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GCSAA Chapter Delegates Meeting, Oct. 22-23-24

A total of 91 GCSAA chapters, represented by 87 delegates participated in a highly-engaging GCSAA Chapter Delegates meeting, Oct. 22-23-24.

The meeting began with an orientation session for first-time delegates at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., followed by a networking reception and dinner. The meeting continued with solid discussion on a variety of subjects for two days at the Airport Hilton in Kansas City, Mo.

A Positive Experience

“Awesome is all I can say,” said Larry Balko, CGCS at Park Ridge Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Fla. We had great discussion and learned about the outstanding work that is being done on behalf of the members. If a delegate did not leave with a greater appreciation for the association and its members, then they just weren’t listening.”

The meeting included an update on GCSAA including financial metrics, new association initiatives, GCSAA candidate presentations, a town hall question and answer session, and chapter case study presentations. The responsibility of a delegate at this meeting is to represent their members and to take back information to share with them.

“I received several comments from delegates indicating the meeting went well,” meeting chair GCSAA Vice President Bob Randquist, CGCS at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla., said.”They came prepared to ask good questions and offer constructive feedback. The meeting is a key element of our governance system and the board and staff got a clear picture of what the members want from their association. At the same time, it allowed us as a board to share information that we need them to take back to their members. The meeting may have ended, but the process continues in pushing the information to all levels of membership.”

Member Dues Increase Discussion

Certainly the most discussed item was a proposed GCSAA member dues increase which would take effect with May 2011 renewals and new member applications.  Class A and SM dues would increase $20 annually and Class C dues $10 annually.

Proposed GCSAA member dues are established though a process that was created by the delegates that uses the Consumer Price Index as a guide. The members then vote upon the proposal at the association’s annual meeting in February. The process calls for the association to consider a dues adjustment every two years as a means of ensuring a sustainable organization. The process is not automatic, and the GCSAA Board of Directors may elect not to bring forward dues adjustments according to schedule. Such was the case last year when the board opted to forgo consideration of an increase. Randquist said the board supports a dues increase for 2011 because it represents an opportunity for members to help ensure the success of their career and their facility. Dues account for 27 percent of the GCSAA budget, which is below the average of 38 to 40 percent for associations of similar size.

“The board fully realizes raising dues in this current economic climate is difficult,” Randquist said. “But we see this as a necessary investment by members. The increases allow us to make up the ground lost to inflation, which has been at 5.8 percent since our last dues increase three years ago. It allows us to continue to offer programs the members have deemed valuable to them and their facilities. We also believe the process developed by the members to implement dues increases does not create the hardship of larger increases in the past. Ultimately, the members determine whether the dues will increase or not by voting on the proposal in February.”

Randquist noted that GCSAA has seen a decrease in revenues of $5 million over the last three years due to a struggling economy, but proactive expense management by the board and staff has resulted in a reduction of expenses by $5.4 million during that same period. GCSAA will have projected revenues of $15.6 million by the end of 2010.

Field Staff Gains Traction

Popular with the delegates was the presentation of an expanded field staff program first announced earlier this year. The board has made public its desire to have all nine GCSAA regions staffed by a regional field staff representative as soon as possible. It is expected GCSAA will have five field staff employees by the end of 2010 (one at headquarters and four in the field), and seven by the end of 2011 (one at headquarters and six in the field). No timetable for staffing all of the regions has been created, but Randquist noted the success of the program has been duly recognized by the board.

The objective of the field staff program is to create a tie between chapters and GCSAA so that programs are utilized at a higher rate, communication is enhanced and membership is grown. The feedback from chapters who have utilized the program has been overwhelmingly positive.

Additional Discussion Items

·         The search for a new GCSAA CEO was outlined. The position description has been posted on the GCSAA website and interviews are targeted for January 2011.

·         Six chapters made presentation on programs they have instituted with the assistance of GCSAA resources in the areas of government relations, corporate partnerships, consolidation/sharing of resources and communications.

·         New program initiatives in the area of web services, environmental programs, marketing communications, surveys and data and media public relations were shared.

·         Considerable advancements were noted in the area of professional development resources with the new job board, self assessment tool and webcasting software.

·         Outlined were new features for Conference and Show including education programs, networking opportunities and cost-saving options available to attendees.

·         Candidate presentations for the offices of president, vice president and secretary/treasurer and a minimum of two and potentially three directors.

Presentations Available Online

The meeting’s presentations are available online at http://www.gcsaa.org/chapters/delegatemeeting.aspx.

 

 

GCSAA Strategic Update

August 26, 2010

1. CEO Selection Process

The CEO search process began in earnest at the Summer Board Meeting. The Board heard from three executive search firms and afterward selected Tryon & Heideman, LLC, based in Kansas City, Mo., to assist the association in identifying candidates and ultimately selecting a new CEO. Tryon & Heideman specialize in CEO/executive-level and association searches. Tryon & Heideman representatives also participated in a Board strategic planning session Aug. 24-25 at GCSAA headquarters. The purpose of the session was to verify the strategic direction of the association to better identify the criteria and requirements for the CEO position. Additional feedback will be gained through interviews by Tryon & Heideman staff with leaders in the golf industry and GCSAA staff. The position description and application process will be posted on the GCSAA website and advertised in numerous publications and online resources. The plan calls for a mid-October release of the position announcement. More information will be provided to the membership as it becomes available. I will also be communicating any relevant outcomes of the planning meeting in the future.

2. Chapter Discussions

Michigan GCSA leaders and guests, allied association and industry representatives joined the GCSAA board for a reception and dinner. The next morning, the chapter leaders participated in a portion of the meeting.

The first part of the meeting focused on the accomplishments of the chapter in combining the local chapters into one state chapter. The Board expressed interest in hearing details regarding their efforts, benefits/challenges, and insight or recommendations to others who may be considering this endeavor.

Chapter leaders commented that they saw opportunities for greater efficiency in combining the various chapters. They acknowledged that consolidation was not an easy process, but the commitment of the volunteer leaders, as well as the support and guidance from GCSAA through its field staff program, helped them achieve success.

Chapter leaders identified some benefits gained through this consolidation:

· Greater camaraderie and better networking opportunities amongst the members and allied partners.

· Fundraising events that produce more dollars, allowing the chapter to be more charitable.

· The website and magazine serve as effective communications tool and supports member engagement.

· Ability for original chapters maintain their identity through district representation on the Board and the promotion of local (district) events, with all members invited to participate

The chapter was complimentary of GCSAA staff for its support and offered the following ideas of how GCSAA could help them continue to be a successful chapter:

· Continue with the communications and outreach as it helps keep the chapter connected with the association and its staff.

· Develop or expand funding and matching grant opportunities

· Share more information regarding the efforts of the Environmental Institute for Golf

· Support the expansion of the field staff program

· Encourage attendance by the Board or staff from national to attend chapter events

Both boards expressed their appreciation for the dialogue and looked forward to continued engagement moving forward.

3. Enhanced Member Services

Several reports were given on the programmatic area of association operations. Information and feedback was requested from the Board. Among the items featured were:

· GCSAA Job Board: A new, more user friendly and expanded online job board will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2010.

· Affinity Program: An expanded affinity program providing new member benefits will be announced this fall. We are looking to provide members access to products and services at a reduced expense both to their personal and professional benefit, and to that of their facilities.

· GCSAA Radio: Online audio to be launched with the GCSAA website redesign in early 2011. GCSAA Radio will feature information, education and entertainment that can be accessed from the computer or downloaded for later playback.

· Industry Newsletter: Later this fall, GCSAA will reintroduce an industry-focused newsletter. In the past, GCSAA published Newsweekly, a compilation of information from the golf industry. This publication will be renamed and complement the member focused GCSAA’s This Week that pertains to association information.

· Field Staff Expansion: As shared in an earlier communication, the GCSAA field staff program will expand with four resident field staff members in early 2011. Feedback from the membership and chapters to the announcement has been positive.

4. Other Board Actions and Discussions

During the Summer Board Meeting, the board also:

** Approved the selection of Dean Graves, CGCS Chevy Chase Club, Bethesda, Md., as the President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship recipient.

** Approved the 2011 Plan and Budget Assumptions.

** Approved the establishment of performance indicators for the Education Conference and Golf Industry Show.

** Approved the quarterly report of 2010/11 indicator results and the policy and compliance report.

** Approved the list of proposed sponsorship and licensing opportunities.

** Approved officer and travel reports, communications report, the report of emergency relief claims and memorial contributions, and previous board meeting minutes.

5. Board Travel and Representation

Between the Spring and Summer Board Meetings, members of the board represented the association at several meetings and events, including:

** The Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga. – Fitzroy, Randquist, Queen

** National Golf Day in Washington, D.C. –Fitzroy, Randquist, Queen

** Heart of America GCSA in Overland Park, Kan. - Queen

** NGF Symposium in Atlanta, Ga. – Fitzroy

** Vermont GCSA and Northeastern GCSA in Rutland, Vt. – Fitzroy

** U.S. Open in Pebble Beach, Ca. – Fitzroy, Randquist, Queen, Kuhns


Other information

· This was an extremely tough summer for many members with bentgrass and poa annua greens. We have received compliments and significant media response to our communications on behalf of our members.

· The GCSAA Fall Board of Directors Meeting will be September 24-25 in Boston, Mass.

· The GCSAA Chapter Delegates Meeting will be October 23-24 in Lawrence/Kansas City.

· Several productive meetings were conducted at the PGA Championship in Kohler, Wisc. It is obvious that GCSAA and its members are well-respected for the role they play in the game and business of golf. We have numerous joint initiatives currently in process or nearing implementation that will benefit the our members, the profession, the industry and the game.