November 2014
NEWS FROM RAND CLUB
RECIPROCAL NEWS
EVENTS
CLUB NEWS
A message from our Acting General Manager, Michael Collins
Dear Members
Gary Nielsen and his team from Umlumzani are firmly in place focusing on the main areas about which we
as Members are most concerned: consistency and quality of cuisine, security and housekeeping. This in
turn allows the General Committee to focus on the growth of membership and usage.
Internationally and locally, Clubs are focusing on making their offerings more compelling and value-driven
than the next in an attempt to attract members. I am pleased that similar discussions are taking place at
Rand Club.
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 25 November 2014. As the postal strike continues,
notice of the meeting together with the audited financials and AGM notes will be sent by email to our
Members. We are printing 200 AGM booklets which will be available from our Membership Secretary,
Roanne Lloyd, and on the day of the AGM. The most important aspect of an AGM is the election of the
Committee. I would encourage Members to add value to their Club and make themselves available for
election. Please call me should you be interested.
Moving forward, the Club will be appointing a Club Secretary to overview Rand Club’s Administration. My
role as Acting General Manager will cease at the end of November. I would like to thank Rand Club staff
who have supported me in this role. A personal thank you to Anthony Akerman for the countless hours he
dedicates in assisting Rand Club staff in the planning, promoting and advertising of Rand Club events.
This helped me significantly.
I will be standing down as Chairman at the AGM and, as customary, if re-elected to the General
Committee will serve in a guiding and assisting capacity to the elected Chairman and Committee. I would
like to thank the Trustees, Members of the General Committee and Members of Rand Club Change Task
Force for their dedication, work and guidance during this very productive and change-driven year. A
personal thank you to David Williams in his capacity as Acting Chairman for his continued support as our
executive and non-executive roles often merged in serving our Club.
Kind regards
Michael Collins
Acting General Manager
Dear Members
I am excited and honoured to have been placed by Umlumzani as the new General Manager of
Rand Club. Since I arrived in early September, I have spent a great deal of time reviewing the systems
and processes that were in place, noting where immediate improvements needed to be made. There are
a number of areas that require attention, but the three most urgent
were the quality of the cuisine being served, security and housekeeping.
I am happy to report that the food certainly is making a turnaround, and a consistent quality
and quantity of the meals being served is becoming the norm – as it should be. We have received
numerous encouraging comments from you, the Members, in this regard which I thank you for.
Now this certainly does not mean that we will be resting on our laurels: we have had to get the
basics right – which we try to improve on daily – but you can start to look forward to some exciting
changes to the current menus. The new menus will be implemented within the next two
weeks and I encourage you to sample some of the new dishes available.
Security is going to be increased at the Club. I am in the discussion phase with a consultant in this
regard as to where we can make these improvements. I will relay further details as we
make progress in this regard.
Housekeeping will always require a great deal of attention as we condition the staff to deliver on the
desired expectations. I am sure you will agree that certain areas are starting
1 to look a little brighter, and
the addition of flowers in the main foyer definitely adds a little bit of life to the area.
Some of the other smaller changes include music in the main dining room and main bar – this is
purely background “white noise”, along with a new coffee machine in the main bar which will be
functional shortly.
In signing off, thank you for your feedback, it is greatly valued as we continue to improve the
offerings at Rand Club.
Sincerely
Gary Nielsen
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Club Events at a glance.
Check notice boards, weekly flyers and our website for more details. Events are also posted on our Facebook
page.
Please book for in-house events with Roanne Lloyd on email [email protected], or telephone 011-870 4260, and with
Carol Chamberlain for private functions on [email protected] or telephone 011-870 4263
What you missed in October
“Several Club Members as well as guests and friends of the Club spent the
rather blistery windy morning firstly trying to navigate the vast maze that is
Ponte City’s parking garage, only to emerge from the grey bowels of the
building and be ushered into the bright and colourful D’lala Nje community
room where fresh coffee and some familiar faces awaited us. The weather
however, was no real distraction as all were quite eager to explore that part
of Johannesburg which many, if not all, have long understood as ‘no go’
zone (only to realise much later that our fears are due to little more than
common unfounded perceptions). After signing in and finally warming up,
two groups were taken up to the 53rd floor of the iconic structure, and
welcomed into the very well-appointed apartment of our tour guide where
the views of the City and its surrounding areas are spectacular. Here we
were treated to an informal talk on the background of the building, its
existence firstly as a much sought after residence during the height of
Apartheid for the well to do in the late 1970s, its decline ten years later and
its survival from being a typical Hillbrow ‘hijacked building’ to the secure
home of the middle class today.
Following this we ventured back down to the ‘Core’, the base where the
structure sits quite snugly on a piece of the Witwatersrand ridge. It is from
here that the real immensity of the structure can be seen and appreciated as
a true feat of engineering. One feels quite insignificant standing looking
through the inner barrel of the iconic building, and almost as if one had
stepped into a scene of George Orwell’s 1984 or a scene from a sci fi flick.
Emerging from the core, we began on our rather brisk walk through the
surrounding area, headed toward our final destination on the tour: a typical
Hillbrow tavern and a well-deserved drink shared in the company of friends
and seemingly surprised locals.
“You went where?” is the common response when sharing the tale of our
inner city excursion. My heartfelt reply is: “You should go there, and see for
yourself!”” (Review submitted by Calvin Montgomery)
Emma Sadleir and
Tamsyn de Beer
Don’t Film Yourself
Having Sex
Emma Sadleir happily
signing books after supper.
13 October
A fascinating and thoughtprovoking discussion about
the social traps and legal
tangles that you could find
yourself facing as you
navigate the murky waters
of the digital age. The book
details the legal, disciplinary
and reputational risks that
you, your company and your
children face online.
Quiz Night , 23 October
Defending champions, the Glamorous Greyhounds,
once again make off with first prize.
Special thanks to Johannesburg Theatre,
Johannesburg In Your Pocket and Just Brewing
Craft Beer for sponsoring our prizes.
The next quiz challenge takes place on 12 February
2015.
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November
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
Club open
2
3
4
5
6
7
After Hours
games evening
9
10
11
12
Club open
Tour – The
Sheds
13
50 Club
16
17
18
19
Library
Committee guest
speaker – Dr.
Anthea Jeffery
23
24
20
14
15
Theatre and
Supper Club –
Daniele Pascal
Club open
21
22
After Hours
Method Cap
Classique
sparkling wine
tasting
25
Rand Club AGM
26
8
Club open
28
27
Brass Band
evening
29
Club open
Rand Business
Club – guest
speaker Jacques
Schindehütte
30
Don’t miss in November
Don’t miss in December
Members’ special
Christmas lunch.
Brass Band and Christmas carols.
Date to be advised.
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Reciprocal
NEWS
University Women’s Club, London
The University Women’s Club was founded in
1886 when Miss Gertrude E M Jackson of Girton
College, Cambridge, called a meeting at her Portman
Square home, attended by 60 people, to discuss the
idea of a club for University Women.
A number of meetings were subsequently held and in
January 1887 the University Club for Ladies, as it was
then called, opened premises at 31 New Bond Street
on the second and third floors providing a drawing
room, dining room, library and dressing room. By
1894 the Club needed to expand and new premises at
Maddox Street were secured. In 1904 the Club moved
to 4 George Street, Hanover Square where a number
of bedrooms were available and by 1913, membership
had grown to 800 members.
After the Great War, the Club was again looking for
new premises and, after a lengthy search, the
freehold of 2 Audley Square – the Club’s permanent
home today – was purchased in 1921. At the same
time, the Club adopted the name The University
Women’s Club.
Today, The University Women’s Club is the only
women’s club in the UK to be wholly owned by its
Members. It remains true to the aspirations of its
founders by providing a welcoming environment and
pleasant accommodation in Central London for
graduate, professional and business women. It offers
first class cuisine, social events and a place to relax
away from the hubbub of the busy city.
The Club is in easy reach of the City, theatres,
art galleries, concert halls and the exclusive
shopping districts of Bond Street,
Knightsbridge and Sloane Street.
The club has a range of beautiful rooms that
members can hire for weddings and private
parties. Also available are a well-stocked
library and a number of meeting rooms
with all the facilities required to make your
meeting run smoothly.
There are 22 bedrooms with the choice of
single, twin and double rooms. Many rooms
have en suite facilities, television, air
conditioning and hair dryers. All rooms are
equipped with direct-dial telephones, WiFi and
tea and coffee-making facilities.
Gentlemen are welcome as guests.
Would you like to review or read a feature on your
favourite reciprocal club? Would you like to know
more about a particular club? Send reviews or
requests to [email protected]
Rand Club accommodation is ideal
1 for short stays,
business trips or overnight accommodation after a
function. To book any of the three reasonably priced
en suite bedrooms contact Roanne Lloyd on 011-870
4260 or email [email protected]
Members are reminded to request a
Reciprocity Letter or booking from
Roanne Lloyd (Rand Club Membership
Secretary) on [email protected] or
telephone 011-870 4260.
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LIBRARY
CORNER
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
In October, avid readers eagerly await the announcement of the
MAN Booker Prize winner. This year the award went to an Australian
writer, Richard Flanagan for his book entitled The Narrow Road to the Deep
North. A book that is described as a love story and a war story. It is a grim
tribute to his late father who survived World War Two despite being a
prisoner of war in a Japanese camp where the men were used to construct
the infamous Thailand-Burma Death Railway Line.
Flanagan doesn’t flinch when describing the degradation, deprivation, disease
and abuse the prisoner suffered but in so doing he is not melodramatic. He
prefers to highlight human relationships. He slowly develops his character
and tries to see the war situation from both prisoner and captor perspectives.
Strangely it is the comradery, the loyalty, love and goodness that the
survivors remember above all else.
The hero Dorrigo Evans is a surgeon who does his best to keep the men
under his command alive and it is the memory of the love he has for the
woman that he has left behind that sustains him.
I agree with the acclaimed writer Evie Wyld who wrote of the book “not just
a great novel but an important book in its ability to look at terrible things and
create something beautiful. Everyone should read it.”
Jenny Brand
Books available in the library.
REMINDER: Rand Club Librarian, Jenny Brand, is available in
the library on Wednesday and Friday from 09h30 to 13h30.
Members may reserve books and borrow books for up to
three weeks.
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INSIDE THE CLUB
Rand Club
Operating Hours 2014
Members get 20% off the price of all
food and beverages at the Club. Please
present your Membership card at the point
of sale to qualify for you discount.
The Club is open from Monday to
Saturday, with occasional Sunday events.
The most significant new features are:
Saturday:
Breakfast is served from 08h00 to 11h00
A la carte lunch is available from 12h00 to
14h30
Pub menu in the Sports Bar from 12h00 till
closing
Kitchen is closed from 15h00 to 17h00.
Guests and general public welcome.
Relaxed dress code on Saturdays.
Non-Members are urged to put their names
on the guest list by calling Carol on
011-870 4263 or SMS 078-325 6723.
Major sporting events are screened in the
Sports Bar. The snooker room is always
available to Members.
Members are requested to inform their
guests about the Rand Club Dress Code.
It is incumbent upon Members to ensure
that their guests maintain Rand Club
standards.
The minimum requirement of dress is:
Gentlemen - traditional African dress
(including Nehru collars), throughout
the club
Smart Casual – open necked long/short
sleeved shirts.
T-shirts of any kind, jeans, leather
jackets, golf shirts, trainers and/or
shorts are not acceptable.
Ladies dress is Smart Casual. Ladies
are permitted to wear sandals.
Dress code for special functions
will be specified in the event flyer
or invitation.
*******
WiFi is available in the Assore Sports
Lounge, for Members’ use only. Please
contact Roanne on the third floor for the
password, should you wish to use this facility
when next in the Club.
Rand Club is online.
Follow @RandClub on twitter.
Like The Rand Club page on
Facebook.
Visit our update website
www.randclub.co.za for more Club
information.
Why not catch the Gautrain to
town and have lunch at your
Club?
Gautrain schedule can be
found on the website
www.gautrainschedule.co.za
Four parking bays in front of
the Club are reserved for
Members over the age of 75.
These will be available on a first
come first served basis.
The parking bays will be reserved
until 12h45 after which they will
become available for the use of all
Members.
Surrey house parking is available
for after hours functions, please give
Carol a call on 011-870 4263 to
arrange.
*****
If your contact details have
changed,
please
advise
our
Membership
Secretary,
Roanne
Lloyd on [email protected]
Members Please Note
When paying via electronic
transfer or a direct deposit into
Rand Club’s account please reflect
your membership number and send
us a copy of the deposit as proof of
payment via fax on 011-834 1247.
For those members who
would like the download of the
talk of 25th September by
Advocate John Myburgh S C –
The Battle fo the Somme: Dead
men can advance no further can request it by
e-mailing: [email protected]
New Members:
PF Rossouw, HCR Malcomess
In Memoriam
KC Meikle
Ties can be purchased from Michelle
on the third floor.
Important telephone numbers
125th
anniversary
ties R90.00
each while
stocks last!
Back by
popular
demand
R130 each.
Switchboard
011-870 4260
Fax
011-834 1247
Michael Collins (Acting General Manager)
011-870 4262
Roanne Lloyd (Membership Secretary)
011-870 4260
Tim Foley (Financial Accountant)
011-870 4264
Alain Lambert (Food and Beverage
Manager)
011-870 4267
Carol Chamberlain (Banqueting Manager)
011-870 4263
For Bookings After Office Hours
078-325 6723
7
RAND CLUB MEMBER BENEFITS
Throughout its illustrious history, Rand Club has offered its Members a place to meet like-minded people in a
sophisticated environment. More than 125 years later, the Club is still vibrant, relevant and a special place for
its Members.
Rand Club Members have unlimited access to one of Johannesburg’s most coveted and admired
establishments. Members are requested to have their access cards on hand at all times when visiting the Club.
Reciprocity: Rand Club has reciprocity arrangements with more than 130 private clubs worldwide. For a full
list of our reciprocity partners please see the Reciprocity section of our website. Should you wish to visit a
reciprocity club, simply request a letter of introduction and/or any information from our Membership
Secretary, Ms Roanne Lloyd on [email protected] or 011-870 5263.
Rand Club accommodation: Rand Club has three well-appointed bedrooms which are available to all
Members and reciprocity members. Additional information and rates are available on the Accommodation page
of our website.
Rand Club function rooms: Members do not pay venue hire for their personal functions at Rand Club,
provided that there is not a conflicting, full-paying function booked for the same room. The Club boasts a
range of rooms suitable for any function or event. Details and specifications for all of our function rooms are
available on our website.
Rand Club Library: The Rand Club’s main library and lending library are strictly for Members only. Home to
an impressive Africana collection, reference books, the latest fiction and non-fiction best-sellers and a range of
periodicals, magazines and daily newspapers, the library is a quiet haven for Members who like nothing better
than to put their feet up with something good to read.
Rand Club food and beverage: Members get 20% off the price of all food and beverages at the Club.
Please present your Membership card at the point of sale to qualify for your discount.
Members-only areas: The Library, the Armoury and Tommy’s Bar are designated Members-only areas.
Members are welcome to host guests in these areas provided that they are accompanied by a Member.
Parking: Members enjoy free parking in front of the Club, available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please
display your parking tag prominently for unhindered access. Additional metered parking is available in Fox
Street and Loveday Street. After-hours parking is available in Surrey House, across the road from the Club.
Clubs within Rand Club: There are various clubs to suit all interests available to Members. These include
the After Hours 100 Club, Business Club, Chamber Music Club, Historical Association, Hunting Club, Lunchtime
50 Club, Poker Club, Theatre and Supper Club, and Wine Club. See the noticeboards, website and newsletter
for more information.
Club Committees: We encourage our Members to actively participate in the successful running of the Club
by joining any of the committees. Committees include Events and Marketing Committee, Finance Committee,
House Committee, Library Committee, Membership Committee and the Young Members’ Think Tank.
Club events: The Business Club, Library Committee and Events and Marketing Committee arrange regular
events for Members and guests. Members pay preferential prices for events. Details of all upcoming events
are to be found in our monthly Newsletter, on the Club notice boards and on our website.
*Our Membership Committee is working on extending Member benefits to include exclusive get-away
discounts, lifestyle and leisure discounts and much more. Watch the Newsletter and Club communications for
announcements.
January 2015
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