Proposed Resident Member Initiatives
Background
Eastpointe is a gated residential golf community serving residents and nonresidents of all ages. Members enjoy golf, aquatics, fitness, tennis, pickleball, dining, and banquet facilities.
In 2002, Eastpointe residents voted to establish mandatory membership to support the community's golf clubs. Eastpointe Country Club (ECC) was created for residents, and mandatory membership was intended to strengthen resident support, quality of life, and property values. These purposes were incorporated into the original Bi-Party Agreement and governing documents. Nonresident golfers were later invited to supplement residential membership. In 2012, residents voted on whether to end mandatory membership, but the proposal was defeated. Because 200 resident signatures can trigger another vote, the ECC Board of Governors (BOG) and HOA Board should work together to address the issues between them.
Eastpointe residents are major ECC stakeholders: about 75% of ECC members are residents. Among residents, approximately 75% hold non-golf memberships and 25% hold golf memberships. Before November 2023, resident golfers consistently represented more than 30% of the community and over half of ECC's golf membership. After that date, nonresident golfers accounted for nearly 80% of golf members at one point. Policies adopted by the ECC BOG after November 2023 led to the loss of more than 198 golf members, including over 110 resident golfers. Total golf membership fell from more than 640 to about 540, reducing operating income by over $2.5 million. The policies also increased fees for resident golfers and Resident Social Members residents to play golf and upgrade to full golf membership. In my opinion, these changed. Many policies were implemented that reversed the decades old policies encouraging policies directly contributed to the reduction of resident golf membership and stifled RSM interested in upgrading to full golf membership.
Some fees resulted from agreements between the HOA Board and ECC BOG. Examples include elimination of ECC's $86,500 annual infrastructure payment, which raised each property owner's annual HOA dues by $98.75, and new transfer and initiation fees payable to the club when Eastpointe properties are sold. .
Update the Bi-Party Agreement
Many residents believe the ECC Board is influenced by nonresident members who may not fully understand the community's reasoning or the history of mandatory membership. As a result, resident golfers and Resident Social Members view some policies as contrary to the community's interests. Residents adopted mandatory membership to support a private residential country club and enhance Eastpointe's quality of life and property values—not to create a public-like club in which a nonresident golf majority can override residents' priorities. Many residents also believe Resident Social Members are subsidizing the golf experience of nonresident golfers.
We propose several measures for discussion by both boards and inclusion in any updated Bi-Party Agreement. These discussions should produce ECC policy changes that many residents strongly support. Both boards should work collaboratively to resolve these concerns.
Maintain Resident Golf Membership
Initiation fees for resident golfers should be half (1/2) the amount charged to nonresident members. This policy was in place before November 2023 and should be reinstated immediately. A Resident fee of $30,000 was the sweet spot which supported strong resident golf membership.
· Set a target of 640 full golf members, including 320 resident golfers. Whenever resident golf membership falls below 320, offer exclusive discounts and incentives (discussed above) to current RSM and new residents. For example, if resident golf membership falls below 320, the ECC should consider waiving initiation fees for residents willing to upgrade to full golf membership until such time as resident golf membership reaches 320.
· Invite any resident who maintained a full/ single golf membership for more than five years and left after October 2023 to return at current annual rates with the initiation fee waived.
Maintain Resident Control of ECC
Limit nonresident representation on the ECC Board of Governors to no more than two members at any time
Set Fair and Reasonable Annual RSM Fees.
RSM II fees are excessive and are harming sales of Eastpointe property, particularly for condominiums and smaller homes. The approximately $7,850+ annual RSM II fee (with 5% minimum annual escalation) is unsustainable. RSM II rates should be capped at the 2026 level and increased thereafter only by the same cost-of-living adjustment applied to RSM I. Claims that RSM I members do not pay their fair share are unsupported. For two years, residents have asked ECC to provide financial-system data showing that RSM payments do not cover the services and amenities they use. ECC management has not produced such evidence; residents believe the data show the opposite. RSM I members should receive a proportional vote so their views carry weight.
Allocate 10% of RSM fees to the capital fund for exclusive use on non-golf amenities.
Golden Membership Category
For any member who has been a full golf member for 10 years and is 80 years old (combine total 90 years), that member can choose a Golden membership category which is priced equal to a sports membership. Privileges include full golf, no assessments, fixed membership price with annual increases equal to the annual Cost of Living Index. .
Same Core services for Both RSM and Golf Members
Resident Social Members (RSMs) and golf members should receive equal access and pricing for non-golf amenities, which are core benefits available to all membership categories. Golf members pay higher dues for access to costly golf infrastructure and services; RSMs should not face additional charges or restrictions for non-golf amenities such as fitness classes and pool activities. These differences are unfair and contribute to significant member dissatisfaction.
Single Golf Membership vs Family Golf Membership
Non-golf amenities are core benefits for every membership category. When an RSM upgrades to golf membership, or when a new Eastpointe homeowner selects golf membership, offer a single membership if only one family member plays golf and a family membership if more than one does.
Apply the same policy to nonresident golf members. A single golf membership should include full access to core services and all non-golf amenities for the member and the member's family.
Nonresident Social Membership Downgrade
Allow any nonresident golf member with at least seven years of membership to downgrade to a social membership for any reason..
Resident Golf Cart Policy
Resident-owned golf carts reduce ECC's costs, and ECC encourages residents to provide their own carts. To support this practice, annual fees for resident golf-cart owners should be based on the single-member rate. A family golf membership with two carts should be charged the family cart rate
Age Limits on Running for ECC Board of Governors
Amend the ECC governing documents to set a maximum age of 75 for candidates seeking election to, and members serving on, the Board of Governors.