Why join CSCA?

To preserve the continued existence of truly private clubs. CSCA currently has ~120 private club members, including many of the leading golf, tennis, city, and yacht clubs in this state. Challenges to private clubs from social activists, the news media, and some politicians continue to intensify. Because CSCA is the only entity in this state that speaks for private clubs, it is the only voice, advocate, and protector against these continuous challenges. 

The CSCA hosts an Annual Meeting in November of each year. Attendance at this meeting allows for you to meet with the members of the Board of Directors directly to express any concerns or comments you may have as it relates to privacy matters or other issues affecting private clubs.  

To join, please complete the application and email it to [email protected].

What is CSCA?

CSCA, organized in 1970, is a California nonprofit, mutual benefit corporation. Its purpose is to serve the private club community. CSCA is the only entity that speaks for its member clubs at the state level.

What does CSCA do?

  • Monitors proposed legislation directed at private clubs at both the state and federal levels.
  • At the state level, CSCA unites its clubs in opposition to adverse legislation and utilizes its lobbyist to register formal objection to all legislation that it considers inimical to private clubs.
  • Through quarterly newsletters, periodical bulletins, and other monthly communications (e.g., webinars, video messages), it informs its members about (i) the introduction and current status of proposed state and major federal legislation directed at private clubs, (ii.) significant administrative regulations and actions (including those involving taxes) directed at private clubs, and (iii.) the significance and status of reported court decisions affecting private clubs. 

Although CSCA offers commentaries in its newsletters on the meaning of statutes and regulations and the significance of judicial decisions, it does not give legal advice regarding the individual problems of any member club nor does it act as any club's legal counsel. The responsibility for each club's individual legal problems must rest with its own counsel. 

CSCA supplements the activities of and coordinates with the National Club Association (NCA) and the Club Management Association of America (CMAA), both of which it strongly supports. NCA is concerned with general management, operational, and informational needs and with proposed legislation, principally at the federal level. CMAA is also concerned with general management and operational problems. CSCA is concerned with proposed state and federal legislation and with the protection of private clubs' constitutional and other rights. 

What has CSCA accomplished?

Of the large number of "anti-club" bills introduced into the California legislature in the almost 50 years of CSCA's existence, only two have become law. Frequently, CSCA has been the only opponent of the bills that are prejudicial against private club interests. In 2020, CSCA rallied its clubs and their members to oppose Prop 15, a measure that would have egregiously raised property taxes for all private clubs. CSCA was also the force that kept the sales tax on golf-related activities at bay (2009 and 2012) and stopped property tax reassessments (2010). 

Does CSCA need additional members? If so, why?

Yes, CSCA's effectiveness depends not only upon reasoned arguments but also upon its political clout. This in turn depends upon the total number of individual club members - the total number of voters - that it represents. Based on average club membership and the family of the average club member consisting of four adults, CSCA represents hundreds of thousands of California voters. Each new member club adds from 500 to 5,000 additional voters to the total number being represented by CSCA! To combat the increasingly severe attacks being made upon private clubs, CSCA needs all of the political muscle it can develop.

What does CSCA stand for?

CSCA stands for the right of every truly private club to determine its own membership policy and to manage its own operations free of direct or indirect government dictation, supervision or interference. This it defends as a right guaranteed by both the federal and the state constitutions. CSCA does not advise clubs about what their membership or management policies should be. These, it believes, are matters solely for each club's independent decision-making process. CSCA, therefore, does not stand for any particular membership policy or other club policy. 

What is the cost of belonging to CSCA?

For the current year, it is $1.75 per each individual club member, regardless of class or residence, with a minimum membership investment of $300 and a maximum of $2,500. 

Will a club that has adopted a policy of non-discrimination benefit from membership in CSCA? 

Yes. The views of government administrative and enforcement agencies as to what constitutes compliance with "non-discrimination" and "public accommodations" laws may go far beyond the views of clubs that have in good faith adopted non-discrimination policies. 

Some government agencies may encourage or indirectly require some form of affirmative action. Furthermore, different agencies may adopt different criteria of compliance, and clubs subject to their jurisdiction will be caught in the crossfire. The adoption of a non-discrimination policy by a club does not insulate the club from further governmental interference. Recent court decisions also expose all clubs to further investigation and litigation based on the claim that the club is a "business establishment." All clubs still need reliable information for which CSCA is a resource to chart their future course. 

Who manages CSCA?

CSCA is managed by its Board of Directors, all of whom are representatives of prominent clubs, club industry lawyers, or other experienced club industry professionals. No officer or director receives any salary or other remuneration from CSCA. They contribute their time, thoughts, and services to the cause of private clubs as a common cause.

Additionally, CSCA retains an Executive Director to handle the affairs of the association. The Executive Director is Crystal Thomas, CAE, the CEO of Management Connection. She can be reached at (661) 310-7915.