Universal Recognition
The Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) is known around the world for its culture, service and commitment to community and country. With more than 700 works of art, including a Monet, the ULCC’s art collection is one of the best among private clubs. What truly sets it apart from any other club though, is its commitment to community and country.
The only private club with an institutional commitment to community and country, the ULCC supports three foundations (Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, Luminarts Cultural Foundation at the Union League Club and Chicago Engineers’ Foundation at the Union League Club) as well as multiple military organizations (American Legion Post #758, Chicago 502, 721 Club, 786 Club, the Rickover Commissioning Committee and more) and has written in its by-laws its Public Affairs Committee to ensure it always has an outward facing mission to do good in the community. Through these groups, the ULCC is able to not only reach large segments of society but have an impact on the community and country.
The only private club with an institutional commitment to community and country, the ULCC supports three foundations (Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, Luminarts Cultural Foundation at the Union League Club and Chicago Engineers’ Foundation at the Union League Club) as well as multiple military organizations (American Legion Post #758, Chicago 502, 721 Club, 786 Club, the Rickover Commissioning Committee and more) and has written in its by-laws its Public Affairs Committee to ensure it always has an outward facing mission to do good in the community. Through these groups, the ULCC is able to not only reach large segments of society but have an impact on the community and country.
Excellence in Amenities and Facilities
What is commonly referred to as a neighborhood or campus in a building, the ULCC is an all-encompassing resource for a member’s social, professional and personal needs. A day in the life of a ULCC member looks like this:
They head to the ULCC Health Club to start their day off with a personal training session led by either one of our on-staff professionals or a Les Mills instructor. Following their workout, they get a CBD Treatment and Deep Tissue massage and then head to the Rendezvous for a quick bite.
They move to one of our many remote workspaces such as the Library (the quiet space to get work done), Presidents Hall (our second largest ballroom filled with soft seating and tables for the everyday worker), ONE Café (a place to grab a cup of coffee or quick bite and take a call) or the outside Patio (a space to enjoy the weather and a drink).
As the afternoon approaches, they have booked a virtually hybrid conference room on the eighth floor and are prepared to welcome their colleagues and clients to their club. Following an a la carte lunch and program handled by a premier service staff, the member moves on to enjoy after work drinks in the Rendezvous and a seasonally inspired dining experience in the Wigwam.
With a long week ahead, the member chooses to take the elevator home to stay overnight in one of our well-appointed guest rooms.
Because success is in the details and separates great from good, every part of a member’s experience at the ULCC is reviewed, learned and initiated before they even ask. It is for this reason that members call the ULCC their home away from home and many treat it as their second and third place.
Additionally, the ULCC offers an eclectic selection of, on average, 50 member events per month.
They head to the ULCC Health Club to start their day off with a personal training session led by either one of our on-staff professionals or a Les Mills instructor. Following their workout, they get a CBD Treatment and Deep Tissue massage and then head to the Rendezvous for a quick bite.
They move to one of our many remote workspaces such as the Library (the quiet space to get work done), Presidents Hall (our second largest ballroom filled with soft seating and tables for the everyday worker), ONE Café (a place to grab a cup of coffee or quick bite and take a call) or the outside Patio (a space to enjoy the weather and a drink).
As the afternoon approaches, they have booked a virtually hybrid conference room on the eighth floor and are prepared to welcome their colleagues and clients to their club. Following an a la carte lunch and program handled by a premier service staff, the member moves on to enjoy after work drinks in the Rendezvous and a seasonally inspired dining experience in the Wigwam.
With a long week ahead, the member chooses to take the elevator home to stay overnight in one of our well-appointed guest rooms.
Because success is in the details and separates great from good, every part of a member’s experience at the ULCC is reviewed, learned and initiated before they even ask. It is for this reason that members call the ULCC their home away from home and many treat it as their second and third place.
Additionally, the ULCC offers an eclectic selection of, on average, 50 member events per month.
Caliber of Staff and Professional Service Levels
Following the Marriott service model as well as segments of other service providers such as the Ritz Carlton (“Ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen,”) the ULCC looks to elevate experiences as high as the Sears Tower.
To ULCC staff, you are more than just another customer. Members of the ULCC are family. Staff remembers your favorite drinks and your allergies; they remember the last injury you had so they know how to treat it through workouts and massages; the ULCC team remembers your favorite guest room type and the names, likes and interests of your spouse and children. When you forget your bag at the Club, a bellman will hop in a cab and bring it to your office. When you cannot figure out what to get your loved one for a special occasion, ULCC staff will not only help you in selecting and purchasing items, but they will also wrap it for you. This is the culture of the ULCC and the level of service staff aspires to exceed on the regular.
To ULCC staff, you are more than just another customer. Members of the ULCC are family. Staff remembers your favorite drinks and your allergies; they remember the last injury you had so they know how to treat it through workouts and massages; the ULCC team remembers your favorite guest room type and the names, likes and interests of your spouse and children. When you forget your bag at the Club, a bellman will hop in a cab and bring it to your office. When you cannot figure out what to get your loved one for a special occasion, ULCC staff will not only help you in selecting and purchasing items, but they will also wrap it for you. This is the culture of the ULCC and the level of service staff aspires to exceed on the regular.
Quality and Commitment of Membership
Members of the ULCC love to be involved. And while the Club has great participation at the committee level with more than 150 members, the engagement goes beyond that. ULCC members take part in planning numerous program throughout the club year for the more than 30 activity groups.
They also do all they can to live the Club's values and give back to the community. Members not only financially support three ULCC foundations and multiple military organizations, but they also assist with foundation program planning, homework help and more.
Aside from the usual support of attending events and acting as liaisons for new members and introducing them to others, members also started a mentorship program entitled Expertise Alliance. The program is created by members, for members and allows experts in their field to mentor the up-and-comers. Additionally, experts will work with the staff-run DEI Committee to provide their expertise in fields such as finance to help guide employees in understanding things such as the stock market and loan options.
They also do all they can to live the Club's values and give back to the community. Members not only financially support three ULCC foundations and multiple military organizations, but they also assist with foundation program planning, homework help and more.
Aside from the usual support of attending events and acting as liaisons for new members and introducing them to others, members also started a mentorship program entitled Expertise Alliance. The program is created by members, for members and allows experts in their field to mentor the up-and-comers. Additionally, experts will work with the staff-run DEI Committee to provide their expertise in fields such as finance to help guide employees in understanding things such as the stock market and loan options.
Governance and Prudence Fiscal Management
Strategy has been at the forefront of the Board's thinking. But before the Board could dig into what to do, they had to identify who the Club is and who it wants to be. The Board created a task force to work with a third-party organization (Daggerwing Group) to facilitate the soul-searching project and gain information through multiple efforts from members and non-members. The results helped shape the "why the Club exists" and was the first step in building a cohesive strategy for years to come.
In-line with the feedback the Club received during the identity sessions, the Board agreed to do some updates in the Club's Fitness & Wellness Center as well as beginning phase I of updating the Club's upscale restaurant.
The results of these efforts and all future plans puts the ULCC in place to continue to be "A distinguished and inclusive club where members can embrace a more inspired life."
In-line with the feedback the Club received during the identity sessions, the Board agreed to do some updates in the Club's Fitness & Wellness Center as well as beginning phase I of updating the Club's upscale restaurant.
The results of these efforts and all future plans puts the ULCC in place to continue to be "A distinguished and inclusive club where members can embrace a more inspired life."
Adapting to Changing Times
The Union League Club of Chicago keeps a close eye on the private club world and how changes in society effect the industry. One area the Club has been focused heavily on improving is how it communicates with members. Covering many generations, every member has their own preference in how they want to receive Club communications. The ULCC has done its best to cater communications based on each member’s interests, specifically for its emailed newsletters, and all done through setting up a single file. So, what was once sending a separate email for each interest, is now a single email that is pulling events based on each member’s interests.
The Club has also begun discussing AI and how some features can be integrated in everyday processes. ChatGPT has assisted some staff members in creating event write-ups and other content driven needs. AI has also assisted the Club in metrics gathering and identifying areas of growth.
The ULCC continues to review its numerous remote working spaces and is looking for ways to improve the overall experience, such as ordering grab & go items from the Club’s app and having it delivered to a member’s remote workspace in the clubhouse.
The Club has also begun discussing AI and how some features can be integrated in everyday processes. ChatGPT has assisted some staff members in creating event write-ups and other content driven needs. AI has also assisted the Club in metrics gathering and identifying areas of growth.
The ULCC continues to review its numerous remote working spaces and is looking for ways to improve the overall experience, such as ordering grab & go items from the Club’s app and having it delivered to a member’s remote workspace in the clubhouse.
Overall Experience
A distinguished and inclusive club, the ULCC is where members can embrace a more inspired life. Behind its doors lies a sanctuary that feels like a second home; one where fine art, dining, community connections, work, play and friendship all come together.
The Club is a resource in a member’s professional growth and the place to go to celebrate a new milestone. The ULCC is why 15,000+ Chicago youth have a safe space to visit and a meal to eat. The ULCC is where new friendships are made, and the dream weddings take place. The ULCC is a top Platinum City Club in the Country because members “don’t buy what we do, they buy why we do it.” –Simon Sinek
The Club is a resource in a member’s professional growth and the place to go to celebrate a new milestone. The ULCC is why 15,000+ Chicago youth have a safe space to visit and a meal to eat. The ULCC is where new friendships are made, and the dream weddings take place. The ULCC is a top Platinum City Club in the Country because members “don’t buy what we do, they buy why we do it.” –Simon Sinek
