MEET YOUR GENERAL COMMITTEE 


Dear Fellow Members,

  
   Each Member of the Kobe Club receives the Spotlight Magazine on a regular basis and on the inside of the cover is a list of the Members serving on the General Committee (GC).  Just what is the General Committee and what do they do?  This question may be asked by newer Members who would like to know more about how the Kobe Club operates and why a General Committee is necessary.

   In a nut shell those who serve on the GC are your representatives because as a Member you are part owners of the Kobe Club. Serving on the GC is done strictly on a volunteer basis. The primary compensation is by serving the Club and representing you in overseeing the administration of the Club and its activities. 
   A recent example of the GC’s involvement in Japanese legislation that will drastically impact the Club’s future was published in the February/March issue of the Spotlight. This article, written by Rick Brueggemann, highlighted the research and concerns of the GC. It is a complicated issue that is being closely monitored by the GC Members and long discussions ensue during monthly meetings to ensure that the outcome favorably affects the long term goals and objectives of the Club. Budget reviews, Members’ satisfaction, planning of activities, and maintenance and repairs to the Club are just some of the other issues the GC contends with each month.  

As Rainer asked me to write the article for this Spotlight publication I asked, "What topic?" His reply was simply “It’s up to you.” I thought about it for a few days and still had writer’s block. All too often, we lose sight of the obvious. Then I attended the Autumn Gourmet Dinner and Wine Tasting event on November 7th, Saturday evening. I watched the Kobe Club Staff flawlessly perform for the members and guests as if in an orchestra. They did not miss a note. And the topic became abundantly clear. It is about the staff silly. You need to introduce or re-introduce as the case may be, the staff to the members.

   The Events Conveners and I help with idea generation, scheduling and some of the upfront arrangements. It does take a little of our time, but this is all superficial in comparison to the planning and execution by our dedicated, professional staff led by Executive Chef Kamiki, Jimmy and Freddie.

   Chef Kamiki joined our Kobe Club family in 1996 after attending Abeno Cooking School and working at the Dojima Hotel in Osaka for 13 years. Chef was a very welcomed addition and quickly rose into Executive Chef’s role. Chef Kamiki owns an extremely large repertoire of cuisine, and member requested dishes pleasing even the most sophisticated palette. Chef Kamiki spends a considerable amount of time researching dishes. He and his staff are always prepared to offer only the very best for the Club members with specific dietary needs, religious needs or just a particular cooking style. His presentation is some of the most artistic you will find in Kobe.

  Freddie and his broad smile has been part of our Kobe Club family since 1992. He started as a part-time employee in the Bar just two days before the St. George’s Ball. (Does “baptism by fire” resonate with everyone?) He became annual contract staff in 1993, working in the Dining Room.  Freddie transferred to the bar in 1996 where he has worked for the past 13 years. His diverse skills allow him to be equally effective in both the Bar and the Dining Room. Freddie is a very innovative bartender. He is responsible for inventing many of the seasonal cocktails available in the Bar. If you have not tried them, you are really missing a unique opportunity.

   Jimmy joined our Kobe Club family in 1993 when he was a college freshman. He was the youngest staff at the time. He became an annual contract staff in 1999 working in the Bar. Jimmy transferred to the Dining Room in 2007 where he trains and guides all serving activities and arrangements. Like Freddie, Jimmy is at home in the Bar or Dining Room. Jimmy has impeccable tastes in wine and helps to select the best possible wine to compliment your menu choice. Jimmy considers himself very fortunate to have learned so much from them.

   Whether you are attending a special event, enjoying a quiet, relaxing dinner with a friend or loved one, or just having a casual drink in the Bar, the experienced, professional staff (family) are working behind the scenes to ensure your experience at the Kobe Club is the most enjoyable it can possibly be……. See you at the Club soon!  

- Mike Cantonwine, Bar &Restaurant Convener

Founded in 1869, the Kobe Club is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. Originally operated in the style of a British gentlemen’s club, the Kobe Club has undergone dramatic social and cultural changes over the years. The anniversary celebration on October 3rd of this year will have a definite Japanese flavor with premiere sake, music and festivities that will provide a taste of Japanese culture mixed with  the international essence that has surrounded the Club since its inception.

For the members of the Club and their guests this presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a participant in this extraordinary celebration. What better way to astound your business contacts and friends than to involve them in the 140th anniversary festivities! With a little research you can impress them with the history of the expatriate community and how it has developed from the mid-19th century. An edition of “Forever Foreign”, written by Keiko Tamura, will start you on your way, and is available for a very reasonable fee at the Club reception. The venue for the activities will extend beyond the walls of the Club and include a welcoming party that starts outside the front doors, into the lobby and will carry you beyond your senses into the Bar and Ballroom. Of course, the cuisine offered by Head Chef Kamiki and his professional staff will titillate your taste buds as we have all come to appreciate as the Club members. Don’t fail to open your memo books and Blackberries and reserve October 3rd as your time to participate with friends at the 140th celebration of the founding of your Kobe Club.

For those members who will be leaving Kobe during the summer months we wish you a safe and enjoyable time at your destinations. For those who will brave the summer here  we wish to remind you that the Club remains open for business. The shimmering cool water of the Kobe Club beckons to us all. The pool and changing rooms will remain open even on Mondays during the month of August when the main clubhouse is closed.  The highlight of the month will be the Annual Swimming Races for children and adults to be held on 30 August, the last Sunday of the month. Sign up your children early.  In addition, the terrace offers a relaxing place to enjoy a drink or dinner when the soothing summer breezes blow, while the dining room provides an escape for those who prefer the refreshing air-conditioned environment.

On a more somber note it is with deep regret that we must say farewell to two of our absent members who passed away recently. Mr. Thomas J. Reilly, a well known member of the expatriate community and friend of many, who returned to the United States late last year, died on 14 May 2009. Mrs. Evelyn Oberlein passed away on 31 May, 2009. Mrs. Oberlein, a long time Kobe resident and member of the Kobe Women’s Club, was also in the United States at the time of her passing. The sorrow of those who knew them and will miss them is shared with their families at this time of mourning. 

The Kobe Club continues its journey through history, and you as a member are a part of that journey. Whether a member who has recently joined or a member who is now passing the 50-year membership mark, you are an essential part of the Club. Its history now includes you, and we would like to see you using the Club facilities. There are other restaurants, other health clubs, other venues of attraction, but none can match the oasis nestled within the heights of Kobe as the Kobe Club does. You, each one of you, are a valuable asset to the Club. Please take a moment to read the Spotlight and pick an event you and your friends would like to attend. Make an early commitment and arrangement for all of you to visit the Club. Coming as a group makes the evening more fun. The food is excellent, the drinks are reasonable, the atmosphere and surroundings can not be matched and the staff awaits your visit to make your evening most enjoyable. 

- William T. Foran, Honorary Treasurer

 Dear Fellow Members,                                                     

I am honored and excited to write on behalf of the General Committee in this edition of the Spotlight.  

  If you have visited the Club during the last few weeks, especially the outside grounds, you would have enjoyed the variety and abundance of beautiful flowers that were in full bloom all over the gardens of the Kobe Club. That breath-taking, rich and enjoyable scenery touched my heart, my soul and led me to think how fortunate we are to have such beautiful grounds in the heart of the city! But that is not all what Kobe Club offers to its members. Experiencing delicious meals at our Kitano Terrace or sipping on tasty drinks at our Bar, or dipping in the pool during hot summer days, are the most visible attractions at our Club.

  However, Kobe Club offers you a little more than that! At the Kobe Club, we have a squash court, a basketball hoop, a foosball game table, table tennis (ping-pong), a sauna, a gym, books library and a play room for little ones. You can purchase a variety of fine wines from the Kobe Club cellar which you can enjoy in the comfort of your home. You can order cookies and cakes to take out, specially prepared by our renowned chef Kamiki-san. Aerobic lessons, Karate lessons and a personal trainer are also available at the Kobe Club.

  To add to your enjoyment, the General Committee continues to plan a wide variety of events, trying to cover a large array of tastes and interests for the members. Our events range from Christmas parties for little ones to wine tasting for elder ones... This year has been exceptionally rich in a large variety of events... A ski trip to Hokkaido, a Spring Fashion Show, Easter Egg Hunting, a variety of gourmet dinners at the Kitano Terrace, Wine Tasting with a winery owner visiting from California, Comedy Night with a famous comedian visiting from the US, Mediterranean Night with special features (a kabab master and a belly dancer), Casino Night with professional dealers, our first BBQ of the season on the pool opening day where massage services were offered at the pool side, Beer Garden-Style Dinner and a Violin/Piano Concert! More activities and events are planned for the coming months, starting with the American Independence Day BBQ at the pool side, a Hanabi (fireworks)　&Yukata (cotton kimono) Party, Indian Bollywood Night, a piano recital, the swimming races (in cooperation with St. Michael School), and an Onsen Outing.

  Among all, the main event of this year will be the "President's Ball”! The President's Ball comes back this year on October 11th (Sat.) with an elegant, black-tie, Masquerade Competition! Please mark your calendars and start looking for a mask that will make you the winner!

  The General Committee is always happy to hear your suggestions for future events and surely grateful for your support in organising any of the planned events.

  I take to this opportunity to thank all the members and the Kobe Club staff for all the support and efforts that make our Club such a special place! 

- Imad Ramadan, Vice President

Dear Fellow Members,

I am excited to address you as the Club’s newly elected Honorary Treasurer. To be frank, I had quite mixed feelings about this “job” when I was asked if I would like to join the General Committee. However, after my first meeting with Rick, our president, who himself was for many years our treasurer, my initial concerns eased away and I felt comfortable to accept the appointment, knowing that I had an experienced mentor standing by me. Thank you for your confidence by electing me at the last AGM. I will do my best to live up to the expectations.