If arrears are still unpaid a month later, the member \u201cshall cease to be a member\u201d and their name \u201cshall be erased from the roll of members\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Northern Club proposes to ban members from privileges if they don’t pay their subs within three months. Photo \/ Anna Heath <\/p>\n
However, the committee may reinstate the member within three months if a satisfactory explanation is provided and all outstanding debts are paid.<\/p>\n
In those cases, payments will be direct debit only – to reduce the administrative burden of recovering overdue accounts.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegrettably, from time to time, a small number of members fail to meet their financial commitments when due,\u201d Cooke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOverdue amounts can total in the tens of thousands of dollars in some months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Auckland\u2019s elite club<\/a> started life in 1869 as a gentlemen\u2019s club and only opened its doors to women in 1990.<\/p>\n Its website says it now has more than 2000 members drawn from the professional and business worlds, and that admission is not based on gender, wealth or ancestry.<\/p>\n The club\u2019s distinctive 156-year-old quarry stone building in Auckland\u2019s CBD<\/a> \u2014 listed as a Category 1 site by Heritage New Zealand \u2014 is perhaps best known for its charming \u201civy curtain\u201d.<\/p>\n But the picturesque Virginia creeper on the building\u2019s exterior has been damaging the historic clubhouse, compromising its facade.<\/p>\n Without urgent repairs, deterioration is expected to worsen, potentially causing water ingress and structural damage, and sections of the building could be at risk of falling on to the street.<\/p>\n As such, it is proposed that all members make a compulsory contribution to the Northern Club Building Foundation of $300 twice yearly for five years for ordinary members, and $150 twice yearly for all other subscription groups.<\/p>\n Previous voluntary levies raised approximately $1.3 million.<\/p>\n That funding has already enabled the Princes St facade to be cleared of ivy, steam-cleaned, inspected, repaired and replastered.<\/p>\n About $950,000 has been spent or allocated for the Princes St facade and iron fencing, and it is estimated that the total preservation and repair cost will be \u201cin the order of $3.6 million\u201d.<\/p>\n Members have been invited to drinks and canapes next Wednesday to celebrate the completion of the restoration.<\/p>\n Club member Anne Batley-Burton<\/a>, star of Real Housewives of Auckland and \u201ccelebrity cat lady\u201d<\/a> is a regular at the Northern Club.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s lovely \u2014 when you walk in, you\u2019re welcomed at the door; they know your name, you feel safe, and they know exactly what you want. I don\u2019t want black pepper on my food; I like my baby cos salad and avocado in a certain place\u2014 they know everyone\u2019s quirks.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t mind paying maintenance fees for the building; it\u2019s historic, after all. Everybody loves the ivy, but it\u2019s caused a lot of damage. It has lost a little of its charm without it \u2014 maybe they could use faux ivy. Being short-sighted, I probably wouldn\u2019t be able to tell the difference, but I don\u2019t know what the club would think of my suggestion,\u201d Batley-Burton said.<\/p>\n Her message to members who haven\u2019t paid their subs: \u201cHurry and pay up, otherwise you\u2019re out!\u201d<\/p>\n Former chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber, Michael Barnett, said he was unaware of any increases in membership subscriptions or outstanding debts.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the membership issue begs the question of whether it\u2019s a sign of the times. Cost-of-living pressures are affecting both ends of our economy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all about belonging. Charging members for additional fees and repairs is all well and good, but being innovative and creative in attracting and retaining members \u2014 and keeping them engaged so they generate revenue \u2014 should be on the agenda. That\u2019s what will keep it alive. It doesn\u2019t matter whether it\u2019s the Northern Club or the Chamber of Commerce.”<\/p>\n In the Northern Club\u2019s latest newsletter obtained by the Herald, members are invited to listen to fellow member, Dr Daniel McGown, discuss Parkinson\u2019s Disease, sneak a peek at fashion designer Caitlin Chrisp\u2019s winter collection, go to a wine tasting at Kumeu River to celebrate International Chardonnay Day or learn how to prepare and assemble a Beef Wellington with executive chef Russell Cameron.<\/p>\nJoanna Cooke, General Manager of the Northern Club, said that in some months, overdue amounts have totalled tens of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
The Northern Club’s Virginia creeper-clad exterior has been damaging the historic clubhouse, compromising the facade. Photo \/ Composite<\/p>\n
The Northern Club’s restoration costs ,total preservation and repair bill is estimated to be around $3.6 billion. Photo \/ Anna Heath. <\/p>\n
Former star of Real Housewives of Auckland and “celebrity cat lady” Anne Batley-Burton is a regular at the Northern Club. She says maybe the building could be covered in faux ivy. Photo \/ Michael Craig.<\/p>\n
In the latest Northern Club newsletter, members can learn how to prepare and assemble a beef wellington from an Executive Chef. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n