MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
By Paul Morrell, CCM, CCE
Lessons from
the Last Year
I realize that everyone is tired of talking
about the pandemic and the effect
that COVID-19 has had on our lives,
our careers and our overall wellbeing. I
also understand that the conversation of
COVID-19 is all-consuming and not a day
goes by where it is not discussed in some
fashion or other. Nevertheless, I decided to
beat that dead horse and write one more
piece, which hopefully will be my last, on
the topic of COVID-19.
March 11, 2021 marked the one-year
anniversary of the day that the World Health
Organization first declared the pandemic.
Forgive me if I do not bake a cake and throw
a socially distanced party to commemorate
this milestone. In the days following the
declaration of the pandemic, schools
closed, businesses were shut down and
many people began working from home.
Quarantines, remote schooling, virus tests
and face masks became a way of life. The
life of the club manager seemed to change
drastically overnight, as well. We became
innovators, motivators, cheerleaders and
hubs of information for our members and
staff. We became interpreters of legislation
and often advocates for lifestyles and sport.
During this time, we were asked to lead
in ways we never had been asked to lead
before and we leaned on each other to try
to make sense of this pandemic.
One year later, the pandemic rages
on and we continue to lead our teams and
members, not knowing when our clubs can
return to normal. It has been difficult and
it’s okay to say that. I believe as a Society
and as an industry, we have changed. Sure,
Here’s hoping that our next club
crisis will be dealing with why the
soup is too cold or that the steak was
overcooked as opposed to a worldaltering
pandemic; you know – the
normal daily life of a club manager.
many of us are still leading our clubs, but we
are all a little bit grittier, a little more battletested
and a little more prepared for that
next challenge. Some say that the light at
the end of the tunnel is near and depending
on what region of the country you are in,
that may be very well true. A colleague
of mine recently joked that one must be
careful of that the light in the tunnel, as it
may be the next train running down the
tracks right towards you.
Jokes aside, we’re a year into this
pandemic and it feels like we are turning
the corner. It is encouraging that the
promises of vaccinations are starting to
come to fruition and with good weather on
the horizon, there is hope that we will soon
return to life that can only be categorized
as normal. Congratulations for making it
this far! Here’s hoping that our next club
crisis will be dealing with why the soup is
too cold or that the steak was overcooked
as opposed to a world-altering pandemic;
you know – the normal daily life of a
club manager.
This spring issue is full of content
that will hopefully inspire you for the
year ahead. Eric Sargent, CCM’s piece on
hiring strategies sheds light on new hiring
techniques and recruiting methods, while
Denis Kateneff outlines the importance of
cyber security in a way that makes sense
to anyone who is not an IT guru. Cam
Forrester gives a glimpse into life after club
management and chefs share why their
clubs’ signature dishes are so special. Rob
Foster, MBA discusses how online learning
has transformed professional learning,
while Ryan Tracy, PGA does a deep dive
into what the partners of club managers
really have to say about living the club life.
I really hope you enjoy this issue.
Paul Morrell, CCM, CCE is the chief operating
officer of the Ontario Racquet Club in
Mississauga, Ont.
CMQ § Spring 2021 § 3