WAC Magazine

May 2013

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BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2012–2013 Jeffrey Atkin, Chairman atkin@kkra.com Marilyn Boss, Chairman Elect marilyn.l.boss@marsh.com Phil Abbess, Vice Chairman pabbess@cliftonlarsonallen.com Kip Spencer, Treasurer kips@comcast.net Letter from the Chairman Jeff Atkin, Chairman of the Board of Governors / atkin@kkra.com Beth Wojick, Secretary bwojick@sowa.org Robert Fleming, Immediate Past Chairman rfleming@clarknuber.com RESIDENT Krista Andrews John Buller Carese Busby Steve Camp Peter Carpenter Lynn Dissinger Roberta Goodnow Christine Kelly Michael McQuaid John Myer Pam Nord Tina Pappas Jessica Pearlman Paul Ravetta Bob Rupp Norm Seabrooks Doug Seto Brad Thoreson Thomas Turnure Joseph Velling Amy Vithayathil-Sydow Bart Wilson Tammy Young NON-RESIDENT BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2010–2013 Forrest Aldrich, NW Washington Tom Anderson, E Washington William Bump, California William Burg, Montana Arthur C. Campbell, NE Washington Peter Goldsmith, Oregon Jeff Hogan, Central Washington Thomas F. Kenney, NW Washington Robin Sahnow, Alaska Richard L. Small, SE Washington PROGRAM BOARD 2012–2013 Pam Nord, Chair Frank Yon, Vice Chair Courtney Meyer, Secretary Dean Nielsen, Immediate Past Chair Nicole Ancich Chris Barone Tara Binge Angelica Buri Brad Cahill Dean Fasnacht Laurie Flynn Ann Lockhart Jeff Lounsberry Vicki O'Briant Thomas Osmon Errol Scott 4 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | MAY 2013 Perspective from abroad O ne of the benefits of WAC membership is the opportunity to use our reciprocal clubs around the country and around the world. Brenda and I took advantage of this perk in March when we spent a little more than a week in London and stayed at the Royal Automobile Club. I first became aware of this club when it was featured in the August 2012 issue of WAC Magazine. The article focused on reciprocal clubs in London that members may want to consider if they were attending the Summer Olympics. Founded in 1897, the Royal Automobile Club is wonderfully situated across from St. James's Square on London's West End. It contains 106 hotel rooms, six private dining and meeting rooms, and a sports area that includes squash courts, a small gym, Turkish baths, and a beautiful swimming pool. Two restaurants are located on the first floor, which also features a large exquisite library. Our room was well-appointed with a small fireplace, free Wi-Fi, and a mini bar. Each day, club staff placed fresh fruit in our room when they turned down our beds. The club's concierge was always helpful, including securing tickets for a Chelsea versus Manchester soccer match, arranging a limo to take us to Heathrow for our return flight, and providing directions to specific sites. On our second day at the Royal Automobile Club, we returned in the late afternoon to a bellman who greeted us warmly—"Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Atkin"—and immediately went to the wall to retrieve our room key. The regular "entrance fee" for Royal Automobile Club membership is $5,000. Monthly dues, payable for the full year in advance, are $187. WAC members can visit with a reciprocal letter of introduction (see page 10 for more information). Perhaps much of what I have described leaves you thinking the Royal Automobile Club sounds eerily familiar. Although neither Brenda nor I realized it until the end of our trip, we were truly in a club and an environment very much like what we have become accustomed to in our 39 years of WAC membership. The feeling of comfort—and safety—helped make our trip a memorable one. I encourage each of you to consider the WAC's roster of reciprocal clubs. The experience will enhance your trip and allow you to put in perspective what you and I are privileged to enjoy on a regular basis right here at the WAC.

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