic and cosmopolitan city.

This club is spectacular!

Aside from its storied history in Tokyo's international community, it has strong links with every area of business and culture in the city – and even Japanese royalty. With such status, TAC's members demand and deserve the best, which is why they hired world-leading architects Pelli Clarke Pelli to design the current clubhouse (the architects of the Salesforce Towers in Chicago and San Francisco, as well as designers of some of the world's tallest buildings and other major urban landmarks).

Their home never fails to impress first-time visitors and potential members. When the club unveiled the facility in 2011, the McMahon Group described it as "light years ahead of its U.S. counterparts" and "as quite possibly the finest private club facility in the world."

The TAC has had a few homes over the decades but has been based in Azabudai, next to the Russian Embassy since the 1950s ... a location very close to some of Tokyo's must-see places, including the Tokyo Tower, a landmark in the city with panoramic views over Tokyo.

Nearby is Zozo Temple, which was once the family temple of the shogun. Further away are the beautiful Japanese Hamarikyu Gardens (founded in 1946), a landscaped garden with its own teahouse next to a pond. A feudal lord originally owned the land of the club's current home hundreds of years ago.

This club has the finest dining venues, casual to formal, and private event venue space. In addition, it offers members and guests squash, bowling, golf, gymnasium, guest studios for overnight accommodations, kids athletic programing, a spa, beauty salon, library and an extensive wine cellar.

With its iconic glass-domed roof, the club's rooftop swimming pool , the Sky Pool, really is a jewel, particularly when lit at night. With its views of nearby Tokyo Tower, one member (and keen swimmer) described it as the best pool he had ever used. On a clear day (winter is particularly good), you can even see the snowcapped peak of Mount Fuji in the distance from the pool. The Winter Garden, a bright, open-plan lounge in the heart of the club, is the other spot that naturally draws people.

The TAC sees its relationship with Tokyo and the Japanese community as crucial. The club is a conduit through which its members forge bonds and the local community. For decades, members have raised funds through sales drives and other events to support local charities, including children's homes and homeless shelters, counseling services, and women's support organizations.

Through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, its members have been particularly active in their support of nonprofits, helping those hit hardest by the crisis. Their most recent recipient of funds is an organization that supports canteens for children and families who face serious food challenges.

As an American club, U.S. celebrations are a cornerstone of the club's culture and are very popular, not just with their American members but with members representing numerous other countries. The TAC has many Japanese members, for example, who have lived in the U.S. and continue to enjoy and experience the customs they experienced while abroad.

Independence Day and Thanksgiving Dinner always draw large crowds, as does the annual "bonenkai" (忘年会) (pictured below), a Japanese year-end party to forget the woes and troubles of the past year, complete with live entertainment, adult libations, and food stations located across the club. It's a wonderful chance for the TAC community to come together and wrap up the year.

For many decades, the club was often the only place in Tokyo to get authentic American cuisine. While Tokyo is arguably the best city in the world for food, the club's most popular dishes are American classics such as a Reuben sandwich, meatloaf and prime rib. At the other end of the culinary spectrum, the club's talented team of chefs and culinary experts regularly craft cuisine to pair with winemaker-hosted dinners.

The TAC is fortunate to have a dedicated management team and volunteer leadership with a strong respect for each other. Jesse Green, the club's president (or representative governor) grew up at the club and therefore has a strong loyalty and personal link to the club and community.

He has experienced the good, the bad and, no doubt, the controversial over the years. He's keen to help the club emerge from the pandemic even stronger and use the opportunity to reinforce a sense of community. The general manager, Darrin Morrish (pictured right), remains focused on and has successfully established a close working relationship with the president and the board to set key objectives for the year ahead.

Everyone is eager to source and retain quality talent on their teams. At the TAC, employees are allowed discounts at the club's retail and wine store. The staff also enjoys access to the club library and receives monetary awards as part of a recognition program and for long service.

Staff members also can take part in a club-supported business program and overseas training and development. However, great pay and health insurance just aren't enough anymore; clubs must become creative and use their resources and membership amenities to give "one of a kind" benefits to the staff without a negative impact on the membership.

More than ever, communication and leadership are what potential employees will look at when considering joining any club or organization.

"There is a lot of talk about the great resignation, but eventually people will need to return to work or perhaps broaden their fields, and if the club has clear directions and goals, I am confident this will put us ahead of our competitors," explained GM Morrish.

"Retaining great staff members is always said to be easier than finding them. However, looking at societal trends, with more emphasis on personal choice, it's going to be even more important to listen to people and identify what is working and what is not, then adjust accordingly," Morrish added.

Being a BoardRoom Distinguished Club is to be recognized for being the best of the best. It is the ultimate merit-based recognition program for private clubs of all types and sizes. There are currently 200 in the U.S. and two internationally.

"Being a Distinguished Club, it is always rewarding to be part of something bigger and being part of this exclusive group of best-in-class clubs is something that I would like to tap into more over the coming year and beyond," Morrish emphasized.

"The way we all go about our daily lives has been turned upside-down in many cases. However, in general, clubs seem to be doing better than most. This clearly shows the members' desire for community and engagement in a safe and secure environment," he concluded. BR

Ronald Banaszak, CCM, CCE, BoardRoom Distinguished Clubs, Executive Vice President of International Business Development and may be reached at (415) 420-5183 or via email: [email protected].