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"Just call him daddy"
I wonder how you would define success? Webster's dictionary defines success as,
the attainment of wealth, favor or eminence. Some synonymous words for success
are, prosper, thrive and flourish. The Latin root word for succeed means "to go
up." I suppose that is where we get the phrase "to go up” the ladder. I think we
all want to be successful in life. The difference may be on how we define
success.
After being elected President of the MGCSA, I went home to a waiting family.
Stephanie, my wife, was very happy for me so she told Sam, my son, to call me
Mr. President. I will never forget his reply. He said, "No, just call him
daddy." Kids are so honest and often have the right perspective. Sam's response
is one of the ways I define success. No matter how the day went at work, if my
children run to greet me and call me daddy, then I know that I have been a
success.
I know what will make me a success as President of the MGCSA. It is a supportive
membership at Somerset Country Club that allows me to volunteer my time. It is a
supportive staff that may have to do an extra job or two on the golf course. It
is a loving wife and family at home who are patient when I put in long hours. It
is an active MGCSA membership that comes out and supports events. And most of
all, it is being surrounded by a group of sharp individuals at board meetings
who care about the association. As you can see, for something to be successful
it has to be a collective effort by a group of people.
Here is a list of things I think the board tries to succeed in for its
membership: Arrange places for our golf outings; put together banquets so we can
honor people and get together in a casual setting; bring in the best educators
from around the country; have an award-winning periodical that keeps you
informed on issues; having a watchdog (Paul Eckholm) at the Capital who keeps an
eye on Legislative issues affecting our industry; individuals working with
agencies to help us be compliant when it comes to pesticides and labor; working
with the U of M so they can support us with agronomic issues; having a Research
Committee that supports programs to benefit how we can best do our job, and
raise money for scholarships so someone can go to school and become successful.
Other definitions for success are "to turn out well" and "to attain a desired
end." The Board of Directors wants things to turn out well for its members. The
desired end is to serve you as best we can. We will do things to the best of our
ability. Sometimes things will work out great and other times we might make
mistakes. However, at the end of the day if we are called a loving daddy or
mommy, or brother, or daughter, or more importantly a friend, then we (and you)
have been successful.
Thank you members for making the MGCSA a very successful organization. Your
camaraderie is invaluable.
I hope you prosper, thrive and flourish this golf season and in the season of
life.
Best regards,
James
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Minnesota
Golf Course Superintendents' Association