July-August 2012 - Manila Polo Club

President’s MessageDear Fellow Members,While we are in the process of reviewing the fiscalyear, I would like to ask our fellow members to revisita key component of our Amended By-Laws to wit: “… to establish and maintain a club to promote socialintercourse, and to provide a place for members tomeet, engage in sports activities, and have socialgatherings, recreation and entertainment.” ( Section 2.Purpose. Amended By-Laws as of May 5, 2004 ). All ofour daily tasks, development projects, tournaments andevents were carried out in pursuit of this mandate. Yoursupport and cooperation in these endeavours were bothinspiring and invigorating as attained in the followingachievements:The Facilities Oversight Committee (“FOC”) took thelead in implementing a series of projects aimed atkeeping the Club responsive to the evolving needs ofits members. At the start of the fiscal year, FOC wasworking in coordination with the House Committeefor the Technical Study on the water requirementand alternative water source of the club or the graywater facility project. The first quarter of 2012 sawthe commencement of the construction work on therefurbishing of the Main lounge and its adjacent areas.In November 2011 the 25-meter pool renovationproject was completed and in that same month thenewly renovated facility including a major section of theCogon Village was opened. The latter proved to be a hitamong members and their guests.I would like to yet again congratulate the FOC for thecontinuing good work. This group of dedicated membershas been together now for six years, its first project wasthe Centennial Buildings including the New Lobby, theLibrary, and the improvement of the Sports Lounge andSports Café. I would like to particularly acknowledgethe hard and dedicated work of the three architects onthat committee: its current Chairman, Director AlfredWieneke, Mr. Bong Recio, and the priceless WillieCoscolluela.Before the end of the first quarter of 2012 the Clubhired the services of a new Security Agency, BluForce.The mission order of the agency is to curb abuses bynon-members, increase vigilance and ensure that theClub is safe and secure for all members and their guests.Expect implementation of a new security system in theclub by the third quarter of this year with the use ofdigital technology.June 31,2012 witnessed the successful conclusion ofthe Collective Bargaining Agreement which dovetailedwith the launching of an audacious program of achievinga culture of excellence in the Club through a strongand effective partnership between management andemployees. In terms of re-aligning positions andeliminating redundancies, the Club right-sized itsemployee count by 47%.During the Board Year 2011-2012, we welcomed atotal of 102 proprietary members. We encourage themto continue enjoying our dining and sports facilities. Wewould appreciate constructive feedback from our newmembers.On January, 2012, the Board of Directors approved theproposed Audit Committee Mandate and Internal AuditCharter. The Audit Committee Mandate was based onthe Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Code ofCorporate Governance while the Internal Audit Charterwas based on the Institute of Internal Auditor’s (IIA)Standards. Both the Mandate and the Charter will allowthe Club management to make well-informed decisions.Providing ease and convenience for Club memberswas the goal behind the Management InformationSystem’s roll-out of the online billing system, increasedand accelerated internet access, security, surveillanceand access systems. Even our Senior Citizens who are3President’s Message