This chapter and the chapters that immediately follow set forth Board policies regarding admission and retention of membership and membership privileges other than:
(i) rules and information to be provided to members and applicants for membership, which are set forth in Chapter 140 et seq.;
(ii) operating procedures governing the processing of membership applications by the Membership Committee, which are set forth in Chapter 254; and
(iii) rules regarding Emeritus membership, which are set forth in Chapter 147.
… election of applicants for membership shall be by ballot of the Board of Trustees.
Two adverse votes shall exclude an applicant.
Article I, Section 2
1. Discussion in Executive Session. The Board shall discuss applications for membership in executive session, without participation by staff (except if, and only to the limited extent that, the Board determines staff participation is necessary to provide information). No record of such discussion shall be kept.
2. Secret Ballot. Board members shall cast their votes on applicants for membership by secret ballot
At each Board meeting, staff shall prepare written ballots setting forth: the applicants upon whose applications the Membership Committee has recommended an action (whether in favor of or against approval).
3. Disagreement with Committee Recommendation to Approve. If a member of the Board feels an application for membership should be denied despite the Membership Committee’s initial recommendation to approve, he or she is encouraged to vote to "hold" the application.
9/23/04: Adopted Section 3, procedure on disagreement with committee.
(a) An applicant’s application shall be held if the total number of votes to hold or deny is at least two (and there are fewer than two votes to deny).
(b) If an applicant’s application is held by the Board, the Membership Committee shall reconsider it, make whatever further investigation is deemed appropriate, and make a new recommendation to the Board to approve or deny the application.
(c) If a member of the Board fails to mark a vote regarding an applicant on his or her ballot, that shall be counted as a vote to "hold."
9/23/04: Adopted Section 4, counting of ballots.
5. Decision Final. A decision by the Board to deny membership is final. Requests for reconsideration are out of order, and shall not be allowed.
12/6/12: Eliminated former appeal process, in favor of reconsideration process described in Chapter 254.
Complimentary ... members shall be elected by the Board of Trustees.
Article I, Section 3
The Membership Committee shall ... direct and supervise all activities in connection with invitation to membership, except in the case of Complimentary ... members.
Article VI, Section 5
Complimentary membership shall be of a temporary nature granted to distinguished individuals
under terms and conditions that the Board of Trustees may prescribe on an individual basis.
Article I, Section 3
Complimentary Memberships are granted in three situations: (i) to attract or reward a particularly noteworthy non-member; (ii) to allow a noteworthy member to continue membership without payment of dues and the like; and (iii) to address unusual situations where ordinary membership procedures and classifications are not appropriate. In most of the cases referred to in (i) and (iii), despite the "complimentary" designation, the memberships have required payment of ordinary dues and other obligations. Complimentary members have generally not, however, been required to pay initiation fees and, of course, the members were not subject to any waiting list.
University of Washington women's tennis coach (July 31, 2019).
MSP to offer a Complimentary Membership to the University of Washington to be used by one employee of the
University of Washington and his or her family whom the University’s Athletic Director determines is
a distinguished individual working in the field of tennis at the UW, on the following terms and conditions:
(i) the recipient shall have the privileges of Active Membership, including having children of the appropriate
age become Junior Members,
(ii) without payment of the initiation fee;
(iii) but paying Active dues, food minimum, assessments and any other regular obligations of an Active (and Junior, if applicable) member;
(iv) terminating automatically when the recipient leaves his or her current position with the University of Washington;
(v) with the understanding that the recipient will apply for Active Membership as soon as practicable;
(vi) with the expectation that the recipient will do outreach, be involved in the Club's tennis program and otherwise cooperate with the Club's Director of Tennis from time to time; and
(vii) subject to review annually and renewal at the discretion of the Board, taking into consideration whether or not the expectation noted above is being met.
The complimentary membership went to Robin Stephenson, head coach of the University of Washington women's tennis team.
Prominent Seattle Tennis Figure (Nakagawa December 5, 2013) MSP to grant a non-transferable complimentary Joint membership for Yosh and Sue Nakagawa to be renewed every five years in appreciation for Yosh Nakagawa’s lifelong dedication to the game of tennis in the Pacific Northwest. [Terms of complimentary membership not described]
MSP to approve the continuation of the Complimentary Joint Membership granted to the late Yosh Nakagawa and Sue Nakagawa, and to confirm that the Complimentary Membership of Ms. Nakagawa survived the death of Mr. Nakagawa (3/24/22).
Outgoing Director of Tennis, and previous World Class Tennis Player Member,
on leaving employment and moving out of state (Stark, March 1, 2012, as revised
October 26, 2012).
In recognition of Jonathan Stark’s entry into the Club as a World Class Tennis Player Member,
his continued distinguished status in the local and international professional tennis communities, and
his long-term exceptional service to the sport and to the Seattle Tennis Club,
the Board grants to Jonathan Stark a Complimentary Membership under the following prescribed terms and conditions:
1. The membership includes all the rights and benefits of a Joint Active Membership under Article 1 of the Bylaws and
other Club policies.
2. The membership includes the option to immediately transfer to Non-Resident Active membership
according to the rules set forth in the Club bylaws.
3. Normal monthly dues and assessments to be paid as established by the Stark’s membership residency status.
4. The Stark's children shall have the same rights to become Junior, JSP and Active members as the children of
any other Active Member.
5. The membership is for one-year terms, which shall be automatically renewed on a year-to-year basis,
unless terminated by the Board thirty (30) days prior to the end of any calendar year.
6. Jonathan Stark is the "Original Member" pursuant to Section 4(d) of the Club’s Guidelines and Policies.
University of Washington men's tennis coach (May 25, 2006).
MSP to offer a Complimentary Membership to the University of Washington to be used by one employee of the
University of Washington and his or her family whom the University’s Athletic Director determines is
a distinguished individual working in the field of tennis at the UW, on the following terms and conditions:
(i) the person shall have the privileges of Active Membership, including having children of the appropriate
age become Junior Members,
(ii) without payment of the initiation fee, but
(iii) paying Active dues, food minimum, assessments and any other regular obligations of an Active and Junior member and
(iv) subject to review annually and renewal at the discretion of the Board.
The complimentary membership went to Matt Anger, head coach of the University of Washington men's tennis team. In 2014 he came to the head of the active wait list, and asked for a year's deferral before applying. In 2015 he requested a move to social membership.
University of Washington President (Emmert, December 2, 2004).
The Board considered various unique facts in this particular case, including:
the University of Washington’s standing as our area’s most important university;
the Club’s long-standing mutually beneficial relationship with UW Tennis;
the position of the President of the University as the head of a major public non-profit institution,
rather than a businessman or politician; and
the proximity of the University and, particularly, the President’s residence in Madison Park.
MSP to offer to Dr. and Mrs. Mark Emmert a Complimentary Membership on the following terms and conditions:
(i) with the privileges of Active Membership,
(ii) without payment of the initiation fee, but
(iii) paying normal active dues, food minimum, assessments and any other regular obligations on active members,
(iv) renewed annually at the discretion of the Board, and
(v) with the understanding that the Emmerts will apply for Active Membership as soon as practicable.
It is further understood that the Emmerts will pay the applicable initiation fee at the time their application for
Active Membership passes through the waiting list and is approved through the normal process.
Any future requests for Complimentary Memberships will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Notable Member (Adkisson, May 25, 2017).
The Tennis Committee discussed and approved granting a complimentary membership to Janet Hopps
Adkisson. She is a legend and not likely to make much use of the Club, so this is really a symbolic gesture
but the Committee felt she deserved it.
MSP to approve a complimentary membership to be granted to Janet Hopps Adkisson in recognition of
her contributions to tennis and without payment of any dues, assessments or food minimums to be
reviewed annually.
Former Active Member, and previous World Class Tennis Player Member, who had resigned Active membership
on moving further away from the Club (Galbraith, July 27, 2006).
In consideration of Pat Galbraith’s achievements in collegiate and professional tennis, his long standing relationship
with the Seattle Tennis Club and its tennis professionals, his ties to the local and national tennis community,
his leadership in the world of tennis and his promotion of the game, the Board of Trustees offers Pat Galbraith
and his immediate family a Complimentary Membership pursuant to the Club's Bylaws (Article I, Sections 2 and 3)
under the following terms and conditions:
- the membership shall be reviewed annually and renewed at the discretion of the Board of Trustees;
- routine charges for an Active Member such as monthly dues, assessments and food minimum are waived;
- member shall be responsible for individual charges incurred, if any;
- children of the appropriate age may become Junior Members but without the privilege of converting that membership into
any other category of membership;
- member shall have the privileges as defined in applicable portions of the Club's Bylaws
(including Article I, Section 4) and Club Rules.
Adult child with a disability (December 5, 2024). MSP to offer to [name of Member] a Complimentary Membership on the following terms and conditions: (i) with the privileges of Junior membership (without regard to his age) so long as he is accompanied by an adult when he is at the Club, (ii) paying normal Junior dues and any other regular obligations of Junior members, (iii) automatically renewing each year on January 1, unless the Board determines that it shall not renew and (iv) subject to the condition that his parents agree to be responsible for his dues and charges.
Adult child with a disability (June 23, 2022). MSP to offer to [name of Member] a Complimentary Membership on the following terms and conditions: (i) with the privileges of Junior membership (without regard to his age) so long as he is accompanied by an adult when he is at the Club, (ii) paying normal Junior dues and any other regular obligations of Junior members, (iii) automatically renewing each year on January 1, unless the Board determines that it shall not renew, and ending at his 25th birthday and (iv) subject to the condition that his parents agree to be responsible for his dues and charges.
Adult child with a disability (December 6, 2021). MSP to offer to [Name of Member] a Complimentary Membership on the following terms and conditions: (i) with the privileges of Junior membership (without regard to his age) so long as he is accompanied by an adult when he is at the Club, (ii) without payment of any initiation fee, but (iii) paying normal Junior dues and any other regular obligations of Junior members, (iv) automatically renewing each year on January 1, unless the Board determines that it shall not renew, and (v) subject to the condition that an Active member (which may be his father, his brother or another Active member) agrees to be responsible for his dues and charges.
Widower whose wife (an Active Member) died after he applied for Joint Membership by Marriage but before the application was processed (November 30, 2023). MSP to grant [Name of Applicant] (widower of [Name of Member]) a temporary Complimentary membership on the following terms and conditions: (i) the recipient shall have all of the privileges of Active membership, including having children of the appropriate age as dependent Junior Members; (ii) without payment of an initiation fee; (iii) with payment of Active dues, food minimum, assessments, and any other regular obligations of an Active (and Junior, if applicable) member; (iv) the Complimentary membership expires upon completion of the pending application for membership by marriage.
Junior Member whose father died, and whose divorced mother was not a member (March 24, 2022). MSP to offer to [Name of Member] a Complimentary Membership on the following terms and conditions: (i) with the privileges of Resident Junior membership, (ii) subject to payment of the ordinary junior initiation fee payable by a new Resident Junior member of her age, (iii) paying normal Resident Junior dues and any other regular obligations on Resident Junior members, (iv) expiring at her 21st birthday, at which time she shall be eligible to become a JSP member, just as an ordinary Junior member would be, and (v) subject to the condition that [Name of Member's Uncle] agrees to be responsible for her dues and charges.
Junior Members who were orphaned (March 1, 2007). MSP to grant [Name of First Member] and [Name of Second Member, brother of First] complimentary junior memberships with all the rights and obligations of that category and subject to their attaining a current member as guarantor of their membership accounts until they achieve the age of 21 and become Junior with Senior Privileges (JSP) members.
Junior Member, age 19, whose mother died, and whose divorced father was not a member (June 23, 2006). MSP to offer to [Name of Member] a Complimentary Membership on the following terms and conditions: (i) with the privileges of Junior membership, (ii) without payment of any initiation fee, but (iii) paying normal Junior dues and any other regular obligations on Junior members, (iv) expiring at his 21st birthday, at which time he shall be eligible to become a JSP member, just as an ordinary Junior member would be, and (v) subject to the condition that his brother or another Active member agrees to be responsible for his dues and charges.
Family of expelled member (June 28, 2018).
MSP to suspend the member until Labor Day.
After Labor Day the member will be expelled at which time a complimentary membership will be issued to the spouse and children.
[Terms of complimentary membership not described].
No Complimentary Membership Granted: Junior Member, parents wish to resign but to have him retain membership (May 26, 2005).
MSP to offer to the [Name] family only "Option 1" as discussed by the Board, which involves no exception to
or change of current policy.
The Board reviewed and considered a short outline of six possible solutions, and rejected five of them,
which were numbered 2 though 6:
(2) considering the child’s brother to be his "parent" so he can be a junior member until he turns 21;
(3) making the child a junior development member;
(4) making the child a complimentary member;
(5) suspending the parents without expelling them until the child is 21; and
(6) establishing a new policy that allows former junior members (or certain former junior members) to apply to become JSPs at 21 or senior members at 25.
The remaining option was option number 1, which was summarized as follows in the outline:
No exception to or change of current policy.
For the next 5 years: Parents convert to Social. Child is not a junior member, cannot use Club.
Just before the child’s 21st birthday: Parents convert back to Active. Child becomes a Junior member.
At 21st birthday: Child becomes a JSP. Parents can now resign.]
World Class Tennis Player memberships may be given by the Board of Trustees to World Class Tennis Players
upon recommendation of both the Tennis Committee and the Membership Committee.
Article I, Section 2
World Class Tennis Player Memberships may be given to World Class Tennis Players who are deemed worthy of
such recognition by the Board of Trustees, such memberships to cease upon the player reaching age 35.
Article I, Section 3
(a) Factors. In determining who is worthy of recognition in the form of a World Class Tennis Player membership, the Board should consider, but is not limited to, the following:
(i) the player’s ties to the community;
(ii) world ranking, past and present;
(iii) the extent, if any, which such a player has helped to promote tennis at the Seattle Tennis Club in the past or has agreed to help promote tennis at the Seattle Tennis Club in the future; and
(iv) sportsmanship.
(b) No Dues or Assessments. No dues or assessments will be charged to either the World Class Tennis Player member or his or her spouse, who may enjoy all the benefits of membership that accrue to the player. In the event of the death of a World Class Tennis Player member before reaching age 35, the membership ceases. A World Class Tennis Player membership carries with it normal guest privileges and full use of all Club facilities, but no voting rights.
(c) At and After Age 35. When a World Class Tennis Player member reaches the age of 35, he or she shall have the option of applying for Active or Social membership. Approximately ninety days prior to his or her 35th birthday, he or she will be sent a formal application of transfer which must be returned the month prior to that in which his or her 35th birthday occurs. If the form is not so returned, the membership will be dropped. World Class Tennis Player members applying for Active or Social membership will be screened by the Membership Committee and their names will be posted on the posting notice that is sent to the general membership. The application and screening process are the same as for other applicants. See Chapter 142.
A World Class Tennis Player member who becomes an Active or Social member shall pay the same initiation and other fees payable by non-members upon becoming members and thereafter shall be subject to the same dues, assessements and other charges as other Active or Social members (as the case may be).
There have been two World Class Tennis Player Members:
Patrick Galbraith
1990s: World Class Tennis Player Membership approved.
2002: At Age 35, elected to become a Resident Active Member, upon payment of ordinary initiation fee, but
bypassing the Active wait list
2006: Resigned membership on moving further from the Club.
7/27/06: Offered Complimentary Membership (see Part B above).
Jonathan Stark
1990s: World Class Tennis Player Membership approved.
Later.
12/2/05: In advance of 35th birthday, offered "Business Comp" privileges
when he became a member of the Club's staff of tennis professionals(see Part D below)
12/2/05: MSP to modify the policy usually applicable to World Class Tennis Players so far as it applies to
Jonathan Stark, so that he may defer the option of applying to become an active member, which he would ordinarily
be required to exercise at age 35, until ninety days after he ceases to be an employee of the Club
(or, if earlier, after his Business Comp privileges are revoked).
3/1/12: Offered Complimentary Membership (see Part B above).
Junior Development membership may be extended on an annual basis by the Board of Trustees to
outstanding junior tennis players upon recommendation of the Tennis Committee.
Article I, Section 2
The Membership Committee shall ... direct and supervise all activities in connection with invitation to membership, except in the case of ... Junior Development members.
Article VI, Section 5
Junior Development members shall be accepted between the ages of 9 and 21 and may remain in such status until
age 21 upon the continued demonstration of satisfactory tennis performance.
Article I, Section 3
(a) The Junior Development membership is extended to those outstanding tennis players between 9 and 21 years of age residing in the greater Seattle area who might otherwise be unable to benefit from the Club facilities.
(b) The Tennis Committee and the tennis professional staff are asked to make efforts to identify candidates for Junior Development Memberships, including particularly candidates from groups underrepresented among the Club’s membership.
2/25/21: MSP to make the above request.
(c) Recommendation for an invitation to membership is made by the Tennis Committee to the Board of Trustees. If the recommendation is approved, an invitation is issued by direction of the Board. If accepted, an application must be completed.
(d) A Junior Development member pays the standard Junior membership initiation fee and dues.
(e) Junior Development members have the same privileges and are subject to the same rules as Junior members. In addition, Junior Development members are reviewed annually by the Tennis Committee, and the Committee may recommend that the Board drop a membership by action of the Board at such time if the individual’s performance is deemed unsatisfactory.
(f) Junior Development membership is limited to a total of five persons at any one time.
(g) At age 21 a Junior Development member may apply to the Board of Trustees for JSP membership and, if accepted, transfer to this class with all rights and obligations of a JSP member.
6/27/18 MSP to approve Brett and Megan Pearson as Junior Development Members, with the expectation that the Tennis Committee and staff will define requirements and guidelines applicable to Junior Development Members to ensure they are beneficial to the Club (action taken on the recommendation of the Tennis Committee).
6/22/17 MSP to approve a Junior Development membership to be granted to Colton Weeldreyer (action taken on the recommendation of the Tennis Committee).
Two invitations were extended in 2006, which included special privileges for their parents as well.
The invitations were declined.
3/2/06: MSP to invite Sophia Bott and Nicholas Kamisar to become Junior Development Members on the terms and conditions
set forth in the Club’s membership guidelines and policies, subject to approval by the Membership Committee.
3/2/06: MSP to allow the parents of Sophia Bott and Nicholas Kamisar to come to the Club in a supervisory capacity
while with their children.
The Board of Trustees shall have the power from time to time to determine the terms and conditions under which
privileges of the Club may be granted to non-members and guests.
Articles IX, Section 1
The Club may from time to time extend all or some of the privileges of Active (or Social) membership to a specified employee of the Club during his or her employment, on a complimentary and revocable basis, and on such other terms as the Board determines appropriate. This is not a membership, but only certain privileges, and is distinct from a Complimentary Membership.
If an employee has "Business Comp" privileges, that employee’s children may have the privileges of junior membership while under age 21, but these do not include the privilege of becoming a JSP member without cost.
12/2/05: Adopted preceding paragraph, clarifying position of children. This was adopted as a matter of clarification, and not particularly related to Jonathan Stark.
Recent employment agreements with general managers have specified the Business Comp privileges available to the general manager during his or her employment.
7/25/19: MSP The Director of Tennis [Scott Moore at the time] and his immediate family members shall have the privilege of using the facilities of the Club, subject to proper performance of the Director of Tennis’ duties, and the observance of all rules and regulations of the Club. The Director of Tennis will be responsible for payment of any charges incurred by family members. Club use privileges are not subject to the payment of initiation fees or applicable monthly dues. Such privileges end at the time of the Director of Tennis' termination or resignation. The children of the Director of Tennis shall have the privileges of junior membership while under age 21, but these privileges do not include the privilege of becoming a JSP (Junior with Senior Privileges) or other membership member without cost (initiation fees or dues)
12/2/05: MSP to grant to Jonathan Stark the privileges of membership, as a "Business Comp," so long as he is an employee of the Club (unless earlier revoked by the Board of Trustees).
–
1/26/23: Chapter 240 approved by the Board.