Do many Sidwell families belong to the Chevy Chase Club?

[Anonymous]

Senator Newlands was a Democrat who graduated fron Yale. Doesn't that track well with Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would think that Sidwell families, being very socially conscious and liberal minded would take offense not only at the history of racism and anti-semitism at Chevy Chase, but also at the use of chemicals that pollute the environment to maintain grass used exclusively for a pastime that excludes certain groups. I would think they would also take offense at the waste of money used by wealthy people to belong to this club that doesn't allow blacks as members (with the exception of a handful) but an overwhelming number of employees are black.

Then you would think incorrectly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think that Sidwell families, being very socially conscious and liberal minded would take offense not only at the history of racism and anti-semitism at Chevy Chase, but also at the use of chemicals that pollute the environment to maintain grass used exclusively for a pastime that excludes certain groups. I would think they would also take offense at the waste of money used by wealthy people to belong to this club that doesn't allow blacks as members (with the exception of a handful) but an overwhelming number of employees are black.

Then you would think incorrectly.

Typical limousine liberal hypocrites in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am from what would be considered an old money DC family. I graduated from sidwell in the mid 90s and can count on one hand the number of people who belonged to any country club. It is really disgusting what the school has become.

I always thought I would want my kids to go there, but I heard it had changed so we didn't apply. We don't want the country club set.

Same here (I'm pp). It used to be an interesting place. Now it's full of social climbing wannabes.

Can't speak for Sidwell, but as a legacy & member the club but whose family has NEVER made the "country club" set a priority, I appreciate the diversity at the Cathedral schools. My kids are in the lower school at NCS & STA (and they previously went to beauvoir), One recent trend which I find refreshing and the opposite of "social climbing," NOT ONE of ds & dd's classmates are enrolled in the "invitation only" Mrs. Simpson's, but instead opted for the all-inclusive Capital Cotillion. I know I chose Cotillion over Mrs. Simpson's. From what I've heard the stonewalling of Mrs. Simpson's is quite new. Even a few years back, there would be a handful of students in each grade who attended to Mrs. Simpson's... in this year's 4th grade there are none (ZERO) Cathedral students at Mrs. Simpsons. We felt uncomfortable with the idea of sending dc to a dancing school where not all of his/her classmates were welcome. Take that social climbers!

I went to NCS and graduated in the late nineties. My best friend, from another school, belonged to Chevy and was very active. I lived nearby and spent a lot of time there. I can think of only three families between my class and other grades who belonged to Chevy. It was not like half, a third, a quarter, or even a tenth of the class belonged to Chevy. There were maybe two Columbia families, a Kenwood family, and that is about it. Noone really talked about it. Not sure what the percentages are now, but I think the general consensus is that DC is a very different place now than it was when we were in school. In my grade, three kids got new cars on the 16th birthdays, and none were luxury vehicles. Most kids did not have their own car and just drove their parents' cars. There is a lot more money and parents seem more eager to show it.

Yes it's called new money. Most Big 3 families still don't belong. The only schools that have many belong are the Cathedral schools. Although I think that trend may be changing back again, as I have heard many of the new families being admitted do not belong to Chevy and it balances out the community in a positive way. I wouldn't be surprised if that trend continues, as those families tend to create a positive community, rather than a divided one.

[Anonymous]

I know of only two. Most of the rest are saving to pay Sidwell tuition!

[Anonymous]

Dems and Sidwell families should not be so eager to put down country clubs. First, it is not very open minded of you to put something down you truly know nothing about (since you are not a member). Second, your Grand Poobah (Obama) loves to golf at Columbia (among other elite clubs) and spends much of his free time mingling and playing golf with the elite at these clubs. Second, your previous favorite president and his soon to be elected wife love the elite country club scene and have been trying to join a club for years. Clinton #1 even has a record of playing golf for years at a club in Arkansas that only allowed white members. He only discontinued such activities when the press found out. Seems to be a pattern for them. Anyway, my point being, no need to get all high and mighty when the people you adore and vote for (therefore showing your support of their actions) participate in activities and try to join clubs you love to hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dems and Sidwell families should not be so eager to put down country clubs. First, it is not very open minded of you to put something down you truly know nothing about (since you are not a member). Second, your Grand Poobah (Obama) loves to golf at Columbia (among other elite clubs) and spends much of his free time mingling and playing golf with the elite at these clubs. Second, your previous favorite president and his soon to be elected wife love the elite country club scene and have been trying to join a club for years. Clinton #1 even has a record of playing golf for years at a club in Arkansas that only allowed white members. He only discontinued such activities when the press found out. Seems to be a pattern for them. Anyway, my point being, no need to get all high and mighty when the people you adore and vote for (therefore showing your support of their actions) participate in activities and try to join clubs you love to hate.

I don't think they are against all country clubs. They may not join Chevy because it's policies of blackballing and also it is well known they have blackballed Jewish families and I know of two Jewish families that were blackballed from Chevy as recently as two years ago. Friends that belong there said blackballing still happens. That is the reason why not only Sidwell families, but many families would not even consider this club.

[Anonymous]

Please, wake up people. All clubs with lengthy and strict membership requirements "blackball", as you put it. This is an unattractive word meaning someone is not voted to be a member. Columbia, Congressional, Burning Tree, Cosmos, Metropolitan, Kenwood, etc all have a process to vet prospective members. These clubs, including Chevy, do not "blackball" because you're jewish or black (for example). Persons seeking membership may not be voted in or may be discouraged from continuing in the process if they either exhibit behavior that members do not approve of (being rude to staff, inappropriate behavior, etc) or if a significant number of current members write detailed letters against someone seeking membership. These letters are not written because of your religion or the color of your skin, they are negative personal experiences members have had with you. If someone is mean, rude, behaves inappropriately, has treated people badly, etc and enough people have experienced it and feel strongly enough about it to write a letter, then someone may not be admitted. It's not about the color of your skin or your religion, it's about you as a person - your character, values, personality, behavior, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think that Sidwell families, being very socially conscious and liberal minded would take offense not only at the history of racism and anti-semitism at Chevy Chase, but also at the use of chemicals that pollute the environment to maintain grass used exclusively for a pastime that excludes certain groups. I would think they would also take offense at the waste of money used by wealthy people to belong to this club that doesn't allow blacks as members (with the exception of a handful) but an overwhelming number of employees are black.

Then you would think incorrectly.

LOL at chemicals. I'm sure you don't use any on your lawn. And golf is NOT a past time that excludes certain groups. As posters in the CC thread are emphatically stating over and over- there are great muni courses that anyone can play.

Talk about hypocrites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please, wake up people. All clubs with lengthy and strict membership requirements "blackball", as you put it. This is an unattractive word meaning someone is not voted to be a member. Columbia, Congressional, Burning Tree, Cosmos, Metropolitan, Kenwood, etc all have a process to vet prospective members. These clubs, including Chevy, do not "blackball" because you're jewish or black (for example). Persons seeking membership may not be voted in or may be discouraged from continuing in the process if they either exhibit behavior that members do not approve of (being rude to staff, inappropriate behavior, etc) or if a significant number of current members write detailed letters against someone seeking membership. These letters are not written because of your religion or the color of your skin, they are negative personal experiences members have had with you. If someone is mean, rude, behaves inappropriately, has treated people badly, etc and enough people have experienced it and feel strongly enough about it to write a letter, then someone may not be admitted. It's not about the color of your skin or your religion, it's about you as a person - your character, values, personality, behavior, etc.

Different poster here. Well considering how many rude people that current members who avoid going there have told me about, your argument makes no sense. Several "rude" people have been admitted. Please stop trying to pretend that this doesn't happen. The only time they seem to care about apparent "rude" people coming in is if they're Jewish or a minority or not wealthy enough to have connections that are useful. Two families were blackballed at about the same two years ago and they were Jewish and they aren't any ruder or inappropriate than several people who belong there so your argument does not stand true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, wake up people. All clubs with lengthy and strict membership requirements "blackball", as you put it. This is an unattractive word meaning someone is not voted to be a member. Columbia, Congressional, Burning Tree, Cosmos, Metropolitan, Kenwood, etc all have a process to vet prospective members. These clubs, including Chevy, do not "blackball" because you're jewish or black (for example). Persons seeking membership may not be voted in or may be discouraged from continuing in the process if they either exhibit behavior that members do not approve of (being rude to staff, inappropriate behavior, etc) or if a significant number of current members write detailed letters against someone seeking membership. These letters are not written because of your religion or the color of your skin, they are negative personal experiences members have had with you. If someone is mean, rude, behaves inappropriately, has treated people badly, etc and enough people have experienced it and feel strongly enough about it to write a letter, then someone may not be admitted. It's not about the color of your skin or your religion, it's about you as a person - your character, values, personality, behavior, etc.

Different poster here. Well considering how many rude people that current members who avoid going there have told me about, your argument makes no sense. Several "rude" people have been admitted. Please stop trying to pretend that this doesn't happen. The only time they seem to care about apparent "rude" people coming in is if they're Jewish or a minority or not wealthy enough to have connections that are useful. Two families were blackballed at about the same two years ago and they were Jewish and they aren't any ruder or inappropriate than several people who belong there so your argument does not stand true.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please, wake up people. All clubs with lengthy and strict membership requirements "blackball", as you put it. This is an unattractive word meaning someone is not voted to be a member. Columbia, Congressional, Burning Tree, Cosmos, Metropolitan, Kenwood, etc all have a process to vet prospective members. These clubs, including Chevy, do not "blackball" because you're jewish or black (for example). Persons seeking membership may not be voted in or may be discouraged from continuing in the process if they either exhibit behavior that members do not approve of (being rude to staff, inappropriate behavior, etc) or if a significant number of current members write detailed letters against someone seeking membership. These letters are not written because of your religion or the color of your skin, they are negative personal experiences members have had with you. If someone is mean, rude, behaves inappropriately, has treated people badly, etc and enough people have experienced it and feel strongly enough about it to write a letter, then someone may not be admitted. It's not about the color of your skin or your religion, it's about you as a person - your character, values, personality, behavior, etc.

Different poster here. Well considering how many rude people that current members who avoid going there have told me about, your argument makes no sense. Several "rude" people have been admitted. Please stop trying to pretend that this doesn't happen. The only time they seem to care about apparent "rude" people coming in is if they're Jewish or a minority or not wealthy enough to have connections that are useful. Two families were blackballed at about the same two years ago and they were Jewish and they aren't any ruder or inappropriate than several people who belong there so your argument does not stand true.

+1000

Agree and the most amazing thing is who would ever be that ridiculous to care about who was golfing or swimming at their club? I belong to a club and would never blackball someone. I can coexist with anyone.

[Anonymous]

I can admit that I would/do care. Prospective members have to play a round with members of the membership committee. I will be honest and say that if someone was cheating, smoking cigarettes, or displaying terrible behavior like getting wasted on the course or throwing clubs I would not agree to sponsor them. I don't know that I would go so far as blackballing them, but I would absolutely consider it. People represent the club at large. I don't want complete idiots representing a place that I belong to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can admit that I would/do care. Prospective members have to play a round with members of the membership committee. I will be honest and say that if someone was cheating, smoking cigarettes, or displaying terrible behavior like getting wasted on the course or throwing clubs I would not agree to sponsor them. I don't know that I would go so far as blackballing them, but I would absolutely consider it. People represent the club at large. I don't want complete idiots representing a place that I belong to.

I think that's the point though. Several people have been admitted in the past 10 years to Chevy that exhibit terrible behavior to many people outside of the club. They may be smart enough to be nice to club members but if you truly care about how the club is represented then several would not be admitted to Chevy. It appears anyone can get in these days but the criteria mysteriously is stricter if they are Jewish or another minority or they don't seem to have connections members can use. Then you seem to care about behavior. It's hypocritical. That's why most elite families I know wouldn't consider it and if they really like golf they go to Congressional instead. So to answer Op, the answer is no very few Sidwell families, GDS, Maret families belong there.

[Anonymous]

Oh come ON! You don't think that that happens at Congo as well? Please. I'm on the membership committee but I don't play with every prospective member. We have young kids so I don't go to every sponsored cocktail meet and greet. Of course some bad apples slip in (usually legacies in my experience). You can't tell me about racism until you have facts about how many POC or other minorities have even applied. We can't keep people out who don't apply to join in the first place.