Metamorphosis

Met·a·mor·pho·sis: the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.

On the 130th anniversary of Highland, and the 43rd anniversary of my acquisition of the facility, I would like to share some thoughts about our community, and where we are headed. 

First, though, for some context, let us review Highland’s long and colorful history including survival of the 1894 flood that destroyed our downtown, two World Wars that changed our country, the Great Depression, along with multiple technological innovations, all the while serving as an elementary school for kids, a Free School for adults, home to luxury offices, leading to the private social and business club we have today. 

Simply stated, Highland has been able to dodge the sad fate of many similar buildings by adopting the Darwinianian survival strategy of adapting, staying technologically current, and rapidly changing with the times. This goal has required effort, determination, long-term vision, and an unwavering commitment.

The 2020 pandemic provided us with yet another opportunity to change and grow. Even as the pandemic inflicted the pain of losing a number of members and nearly half our revenue, it also afforded the chance to complete multiple small and large projects that otherwise would have been impossible to undertake. 

All of the above brings us to the present. Many of our social members miss our all-you-can-eat buffet lunches. Some cite the absence of the regular Friday night Happy Hour. We hear you, and have similar fond memories of the past decade. However, we are now striving to function in a new legal, financial and operational environment where labor is more scarce than capital, and health issues trump fun. In the new environment, our vision for the near future includes the re-introduction of many beloved old, and new, programs in a way that reflects a path to operational and financial viability to ensure the long-term survival of the club. 

The replacement of our traditional lunch buffet with customized plates was introduced in light of the pandemic’s health mandates, along with the need to reduce food waste. We fully intend to reintroduce Happy Hours, though in a modified form to encompass more than Friday evenings. In fact, we are in the process of hiring the club’s first full-time professional Food & Beverage manager to help us define the terms and schedule of these new events.

A major priority is the update of our Charter to reflect our new policies, procedures, and pricing, to go into effect September 1. The proposed restructure will maintain our current Social and Business Memberships while adding a new ‘Social Plus’ Membership to accommodate the needs of members who have a home office and/or travel for business. 

“The only constant is change,” and we hope the new proposed changes will make our community stronger and more flexible on multiple fronts.

— Sina.