The American Club 2022/2023 Annual Report
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OUR MISSION We are in the happiness business, striving to enrich the lives of our Members, staff, guests and partners through fun, food, fitness and family, delivered with passion and pride. OUR CORE VALUES Safety . Respect . Integrity OUR VISION To create a vibrant community with a distinct American culture; a place that families can proudly call their home away from home.
THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 2022 / 2023
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CONTENTS
04
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
06
MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER
08
GENERAL COMMITTEE
09
THE SENIOR MANAGERS
10
YEAR IN REVIEW
36
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
48
FINANCIAL REPORT
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Adam Radicic President of The American Club Singapore
THE YEAR PAST O ur Club thrived this past fiscal year both because of our passionately loyal Members who have been using the Club increasingly more and exceptionally dedicated Team Members who continue to deliver an impressively high level of service. While the year has not been without challenges, as we have experienced significant turnover at the General Manager (GM) level, the Club, our Members, and our Team Members have collectively proven that our Club has the depth of experience required, with others stepping up when needed, to keep our Club running smoothly. We bid farewell to Rick in February 2023 as our previous GM and were fortunate to have Dan to assist as our Acting GM through July 2023. Now we are benefiting from (and enjoying!) Robert’s extensive experience as our Interim GM. Rest assured, the General Committee (GC) views the topic of the Club’s leadership as being critically important to the long-term health and overall success of the Club and we look forward to sharing additional updates over the next few months on this topic. The GC also has improved upon its governance structure and processes by finalizing and approving a five-year Strategic Plan, updating
how Ad-hoc Committees are formed, managed and reported back to the GC, aligning the talents and expertise of our Standing Committee Chairs with their chosen roles, and incorporating feedback loops between our Team Members and GC to improve the overall effectiveness of our unique working relationship. Lastly, we recently formed the Technology Ad-hoc Committee (TAHC) and the Club welcomed, for the first time, Gideon as our Club’s full-time Information Technology Assistant Director. We are optimistic that this next year will bring some long-overdue “smart” technological improvements which will help ensure our Club remains current in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. While there is always room for improvement in any organization, and the GC remains committed to the same, I can confidently and proudly report that your GC is extremely focused on governing in a transparent manner with the Club’s best interests as our sole priority. To our Members, it has been a busy year for our countless volunteers. Thank you to those who volunteer and serve on our various Committees. Member volunteers are a critical part of the feedback cycle and help our GM and Team
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DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
approximately 3,600 Member accounts with over 11,000 users, I know this may seem a somewhat intangible and challenging goal. Nevertheless, the GC is up to the challenge, excited about the year ahead, and committed to ensuring our Club remains both a destination of choice for our Members and an employer of choice for our Team Members. To quote Dr. Jane Goodall, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Let’s all strive to be a positive influence in each other’s lives for the year ahead.
Members constantly improve all aspects of the Club’s operations. I encourage all of our Members to seek out opportunities to volunteer and “give back” to the Club in your chosen area of interest. Also, thank you to those that have taken time to attend as guests at our GC meetings. You have witnessed firsthand the passionate dedication of your elected representatives. THE YEAR AHEAD Looking forward, our “home away from home” has a busy year ahead. Members will be voting to potentially approve a large-scale project to renovate the outdoor area around the pool and Grillhouse (but not the pool itself), and the GM has been diligently working on plans to renovate Essentials. The GC is prioritizing and evaluating other tactical-level projects which we hope will come to fruition within the next six months. I have challenged each of our GC Members and Chairs of our Standing Committees to bring new ideas to the table which will improve our Members’ overall experience – and they are delivering some great ideas for the GC’s consideration. Lastly, while the Club has successfully brought membership back to a healthy level following the redevelopment andpandemic, we are now focused on the more nuanced, experiential goal of offering all of our Members a more inclusive “home away from home” Club experience. Considering we have
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MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER
Alex Elkies Treasurer of The American Club Singapore
GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH In February 2023, Membership level reached a peak strength of 3,602. Singapore remains to be a preferred expat destination in Asia with its low taxes, adept handling of the pandemic and high quality of life. China remained closed at the beginning of FY2023 and was still grappling with a series of pandemic lockdowns. Because of this, among other factors, Singapore saw a robust number of expat relocations from Hong Kong, fueling a roaring demand for all types of memberships. Leading the way in the top revenue contributors were the food & beverage outlets that generated strong revenue with usage of 76%. Together with The Gourmet Pantry, Food & Beverage generated a total revenue of $15.77 million, an improvement of 20% over $13.19 million in FY2022. Membership comes in as the second highest revenue contributor with 450 new Members joining during the year. The Club also successfully admitted the remaining Members under the limited release of 15 Non-transferrable Associate Members, bringing in a total of $7.5 million in entrance fees.
On behalf of the Executive and General Committees, I am pleased to present the Annual Report for the Financial Year 2023 (FY2023).
RECOVERY JOURNEY Shortly after FY2023 started, COVID-19 restrictions were finally lifted and as a result, the Club quickly recovered through increased usage, higher covers, continuous demand for membership and an overall vigorous appetite for Club offerings. Riding the wave of recovery, the Club achieved a record number of covers, 718,420, surpassing the 682,282 in FY2015 pre-redevelopment. The same trend was evident in monthly spend, resulting in 7.4% improvement in Total Income versus FY2022. The underlying operating profit improvement was offset by the loss of Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) government support of $1.6 million, as well as the energy rate spike which increased costs by a further $1.6 million. The loss of income and significant increase in utility costs resulted in an operating loss for the year of $1.08 million before bonuses.
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The energy rate hike from July 2022 was a significant cost issue. From $0.145/kWh in FY2022 to $0.441/kWh in FY2023, utility costs increased from $1.11 million to $2.72 million which significantly impacted the financial result for the year. OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE The challenges and uncertainties in FY2023 are likely to continue well into FY2024. The GC and Management hold a world-class Member experience of paramount importance and therefore have prioritized talent acquisition, clubhouse upgrades and new offerings balanced with stringent cost control and overall fiscal prudence. The Club is made up of people who live and work to create a community. This community spirit will help us to meet these challenges and continue to provide an improved membership experience at an affordable cost.
Completing the top three revenue contributors is Fitness & Leisure with notable earning improvements from both the Aquatics and Tennis sections, generating a total revenue of $3.59 million, 17% higher than last year.
CHALLENGES The strong economic recovery came with some significant challenges. The prolonged Russia- Ukraine war, as well as regional political tensions, are continuously triggering a series of undesirable challenges such as high inflation, supply chain disruption and energy price hikes. Locally, businesses had to tackle a tight labor market, layoffs in various industries, and significant upward price pressures in both cost of goods and wages. The recovery in Club usage coupled with the manpower shortage was a two-fold hurdle from a service perspective. With Singapore’s low unemployment rate and reliance on foreign workers, the Club resorted to employing casual labor to augment the lack of manpower. This resulted in service challenges across all outlets – the control of which will continue to be a Management focus in FY2024. The General Committee (GC) and Management are keeping payroll management as a priority. This is a balancing act between incentivizing long-serving employees and hiring the best possible talent while maintaining payroll cost at a sustainable level.
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GENERAL COMMITEE
Adam Radicic President
Jennifer Trounson Secretary
Jill Morgenroth Vice President
Alex Elkies Treasurer
Alex Zecha Member at Large
Christina Maynes Member at Large
Greg Tanner Member at Large
Jay Jobanputra Member at Large
Lauren Ullman Member at Large
Landy Eng Member at Large
Marcella Sullivan Member at Large
Tessa Pang Member at Large
Ashok K. Lalwani American Association of Singapore Representative
Tania Lindsay Jean American Women’s Association Representative
Kim Norman Canadian Association of Singapore Representative
Col Russ Corwin US Embassy Representative
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THE SENIOR MANAGERS
Robert Bird General Manager
Angie Ng Senior Director of Finance
Mylene Soh Director of People Development
Rachel Ang Director of Membership & Marketing
Nerang Mohammad Director of Facilities & Security
Eleen Yap Director of Retail Services
Mark James Director of Youth, Fitness & Leisure
Julie Zul Assistant Director of Corporate Services
Anthony Pabalan Assistant Director of Member Services
Gideon Tan Assistant Director of Information Technology
Duxbury Low Acting Director of Food & Beverage
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MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP SUMMARY
Singapore remains to be a top expat destination in South East Asia and The American Club continued to capitalize on healthy expat arrivals for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). Membership level grew from strength to strength despite the strong competition for the consumer dollar. In the face of global challenges like shortage of manpower, soaring prices, geopolitical tensions and layoffs, Management and Team Members worked harder to cope and have achieved remarkable success. 80% of Members are satisfied with their overall Club experience and 80% would recommend a friend to be a Member^. These results are up 4 points and 2 points respectively from the previous year. 88% are satisfied with our Team Members’ service, a true testament to the unparalleled hospitality born out of the One Team, One Club spirit.
At the end of FY2023, membership strength was at 3,558 with 450 new Members . Entrance Fees collected was $7.5 million, which includes revenue recognition of 15 Limited Release Associate Membership from FY2022.
TERM MEMBERSHIP WAITLIST The Member Referral Program has boosted the Club’s membership level, providing much needed replenishment into the capital reserves. The record- high demand for Term Membership^, largely brought about by Hong Kong expat arrivals, paved the way for the achievement of peak membership strength of 3,602 in February 2023. In order to preserve the world-class Member experience, the General Committee voted to create a waitlist for Term Membership, starting January 2023. This policy aims to regulate the enrollment of short-term Members, hence, maintaining a positive experience for both Members and employees. As of this writing, the waitlist remains open and this policy will be reviewed by the Membership Committee as it deems appropriate.
^Term Membership refers to the non-US, non- Canadian, non-Singaporean membership category that is subject to renewal on a yearly basis.
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BACK TO LIVE
FY2023 saw the rollback of all safe management measures and many Club activities have since returned to live, face- to-face format. To welcome new Members, the New Member Orientation (NMO) came back into The Galbraith Ballroom in a breakfast and cocktail mixer set-up. Our new Members are introduced to the Club by the Management and Committee Members in a fun and interactive way. The NMO is also a great way to meet new Members and Committee Members to find out about volunteer opportunities at the Club. Another event that marked the new normal is the Niche Group Elite Party. After a two-year hiatus, the Elite Party made a comeback in February 2023. Elite Members partied the night away in a 1920s theme, Prohibition Era: Western Glitz Meets Eastern Glam. Everyone came in their best cheongsam or flapper ensemble and prizes were given to Mr Ang Peng Chye for Best Dressed Male and Ms Amy Talwar for Best Dressed Female. In addition to the party, Elite Members also received their exclusive gift. Elite Members had a choice between a Coffee Set, which consisted of a Bodum French Press, and pack of specialty coffee grounds or the newly-launched TAC Gin. These are just some of the exclusive privileges of Elite Members.
New Member Orientation (NMO)
Elite Party: Western Glitz Meets Eastern Glam
Elite Exclusive: Coffee Set
Elite Exclusive: TAC Gin
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74TH ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BIRTHDAY BASH
The American Club knows how to rock ‘n’ roll and we showed everyone how it is done during the Club’s 74th Birthday Bash. From Elvis to KISS to Madonna, it was a star- studded event, complete with a Harley- Davidson photobooth. Food and rock music flowed from the Club’s restaurants. Soft Rock music performed by Leandra Lane at The 2nd Floor, complete with a giant grazing board and western favorites. Pop Rock hits performed by Shirlyn + The UnXpected filled The Galbraith Ballroom, matched only by the succulent live carving station. Whether you like loud music or not, the music at the Union Bar was definitely Hard Rock. The Rock Rosettes performed through the night and the music and fun vibrated throughout the Union Bar and beyond.
PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY
The American Club is part of the American and Canadian communities in Singapore. Through our sister organizations, we foster a sense of camaraderie by participating in business and cultural activities, and support various causes. The American Club had a membership table and food booth at the Singapore American School International Fair in February 2023. Eli and friends were also present in the American Association of Singapore’s annual 4th of July celebration at the Marina Barrage and Toys for Tots event in December. The American Club also supports the American Women’s Association by being the venue sponsor for its annual Welcome Back Fair in August 2022.
American Association of Singapore 4th of July Celebration
Singapore American School International Fair
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MARKE T ING & COMMUNICAT IONS
Transparency, accuracy and timely delivery of messages are the hallmarks of integrity in communication. From safety messages to General Manager and Committee announcements or simple broadcast of happenings in the Club, the Marketing & Communications team strives to deliver fresh and precise communication to Members and Team Members in the most relevant mediums.
Living in a digital world, most brand discovery occurs on the web and social media. The Club continues to invest in enhancing its digital arsenal to elevate Member engagement and brand discovery. The website remains to be a top priority as it is the main destination for existing and potential Members. Investments have been made to improve functionality, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and content strategy.
WEBSITE LAUNCH AND IMPROVEMENTS
On July 14, 2022, the Club successfully launched its new website, which received positive feedback for its sleek design and enhanced functionality, resulting in an improved user experience. Following the launch, the Club made significant improvements to the Events Calendar by implementing a user-friendly filter system and color-coded event categories, further enhancing the overall user experience. Over the course of the fiscal year 2023 (FY2023), the Club made continuous improvements to its website. These include revamping the News page to create a neater and more visually appealing layout.
Events Calendar as of June 2023
AMPLIFYING THE CLUB’S BRAND VISIBILITY
WEBSITE TRAFFIC AND ENGAGEMENT
Throughout the year, the Club’s website traffic across all tracked sources – Organic, Direct, Social and Referral grew steadily. As a result of the ongoing SEO efforts, Organic traffic grew exponentially by 49.6% over the course of FY2023. Direct traffic also experienced a healthy growth rate of 9.7% year-to-date.
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SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
With a new content strategy in place, the Club’s ongoing SEO efforts yielded impressive results. The Club articles ranked on page one of the Google Search Engine Results Page (SERP). Additionally, the Club achieved a higher ranking in the Google SERP Local Pack, enhancing its online visibility and discoverability among web users.
The American Club ranking as number one on the Google SERP Local Pack
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS Instagram led the pack as the Club’s fastest growing social platform with 36.1% increase in followers. This is followed by LinkedIn with 8.7% and Facebook by 5.2%. Additionally, the Club experienced a robust overall engagement rate of 20.9% across its three social media channels. An optimized strategy, encompassing content, frequency and format were contributing factors to this success. One example was the collaboration with social media influencers which expanded the Club’s reach to a broader audience.
36.1% 8.7%
5.2%
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS MEDIA LUNCH To further flex the Club’s social media muscles, an All-American lunch was hosted for six handpicked influencers with a targeted niche following. The 2nd Floor Executive Chef Ken Lim and Pastry Chef Yeni Sukowani designed a special menu which included a dessert buffet table featuring classic American desserts such as American Strawberry Shortcake, Oreo Peanut Butter Tart, and Lemon Meringue Tart. Each social media influencer posted their Club and dining experience on their respective social media platforms, expanding the Club’s digital reach. This campaign generated over $10,000 worth of digital advertising value.
Social Media Influencers at The 2nd Floor
Pulled Pork Slider with Avocado and Pickled Onion
Berries Trifle Shooter
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ENGAGING EMAIL CAMPAIGNS Electronic Direct Mailers (EDMs) are one of the Club’s most effective communication touchpoints. Regular EDMs include What’s On every Tuesday, Notes from the General Manager (formerly Coates Notes) on Thursdays and the monthly President’s Letter, just to name a few. Open rates have grown from strength to strength ranging from 55% to 65%, a true testament to the Club’s commitment to an effective and high quality Member engagement. Special celebrations call for thematic EDMs that highlight exclusive events and offerings. From the Club’s Birthday Bash to the year-end festivities and Spring Festival, these dedicated EDMs enjoy an impressive open rate of 59% and above.
MEDIA PUBLICATIONS Media partnerships are an effective way to reach a broader audience within the expat community. Expat Living enjoys high readership in both digital and printed formats and two advertorials were published in February and April 2023. In these articles, Club Members tell the story of their move to Singapore and how The American Club became their home away from home. These stories aim to inspire readers to book a Club tour and see what the Club has to offer. Media partnerships also aim to boost brand awareness and recall, supporting Member acquisition efforts. In addition to media publications, the Club’s sister organizations are also a fertile space to cultivate leads. The Club has a presence in the respective publications and social platforms of American Association of Singapore (AAS), American Women’s Association (AWA), American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS), and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CanCham).
Expat Living April 2023 Magazine
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ANNUAL MEMBER SATISFACTION SURVEY
improved overall satisfaction and an increased likelihood of Member referrals compared to the previous year. Members expressed higher satisfaction in various aspects, including the Club’s quality, value for money, spaces, and housekeeping. Additionally, respondents appreciated the improved communication about Club events and happenings, leading to greater satisfaction with the range of Club-wide events in 2022.
In February of every year, the Club issues its Annual Member Satisfaction Survey, an important barometer of the Club’s performance in the areas of amenities, service and overall value. This year’s results showed marked improvements from last year. 80% of the membership were satisfied with the overall quality of the Club (+4 points vs last year), 80% would recommend a friend to be a Member (+2 points) and 88% were satisfied with the level of service that they receive from various outlets (+15 points). Areas of improvement were the Club’s Food and Beverage service and value for money, and the range and quality of Youth enrichment classes. FOSTERING GOODWILL IN THE COMMUNITY Organized in collaboration with AAS, AWA, AmCham and CanCham, this initiative aims to celebrate members of respective organizations who have made significant contributions to Singapore through community service. This year’s awardees are Yen-Lu Chow, for his work with Over- The-Rainbow which aims to promote mental wellness as a top life priority; Ronald and Janet Stride, for their work with Food from the Heart which aims to alleviate hunger through food distribution programs; and Kim Underhill, for her work with SHE BRILLIANCE, a movement created for women to aspire towards a purposeful life. The event was held at The Galbraith Ballroom in April 2023 and was attended by US Ambassador to Singapore, His Inthe2022AnnualMemberSatisfactionSurvey, the Club received positive feedback with
Excellency Jonathan Kaplan, and High Commissioner for Canada to Singapore, His Excellency Jean- Dominique Ieraci, who presented the awards to the winners.
Winners, guests-of-honor – High Commissioner for Canada to Singapore, His Excellency Jean-Dominique Ieraci, and US Ambassador to Singapore, His Excellency Jonathan Kaplan – and partners of the CSA 2023
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FOOD & BEVERAGE
REVENUE AND COVERS The Food & Beverage Department at the Club achieved remarkable success in fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). The department’s overall revenue surpassed expectations, exceeding the budget by 12% and surpassing the previous fiscal year by 20%. With an all-time high revenue of $15.8
million, the Club broke the previous record set in FY2013 by an impressive 13%. Additionally, the Club came close to breaking the covers record, also set in FY2013, indicating a strong patronage of dining establishments.
MENU CHANGES AND NEW OFFERINGS Throughout the year, the Club successfully implemented two menu changes at each of its four restaurants. This strategic approach allowed the Club to introduce a total of 264 new items through monthly limited time offers across all outlets. These additions have significantly enhanced the dining experience for our valued Members, such as a diverse and exciting range of culinary options to choose from.
Tradewinds March 2023 Special: Cold Soba Noodle Salad
Union Bar February 2023 Special: Sloppy Joe
Grillhouse April 2023 Special: Butterfly Blue Pea Nasi Lemak
The 2nd Floor January 2023 Special: Kuala Negroni
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PEOPLE In terms of Team Members, the Club made significant changes and additions to its Culinary team. Chef Ken Lim was promoted to lead the kitchen at The 2nd Floor and the Club also welcomed Chef Tan Leng Chuan, who took over the Central Production Kitchen. Furthermore, to enhance stewarding functions, the Club brought many of these tasks back in- house. Additionally, Duxbury Low was promoted to Assistant Director, demonstrating his commitment and contribution to the department. The Club also hired a replacement for the Retail and Member Services Manager role, ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in operations.
Culinary Team
BANQUET AND EVENTS The Club’s Banquet department achieved outstanding results in various areas. The department witnessed record sales of Mooncakes, reaching $54,000 compared to the previous year’s $36,000. Festive Takeaway sales were very strong, amounting to $644,000. The Club successfully relaunched its monthly themed brunch series at The Galbraith Ballroom, introducing exciting new events such as the Adult Halloween Party, Pumpkin Patch, and Masterclasses featuring Japanese Whisky, California Wines with a Master Sommelier, and Sake Tasting with a Certified Sake Master. Additionally, the Club’s Guest Chef Program welcomed renowned culinary experts from Decker BBQ, ADDA Modern Indian Restaurant, Lime House, and Nar Gusto. Furthermore, the Club hosted two pop-ups, featuring bubble tea and frozen yogurt, which were well-received by Members.
Halloween at the Club
Grillhouse Takeover by Lime House
The Club also initiated a partnership with the US Trade Commission at the Embassy, hosting four
successful events with more to come in FY2024.
TAC Mooncakes Set
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DINING AND RETAIL The Club’s Food & Beverage and Retail outlets introduced numerous exciting initiatives and offerings in FY2023. Central launched bottled cold brew and added a range of meat pies to the pastry case. Additionally, the Club rolled out 67 new types of salads for the salad counter. The Central Production Kitchen implemented a new burger meat supplier, ensuring the highest quality hamburgers throughout the Club.
Bottled Cold Brew
Soft-serve Ice Cream Promotion
Hanukkah Brunch
Grillhouse introduced soft-serve ice cream and a new line of slushies, while implementing a craft beer program with a flat rate of $8 for all bottles and cans.
Tradewinds reinstated buffets, hosted a Hanukkah Brunch for the first time, and introduced 16” pizzas in September 2022.
The 2nd Floor successfully launched a new bar menu and initiated the Ladies Who Lunch series, which proved to be a popular event, consistently selling
out. Additionally, Sunday Brunches were relaunched, offering a delightful dining experience for Members.
The award-winning The 2nd Floor restaurant
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Union Bar made substantial efforts to enhance its whisky program, introducing monthly promotions on premium whiskies and implementing Whiskey Wednesdays, featuring a rotating selection of premium pours at attractive prices. The extension of operating hours for major sporting events received positive feedback from Members.
NFL Live Screening at Union Bar
The Gourmet Pantry maintained strong numbers, boasting an impressive 91% retention rate among subscribers to Uncorked, the wine program, and achieving a 10% year-on-year growth. The Club continued to expand its gourmet food program, introducing new cheeses from the US and additional raw proteins. Festive merchandise and food sales also played a significant role in the department’s sales performance. Furthermore, the Club proudly launched TAC private label wine and gin, and reintroduced Saturday afternoon in-store tasting sessions.
Uncorked program
PROCESSES AND MEMBER SATISFACTION
Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, an accomplishment that occurs every three years. The auditors were impressed by the Club’s system and requested to use it as a case study for best practices with their other clients. This recognition further validates the Club’s
commitment to ensuring exceptional experiences and satisfaction for its valued Members.
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F I TNESS & LE ISURE
Fitness & Leisure is one of the top reasons why Members join the Club. Our team of seasoned professionals strives to create a program that is effective and relevant, enabling Members to achieve their fitness goals.
NEW FITNESS PROGRAMS During the fiscal year, the Gym & Recreation team introduced six new and exciting Group Fitness classes to meet the rising need of different demographics and interests. These classes include Barre Fusion, BOSU ball training and Body Art.
Barre Fusion
BOSU ball training
Body Art
STATE-OF -THE-ART EQUIPMENT
To keep the Gym up to date, the Club introduced new equipment such as Free Motion treadmills, a leverage back row and a pectoral fly machine. Additionally, in keeping up with the latest technology, the Vitruvian Trainer+, which is a smart equipment that uses computer algorithms to produce automatic, adaptive resistance, was introduced.
Free Motion Treadmills
Pectoral Fly Machine
Leverage Back Row
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NEW PERSONAL TRAINERS To ensure Members receive high quality guidance to achieve their fitness goals, the Club expanded its team of personal trainers by adding two experienced freelancers. The Club sought out individuals with diverse expertise and styles to cater to different Member needs.
Customized class by Personal Trainer
NEW TENNIS PROS Two new guest tennis professionals were introduced to add a variety of drills and playing skills to selected days of the Club’s programs – Coach Ezequiel Suarez from Argentina and Coach Muliyadi Jamal from Malaysia. Coach Ezequiel, who is also a certified Padel coach, will be assisting in the Junior Tennis Program and coaching Padel in the future. Coach Muliyadi was former tennis director at One & Only Desaru Malaysia, a former Davis Cup player, and Captain of the Malaysian National team. To date, the Club has six full-time and four part-time Peter Burwash International (PBI) professionals on its Tennis coaching team.
Coach Ezequil Suarez
Coach Muliyadi Jamal
TENNIS ACTIVITIES Tennis was back in full swing to what it was before the pandemic. The tournaments and mixed socials were popular events and were well-attended by Members. The Club ran eight tournaments, including juniors and adults, and started the monthly Friday Sip & Serve Mixed Social. Three teams were sent for the Singapore Tennis Association (STA) Inter-club Tournament, achieving a good run
for the Men’s C category. The Club’s tennis programs had 95% participation during the Fall and Spring Terms with 152 on the waitlist.
Adult Doubles Championship
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EXCLUSIVE SWIMMING PROGRAM
Water polo is a newly introduced program that has created a strong following with the Junior Members participating in numerous training sessions during a four-term season. Due to its popularity, three main competitions are run over a season, bringing the community together to compete during a weekend of water polo. This past financial year has followed the previous seasons with increases of 19% to revenue, year on year. The growth of programs has resulted in a reflection of a growing revenue base as Aquatics programs continue to deliver fun and exciting programs curated by our experienced Team Members, resulting in positive Member experiences.
The American Club is home to the only SwimAmerica program in Southeast Asia, a national learn-to-swimprogram that is designed and operated by the American Swimming Coaches Association. Three Team Members from Aquatics – Greg Fasala, Zack Leong and Hariz Zailani – possess the Director status of the SwimAmerica program in Singapore. This qualification has helped the Club secure its spot as the premier provider of the SwimAmerica program in Asia. Along with year-on-year increases in all programs, the participation in Learn to Swim and Junior Member activities is a testament to the Aquatics team’s excellence and dedication. The introduction of Junior Development squads branching out from the Learn to Swim program has become a consistent pathway. Starter groups follow this natural progression as swimmers strive to reach their slightly older and more experienced teammates. T he Masters squad has also increased in participation over the fiscal year with a core group of consistent swimming Members. A 15-strong adult group that covers two- kilometer swims several times a week makes up this social group. These masters training sessions are usually followed by a social gathering at Grillhouse.
Coach Greg with a Masters swimmer
Water polo practice by Coach Marc
RAINY WEATHER Despite the Aquatics and Tennis programs being well-received by our Members, there was a slight drop in overall revenue, primarily attributed to the adverse effects of rainy weather. The inclement weather conditions affected regular class schedule, impacting attendance and overall revenue.
Serangoon Gardens Country Club 34th Age Group Competition
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SÊN SPA
Beauty and wellness are two areas that have been in the spotlight. Particularly among urban dwellers, self-care is essential in living a full and happy life.
WELLNESS AND SELF -CARE All-time favorite guest therapist from California, Julian Eymann, has returned to the Club, by popular demand. His unique style of deep tissue massage and trigger point therapy helped alleviate aches, neck pain, frozen shoulders, lower back pain and sciatic nerve issues.
Guest Therapist Julian Eymann
STAYING CURRENT In November 2022, the Spa team leaders attended Cosmoprof Asia, a leading international beauty trade show, at Singapore Expo. A myriad of booths from different countries showcased new products and technologies for beauty, hair and nails. It was an eye-opening experience for the attendees. Senior Hair Stylist, Edward Tsen, who has worked at sên Spa for nine years, flew to Tokyo in March 2023 to attend a five-day Aveda brand immersion course. Through salon tours, he learned the techniques of displaying products to facilitate retail sales and achieve a positive brand image. Besides technical workshops, Edward also attended a runway event featuring APAC and global hair artists, lan Michael Black and Masa Honda, which has inspired him to be more creative with colors and styling.
Aveda brand immersion course
Over the fiscal year, the Spa team attended various training sessions:
• The Hair Technician team attended product launches from Goldwell, Olaplex and Epres.
• The Nail Technician team attended training sessions by The Gel Bottle on practical and product knowledge. • The Beauty Therapist team attended training sessions by Lycon on treatment and product knowledge. • The Beauty and Massage Therapist teams underwent internal cross-training for beauty and massage services.
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A FRESH LOOK New uniforms for the Spa team – both the Therapists and the Concierge team – were introduced in December 2022. The uniform fabric and design were selected by Team Members to suit their individual needs.
CONVENIENT BOOKING CHANNELS Spa reservations via TAC Book were launched in October 2022. This allowed Members to make a reservation at their convenience even after operating hours. Also effective from October 2022, Members could make reservations via WhatsApp.
EQUIPMENT UPGRADES sên Spa upgraded its hairdryers to the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer for fast drying, without heat damage, and with a shiny finish. e-File for gel nail polish removal was introduced at sên Spa, providing better quality nail results in a shorter time. It also reduces the risk of injuries, such as Carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis from repetitive strain, experienced by the Nail Technicians in the long run.
Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer
e-File for gel nail polish removal
BRAND NEW OFFERINGS To keep its services fresh and current, sên Spa introducednewconsignment products and treatments:
• Sustainable feminine products: Modibodi, Love Luna and Saalt
LYCON Pinkini
• Premium all-natural skincare products: LYCON
• Natural handcrafted soap products: SoapCeuticals
• Post-wax care treatment: LYCON Pinkini
• New gel manicure service for brittle nails: Builder In A Bottle
SoapCeuticals
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YOUTH & BOWL ING
Youth & Family is central to The American Club community. Events and programs are catered to various ages and interests, complementing the school calendar and holidays. We strive to create engaging and enriching activities for the little ones.
REFRESHING THE QUAD TEAM The focus of fiscal year 2023 (FY2023) was to establish a strong workforce structure, enabling the creation of more exciting programs led by excellent Team Members. Emphasis was placed on recruiting individuals with the right skills, enhancing the remuneration package, and providing training to ensure effective and efficient performance. INTRODUCTION OF NEW CLASSES FY2023 introduced three new classes, two held off-site and one on-site. Introduction to Coding and Mixed Martial Arts, off-site classes, aimed to provide children with opportunities for cognitive and emotional development. On-site, Longboarding classes added a progressive and recreational element to class offerings. In September 2022, the Club conducted a survey to understand the needs of Members regarding Youth Classes. The survey provided valuable insights into popular classes, reasons for enrollment, ideas for new classes, and class preferences. The Youth team appreciates Members’ participation and will use this feedback to enhance Youth Class offerings.
Spring Festival Celebration at the Club
Longboarding class
BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND MORE By expanding the range of add-on activities and improving the offerings included in the standard package, the Club has enhanced its birthday party packages, providing a more immersive experience for Youth Members. Furthermore, the Club has reintroduced popular pre-pandemic programs like Teeny Tiny Tots, Friday Show Nights, and Friday Action Nights. Among these, Friday Action Nights have been particularly well-received by Members.
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HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS The month of December 2022 was dedicated to creating memorable experiences for families and friends. The Club kicked off with a revamped Youth Express event, focusing on pre-event celebrations at The Quad Studios. Photobooth opportunities, bouncy castles, balloon twisting, and face painting kept Members engaged before the Club’s signature open-top bus tour around Orchard Road. Next, the Club launched Jingle Bowl, a Christmas bowling event, and concluded the Christmas celebrations with Yuletide Magic, a family-friendly event held at The Galbraith Ballroom, featuring various activities for all ages.
Families bond over building a gingerbread house
ENHANCEMENTS TO YOUTH & BOWLING FACILITIES
At the beginning of the year, the Club made enhancements to the Youth & Bowling facilities, aiming to provide an improved Member experience. The furniture at The Bowling Alley underwent an upholstery refresh, two new arcade games were acquired for The Quad, and new sensory toys were added to The Quad Poolside.
TAC Bowling Alley
LAUNCH OF THE TINY THINKERS SERIES The Tiny Thinkers Series was conceptualized towards the end of FY2023, offering additional weekend programs for Junior Members. These hands-on workshops aim to unleash children’s creativity while incorporating educational elements. Given its success, The Tiny Thinkers series is set to expand in the upcoming year.
Build-A-Terrarium, a Tiny Thinkers Series workshop
CHILD SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY As the Club aims to build a strong foundation of competent Team Members, the Youth team underwent various training programs to foster teamwork, establish system procedures, and set a benchmark for success. Notably, all Youth Team Members completed the child protection awareness course organized by Childsafeguarding.com, a reputable organization that has conducted training programs in Singapore for staff members from schools such as Singapore American School.
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FACI L I T I ES
OFFICIAL COMPLETION OF REDEVELOPMENT The Club is delighted that it is in full compliance with the coveted Certificate of Statutory Completion from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). This achievement signifies the closure of the Club’s extensive redevelopment project that commenced in 2016.
SUSTAINABILITY ECO DIGESTER PROJECT COMPLETION
In 2018, the Club, along with the National Environment Agency (NEA), embarked on a comprehensive 3R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) Project, aiming to manage the Club’s food waste more efficiently. The centerpiece of this project was the installation of an 800-ton Eco Digester system. Despite facing challenges due to the pandemic, the Club persisted and successfully completed the project, receiving a grant disbursement of $50,600 in June 2023.
Eco Digester system
POWERING UP ENERGY SAVINGS The Club is committed to energy saving and will continue to implement measures to reduce its carbon footprint. The following initiatives are expected to contribute to additional energy savings:
• Changing the Main Chiller setpoint from 7 to 10 degrees Celsius: By adjusting the chiller setpoint, the aim is to optimize the energy consumption of the cooling systems.
• Introducing timer activation for corridor lighting after hours: To minimize unnecessary energy usage, there will be timers for corridor lights, ensuring only critical areas are fully illuminated for safety and security purposes. • Replacement of car park ramp ceiling lights with LED: By upgrading the lighting fixtures in the car park, the Club embraces energy-efficient technologies, with 95% of the Club illuminated by LED lighting.
Timer activation of corridor lights
Installing energy-efficient light fixtures
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REDUCING PAPER AND PLASTIC USE Recognizing the importance of resource conservation, changes have been made regarding the use of paper products in Team Member areas. This shift has not only resulted in cost savings but has also allowed monitoring and effective control of the inventory of garbage bags and cleaning toiletries. In alignment with sustainability goals, plastic bin liners are no longer provided for office trash bins, which are exclusively used for paper waste.
MEMBER SATISFACTION PROVIDING CONSISTENT HOT WATER PRESSURE TO B2 GYM SHOWERS The Club understands that a comfortable experience for Members is key. To address issues related to hot water pressure in the B2 Gym Showers, the Club has installed four 100-liter heat pumps, exclusively catering to the showers. This initiative has significantly improved the hot water pressure throughout the Club. Furthermore, the expected daily savings of 198 kWh and monthly cost savings of $2,600 underscore the financial benefits of this improvement.
INSTALLATION OF VORTEC FANS IN GYM CARDIO AREA Responding to feedback by Gym users, the Club has taken steps to enhance the air circulation in the cardio area. Instead of conventional ceiling fans, the Club has opted for Vortec Bladeless ceiling fans, which provide efficient air circulation without the discomfort of direct winds. These silent fans consume a maximum of 42 watts of electricity, compared to the 75 watts that a typical ceiling fan consumes, thereby optimizing the effectiveness of the air conditioning system while creating a more comfortable workout environment.
Airflow modelling of the Vortec fan
Upgrading the heating systems
Vortec Bladeless ceiling fans installed at the Gym
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ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES The Club prioritizes the maintenance and improvement of its facilities to ensure a seamless experience for Members. The following engineering initiatives have been undertaken to address specific areas of concern:
WARNING SYSTEM FOR DOMESTIC TRANSFER TANK To mitigate the risk of water disruption due to power trips or transfer pump malfunctions, the Club has installed an early warning system. This system promptly alerts the Engineering team, allowing them to take immediate action and prevent any prolonged water-related issues that could inconvenience Members.
WATERPROOFING
The Engineering team has been tirelessly working to prevent water leakages throughout the Club, paying particular attention to areas that were not part of the recent redevelopment. Through proactive measures, the Club aims to maintain the structural integrity of its facilities and uphold the high standards of Member experience.
Waterproofing on the rooftop
B2 GYM WALL CRACKS
The Club has taken steps to rectify hairline cracks in the walkway walls leading to the Gym Changing Room. By utilizing elastomeric paint, which offers flexibility and greater tensile strength, the Club has successfully prevented the recurrence of such cracks. This solution not only ensures structural integrity but also enhances the esthetics of the area, creating a more visually appealing environment for Members.
Early warning system
Elastomeric paint for walkway walls
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MEMBER SERVICES
Safety is a top priority for the Club. Team Members go on regular safety training on first aid, disaster evacuation, food safety, fire drills and other related drills to keep their skills up to date. The Club has attained the bizSAFE Level 3 certification, which recognizes that the Club has conducted risk assessments for every work activity and process in the workplace, in compliance with the requirements in the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Risk Management Regulations.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH (WSH)
SAFETY
The Duty Managers conduct the following programs regularly:
• Firefighting Practical Refresher Sessions: To ensure that Team Members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to respond effectively in case of emergencies. • Safety Protocol Refresher Trainings: To reinforce safety procedures and ensure that Team Members are up to date with the latest safety protocols. A total of 55 sessions were conducted in FY2023. • Life-saving Equipment and System Inspection: To ensure their proper functioning and readiness in the event of emergencies. Safety remains a top priority. On top of the above programs, the Club conducted three comprehensive safety inspections to maintain a safe working environment and ensure compliance with safety procedures.
Firefighting practical refresher session
Safety protocol refresher training with Culinary team
Safety protocol refresher training with Concierge team
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WELLNESS
The Club prioritizes the well-being of its Team Members and has implemented various wellness initiatives. To encourage a healthy lifestyle, the Club organized 54 sessions of fitness activities, promoting regular physical exercise. Additionally, the Club conducted four sessions of firefighting and first aid refresher training to enhance emergency response skills. In support of Team Members’ overall well-being, the Club organized two wellness talk sessions on topics such as financial planning, and neck & back pain management. Additionally, a health screening session was conducted to provide a timely check on Team Members’ health.
To promote active participation in wellness activities, the Club organized two WSH events, including a Team Wellness Virtual Race and Festive Step-a-thon.
ACTIVITIES
To cater to their diverse interests, the Club offers a wide range of activities. TeamMembers can choose from activities such as badminton, basketball, bowling, yoga, Zumba, jump rope, self-defense, brisk walks, cycling, trekking, and cardio exercises. By offering a variety of options, the Club encourages Team Members to find activities that suit their preferences, thus supporting their journey towards a healthier lifestyle.
Team wellness activities
DIGITAL
As we adapt to a digital world, a WSH e-book was created, facilitating easy access to essential information. This medium enables TeamMembers to conveniently access minutes of meetings and valuable resources such as briefing materials. Additionally, the Club offers a digital WSH form, allowing Team Members to report, share or highlight safety concerns. The Club prioritizes creating a safe reporting environment by providing the option for anonymous reporting. These digital solutions not only streamline communication and access to information, but also contribute to enhancing safety and health practices within the Club.
WSH digital booklet
THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE ANNUAL REPORT 2022 / 2023
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