Country Club Wrestling

APPENDIX J

Historical Membership Certification

Certified Record of Membership Levels

1923 - Present

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

I, John Patrick Herold, Chairman and Executive Director of the Country Club Wrestling Association of America, do hereby certify that the membership figures contained in this Appendix J are true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, based upon the official records and archives of the Association.

This certification is made pursuant to §1(17) (Definition of Historical Membership Levels) and §10c (Emergency Powers) of the Bylaws, and shall be conclusive for all purposes thereunder.

Executed this 15th day of January, 2025.

JOHN PATRICK HEROLD

Chairman and Executive Director

[CORPORATE SEAL]

Document Navigation

Part I: Annual Summary Part II: Peak Definition Part III: Emergency Status Part IV: Regional Data Part V: Club Types Part VI: Decade Analysis Part VII: Projections Part VIII: Convention Data Part IX: Charter Members Part X: Final Certification

PART I: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUMMARY

The following table presents the official membership count as of December 31 of each year from the Association's founding in 1923 through the present.

YEAR MEMBERS CHANGE % CHANGE NOTES
1923 47 -- -- Charter year (March 17)
192452+5+10.6%
192558+6+11.5%Amendment I adopted
1929124+35+39.3%Pre-crash peak
1930118-6-4.8%Market crash impact begins
193498-4-3.9%Amendment II (Emergency)
1943287+131+84.0%WARTIME PEAK
1960867+69+8.6%
19631,412+323+29.7%ALL-TIME PEAK; Amendment V
1976998-36-3.5%Falls below 1,000
1993498-14-2.7%Falls below 500 (briefly)
2009487+64+15.1%EMERGENCY TRIGGERED; Amend. XIII
2014267-131-32.9%Major regional collapse
2020167-11-6.2%Amendment XV; COVID
202215600.0%First non-decline year since '09
2024145-4-2.7%Current
2025*142-3-2.1%Projected

* Projected based on current trends and pending membership renewals.

Download Full Membership Table (Excel)

PART II: HISTORICAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

(As defined in Bylaws §1(17))

Pursuant to §1(17) of the Bylaws, "Historical Membership Levels" is defined as follows:

"The term 'historical membership levels' means the peak membership enrollment of the Association as recorded in 1963, being one thousand four hundred and twelve (1,412) member clubs."

CERTIFICATION OF PEAK MEMBERSHIP

Peak Year:
1963
Peak Membership:
1,412 member clubs
Date of Peak:
December 31, 1963
Convention Location:
The Mirage (predecessor property), Las Vegas, Nevada
President (1963):
Worthington Chandler Breckinridge

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

The 1963 peak membership figure is supported by:

  • ✓ Annual Convention registration records (1963)
  • ✓ Membership dues receipts (fiscal year 1963)
  • ✓ Secretary's annual report to the Board (January 1964)
  • ✓ Audited financial statements (fiscal year 1963)
  • ✓ Regional membership reports (Q4 1963)

Copies of supporting documentation are maintained in Archive Box 1963-M-001 through 1963-M-047 at the Association's storage facility.

PART III: EMERGENCY POWERS STATUS HISTORY

The Emergency Powers provisions of §10c are triggered when membership falls below 500 clubs. The following table documents the status of Emergency Powers from the adoption of Amendment X (2005) through the present.

Days Under Emergency Powers

5,785 days

(15.8 years)

Termination Threshold

1,412

member clubs

Growth Required

+874%

(1,267 clubs)

Key Dates:

  • March 15, 2009: Emergency Powers TRIGGERED (membership fell to 498)
  • March 15, 2009: Amendment XIII adopted, powers now ACTIVE
  • January 15, 2025: Still ACTIVE (membership: 145)

PART VI: DECADE-BY-DECADE ANALYSIS

THE GOLDEN AGE (1953-1963)

Starting: 489 clubs
Ending: 1,412 clubs
Net change: +923 (+188.8%)
Avg growth: +83.9/year

This decade represented the absolute zenith of the Association. Explosive growth was driven by suburban expansion, the popularity of golf, and the cultural prestige of country club membership. The Association became truly national in scope.

THE EMERGENCY ERA (2014-2024)

Starting: 267 clubs
Ending: 145 clubs
Net change: -122 (-45.7%)
Avg decline: -12.2/year

A major regional collapse in 2014 accelerated decline. COVID-19 (2020-2021) further stressed membership. The Association continues to operate under Emergency Administrative Authority with no clear path to termination.

PART VII: PROJECTION TO HISTORICAL LEVELS

For purposes of §10c, Emergency Administrative Authority terminates when membership returns to Historical Membership Levels (1,412 clubs).

Current Membership (2024)

145

Required for Termination

1,412

Additional Clubs Needed

1,267

GROWTH SCENARIOS:

Scenario A: Historical Growth Rate (+83.9 clubs/year)

Years to reach 1,412: 15.1 years | Projected termination: 2040

Scenario B: Moderate Growth Rate (+50 clubs/year)

Years to reach 1,412: 25.3 years | Projected termination: 2050

Scenario C: Modest Growth Rate (+25 clubs/year)

Years to reach 1,412: 50.7 years | Projected termination: 2075

Scenario D: Current Trend (declining ~7 clubs/year)

Years to reach 1,412: NEVER | Projected termination: N/A

ASSESSMENT:

Based on current trends and market conditions, it is the assessment of the Executive Director that return to Historical Membership Levels is unlikely within the foreseeable future. Emergency Administrative Authority is expected to remain in effect for the indefinite future.

PART IX: CHARTER MEMBERS

The following 47 clubs were charter members upon incorporation on March 17, 1923:

NORTHEAST (31 clubs)

  • • The Brook (New York, NY)
  • • The Links Club (New York, NY)
  • • The Racquet and Tennis Club (New York, NY)
  • • The University Club (New York, NY)
  • • Piping Rock Club (Locust Valley, NY)
  • • Tuxedo Club (Tuxedo Park, NY)
  • • Baltusrol Golf Club (Springfield, NJ)
  • • Merion Cricket Club (Haverford, PA)
  • • The Country Club (Brookline, MA)
  • • Myopia Hunt Club (South Hamilton, MA)
  • ... and 21 others

OTHER REGIONS (16 clubs)

Southeast (8 clubs):

Augusta Country Club, Everglades Club, Seminole Golf Club, and 5 others

Midwest (6 clubs):

Chicago Golf Club, Onwentsia Club, Canterbury Golf Club, and 3 others

Southwest (1 club):

Dallas Country Club

West (1 club):

Los Angeles Country Club

Of the 47 charter members, 12 remain active members as of 2024 (25.5%).

PART X: CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that all membership figures, historical data, regional statistics, and projections contained in this Appendix J are true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, based upon the official records and archives of the Country Club Wrestling Association of America.

This Appendix J is incorporated by reference into the Bylaws pursuant to §1(17) and §10c, and the Historical Membership Level of 1,412 clubs certified herein shall be conclusive for all purposes under the Bylaws.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this certification on the date first written above.

JOHN PATRICK HEROLD

Chairman and Executive Director

Country Club Wrestling Association of America

Date: January 15, 2025

ATTEST:

Victoria Pemberton-Hayes

Secretary

[CORPORATE SEAL]

APPENDIX J - REVISION HISTORY

Version 1.0 | Jan 1, 2006 | Initial certification (Amendment X)

Version 1.1 | Mar 15, 2009 | Updated for Emergency Powers trigger

Version 1.7 | Jan 1, 2015 | Annual update; regional collapse noted

Version 1.13 | Jan 1, 2021 | Annual update; COVID impact

Version 1.14 | Jan 1, 2022 | Annual update; stabilization noted

Version 1.17 | Jan 15, 2025 | Current version

Questions About Membership Data?

For inquiries regarding membership statistics or historical records,
please contact the CCWAA administrative office.

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