(Updated for the 2026 Season)

The Mantua Swim & Tennis Club (MSTC) Board of Directors has received many thoughtful questions following the release of the 2026 Rental Membership Allocation Policy. This page is intended to address the most common questions in one place, clarify what the policy does—and does not—change, and provide inline references to the applicable sections of the Club’s bylaws where relevant, so members can easily understand the governing framework behind these topics.

1. What is the Rental Membership Allocation Policy?

The Rental Membership Allocation Policy governs how seasonal rental memberships are allocated in years when owner-members choose to rent out their memberships.

The policy is intended to:

• Improve transparency and fairness in the rental allocation process

• Clearly communicate how rental opportunities are offered each season

• Ensure consistent administration from year to year

This policy does not change owner membership rules, ownership rights, dues, or the owner waitlist.

2. Does this policy affect the Owner Membership waitlist?

No.

The Rental Membership Allocation Policy does not change:

• The number of owner memberships

• How the owner waitlist operates

• How quickly the owner waitlist moves

Owner membership limits and waitlist mechanics are governed by the bylaws, not by seasonal rental policies (Article III – Membership).

3. Why does the Owner Membership waitlist move slowly?

Under the MSTC bylaws and its Fairfax County Special Permit, the Club is limited to 600 owner memberships (Article III, Section 1).

New owner memberships become available only when:

• An existing owner redeems their membership certificate (Article V, Section 1), or

• A membership does not convey with the sale of a home (Article V, Section 2)

As a result, waitlist movement depends on member turnover, not rental demand. Wait times can vary significantly from year to year.

4. What happens to an owner membership when a home is sold?

Under the MSTC bylaws, a holder of a membership certificate may, upon the sale of their home, nominate the buyer of that home as a new member, regardless of the status of the owner waitlist (Article V, Section 2 – Sale of House).

If the buyer is acceptable to the Board of Directors and pays the current membership fee, the original membership certificate is redeemed in accordance with the bylaws.

This provision has been part of the bylaws for many years and reflects long-standing, member-approved rules governing membership transitions upon the sale of a home.

Any change to this process would require a formal amendment to the bylaws, which can only be approved by a vote of the membership—not by the Board alone (Article XIII – Amendment of Bylaws).

5. Why can owner-members rent their memberships year after year?

Under the bylaws, owner-members retain ownership rights even when they are not personally using the facilities.

The bylaws allow an owner to:

• Permit a tenant to use the membership, subject to Board approval (Article V, Section 3 – Rental of House), or

• Temporarily relinquish use of the membership for rental through the Club (Article V, Section 3)

The Board may regulate how rental memberships are allocated, but it cannot eliminate or materially restrict ownership rights established in the bylaws without a member-approved amendment.

6. Could MSTC limit how long an owner may rent out their membership?

Not under the current bylaws.

Any limitation on rental duration, conveyance rights, or ownership privileges would require:

• A proposed amendment to the bylaws

• Advance notice to members

• Approval by a majority vote of the entire membership (Article XIII).

7. Why doesn’t MSTC simply increase the number of owner memberships?

The bylaws and the Fairfax County Special Permit cap owner membership at 600 members (Article III, Section 1).

Increasing that number would require:

• A bylaw amendment approved by the membership (Article XIII)

• Consideration of operational capacity, safety, and staffing

• Compliance with applicable county and regulatory requirements

The Board cannot unilaterally expand owner membership.

8. Have alternative membership models (e.g., senior memberships, pool or tennis only memberships, or shared memberships) been considered?

Members have suggested alternatives such as senior memberships, pool- or tennis-only, shared memberships, or additional membership classes.

Under the current bylaws:

• MSTC has one class of membership only (“Active Members”) (Article III, Section 1)

• All members hold equal voting rights (Article III, Section 2)

Creating new membership classes or usage tiers would require a bylaw amendment approved by the membership (Article XIII).

9. Why does the pool sometimes feel underutilized?

Pool usage varies widely by:

• Time of day

• Day of the week

• Weather conditions

• Programming and team schedules

While there are periods of lighter use, overall capacity, safety staffing, and peak-time demand are key considerations in determining membership limits.

10. How are Board decisions made, and where can I find meeting information?

The Board of Directors manages Club operations under authority granted by the bylaws (Article IX – Directors).

• Board meetings are conducted with a quorum of directors (Article IX)

• Committees may be formed to support operations and planning (Article VIII)

The Board recognizes that access to meeting minutes can be improved and is actively working to standardize where and how minutes are posted on the Club’s website.

In the meantime, members may request copies of Board meeting minutes by emailing the Secretary at secretary@mantuastc.org.

To help ensure a timely response, please include the specific month and year of the minutes being requested.

11. Who can attend the Annual Meeting of Members?

The Annual Meeting of Members is open to the 600 “owner” members only, as defined in the bylaws (Article VII – Meetings of Members).

This meeting is the appropriate forum for:

• Electing directors

• Receiving a “state of the club” update

• Conducting member business permitted under the bylaws

12. How can members propose changes to membership rules or bylaws?

Only the membership—not the Board—may amend the bylaws (Article XIII).

Bylaw amendments require:

• Advance notice to all members

• Consideration at a properly noticed meeting

• Approval by a majority vote of the entire membership

Members interested in changes are encouraged to engage with elected directors and participate in the Annual Meeting process.

13. How does the Board establish and approve the annual budget?

The Board of Directors reviews and approves the Club’s annual budget at the February Board meeting, which is a duly noticed Board meeting held with a quorum present (Article IX – Directors).

The budget is:

• Included in the Annual Letter to Members, sent prior to the Annual Meeting of Members, and

• Presented at the Annual Meeting of Members as part of the Board’s “state of the club” overview.

The Board establishes the budget based on anticipated operating costs, contractual obligations, maintenance needs, reserve planning, and long-term financial sustainability, in accordance with the authority granted under the bylaws.

14. Where can I find more information?

• 2026 Rental Membership Allocation Policy

• Annual Meeting details

• Club Bylaws

If you have additional questions, please contact the Board at admin@mantuastc.org.

The Board appreciates the thoughtful engagement shown by both long-standing members and newer families. While not all issues can be addressed through seasonal policies, member input helps inform future planning and ensures the Club continues to operate in accordance with its bylaws and community values.