Dear Hopkins Club Members,

We are writing to share an important and timely update on the current status of the Johns Hopkins Club and the path ahead for our community.

The University’s current plan is that when the Club House is restored, our Club will be one among other tenants. The University will manage food and beverage operations. The full-service clubhouse experiences our members once enjoyed as the Club House’s sole tenant will not be part of the new plans.

Out of respect for our members and the lack of activities, the Board of Governors chose not to collect dues over the past five years. At the time of closure, the Club had over 2,000 members. Since then, we have maintained only basic administrative functions, a small number of reciprocal relationships, and a minimal online presence—without any meaningful revenue. The Club’s remaining assets were liquidated after the lease termination, and with no dues income, we have operated solely on limited reserves.

Even if we were back in the Club House now, the cost of operating a private club in today’s environment has significantly increased. Inflation and rising labor costs—particularly in hospitality—would require dues to rise by at least an estimated 40–45% over pre-pandemic rates. And that assumes a large portion of our former membership would rejoin and contribute financially. Without that, the burden on fewer members would be even greater.

We must now focus on building a sustainable future.

Our new “Club in Residence” partnership with The Engineers Club provides an opportunity to revitalize in-person engagement. Through this affiliation, we have already begun reintroducing programs including lectures, receptions, and social gatherings. But to expand our offerings and sustain the Club's operations, we need your participation—and your dues support.

Put simply: the Johns Hopkins Club cannot continue without active, dues-paying members. If you value the Club’s legacy and want to help shape its future—wherever that may be—we invite you to renew your membership and get involved.

The Board has determined that, beginning this fall, it will require members to pay dues to remain in good standing. A minimum dues level will be set and communicated to all members. Those who have joined the Engineers Club through our residency agreement, regardless of membership category, will automatically be considered members in good standing and will not need to pay additional Johns Hopkins Club dues.

We remain committed to transparency and to ensuring a viable, vibrant future for our Club. But we cannot do it without your engagement.

Please watch your inbox for an upcoming survey, details on maintaining your membership, and announcements about future Johns Hopkins Club activities at the Engineers Club and across the broader Hopkins community.

With appreciation and on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Club Board of Governors,

Rev. Christopher Dreisbach, PhD. President, The Johns Hopkins Club ---

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