Staff Development, Awards, Scholarship

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

The Trustees of Fiddler’s Elbow are committed to the ongoing training and professional development of their staff, whom they consider to be “family.” To this end, in 2022 the acclaimed human resources coach and trainer Shawn Doyle was engaged to provide both managers and staff with live seminars at the club. The seminars focused on building leadership skills, how to be your best performer, and how to increase confidence to name a few topics.

For awards as incentives, Fiddler’s has two types of recognition. We have our “WOW” Cards, and the ACE Awards.

Each academic year, Fiddler’s Elbow awards one or more scholarships to student(s) who are a current staff member of Fiddler’s Elbow or immediate family member, child, or grandchild of a current staff member, attending an accredited, two-year or four-year college or university or a skilled trade school.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

The training sessions were well attended and the staff was thrilled to have participated. Participants learned skills to boost the confidence of the individual — whether manager or front-line worker—and for leveraging their strengths. The goal was to allow great people to shine, developing their leader within.

When an employee receives a “WOW” Card from another employee, they bring it to HR and put it in our Raffle Box, and 3 cards are drawn each month and given a Pro Shop Gift Card.

All ACE Award nominees for each month are broken up into their nomination departments (Front of House, Heart of House, etc.) and then the Nominee List is given to the Executive Committee to vote on, using the stories and examples in the nomination to help guide who they vote for. Winners for each department are given a certificate, and a crystal trophy engraved with their name, department, and employee of the month/date as well as having their pictures hung in a frame in the member lobbies so the members know who won. All the monthly winners were then put up for the year end voting for the single Employee of the Year, who was given a certificate, engraved Employee of the Year Cup, and is given a reserved parking spot for the Fiddler’s Employee of the Year.

The criteria for the scholarship(s) is they must demonstrate a history of volunteerism and commitment to giving back to the community, and overall academic merit. In 2022, the club awarded 9 scholarships.