Many country clubs and resorts within the industry recognize their employees with their own unique spin, but Houston Country Club (Houston, Texas) takes it a step further by inviting not just the current staff to its holiday party, but retired staff members as well.
Alisha Hurtado, Director of Membership at HCC, says this holiday party can be dated back to 2000 in the club’s online records and plays an integral role in the culture of the club.
The luncheon consists of recognition of tenured employees, a raffle for staff to participate in, Christmas bonuses that hit their account during the party, but most importantly, a chance for current and past employees to break bread together.
A day for employees
Hurtado says that all employees are invited to this party, from contractors to seasonal employees and even retirees.
The event is hosted in an operational part of the day for around two hours, but Hurtado says all departments make it a point to ensure that every employee is able to take part in the celebration.
“We take volunteers and supplement with rental staff to work this party, too, to ensure complete fairness,” says Hurtado.
For as long as the club has been doing this party, the makeup really hasn’t changed much, according to Hurtado.
“It’s a lunch with an over-the-top buffet from our culinary team ranging from seafood to Asian food to Mexican food,” she says. “We have such a diverse staff, I think the chef really tries to create a little bit of representation through his culinary team and it’s always well received.”
It’s also a way for HCC to shine a light on tenured employees.
Hurtado says this is an opportunity for staff to be recognized amongst their peers in a public way, but the club also provides tenured employees with a pin.
This pin has a small diamond in the center with different colors representing the length of their service at HCC. This brings the recognition outside of just staff, but to members, too.
“We share the meaning of the pins to every new member that comes to the club, and it connects these new members with the culture of our tenured staff,” says Hurtado.
This year, HCC recognized employee milestones all the way from five years of service up to 45 years of service.
Hurtado says HCC prides itself on the great work culture it has built, and that doesn’t end whenever an employee leaves.
Connecting employees
Bringing in retired staff members to the party gives HCC an opportunity to thank them for all they did during their employment.
“Year after year these employees gave decades of service to Houston Country Club, so they’re ingrained in the culture here,” says Hurtado.
The event offers a space for friendships to continue because Hurtado says the crossover of friendship is plentiful.
“It gives our employees a joyous space to come together and break bread,” she says.
Hurtado says HCC hosts a similar event in the summer for employees, but it’s more of a family and friends event. The holiday party is strictly for employees to express the club’s outward appreciation.
Giving back
A raffle is also held at the event where things like YETI coolers, tickets to Texas sports events, AirPods, TVs, and more are given to employees.
Hurtado says this offers an opportunity for the club president and board members to get involved because they’re the ones who pick the names out of the hat and give away the prizes.
Another way this event gives back to employees is through the member-funded Christmas bonuses that hit the employees bank account during the event.
“Membership adds donations to their November statement and that money is filtered into a bucket and distributed amongst the staff,” says Hurtado.
Although there is criteria for the bonuses, all current employees get a bonus, even if they are new. Although Hurtado says there is a scale that gives different amounts based on years of service.
Being based in Texas, the club doesn’t have a real slow or light season, and December is actually the height of events and usage with employees at the club a little bit more this month.
“To be able to make sure that there’s a space and time saved to thank them, and bring in the new year with them is really important to the club,” says Hurtado.
