| IHRSA Report | Success by Association


Plethora of Pilates equipment


NAC’s spacious gymnasium


Township is considered an affluent area, he has always been cognizant that some people might require help affording a NAC membership ($94 per month for individuals, $179 per month for families). He has responded to that need.


were ‘fighting the good fight’ against the proposed construction of a YMCA and a township fitness center… We halted the building of both…


“We’ve had an informal financial assistance ”


program for a long time,” he says. “We generally don’t turn someone away if they can’t afford our dues, have lost a job, or are experiencing some other type of financial hardship.” When the Y and the township fitness center were


proposed, Worthington simply formalized the NAC’s financial assistance program, which has established guidelines, “though it’s as flexible as we want it to be.” To instill a sense of ownership and pride in program participants, and to enable the NAC to assist as many people as possible, most participants are asked to pay an affordable part of their membership, an amount based on a sliding scale and the specific needs and/or the extenuating circumstances of the individual


“IHRSA was particularly helpful when we


or family. The applicant fills out a financial assistance application and submits income documentation. All applications are held in strict confidence. He adds, “We’re so committed to community


involvement that Linda Mitchell’s job, as director of public relations and charitable giving, is to network and identify organizations and channels that will allow us to give back in other ways as well. The subject of her IHRSA presentation on one occasion was ‘Developing a Community Outreach and Partnering Program.’” Such community involvement through the years


has proven to be time and energy well spent, he says. “When the time came to fight the YMCA, our financial assistance program eliminated one of the principal distinctions (i.e., the “charitable” aspect) between the NAC and area nonprofits—and began to level the playing field. We were already established as a community force that was integral to the overall success and well-being of our town, so people were willing to listen to our campaign message. In the end, we were able to protect the community, and our club, from the ill effects of unfair competition.” Worthington concludes, “We did this with


IHRSA’s help. I can honestly say that my business would not be where it is today without IHRSA.” —|


– Patricia Amend, pamend@aol.com www. ihrsa.org | FEBRUARY 2011 | Club Business Internat ional 127


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