University Club Tidings - University Club of McMaster

University Club Tidings
F E B R U A R Y
www.ucmcmaster.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Social Hour Fridays
5 to 6 pm
Jazz Wednesdays
Feb 10, 24; Mar 9, 23
Valentine Dinner
Saturday, February 13
Easter Luncheon Buffet
Thursday, March 24
Oyster Night
Friday, April 15
Staff Appreciation Luncheons
April 20, 21, 22
Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 8
Lobster & Steak Night
Friday, June 17
Notice
Last Day for Dining Room
Service is Friday, June 17
Board of Directors
Fred Hall
President
Peter Mascher
Vice President
Phil Wood
Treasurer
Colin Seymour
Director
Chris Roberts
Director
Lori Diamond
Director
Club Operations Team
Al Mercato - General Manager
[email protected]
extension 23246
Fred Garand
Catering Manager
[email protected]
extension 21307
President’s Report
The University Club of McMaster continues
to provide excellent service to our members.
It is also the venue for numerous special
events that various departments of the University arrange. The Club continues to be
the preferred location for special celebrations and for the entertainment of local, national and international guests visiting our
campus. On behalf of the Board I compliment Al Mercato and his staff for maintaining high standards of service to members
and guests
The Board has spent the last year in discussions regarding the future of the Club and
what our options are related to a new University/Club Agreement. There is no doubt
that the Club has reached another crossroads as we struggle to maintain high standards of service for our members and guests.
We recognize that most university clubs in
Canada have closed and the remaining ones
are facing similar challenges. However, we
continue to point out to others the importance of a university club to the life of an
academic campus community.
The Board did draft a long range Business
Plan. We have met several times with the
senior administration of the University to
discuss options. We also initiated a major
campaign of free, trial memberships to
attract new members. The latter initiative
Early 1950’s
was
very successful, but it remains to be
seen if these new members will continue
when their trial memberships expire.
We issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in
early January. This RFP will ask qualified consultants to submit bids on assisting us with
the development of a series of recommenda-
tions regarding options for the future of the
University Club and its relationship to
McMaster University. We are asking for
different models and approaches that will
best meet the needs of the Club. Specific
topics to be addressed include: staffing, facilities, services, and finances. We expect proposals to be submitted in late February with
a decision made by late March or early April.
In discussions with the University, the Board
has made it clear that applying the new
budget model to the University Club is a
challenge that cannot be achieved under the
terms of the recently expired Agreement and
the current business model. As a Board we
believe it is our fiduciary responsibility to
exercise due diligence and to explore, in cooperation with the University, what viable
options exist. The value of our Club to
McMaster should not be measured only in
financial terms. Its importance as a social
center and a place where academic colleagues gather cannot be summarized in a
series of budget lines. People expressed
these views very strongly more than a decade ago. The Board will be seeking feedback
from all communities using the Club as well
as advice from experienced consultants who
have dealt with these questions at other universities. We welcome your comments.
Dr. Fred A. Hall.
Elena Ravkina
Accounting
extension 27064
Reservations
[email protected]
extension 23249
Members Lounge
extension 22056
Mike Muir
Chef
2 0 1 6
AFFILIATED WITH CLUBS WORLDWIDE
Early 1970’s
A Club where members can come to relax, enjoy, engage and entertain.
Manager’s Corner
Board of Directors 2015 - 2016
It is with great pleasure that I announce the 2015 - 2016 Board
of Directors of The University Club of McMaster. The appointments are: Fred Hall - President; Peter Mascher - Vice President; Phil Wood - Treasurer; and Colin Seymour - Director;
Lori Diamond - Director; Chris Roberts - Director
Catering
The University Club is a great venue for weddings, seminars,
conferences and other special occasions. We appreciate your
support, and referrals are welcome.
Club Closure
The Club will close for the 2 week period of July 18 through to
Membership Recruitment - special offer
and including August 1. This reflects the business slowdown
In 2015 we offered a trial membership (no fees for 1 year) to during this summer period.
the campus community; the results were well received.
New Catering Manager
THANK YOU for your support.
Erin Otterspoor has moved onto another position with
We are offering the same program for prospective members - McMaster University. We wish her well. Her replacement is
1 year trial membership - which would run from the time of Fred Garand an experienced manager in catering and events.
this newsletter to July 1, 2017.
Please welcome him to our Club.
Why not give the Club a try. Tell your friends and colleagues; Special Thanks
referrals are welcome.
Thank you to our staff: Fred Garand - Catering Manager; Mike
Muir - Chef; Krissie MacDonald - Head Server; Maggie Muir Annual Membership Fees
Head Bartender; Elena Ravkina - Accounting and the serving
The Club’s fiscal year is July 1st - June 30th. We remind memstaff and culinary team.
bers that if leave of absence is requested please notify the
General Manager before July 1st, each year. Memberships The Club is a place where members can come to relax, enjoy,
will automatically be renewed unless the Club is notified be- engage and entertain.
fore July 1st each year. Thank you for your cooperation.
Cheers,
Al
Exclusive Reciprocals and Benefits for members of The University Club of McMaster
 RBG - Royal Botanical Gardens
 Perkopolis
 ACUC - Association of College and University Clubs
 Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club
 Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
 Westdale Florists - 20% discount for club members
 Holland Park Garden Gallery - 10% discount for club members
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS
Member Event Reservations:
T- 905.525.9140, ext. 23249 or E-mail - [email protected]
Thinking of a wedding, anniversary, birthday, baby shower,
or a business meeting, contact us at [email protected]
for more info or call Fred Garand - Catering Manager
for details at 905 525-9140 ext 21307
The University Club of McMaster
Easter
Luncheon
Buffet 2016
Thursday
March 24, 2016
11:30 am to 2 pm
$19.95 per person
plus taxes and gratuities
 Freshly baked artisan bread display with sweet butter
 Spring Salad Bar including Cognac pâté with pickled vegetables & olives, smoked
fish display, cold poached shrimp with cocktail sauce and classic deviled eggs
 Selected hot items including chicken Marsala with dried cherries, grilled salmon
with spring relish, scalloped potatoes au gratin, seasonal vegetables
 Maple Dijon glazed bone-in smoked ham
 Premium French pastries, fruit pies, flans & freshly
sliced fruit
Reservations Please! 905 525-9140 ext 23249
Daily Floral
Draws.
Bring Your
Business
Cards!
Floral arrangements are
delivered directly to the
winner’s desk!
Staff Appreciation
Luncheon 2016
Wednesday, April 20,
21, 22
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$19.95 per person
Plus taxes & gratuities
Reservations, please!

Freshly baked artisan bread with sweet butter
 Premium cold bar including house salads, smoked fish &
poached shrimp display, chicken liver & cognac pâté and
selected relish items
 Hot entrée section including grilled blue marlin with
roasted corn & tomato relish, sesame ginger teriyaki
chicken breast, roasted baby potatoes, 7 grain rice
medley, market vegetables
 Slow roasted AAA striploin of beef carved in room with
natural juices & horseradish sauce
 Chefs handpicked sweet table including sliced fruits &
international cheeses
Lobster & Steak Night 2016
Friday, June 17
Cocktails: 6:30 pm
Dinner: Reservations
7 to 8:30 pm
Live Jazz Combo
7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Two Dining Options:
1
9
5
4
Fresh lobster, salad & dessert buffet - $55
Beef tenderloin, salad & dessert buffet - $45
Plus taxes and gratuities
A Club where members can come to relax, enjoy, engage and entertain.
Our Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch 2016
Sunday, May 8th, 2016
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
(open reservations)
Great Hall and Dining Room
 Selection of freshly baked muffins, croissants, Danish and breakfast loaves
 Artisan bread display with sweet butter
 Breakfast Bounty: home fried potatoes with scallions, French toast sticks,
bacon, sausage, eggs Benedict
Fresh Flowers for Mom!
Adults - $26.95
Under (12) - $15.95
 Made to order omelet station with all your favourite fixings
 Chefs premium salad bar including smoked & whole fish display, cold poached shrimp &
Plus taxes and gratuities
cocktail sauce, chicken liver pâté, grilled vegetable platter, assorted olives and deviled eggs
Under (5) - Complimentary
Hot Entrées: Nanna’s roasted rosemary & lemon chicken, seafood cioppino, foraged
Jazz Guitarist - Mark Ucci
mushroom & leek quiche, mom’s mac & cheese
 Carvery Station: roast Alberta prime rib of beef and maple Dijon glazed ham
 Chef’s Sweet table including freshly baked pies, flans, gateaux’s, cupcakes, chocolate
covered strawberries, sliced fruit, and international cheese board
Oyster Night 2016
Friday, April 15th, 2016
$55.00 per person
plus taxes and gratuities
Cocktails 7:00 p.m. / Buffet Dinner - 7:30 p.m.
Live Jazz Combo will entertain from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
 Chef’s Spring Salad Bar: whole Atlantic salmon with smoked salmon display &
cold poached shrimp
 Selection of raw oysters shucked in room with traditional garnishes
 Hot buffet including Manhattan clam chowder, oysters casino, fried calamari &
oysters with lemon caper aioli, and coconut curry mussels
Join Us For
Social Hour Fridays
5 to 6 pm
Complimentary Snacks
 Premium French pastries, sliced fruits & international cheese board
Member Event Reservations: T- 905.525.9140, ext. 23249 or e-mail - [email protected]
Jazz Wednesdays
February 10 & 24; March 9 & 23
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Featuring the Jazz Stylings of
Bassist Meredith Nelson and
Guitarist Mark Ucci
Half price appetizers available.
Winter Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
Members’ Lounge (Bar)
11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Great Hall
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Club is Closed
February 15, March 25, May 23
Dining Room
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.