My name is Chris Connolly, and I am the outgoing President of the Club. It has been a true honor to serve on the Board these past five years and to be given the opportunity for me, and my family, to forge relationships with many of you here this evening.

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Before we do anything else tonight, I want to say something that matters more than any program or any event on the Club’s calendar: Thank YOU, thank you for all that you do on behalf of our Club.

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I know that WHEN members and guests talk about a “great club,” they might mention the golf course, the dining room, the hockey rink, the parties, the little details that make a place feel special. But we all know the truth: the lifeline of this Club is standing RIGHT here in this room.

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You are the ones who make the early mornings look effortless and the late nights feel seamless. You set the tone the moment someone walks through the door. You solve problems before most people even notice there was one. You care for this place, and for the people in it, in ways that go far beyond any job description.

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The holidays can be a demanding season at the Club. It’s busy, it’s fast paced, and it can be a lot to carry, especially while you’re also trying to show up for your own families and your own lives. So….., tonight is about pausing, even briefly, to recognize the pride you bring to your work and the loyalty you bring to this community.

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I want to express my sincere gratitude for everything you do. Your professionalism, dedication, and care are the reasons this Club runs as well as it does.

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I hope you feel proud tonight, of the work you’ve done and the standards you uphold every day. I also hope you know how genuinely appreciated you are—by me, by the Club’s leadership team, and by the members and guests who benefit from your efforts.

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On behalf of the Board of Governors and the broader Memebrship, happy holidays to you and your families. And thank you—truly— for being the ones that help make Chevy Chase Club feel so special. Cheers.

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