Monday, December 23, 2013

Looking forward.....Looking back


I love this time of year when you can reflect on the accomplishments and lessons of 2013 and look forward to new challenges and opportunities in 2014.

As always, it is immensely gratifying to work with the chapter leaders as well as individual members assisting them in reaching their goals. This relationship is the essence of what we do at GCSAA. It makes for an enjoyable work situation when you are dealing with professionals on a daily basis. I truly consider myself blessed to represent GCSAA and the Florida region.

All of the chapters can point to a multitude of successes in 2013, from fundraising events to membership retention or even growth, and most importantly the camaraderie we all enjoy at functions. This networking is vital to the success of any association, and it is ever present across the region. 

I know the new year is a time for resolutions, so I will share with you my desires for 2014:

I would love to engage local chapters in either first-time strategic planning sessions or follow up on sessions that have already been conducted. We have enjoyed some great success with these planning sessions and believe there are benefits for all of us to participate in the process.

I see opportunities to assist chapters in their efforts to retain or grow membership. I have continued the pursuit of facility visits and look to aggressively participate in this form of communication in 2014. Also, by working closely with chapter boards, I am hopeful that we can positively impact attendance at meetings and provide assistance in developing educational formats.

I want to take more opportunities to highlight accomplishments of members/chapters through the various vehicles we are utilizing at GCSAA such as GCM, GCSAA This Week, this blog, and Twitter feeds. You are doing so many wonderful things throughout the year, and I want to help you tell your story.

Finally, I will continue to advocate on behalf of industry when it comes to legislative issues that impact your ability to reach your professional best. Water quality issues will continue in 2014, and along with them will be restrictive fertilizer ordinances across the region. My goals are to keep you informed and represent you in the best manner possible. In addition, participation in the FGCSA BMP Certification program should be a goal on everyone’s list. You are the environmental stewards, and this program helps highlight your efforts. My personal goal for the program would be to see 50% of FGCSA members certified by the end of 2014, or as Todd Lowe says, “50 by 15.”

I wish all of you and your families the very best as we conclude 2013, and I look forward to working with you as we embark into 2014. Stay safe and enjoy the season!!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Giving Tuesday



This time of year gives us opportunity to reflect on the blessings we enjoy. It also allows us to reach out and help those less fortunate. This holiday season I will have the opportunity to participate in at least four Toys for Tots campaigns that chapters around Florida are conducting. Not only are there toys, but there are donations to a variety of other worthwhile causes.

Tuesday, Dec.3, is Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving to kick off the giving season added to the calendar on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. GCSAA is observing the day by spotlighting the amazing charitable contributions and deeds of our chapters and members. In the process of collecting information that we plan to share via social media, I have been blown away by the magnitude and frequency that chapters and individuals give on a regular basis.

I know that when speaking with our elected officials while advocating on behalf of the golf industry, I have used the number of $325 million in annual contributions in the state. The number is a big number but it is usually just that, a big number. It is not until you hear the stories behind the number that you genuinely appreciate the value of the contributions. Certainly, I am not just speaking in monetary terms.

In one such instance, it was not money at all rather the donation of time. GCSAA Class A member Barry Greenwalt, CGCS, and member of the Seven Rivers GCSAA and Florida GCSA is awaiting his third liver transplant. He has been battling his situation courageously, but his fight leaves him with little energy. On a Saturday not so long ago, a group of individuals from the chapter took time out of their schedules to come to Barry’s house and catch up on the chores and took care of other items that needed attention. The group did not have to do this but they had a colleague in need and did it because they wanted to help out a friend. My words can’t do this act justice, but I know the type of people in our industry, and I am confident these types of acts go unmentioned all the time across the country. I wanted to take this opportunity to say awesome job to our members, and it is a pleasure to work with all of you on a regular basis.

When it does come to financial contributions the chapters around Florida are not stingy with their money. Food bank donations from the Suncoast and Calusa chapters are regular operational certainties especially during the holidays when there are many in Southwest Florida in need. The Suncoast Chapter donated more than $800 to the All Faith Food House to assist those in the Sarasota area. The Suncoast Chapter has not limited themselves to just the local food house, they have more than $5,000 in donations to other great causes such as The Ronald McDonald House, Highland County Hospice House, and to a member whose spouse is dealing with cancer. Again, it is rewarding to be able to highlight these efforts that may otherwise go unmentioned.

Southeast Florida also knows how to extend good will to those in need. At a recent Palm Beach chapter event, the chapter presented The First Tee of The Palm Beaches with a check for $10,000. The check will be used to help provide proper storage for equipment and free up space for the children who participate in the program. The wonderful work of the first tee program is well documented but there are many behind the scenes groups that help them. In this case, the Palm Beach chapter is one of the behind the scenes supporters. 

The Palm Beach chapter has also been supportive of their neighboring chapter to the South. The South Florida chapter has just recently completed their 27th Annual Missing and Exploited Children’s Fundraising event. The Palm Beach chapter donated $1,500 to this year’s cause. Over the lifetime that the South Florida chapter has hosted the event they have raised nearly $500,000 to support this worthwhile endeavor. These funds come from the support of others in the golf industry. Vendors and sponsorships and fellow superintendents come together to make this event the success that it is.

I did not intentionally leave anyone’s efforts out, but I could write into the middle of next year if I continued with this blog. Instead I will utilize Twitter with the hash tag #GivingTuesday to highlight a number of noteworthy contributions consistently made around the state. I hope you all enjoy the Holiday Season, and I offer my most sincere “Thank You” for the blessing of working with you in my role as your GCSAA representative!!