EJJI'S CLUBS

I have seen the state of clubs for nearly 3 decades. I feel that the quality of members has drastically reduced. Everyone wants to be a member of a club, but the selectors fail to take on only "clubable persons" as members. The blame rests solely on the member who proposes someone new and the selection committee that decides to admit him.

I am ashamed of boards in a few clubs that display dress regulations and rules for cell phone usage. If a member is not aware of these rules, does not have social graces and not knowledgeable about etiquette in public places, the mistake lies with admitting him as a member of the club in the first place. After all in a club, only members or their guests can use the facilities. Is it not demeaning to put a board up mentioning the rules in force, when every member is expected to know and follow the rules? The onus on bringing guests rests with the member and he must ensure that his guest will fit into the atmosphere of the club and is made aware of the rules before bringing him into the club as a guest. Of course, there are some clubs where flouting dress regulations, abandoning etiquette before entering the club and not having social graces is de rigueur.

In earlier days, a member was 'invited' to join the Committee of Management by the President of the Club, to take advantage of the member’s expertise and knowledge in running the club efficiently. Today, club elections are on par with elections to the Indian Parliament. Now candidates canvas votes, give away gifts, entice votes from members with all sorts of offers.

I have never stood for election to any post in any club. I feel that getting elected to the Committee of Management of a club is just an ego trip to gain recognition for some persons. They are mostly persons who have failed to make a mark in their professions, and have not got any recognition in any other sphere of their non-professional activity. If one had time, money and intelligence, they should normally be spending it for themselves, their business or profession and their family. If you start spending it for getting elected to committees of management in clubs, then either your priorities are misplaced, or there is money to be made in managing the club. I am a voting member of all these clubs, but have never cast my vote in any election till today. Reason? I feel that it is of no concern to me, as to who runs the club.

ARTICLES THAT SHARE MY VIEWS