Why Cullasaja Club Operates May through October
In September 2017, 87% of Cullasaja Club Members approved a Bylaw change officially defining the Club’s Operating Season as May 1 through October 31. This affirmed the Membership’s intent to allocate annual Club dues to the six-month season and the Club’s Bylaws were changed to the following:
ARTICLE VII - DUES AND FEES
1. Amount of Dues and Fees. The Board of Governors shall set the dues and fees to be charged to Members and guests for each Membership Operating Season, which shall be the six (6) month period commencing May 1 and ending the following October 31 in each Membership Year.
The Board of Governors decided to keep the Fitness Center and Golf Course open on a limited schedule during this time since limited funding is required to keep these operational in the off-season.
All Club communications including all marketing materials were updated to reflect the Club’s seasonal status. Members joining after September 2017 would have received this information during the application process and should fully understand why the Club operates May through October each year.
Cullasaja Club remains a seasonal club because over 80% of Members leave Highlands after October and don’t return until late next spring. With only 9% residing locally off-season and another 5–10% visiting occasionally, extending operations would require a costly year-round staff and a formal Bylaw change—despite limited demand. The Board and majority of Members agree: keeping the current 6-month seasonal model with annual dues to match makes sense.