I am very concerned about the long term viability of the club. Due to mismanagement of the process and unprofessional fund raising efforts, millions of dollars were spent permitting the Harvard site and then once permits were in hand, the club could not proceed because there was no financial capability to do so. I fear that the club is putting itself in the same position with Norwood. Not enough study has been conducted as to what to build, hence how much does it cost, and how will this money be raised. I fear the club will lose more money again and be in a worst position to try again on another site.
K
Kate Givans
10 years ago
Openness, please
S
Shayne Huff
10 years ago
At minimum, I would like a commitment by the club to remain extremely near the current location. This is ultimately in everyone's best interest, even those members that currently don't mind, or would even prefer a move to Norwood. Those members should consider that this Norwood move could fall through, and the next proposed move by the Board may ultimately be one that would preclude their membership. Let's keep this for everyone. My preference is to have the club commit to staying in the current location in some way, in order to ensure preservation of the historical value of the building, as well as the investment value/potential of the land.
D
Deborah Collier
10 years ago
Featured
My husband and I are upset that the original commitment to stay within 5 miles of the rink's current location has been disregarded. The process of signing agreements in Norwood has been rushed, the finances seem risky, and our commutes will be significantly longer. The commute from Boston to Norwood would make it impossible for us and many others to remain members. We strongly request that other proposals be considered including building 2 rinks at our current site (stacked vertically or side be side) be considered.
W
William R. Koss
10 years ago
Featured
I attended the briefing session in which the power went out. I cannot comment about the other sessions, but the one I attended was not a discussion. It was a question and answer session only with an off-putting poll after every answer as to whether the answer was acceptable. The Board should engage in a dialog with members. Moving to Norwood might be the in the best interest of the Club, or it might not be in the best interest of the Club, but there should be a dialog, a discussion and engagement with members. I was left with the perception from the session I attended that the Board did not want to have an engagement and dialog with members about the move.
N
Nancy ONeil
10 years ago
The Board's decision will ultimately lead to the demise of the SCOB. Where is the financing going to be obtained? How will this be sustainable? There have been many initiatives at other rinks, that have failed. And without proper due diligence, this is going to have the same outcome.
The Board needs to be transparent to the membership and to all those interested in the sustainability of the SCOB.
D
Donald Korb
10 years ago
I agree with Diana Squibb, the Grayson's and David DeCaprio. The probability that this will lead to failure of the club is very high. The present course will be taught at Business Schools as a classic example of how a few , for whatever reasons, did not follow accepted procedures and ignored the majority leading a proud heritage to oblivion. It is at a level where members should file a request for an injunction to prevent any letter of intent without proper data and support of the membership.
Donald Korb United States, Boston
A
Alice Grayson
10 years ago
A Norwood location would fracture the integrity and membership of the club. It must remain " The Skating Club of Boston. "
D
Diana Le Maire Squibb
10 years ago
I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to move the Skating Club of Boston out of the area. It sure won't be called that in the future. What prestige would the Skating Club of Norwood have at competitions and applying to hosts major events?
Please use to look twice at a skater from the Skating Club of Boston at competitions because it is known that the training is exceptional.
Did anyone look at the demographics of the membership to see where people live and how far they would have to travel to get there? Think of the traffic!
More discussion on this is warranted.
K
Karolyn Kurkjian-Jones
10 years ago
SCOB in Norwood?
D
David DeCaprio
10 years ago
1. It seems that by-laws have been ignored in this "proposal".
2. A discussion with a Sociologist could very well indicate that by changing locations a significant loss in membership and member support will be a consequence.
Most clubs aren't "location" oriented. They are spirit oriented. That is not the case at SCoB. It was owned by the members who built it at this location over 100 years ago.
3. I suggest a local person consider applying for a "historical site"recognition by the city.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Featured
While few would dispute that the board has worked hard to plan for the club's future, it's disappointing that the club, which is essentially a service provider, does not seem to be paying attention to the needs of its membership, nor involving them in the decision-making process in a substantive manner. It's axiomatic that when a service business does not meet the needs of its customers, it fails. No-one wants to see our storied club fail.
L
Lisa Fast
10 years ago
Featured
Since news of a possible move to Norwood was announced, the response that I have heard from 99% of the people to whom I have spoken has been to look for other closer places to skate. If members are not going to be served by such a move, I cannot help but wonder, what Board members' interest are being served by this proposal? And if there are Board members with such interests, those Board member have a duty to disclose to the membership such interest (including even the appearance of interest), and those Board members ought also recuse themselves from participating in any vote relating to the Norwood move decisions. Given the significance of this issue to the future of the club, would it not be appropriate to have the members vote on the issue?
C
Christie Allan-Piper
10 years ago
Featured
For many years, members of the board have worked on our behalf, trying to devise a plan for the future. The most recent plan however has come suddenly, is momentous, and greatly affects all members. It would be helpful for us all to contemplate it together before acting.
I am very concerned about the long term viability of the club. Due to mismanagement of the process and unprofessional fund raising efforts, millions of dollars were spent permitting the Harvard site and then once permits were in hand, the club could not proceed because there was no financial capability to do so. I fear that the club is putting itself in the same position with Norwood. Not enough study has been conducted as to what to build, hence how much does it cost, and how will this money be raised. I fear the club will lose more money again and be in a worst position to try again on another site.
Openness, please
At minimum, I would like a commitment by the club to remain extremely near the current location. This is ultimately in everyone's best interest, even those members that currently don't mind, or would even prefer a move to Norwood. Those members should consider that this Norwood move could fall through, and the next proposed move by the Board may ultimately be one that would preclude their membership. Let's keep this for everyone. My preference is to have the club commit to staying in the current location in some way, in order to ensure preservation of the historical value of the building, as well as the investment value/potential of the land.
My husband and I are upset that the original commitment to stay within 5 miles of the rink's current location has been disregarded. The process of signing agreements in Norwood has been rushed, the finances seem risky, and our commutes will be significantly longer. The commute from Boston to Norwood would make it impossible for us and many others to remain members. We strongly request that other proposals be considered including building 2 rinks at our current site (stacked vertically or side be side) be considered.
I attended the briefing session in which the power went out. I cannot comment about the other sessions, but the one I attended was not a discussion. It was a question and answer session only with an off-putting poll after every answer as to whether the answer was acceptable. The Board should engage in a dialog with members. Moving to Norwood might be the in the best interest of the Club, or it might not be in the best interest of the Club, but there should be a dialog, a discussion and engagement with members. I was left with the perception from the session I attended that the Board did not want to have an engagement and dialog with members about the move.
The Board's decision will ultimately lead to the demise of the SCOB. Where is the financing going to be obtained? How will this be sustainable? There have been many initiatives at other rinks, that have failed. And without proper due diligence, this is going to have the same outcome. The Board needs to be transparent to the membership and to all those interested in the sustainability of the SCOB.
I agree with Diana Squibb, the Grayson's and David DeCaprio. The probability that this will lead to failure of the club is very high. The present course will be taught at Business Schools as a classic example of how a few , for whatever reasons, did not follow accepted procedures and ignored the majority leading a proud heritage to oblivion. It is at a level where members should file a request for an injunction to prevent any letter of intent without proper data and support of the membership. Donald Korb United States, Boston
A Norwood location would fracture the integrity and membership of the club. It must remain " The Skating Club of Boston. "
I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to move the Skating Club of Boston out of the area. It sure won't be called that in the future. What prestige would the Skating Club of Norwood have at competitions and applying to hosts major events? Please use to look twice at a skater from the Skating Club of Boston at competitions because it is known that the training is exceptional. Did anyone look at the demographics of the membership to see where people live and how far they would have to travel to get there? Think of the traffic! More discussion on this is warranted.
SCOB in Norwood?
1. It seems that by-laws have been ignored in this "proposal". 2. A discussion with a Sociologist could very well indicate that by changing locations a significant loss in membership and member support will be a consequence. Most clubs aren't "location" oriented. They are spirit oriented. That is not the case at SCoB. It was owned by the members who built it at this location over 100 years ago. 3. I suggest a local person consider applying for a "historical site"recognition by the city.
While few would dispute that the board has worked hard to plan for the club's future, it's disappointing that the club, which is essentially a service provider, does not seem to be paying attention to the needs of its membership, nor involving them in the decision-making process in a substantive manner. It's axiomatic that when a service business does not meet the needs of its customers, it fails. No-one wants to see our storied club fail.
Since news of a possible move to Norwood was announced, the response that I have heard from 99% of the people to whom I have spoken has been to look for other closer places to skate. If members are not going to be served by such a move, I cannot help but wonder, what Board members' interest are being served by this proposal? And if there are Board members with such interests, those Board member have a duty to disclose to the membership such interest (including even the appearance of interest), and those Board members ought also recuse themselves from participating in any vote relating to the Norwood move decisions. Given the significance of this issue to the future of the club, would it not be appropriate to have the members vote on the issue?
For many years, members of the board have worked on our behalf, trying to devise a plan for the future. The most recent plan however has come suddenly, is momentous, and greatly affects all members. It would be helpful for us all to contemplate it together before acting.