Hello CMAA Members,

The Captain’s log has existed since the ancient days of sailing. The log was used to capture what was happening on a journey and to record historical facts for future generations. I feel like in many respects we are on a COVID journey and we are living in history. So, here is my Captain’s log for this week:

Captains Log 2020.05.29 Day 74

This week the Governors of many states continued to open businesses and activities and made other announcements. Americans either cheered for things that happened sooner than expected or jeered as things were not happening to their liking. 

For member clubs, we recorded a COVID high of nearly 100 percent of golf courses open with locker rooms, pro shops, golf car use, tee time spacing, and golf related F&B use becoming more favorable. 

Tennis and other racquet sports also continued to become more accessible as state governors proclaimed courts open and permitted foursome play. 

Recreational boating and sailing competitions have resumed for many as the boating membership cheered.

While clubhouses remained largely closed, to go dining is still in full operation. We have also recorded sightings of indoor dining in a socially distant fashion resuming with well-behaved members abiding by the new protocols to keep staff and other members safe. 

Pools have also begun to reopen with reduced capacity for members and often with extreme safety measures, including reservations required. Club management professionals were observed scrambling to compare practices and learn from each other from those who opened first.

All clubs implemented advanced cleaning protocols to keep everyone safe. City clubs began to open or prepare for opening, but the elusive large gathering limitations impacted all clubs, with city clubs being often most affected. 

In-person and virtual summer internships began for many to the delight of our student members and their hosting clubs. 

Ultimately, society has moved cautiously forward with everyone asking for common sense and personal responsibility from every human to be safe and respectful of each other. Everyone continued to hope and pray for a vaccine and other medical discoveries to be found and proven to defend against the evil COVID virus.

Finally, the CMAA’s constant support for club professionals across the land in the form of education, member engagement and sharing, information, and research was heavily accessed. The crisis and the situation continue to evolve, but the need for information, education and member sharing will never stop. CMAA and the membership continue to journey forward.

Log entry complete,

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Complete the 2020 Coronavirus Operations Survey by Sunday, May 31
As the country looks to reopen the economy and adjust to a new normal, CMAA wants to hear from our members. Please follow the link and complete the 2020 Coronavirus Operations Survey. This survey will be open through Sunday, May 31, and we request only one response per club. The survey can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

Reopening Resources & More
CMAA knows there are a lot of questions as clubs open. Access the one-stop website, featuring extensive club-specific reopening resources including:

• CMAA’s Club Considerations for Reopening Post COVID-19

• CMAA’s Considerations for Reopening a Clubhouse Fact Sheet  

• The Visionary Project: Best Practices & Business Protocols in the Aftermath of COVID-19, Developed by the Connecticut Chapter

• Guidance and FAQs by Amenity Area, including the Back2Golf Operational Playbook

• Sample Communications and Club Reopening Plans

• And much more! 

Hello CMAA Members,

Click Here for a Live Message from Jeff!

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Learn and Connect on Upcoming Webinars  
CMAA is offering a number of webinars to help address your most pressing questions. Watch your email daily for further announcements! Next week’s webinars will include:

→  Wednesday, May 27 – 2:00 p.m. EDTWednesday, May 27 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Changing Communications for Changing Times
Linda Dillenbeck and Bennett DeLozier, GGA Partners

→  Thursday, May 28 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
CSFA/CMAA Webinar: Finally, We're Talking about Flooring!
Ozzie Lopez, Specialized Fitness Resources, and Kevin Caldabaugh, John's Island Club

→  Friday, May 29 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Career Advice for Mid-Management Club Professionals
Charles Dorn, CCM, The Dorn Group; Kurt Kuebler, CCM. Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace; Kirk Reese, CCM, DENEHY-Club Thinking Partners; and Tom Reilly, Billy Casper Golf

Can’t attend a live event? The recordings of the webinars and a copy of the slide presentations are made available within 48 business hours of the live event. You can access the recordings under the COVID-19 Resources section of CMAA University. Once you sign in, click on the “Start Learning” button. If you need to access your login information, please contact us through this online form: https://www.cmaa.org/resources/contact/cmaau.html.

Let’s Talk Club Management Ep. 31 – Checking In With Our Student Chapters
Joining the podcast this week are Josh Gay, a recent graduate of Florida State University and the outgoing President of the FSU Student Chapter as well as our colleague Christina Krueger, Manager, Member Communities & Student Development. Josh shares with us a quick pulse check on how things are going down in Florida as well as his student chapter’s innovative efforts throughout the spring semester of social distancing. Relying on virtual meetings, the FSU chapter has been able to maintain regular check ins as well as experience virtual club tours. Even more exciting is the work the FSU Student Chapter and the FLCMAA Chapter have done to create a virtual summer internship program to help students fill the gaps left by employment and experience loss this summer. Listen here or access via Apple Podcasts.  

Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

Hello CMAA Members,

Sixty-plus days of COVID – we have moved into the third month of this public health crisis. I am worn out and worn down, but hopeful as I see more positive possibilities in the news than negative. It could also be that I focus more on the positive view too, as want to be optimistic. This past week an article came across my desk that shared ways to stay motivated. While the article focused on working from home, I feel this is a message we all need to hear or be reminded of as we look to stay motivated. 

Here is a summary:

1. Take time for yourself every day.

2. Ensure the work that energizes you is part of your day.

3. Build rewards for yourself into your responsibilities.

4. Reflect on what you have accomplished each day.

5. Make sure you connect with your boss regularly.

6. Take care of your physical self.

7. Give yourself permission to be human and have some self-compassion.

This article appeared at the right time for me. I hope it does the same for some of you too. We all are working through emotional, physical, and spiritual highs and lows during this crisis as we balance different demands and expectations of work and home. So, as we are dealing with the stress of COVID-19, cut yourself a break with some self-compassion. Allow yourself to be human. 

Have a terrific upcoming week and below you will find what CMAA will be doing on your behalf next week too! 

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

2020 Finance & Operations Survey: Options to Minimize Your Time to Participate
The 2020 Finance & Operations Survey is open. Please participate online at http://www.cmaa-research.org/. New this year to minimize time spent on the survey, CMAA has engaged GGA Partners (formerly Global Golf Advisors) to map a participating club's chart of accounts to the CMAA Finance and Operations form. This option will help reduce the amount of time spent entering information into the survey. If you would prefer, you may choose a different organization to map your chart of accounts by sharing the Chart of Accounts upload with that organization and upload in the "Upload Files" section. More information about this service or how to use a different group can be found in the CMAA Research Portal.

Advocacy Update: HEROES Act Includes PPP Eligibility for All Non-Profits
On Friday, the House of Representatives passed HR 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. It would allow all classifications of non-profits, including 501c7 social clubs, with fewer than 500 employees to qualify for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). The passage of the legislation in the House is only the first step in the process and extensive negotiations are expected with the Senate. 

Further, regulation remains in effect as part of the Small Business Administration’s lender guidance (Section §120.110) which deems “private clubs and businesses which limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity” ineligible. 

Read more about this legislation in the Legislative Report and ask your Senators to support HR 6800 and add language eliminating the Section §120.110 exclusion through ClubIndustryVotes.org.  

Learn and Connect on Upcoming Webinars
CMAA is offering a number of webinars to help address your most pressing questions. Watch your email daily for further announcements! Next week’s webinars will include:

→   Wednesday, May 20 - 2:00 p.m. EDT
Member Surveys in Uncertain Times
Michael Gregory, GGA Partners; Mark Bado, MCM, CCE, Myers Park Country Club; Michael Wheeler, MCM, CCE, Cherokee Town & Country Club; and Ben Hopkinson, GGA Partners

Can’t attend a live event?  The recordings of the webinars and a copy of the slide presentations are made available within 48 business hours of the live event. You can access the recordings under the COVID-19 Resources section of CMAA University. Once you sign in, click on the “Start Learning” button. If you need to access your login information, please contact us through this online form: https://www.cmaa.org/resources/contact/cmaau.html.

Let’s Talk Club Management Podcast Ep. 30 – Membership Retainment
We're joined again this week by Steve Graves and AJ Redetzke - principals of Creative Golf Marketing, a CMAA Education Partner. Steve and AJ dive in to answering some hot button questions that we're hearing right now as the club industry begins to think about reopening and what strategies and changes may need to be implemented over the next few months. This second installment covers questions surrounding current Club members and discusses what allowances and adjustments may (or may not) need to be made as we move forward. Listen on the Back of the House Blog.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” Katie Reed 

Hello CMAA Members, 

Click Here for a Live Message from Jeff!

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

What Does Reopening Look Like in the Club Industry?
By mid-June, the top five amenities that will be operating at a normal level for clubs will be food and beverage - takeout (76.4%), golf courses (43.9%), outdoor tennis courts (29.8%), locker rooms (22.1%), and pickleball courts (21.6%). Read more insights from Reopening Your Club Amidst COVID-19. Thank you to everyone who participated in our research effort last week. Access the results today. 

Access the Top Sessions from 2020 World Conference
CMAA has opened up 10 of the top-rated sessions from the 2020 World Conference & Club Business Expo in Grapevine, TX, for all CMAA members on CMAA University. Look under CMAA Member Education, Executive Level Education, Top Rated Conference Education, to begin. By watching all the content and successfully completing the quizzes, you can earn up to 12 CMI credits. All CMAA members have access to CMAA University as a benefit of membership. If you have questions or trouble accessing your CMAA University account, please reach out to us here.

All education and registration credits from the 2020 World Conference are now in Members’ records. We would like to thank everyone for their patience while waiting for the credits to be entered. Please look at your credit history to verify that all credits have been entered. Contact the Professional Development Department if you have any questions.

Learn and Connect on Upcoming Webinars 
CMAA is offering a number of webinars to help address your most pressing questions. Watch your email daily for further announcements! Next week’s webinars will include:

→   Tuesday, May 12 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Commercial Pool Opening and Operating Procedures to Assist During COVID-19 Emergency
Hank Lavery, Millennium Pool

→   Wednesday, May 13 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
The New Normal: Re-imagining Expectations for the Club Business and Its Leadership After COVID-19
Moderator: Tom Wallace, CCM, CCE, Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace, Panelists: Michael McCarthy, Addison Reserve Country Club, Jeffrey McFadden, CCM, CCE, The Union League, Marcie Mills, CCM, Mirabel Golf Club, Michael Smith, CCM, CCE, Country Club of Rochester

→   Thursday, May 15 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
CSFA/CMAA Webinar: Sanitation, Disinfection and Cleaning for Wellness Operations
Paul Wright, Ready Care, and Matthew Spangenberg, Cherokee Town and Country Club

→   Friday, May 16 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Future Trends in the Workforce
Moderator: Patrick DeLozier, CCM, GGA Partners; Panelists: Colin Burns, CCM, Winged Foot Golf Club, Rob Martin, CCM, CAM, Wycliffe Golf & Country Club, Al Antonez, CCM, CCE, The Club at Las Campanas

Can’t attend a live event?
The recordings of the webinars and a copy of the slide presentations are made available within 48 business hours of the live event. You can access the recordings under the COVID-19 Resources section of CMAA University. Once you sign in, click on the “Start Learning” button. If you need to access your login information, please contact us through this online form: https://www.cmaa.org/resources/contact/cmaau.html.

Let’s Talk Club Management Ep. 28 – Optimism Drives Action
We're joined this week by Luis Bracamonte, Director of Fitness and Wellness of the Ocean Reef Club and the Club Spa and Fitness Association's (CSFA) new Chairman. Luis shares his background as an athlete, a personal trainer, and active member of both CMAA and CSFA - and breaks down his optimism about the fitness and wellness space in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen here.

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Walt Disney

Hello CMAA Members,

Happy May Day CMAA – a day to celebrate being halfway to summer! I think we would all celebrate with even more joy if we knew we were moving into the last half of the COVID-19 crisis. We don’t, but there is a great deal of action among states that are beginning to reopen, including various club amenities.

1. CMAA is ready to help and here is what we have been doing on your behalf:

2. CMAA’s www.cmaa.org/beprepared website has been updated and resources are now easier to find. Please note the reopening tab is full of information to assist your reopening effort. 

3. Here you will find a new CMAA COVID-specific monograph, Considerations for Reopening Post COVID-19 resource, as well as a plethora of links to experts on various club amenities with re-opening considerations. We continue to add this area, so check back often as you have a need.

4. CMAA’s first Reopening survey will close on May 5, so please complete it today (one per club please). The results will be shared with the membership next week and is all about decisions related to reopening.

5. CMAA, as one of the lead groups in We Are Golf (WAG), has been working with our allied associations on Back2Golf resources. The “Back2Golf Initiative” was reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control and summarizes the “Back2Golf playbook” put together by the WAG entities. Our hope is this will accelerate movement on club opening by state governors for facilities of all types. 

6. Finally, CMAA Connect hosts several member discussion threads on topics related to reopening in the Best Practices Community. Check them out and add your thoughts or ask questions of your peers. Remember, sharing is caring! 

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Action Needed by May 5: 2020 Reopening Survey
As the country starts to shift gears and looks to reopen the economy, CMAA wants to hear from our members. Please complete the 2020 Reopening Survey. This survey will be open through May 5 and we request only one response per club. Thank you for all of your support and we look forward to sharing the results of this survey.

Learn and Connect on Upcoming Webinars
CMAA is offering a number of webinars to help club professionals formulate their plans to return to operation. Watch your email daily for further announcements! Next week’s webinars will include:

→  Tuesday, May 5 – 2:00 p.m. EDT 
Recognizing Depression in Your Team During COVID-19
Beverly Beuermann-King, CSP

→  Wednesday, May 6 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Transitional Leadership: Restarting Your Club
Henry DeLozier, GGA Partners, Jason Macaulay, CCM, CCE, Highlands Falls Country Club; Timothy E. Muessle, CCM, CCE, The Olympic Club; Richard D. Spurlin, CCM, CCE, Eugene Country Club; and Kimberly Clark Warren, CCM, Saucon Valley Country Club

→  Thursday, May 7
12:00 p.m. EDT
COVID-19: Club Youth Program Preparation & Planning
Bill Rouse, Nat Saltonstall, Auxiliary Services Organization

→  2:00 p.m. EDT
CSFA/CMAA Webinar: Steps to Reopen Your Fitness Center
Matthew Spagenberg, Cherokee Town and Country Club 

→  Friday, May 8
12:00 p.m. EDT
Reopening in the Age of COVID-19: Legal Issues to Consider
Brad Steele, J.D., Private Club Consultants

→  2:00 p.m. EDT
Reopening Your Club Amidst COVID-19: Insights from CMAA's Research Results
Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, Sarah Bal, CAE, Amilcar Davy, CMAA

Can’t attend a live event? 
The recordings of the webinars and a copy of the slide presentations are made available within 48 business hours of the live event. You can access the recordings under the COVID-19 Resources section of CMAA University. Once you sign in, click on the “Start Learning” button. If you need to access your login information, please contact us through this online form: https://www.cmaa.org/resources/contact/cmaau.html. 

Let’s Talk Club Management Ep. 27 – Handling New & Prospective Members 
We're joined this week by Steve Graves and AJ Redetzke - principals of Creative Golf Marketing, a CMAA Education Partner. Steve and AJ dive in to answering some hot button questions that we're hearing right now as the club industry begins to think about reopening and what strategies and changes may need to be implemented over the next few months. This first installment covers questions surrounding new and prospective members and begins by taking a look at what the sales environment might look like as we move forward. Listen here.  

All the best for a successful upcoming week!

Jeff

Click Here for a Live Message from Jeff!

CMAA’s Week Ahead

Action Needed: CMAA Research

The 2020 Coronavirus Phase 3 Survey is open through Sunday, April 26. We request only one response per club and ask the most senior manager at each facility to complete the survey. Please take time to complete this valuable survey. We value your input. Results will be disseminated next week.

The 2020 CMAA Finance and Operations Survey is open now until May 15. CMAA conducts annual surveys to benefit your data-driven decision making. New participants can register and past participants can login at www.cmaa-research.org, our confidential and secure data storage and management portal through Industry Insights. All participants will receive the full Industry Report plus an Individual Club Report which displays their club’s financial and operating statistics alongside the appropriate industry comparatives (in PDF form), as well as a NEW online report card feature. All CMAA members will receive a copy of the Executive Summary through CMAA University and the Best Practices Exchange. The deadline for participation is May 15. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are trying to remain as flexible as possible regarding this deadline. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Be Prepared

Access all the resources on Be Prepared, which has been refreshed and includes new resources specific to reopening!

Learn and Connect on Upcoming Webinars 

CMAA is offering a number of webinars to help club professionals stay informed during these fast-changing times. Watch your email daily for further announcements! Next week’s webinars will include:

→  Tuesday, April 28 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Member Discipline in the COVID-19 Reopening Phase
Robyn Nordin Stowell, Sherman & Howard

→  Wednesday, April 29 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
How Clubs Are Addressing COVID-19: The Latest Insights from CMAA's Research Results
Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE, Sarah Bal, CAE, and Amilcar Davy, CMAA Research Team

→  Thursday, April 30 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
CSFA/CMAA Webinar: Club Fitness, Sport, and Recreation Operations During the COVID-19 Crisis
Luis Bracomonte & Mic O’Keeffe, Ocean Reef Club, John Porter, Army Navy Country Club & Brendan Crotty, River Oaks Country Club

→  Friday, May 1 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Are You Ready to Reopen Your Food and Beverage Operations After COVID-19?
Annette Whitley & Sam Lindsley, Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace

Can’t attend a live event?

The recordings of the webinars and a copy of the slide presentations are made available within 48 business hours of the live event. You can access the recordings under the COVID-19 Resources section of CMAA University. Once you sign in, click on the “Start Learning” button. If you need to access your login information, please contact us through this online form: https://www.cmaa.org/resources/contact/cmaau.html.

Let’s Talk Club Management Ep. 26 – From the COVID-19 Epicenter

For many weeks now, New York City has been the hot zone of the pandemic, with stringent state and local regulations put in place to enforce social distancing and public health safety. We spoke with John Samayoa, CCM, Clubhouse Manager at the Racquet & Tennis Club in midtown Manhattan about his experience living and working in the middle of the city hardest hit by this pandemic and how his club and the City of New York Chapter are working to give back to their communities. Listen here.

Legislative & Regulatory Update

The Congress passed HR266, Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act yesterday, allocating additional funds for both the Payroll Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans. It did not include any policy changes – like the inclusion of 501c7 social clubs in eligibility. This is a great opportunity to continue to reach out your Representatives to ask for inclusion in future stimulus measures! 

CMAA University: All Purchasable Content On Sale Through September

NEW! All purchasable CMAA University content is now on sale for CMAA members. Enter code COVID19 at check out to save 20 percent through September 4, 2020.

Sincerely,

Jeff 

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston Churchill

Hello CMAA Members,

My thoughts to end this week turn to community. Why, community? Because community is always important, but even more important now.

Let me give you some examples:

So many of you and your clubs have been reaching out to your community to help and say thank you – including hospital, fire, and police personnel.

You have supported The Club Foundation’s call for PPE (personal protective equipment) to be shared with hospitals and other life-saving community businesses.

You are sharing online and sharing with each other via CMAA Connect and other means about what you are doing at your club so others can build from your ideas in our own community.

The industry community is working together the best it has for years as we have a common focus. I participated with CEOs from PGA, GCSAA, and NGCOA  earlier this week on a GCSAA webinar to share all we have been doing. Today, I hosted John Embree with USPTA for a fireside chat to share about racquet sports.

The larger industry, CMAA, and club community has rallied together to leverage CMAA’s online grassroots platform to send 15,000 letters to Congress urging them to consider including c7 organizations in upcoming Phase 4 COVID relief for SBA loans. Wow!

Finally, so many in our community (members, partners, and service providers) have stepped up to share in webinars, valuable information, and insight.

My sincere thanks for being such a great community that is #CMAAStrong. You live it every day and show it with pride to your members and community.

Thank you! 

CMAA’s Week Ahead 
15,000 Letters and the latest Legislative & Regulatory Information 

Our grassroots advocacy efforts continue. To date, more than 15,000 letters have been sent to the Hill. If you have not yet, please act now to share the impact of COVID-19 on your facility and employees within their district and how you would benefit from assistance at this time via Club Industry Votes. 

Be Prepared
Access all the resources on Be Prepared including newly added resources!

Learn and Connect on Upcoming Webinars 
CMAA is offering a number of webinars to help club professionals stay informed during these fast-changing times. Watch your email daily for further announcements! Next week’s webinars will include:

Monday, April 20 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
What is the Future for Membership Sales and Membership Retention for the Private Club Industry? Steve Graves & AJ Redetzke, Creative Golf Marketing

Tuesday, April 21 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Supporting Mental Health in Times of Uncertainty Katherine Lord, CMAA

Wednesday, April 22 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Create Your NEW Club-Wide and Departmental Operational Standards (While Still Being Flexible with Daily Challenges) Whitney Reid Pennell & Joyce Halama, CCM, RCS Hospitality Group

Thursday, April 23 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
CSFA/CMAA Webinar: Technology: The Key to Increasing Member Engagement
Kevin Caldabaugh, John's Island Club, Steve Tharrett & Mark Williamson, Club Intel, Sean Turner, Les Mills & Les Johns, Grey Oaks Country Club

Can’t attend a live event? 
The recordings of the webinars and a copy of the slide presentations are made available within 48 business hours of the live event. You can access the recordings under the COVID-19 Resources section of CMAA University. Once you sign in, click on the “Start Learning” button. If you need to access your login information, please contact us through this online form: https://www.cmaa.org/resources/contact/cmaau.html.

Listen to Let’s Talk Club Management Ep. 25 – Stay Calm, Stay Patient
Welcome to week two of our micropod series as we navigate the COVID-19 waters. This week, we chatted with CMAA National Chairman Mark Bado, MCM, CCE and President & CEO Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE about the current "State of CMAA" - reviewing how CMAA has mobilized, what resources have been put together (podcasts, webinars, research initiatives, etc.), the #CMAAStrong movement, and advice for club managers working through this time of crisis. "Stay calm and stay patient." Listen today. 

Additional Online Learning Opportunities Now Available
CMAA has released the 2015 CMAA World Conference recordings to all members on CMAA University. These recordings include the opportunity for members to earn up to five additional CMI credits online, by watching at least five hours of Conference education that they have not already earned credit for and by submitting the World Conference Credit Request form. View these sessions now under the CMAA Member Education tab, Conference Recordings. 

Sincerely,

Jeff 

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeve