Thursday, December 19, 2013

Get the Education You Want


Of the many seasons in the golf course maintenance industry, one important and valuable season has begun; education season. The recently completed New York State Turfgrass Association (NYSTA) Conference and Show in Rochester, N.Y., kicked off my season.  There are several more in the region as well: Green Industry Show (Atlantic City, N.J.), Ontario Golf Course Maintenance C&S, The Golf Industry Show, NERTF, and many chapter education days on the calendar. This is not meant to show how busy I am, more to explain how you are the most important key to these valuable resources.
The agendas for each of these events are set by your colleagues and industry peers to deliver value to you, the turfgrass manager. They work hard to develop potential topics, engage industry experts to present these topics, and communicate with you to inform you of these valuable educational opportunities. Often, the only feedback those who administer these events get is based on numbers. If attendance is good, the agenda and information must be delivering value to attendees. If attendance is poor, the agenda must have missed the mark. Is that a fair assessment of an event?  If you did attend, can those administrators assume you got value from the event? If you did not go, was it because of the education offered? Numbers develop more questions than they answer. 

I was asked to join the NYSTA education committee and aid in developing the agenda for the 2013 conference and show. It became clear how difficult it is to provide a valuable agenda based on numbers. It is even more difficult to assemble topics without feedback.  That is where you come in. Input is critical in delivering value to you and your peers. Often those who develop these programs are begging you for input and feedback. You have the ability to reach out to those in charge of developing these education agendas. 

Many agendas are already set for 2013-2014 events. If you are in attendance, reach out and give your feedback to the administrators after the event. If you don’t attend because of the agenda, reach out and alert them of that as well. Perhaps your chapter has an education director or chapter representatives on the event board. These people are working hard to develop educational programs that will deliver value to you and your industry peers. Please help them deliver what you want by volunteering your input and responding with your beneficial feedback. With this information, they will be able to develop programs you will be able to enjoy year after year.
Cheers!
Kevin

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The NEGCOA is Filling the Food Banks

#GivingTuesday looks toward an allied association here in the Northeast for another great way to help our communities. The New England Golf Course Owners Association promotes a great avenue for giving. Courses in three states have signed on to take part.  This was taken from their website (NEGCOA.org) where more information is available:


Participate in Turkey Day


The New England Course Owners Association (NEGCOA) invites you to participate in Turkey Day during the month of November. This is a cooperative effort to allow the golfing public to golf for free while helping to help support New England Food Banks and community food pantries.

Here's what you can do: 

  • Set a date for Turkey Day at your course.  Treat the day as a tournament or special outing day.  
  • Promote the day and the desired donation. Most food banks and food pantries prefer supermarket gift certificates. Others will accept food donations. Some accept actual turkeys. Contact your local food bank or pantry to find out what they prefer.
  • Advertise, promote and encourage community participation.
“Turkey Day is our way of giving back to the local communities. We expect to donate over 600 turkeys and thousands of dollars to local food banks and pantries,” comments Dudley Darling, Board member of NEGCOA and owner of Juniper Hill Golf Course in Northboro, Massachusetts. 


Try to take this idea to your facility and see if you can get some turkeys to fly to the food banks in your area!  When you do, be sure to credit the NEGCOA.



Cheers
Kevin

Thanks Coach!

Every chapter is trying to engage members and motivate them to participate in chapter meeting and events.  One thing has become clear over time, family commitments have become more of a factor.  If you don't believe me, just ask a superintendent whose children play sports. Then ask if they coach. You might not believe what you hear!

GCSAA Class A member Andrew McHugh in New Hampshire coaches his sons' baseball teams, and has coached up to five basketball teams in one season.  Bob Kelly, CGCS, in New York has a daughter who plays softball at a high level. Guess how many teams he coaches? Guess how many games she plays? A lot. While I was on a visit to Ontario I went three for four. I asked four members if they coached their kids hockey teams, and three said yes.

I was told by one superintendent that perhaps people in this line of work take an active role in the things they do on and off the course, and children's sports are no exception. I agree. So maybe if chapters found a time in the kids' off-season to host a chapter event perhaps everyone could attend. If anyone actually knows when that time occurs, could you please let me know.

To all our GCSAA member coaches, two quick words: Thanks Coach!

Cheers

Kevin

Giving Tuesday OGSA Style

Leading off GCSAA's observation of the national program #GivingTuesday is a great article by Reg Langen, assistant superintendent Richmond Hill Golf Club. Originally printed in the Summer 2013 issue of Green Is Beautiful, the official publication of the Ontario GSA.  Here is the article.
 
Community Living Toronto participants "filling" important roles at Donalda Golf and Country Club with GCSAA Class A member Scott White, training dogs by OGSA member Nic Bell at Muskoka Highlands Golf Links, and GCSAA Class A member Neil Acton at Deer Creek Golf working to raise money for underprivileged children to enjoy outdoor educational events. 

Great members contributing to their communities!  What a great way to kick off #GivingTuesday.

Cheers!
Kevin