As We Give Thanks:

by Crystal Thomas, MCM, CHE

We all have so much to be thankful for Gratitude is something we are conscious of and probably spend more of our time thinking about in October and November as we celebrate Canadian and American Thanksgiving. In our clubs, we are grateful to our members, and show it on a regular basis, but are we grateful enough to our team members? Do we think our team is doing its absolute best, yet we may not take time to acknowledge them? Do you see areas in which the team can improve, but recognize that there are still many areas in which to give thanks?

Your team members are your club’s most valuable asset, and at the same time the human capital expense is likely your largest single expense. Are you capitalizing on your investment? Unquestionably there is a quantifiable link between the success of your club and team member performance and we know that consistent positive reinforcement of performance promotes even better team performance, which moves your club closer to its goals.

Team member recognition is an essential communication tool that reinforces and rewards the outcomes your team members create for your club. When you recognize people effectively, you reinforce the performance that you want to see repeated. An effective team member recognition system is universal, immediate, and powerfully reinforcing.

Management pays a heavy debt it if fails to recognize worthy services, supported by sincere acknowledgements! Gratitude and performance recognition, are important rewards for services and bedrock fundamentals for future growth and membership satisfaction.

There are many ways to express gratitude to your team. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Personally walk through your club and take time to say “thank you” for individual contributions and services.
    • Celebrate the great work that your team is doing with a quick celebratory get together.
    • Send a thank you card to your team members’ significant other saying “thank you” for sharing him/her with the club when long or unusual hours have been worked; send the card to the team member in the absence of a significant other.
    • Implement recognition programs (team member of the month/year; longevity awards; highest sales in a particular area; most improved, etc.).
    • Acknowledge milestones in your team members’ lives (birthdays, weddings, births, educational achievements, etc).
    • Send or give birthday cards to your team members.
    • Ask the team for input and then help the team to recognize the accomplishments of a team member.
    • Share the success of your team with your Board members and let your team members know you do this.
    • Bring each department together and personally deliver a message of gratitude.
    • Honor your team member’s worth by implementing team member appreciation programs (formal awards dinner, team member picnic).


    Management of a private club, “sowing the seeds” of gratitude and recognition for “worthy performance” by team members, cannot only be interpreted as a proper reward for services rendered, but an essential element in the development of a club, and without it, the club can neither become an effective operation or achieve its stated goals.  In the final analysis, they are synonymous terms, inseparably united for the growth and welfare of the club.

    Remember, it is how our team members deliver service to our members that really decide if we have a mediocre club operation or an operation of distinction.  Rewards and recognition create a win–win–win situation for the club, members and team members.  Team members will be eager to improve their service to the members, when they know how much they are truly appreciated.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

    This article was written by Crystal Thomas, MCM, CHE, Principal of Crystal Clear Concepts, Inc., which is a training and seminar company offering tools to focus on team and club success.