Club Management - January/February 2008 - (Page 28) Warren learned that once time is spent, it is gone forever. It never comes back, it never re-creates the lost moment of attending your son’s school play, tucking in your daughter with a goodnight kiss or spending vacation time alone with your spouse. work with A Child’s Haven in Greenville, South Carolina; organizing the Club Industry Caring for America Campaign (a group dedicated to the surviving families of September 11); and organizing relief efforts for those clubs and club employees devastated in Florida by waves of hurricanes several years ago. Warren came out of the New Orleans projects. Fatherless by age 5, Warren’s widowed mother struggled while raising him, two brothers and two sisters. While many of his friends eventually were incarcerated, Warren grabbed the helping hands offered to him and pulled himself up and out of the projects. He never again failed to reach down and lift the spirit of others. Exam question #1: Have you picked a cause worthy of your time and efforts? Have you chosen to leave the world just a bit better knowing that even one life has breathed easier? Are you the humanitarian you hoped to be by offering a hand for someone to grab? It’s All in the Family Marriage to his beloved Claudia for 40 years produced two daughters, Nicole and Michele, a son, Jeffrey, and two granddaughters, Grace and Lydia. The All-American dream of having a family came to fruition for the Arseneauxs, but it came with some regret early on. Building a successful career was also part of Warren’s All-American dream; at times too big a part. Like kudzu, his work hours grew, choking what was underneath: the opportunity to spend time with his children. In later years he regretted those missed opportunities. So he changed his priorities and grew as a person. He also grew as a father, becoming a better teacher, a better nurturer, a better mentor. In turn, the relationship with his wife began to grow deeper. They found a greater appreciation for each other that anchored them to a core belief in 28 • CLUB MANAGEMENT family. Warren learned that once time is spent, it is gone forever. It never comes back, it never re-creates the lost moment of attending your son’s school play, tucking in your daughter with a goodnight kiss or spending vacation time alone with your spouse. As a manager, he would pass these lessons on to his staff, hoping they would learn from his mistakes. Time spent on your family is never time misspent. In this industry it is easy to fi nd yourself consumed with work, consumed with the quality of food coming from the kitchen, soft greens on the golf course, and/or the renovation in the clubhouse. Our work is an important part of our lives, but we don’t live to work, we work to live. Exam question #2: Are your priorities straight? Have you put in place a strong enough team to share the workload so you are not working 70 hours a week? Are you cheating yourself and your family out of quality time? CMAA As previously quoted, Ralph Waldo Emerson said part of success is winning the respect of intelligent people. Warren cared deeply for our industry, and in doing so gained tremendous respect from his colleagues. He also found a way to continue as a visionary and philanthropist by weaving it within the fabric of his working career. Twenty years ago, Warren and his good friend and colleague W.R. “Red” Steger, CCM, founded the CMAA International Wine Society. Warren was recognized recently for his groundbreaking work when the Warren L. Arseneaux Wine Society Scholarship was created, reminding us of another of Warren’s accomplishments. Addressing the Carolinas Chapter members at their 2007 Annual Meeting and formal dinner, Ron Banaszak, Jr., CCM, host of the International Wine Society, presented a plaque in Warren’s memory. Speaking of a letter Warren wrote, Ron said, “Immediately following the Board’s approval (of the scholarship), I contacted Warren to tell him the good news. Being the gentlemen he is, he wrote back. His letter was impressive even as the Board was attempting to honor and recognize Warren, he was giving the credit to others.” Warren’s letter read in part, “You know it was easy to form the Wine Society. Red Steger, CCM, gave me an acorn and said, ‘Go make a tree.’ I dug a hole and placed the acorn in the hole while Kathi Driggs and her staff carefully covered the hole and nurtured the sprout while keeping it fed and watered. Along came others, like you, the current Wine Society Board, and the many who served for the past 20 years. They pruned the limbs, kept it growing straight while adding nutrients, and now we have an oak tree with widening limbs, which is an aid to all those who choose to participate.” Additionally, Warren’s kind words of encouragement, thanks and/or appreciation by phone call, note or personal conversation had a profound impact on many, many managers. Claudia Arseneaux is overwhelmed with cards from club managers who have written to express their thanks and share their personal stories of Warren’s impact on their lives. Exam question #3: Have you planted an acorn that nourished the growth of others? Are you humble enough to give praise and credit to those who deserve it? Have you expressed your appreciation to others? How to Win Friends and Influence People Warren’s son Jeffrey said the following during Warren’s eulogy: “My Dad learned at an early age that work was an important part of his life. He treated all who worked alongside him with dignity and respect. He had an opendoor policy. All were invited to express and create new ideas in the workplace. In return, he expected hard work, honesty
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