Email Communication to Members on Friday, May 22nd, 2020
Dear Members:
Earlier this week, Clackamas County submitted its application to the State to allow for Phase 1 Reopening. We just learned that the State has approved that application and we will be reopening the Club as of Monday June 1. Next week will be devoted to specialized staff training, another round of deep cleaning and preparing the Club to meet new State Guidelines for Phase 1 Reopening.
As you expect, our Phased Reopening Plan will require us all to work together cooperatively and patiently. Detailed information will be coming to you very soon about our reopening protocols to ensure physical distancing, limiting occupancy and frequently re-disinfecting. All our reopening protocols are built upon our trust and confidence in our members and staff to use common sense, accept personal responsibility and respect each other.
Our members have been wonderfully supportive throughout this pandemic shutdown and we are not out of the woods yet. There still can be outbreaks if we are not careful. But be assured, our Phased Reopening Plan adheres to all State and Federal Guidelines, and we intend to follow them.
We and others tried to convince the Governor’s Office that reopening the pool during Phase 1 could be safe. Unfortunately, that effort was unsuccessful. Pools may not reopen in Phase 1 by State of Oregon edict. We understand that the pool is vital to so many of our members for exercise and therapy. We are hopeful that pools will be included in the Governor’s Phase 2 Plan and we are confident that with your help we can reopen our pool safely very soon.
What can you do now? First, if you have not been moving much, start moving a little more each day to prepare yourself for more physical activity. Second, stay closely tuned to your email and social media to learn details about our Phased Reopening Plan and modified programs. Our employees are excited to come back to work and want to be there for you when you are comfortable and ready to return to the Club. You are important to us, and we know that that reopening the Club will be great for your physical and mental health.
So, please stay in touch for more information to come. On behalf of our Employee Team, we share our heartfelt thanks for your incredible support. We look forward to seeing you back at the Club starting one week from Monday.
With Warm Regards,
Jim Zupancic
Email Communication to Members on Tuesday, May 12th, 2020
Dear Members:
We empathize with the challenges you and your family are facing during this stay-at-home order and hope you are feeling healthy and well. Many of our members are using https://staffordhills.com/shcmobile/ to stay active and we invite you to do the same, now and even after we reopen.
Our Employee Team is intact and anxious to come back to work as soon as possible. Our utmost priority is the health and safety of our members and employees. We are prepared to reopen as of June 1, but we await further information to determine if we may reopen by June 1. Last week, Governor Brown announced guidelines to allow counties to submit plans for Phase 1 business reopening. Thankfully, Stafford Hills Club is included within the Phase 1 Reopening Plan group of businesses. However, Clackamas County has not yet submitted its Phase 1 Reopening Plan to the Governor. In reference to the Governor’s recent announcement, we just received an email from Clackamas County stating:
“There are seven criteria that must be met before any plan will receive approval. Clackamas County staff are currently working on that plan; however the guidelines will require substantial investment to meet. Once Clackamas County receives approval from Governor Brown’s administration, Phase 1 businesses in Clackamas County can reopen, but not until that time…”
Our Team is proactively preparing the Club for reopening with expanded and improved processes, protocols and physical spacing adjustments to meet or exceed federal, state and local health and safety regulations. We have clearly communicated our state-of-readiness to Clackamas County and urged the County to submit its plan to the State so that businesses may reopen safely, albeit with restrictions and subject to new rules. Cleanliness has always been a hallmark within our “Five Point Pledge,” and we have assured the County that we will meet or exceed all requirements for reopening.
When you return to the Club, renew longtime friendships and restart your fun and healthy exercise habits, be assured we will be ready and the welcome mat will be out for you. The reopen date is in sight but not yet precisely predictable. June 1 is our target and we hope the County will do its part to help us so that we can reopen for all of you.
With Warm Regards,
Jim Zupancic
Chairman & CEO
Email Communication to Members on Thursday, April 23rd, 2020
Dear Members:
Thanks to the loyalty and compassion of our Members, we successfully retained 100% of our 105-member Employee Team at 100% full compensation in April. On behalf of our Team, we are truly grateful for our Members’ overwhelming confidence, trust and support.
During this temporary closure, our Executive Leadership Team has been working tirelessly to prepare a plan for a safe phased reopening of the Club when we may reopen. Below are some of highlights of our recent progress:
- We are fortunate to participate in the SBA’s (PPP) Loan Program, that allows us to protect employee payroll and benefits through early June. This support will allow us to discount May Member dues by 50% and still retain all our employees through May. With the loss of our regular program revenue, Member dues will help us defray a portion of other ongoing expenses not covered by the PPP Loan such as uncovered mortgage expense, property taxes, campus and equipment maintenance, IT support, insurance premiums, licenses, contracted services and much more. These substantial fixed expenses continue whether we are open or temporarily closed.
- We are communicating with the Governor’s Office that we are ready, willing and able to follow recommended disinfecting protocols, social distancing, limit access, provide additional online options, monitor employees’ health and restructure tennis lessons, personal/group training and aquatics programming during this phased-in reopening process.
- We are deep cleaning, refreshing and revitalizing several of our areas to improve efficiency and Member experience. When you return to the Club you will see some welcomed improvements in many areas that will make our campus an even more beautiful and enjoyable place to “Achieve Wellness Together.”
- We will continue to offer both Live and On Demand Fitness Classes through our SHC Mobile Page. To gain access to these classes, please view our mobile webpage at www.staffordhills.com/shcmobile.
Stafford Hills Club is truly a unique community of wonderful people who believe in our mission. We are not a big box “gym” where members are often only a number. Our Members truly care about each other and our staff, and at challenging times like this, such caring shows in the support and respect we all feel.
Thank you again for your continuing support and we will keep you informed as more information about our reopening becomes available. Be assured we will always put member and staff health and safety first and reopen only when we are prepared to implement new protocols necessary in this unprecedented time.
With Warm Regards,
Jim Zupancic
Chairman and CEO
Achieving Wellness Together
Email Communication to Members on Friday, March 27th, 2020
Dear Members:
Because of the email overload we are all experiencing, I will try to make this short and sweet.
- On behalf of our 105 Employee Team, thank you very much for the overwhelming support we continue to receive.
- All our valued employees have been retained and remain on our payroll. Health insurance and other benefits are extended at least through April.
- Our fixed expenses including mortgage payments, taxes, licenses, insurance, basic utilities and campus upkeep all continue as well. Temporary closure reduces expenses very little. Revenues from training, lessons, food and beverage are zero. March and April financial losses will be substantial.
To pay employees and defray a portion of our expenses, you will have two options for monthly dues.
- If you choose to pay your regular dues during the time we are closed, all members on your account will receive a special package of premium benefits including a dues rate guarantee until 2022 and early Tennis Court & Group Exercise Class booking privileges. For a full list of these benefits and details, please Click here.
- Should you not choose these premium benefits, no action is required and you will be charged 75% of regular dues for April.
If you have been laid off from employment or are a health care worker and/or need special accommodation on your account, please contact us and we will be happy to work with you.
Our Team is anxious to welcome you back to the Club as soon as we are permitted to do so. We hope that welcome back date is May 1 or sooner. In the meantime, we will be working on maintaining the campus and special projects using safe social distancing practices.
Many members have already chosen to continue paying regular dues during closure and we hope you do too. On behalf of our loyal Team, we again express our sincere gratitude for all your support. We look forward to serving you and seeing your smiling faces back at the Club very soon.
With Warm Regards,
Jim Zupancic
Chairman and CEO
Achieving Wellness Together
Email Communication to Members on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
Dear Members:
A little more than seven years ago, we opened this remarkable community called Stafford Hills Club. Since then, we’ve worked together, played, laughed and celebrated victories together. I’ve even witnessed members selflessly bear one another’s burdens. You and our incredible employees make up a unique community that is not a gym or a tennis center, but instead is a community of caring people who trust and support each other. In today’s world, that’s very special.
Our federal and state government leaders, in concert with the private sector, are trying their best to avert overwhelming our healthcare system from the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Virus. In the spirit of the Public-Private Partnership created to confront this threat, we asked: “What can we do to best protect our Club and Team members, and support this epic public-private partnership?”
We knew that we needed to do more to protect the health of our community. After countless hours of careful thought and consideration, we decided to close the Club for a short time, ensuring that we are not placing any of you in danger of contracting this Virus from the Club. Our fitness & marketing teams are creating content to keep our community engaged and moving while we remain in the safe confines of our homes. Please watch your emails and our Instagram & Facebook feeds for updates.
On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 3:00 PM, the Club will close through March 31, 2020. During this period, our Team will be busily working to deep clean, disinfect, paint and polish, and prepare well for our exciting Springtime Programs and Classes. We will closely monitor new government guidelines and will reopen when it is safe. If that re-open date is later than April 1, 2020, we will let you know by email.
In the meantime, we plan to do all we can to support our valuable 105 employees and their families. To do so, we need your support to keep paying dues and signing up for upcoming programs and classes. Your dues and participation are essential to our survival and to support such an exceptional group of employees. On behalf of our Team, thank you for your continuing support.
We are confident that this challenge will be overcome, and we will come out of it stronger. Thank you for your continuing support of our culture and allowing the Club to be sustained now and for many years to come. Without you we could do nothing, but with you we can do anything - together.
Yours in Good Health,
Jim Zupancic
Chairman and CEO
Achieving Wellness Together
