Linda Carroll , CCM

Serving in 2006 as your vice president has reinforced for me the many reasons for my ongoing commitment to this Association. I have been a member for 23 years, and have held leading roles at the chapter level and currently at the executive level. During this time, I’ve seen first-hand the diligence CMAA puts into working for the benefit of the club management professional, and for the advancement of our profession.

Education remains the primary focus of CMAA’s service to its members, and the staff has done a great job of keeping the educational programs fresh, new and exciting. Achieving the credits you need to become a Certified Club Manager or to maintain your certification is a valuable and rewarding experience through CMAA’s Business Management Institute (BMI), which will celebrate its 20th year in 2007! This is truly a remarkable achievement and is a reflection of the  hard work and dedication of the staff, committee and members.

BMI has evolved over the years, broadening the horizons of club managers through unique educational programs that provide exceptional learning opportunities and can take you as far as the British Isles. This year, BMI VI was renamed BMI International and was held once again at St. Andrews, Scotland, the “Home of Golf.” The newest BMI offering, “BMI Golf Management,” will be held for the first time in the spring of 2007 at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. CMAA members can look forward to continued excellence in education in the years to come.

Another major development is CMAA’s endorsement of the Golf Industry Show (GIS). Beginning with our 2007 World Conference on Club Management in Anaheim, California, we will join the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America (GCSAA) as a GIS presenting partner. This is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities, and the professional members of the golf course and now, the club management industries. We believe that joining forces to become part of this high-profile event will reap valuable benefits for CMAA members in 2007 and in the years to come.

The National Club Championship continued in 2006 to be a great platform to promote the message of who club managers are and what CMAA is as an Association. The fourth annual Championship, held November 13-17 at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, was another success, prompting rave reviews by all those who participated. After signing on as a CMAA partner earlier in the year, Cadillac presented the tournament, adding the elements of tradition and prestige that stem from the company’s record of excellence and long history with the game of golf.

In 2006, we also brought to you some great new products to help you protect your club without overextending your budget. The Directors and Officers Liability Insurance program debuted as a more viable alternative to other plans that have typically been available to clubs. In addition, Premier Club Benefits enjoyed a successful first year as a fantastic way for clubs to offer a high-quality healthcare benefits package to employees at a significant cost savings. CMAA will continue to develop products such as these to meet the interests of our members and the private club industry.

CMAA’s financial position is strong, mainly due to the ability of our staff to manage affairs in a cost-effective manner, while enhancing the programs offered to us. Our commitments and personal investment in The Club Foundation will continue to support educational program development.

In 2006, CMAA continued to reach out to our international friends in Europe, China, Singapore, South Africa and other parts of the world to help club management education and certification gain a more globally-recognized standard. We are fortunate to have close ties to our international counterparts, and will continue to work with them to promote the profession worldwide.

I cannot overstate the true value that membership in CMAA offers to those who take full advantage of all this Association has to offer its members. The initiatives I’ve mentioned above are merely a scratch on the surface of the ongoing projects and programs that add so much to our enrichment as professionals.

I thank the many people who give so much to CMAA – our National Committee members, chapter leaders and National Board members, staff, and everyone who contributes time and effort toward the benefit of club managers – you all have made serving as your vice president a meaningful and rewarding experience.