The terms —racism, glass ceiling, white privilege, title nine, black lives matter, unconscious bias, inequality, and equal opportunity — all evoke emotions and opinions for each of us. Likely they are different for each of us too. I must admit my own perspective is evolving as the current conversations around the nation have caused me to pause and reflect. I have spent the past several weeks trying to learn more to better equip myself as a person in society who wants to do better. As your CEO, I have also been trying to better understand these terms and their meanings from various points of view so I can be equipped as CMAA prepares to do more. We cannot navigate these issues, emotions, and feelings by ignoring them. I have grown from this learning process but will continue that journey. 

CMAA is on this journey too and has taken an important step forward as an organization. I am proud of the CMAA Board’s action to establish an executive ad hoc committee, the Diversity & Equity in Leadership Task Force. CMAA is committed to equity and an ongoing dialogue across cultural lines as a strategy for excellence in serving our members, for addressing the needs of an increasingly diverse society, and as a mechanism for equipping current and future CMAA leaders. This Task Force will leverage our pillars of professionalism, education, leadership, and community with a goal to ensure that CMAA welcomes and encourages participation and advancement for all club professionals.

My sincere thanks for the leadership of Board members Janine Budzius, CCM, CCE, and Richard LaRocca, CCM, CCE, who will co-chair this Task Force. I also want to thank the following CMAA members and staff for agreeing to serve on and help with this important undertaking:  

I accept my responsibility that I must learn more, and act more. CMAA has also accepted its organizational responsibility to be a positive catalyst for all in the club industry. Education and mentoring are at the core of our purpose – to develop people so they can be their best. I would ask you to do the same going forward by taking advantage of this time and opportunity to learn and act in a positive way for your club and the club management profession. 

Thank you and until next month,

Jeff Morgan

Hello CMAA Members,

How many of these office/club routines and things do you remember?

1. Smoking was permitted throughout the business or club environment. (And it was unhealthy.)

2. Showing up for work at all levels involved using a punch or time clock.

3. Using the phone for personal use was not allowed in a work setting.

4. You came into the office or club even if you were sick. (Oh, you still do that? Please stop.)

5. There was no getting online for any reason other than work. 

6. You left long detailed voicemails instead of your name, phone number, and headline (or maybe now you just text the person if you don’t get them on the phone).

7. All email writing was to be treated like writing a formal business letter.

8. Handwritten notes were expected. This is largely a lost art but thank goodness many have held on to this personal expression of communication.

9. There was one printer for the entire office and often you queued print jobs up overnight because they took so long to print.

10. Carbon paper was used to make copies. Those of you who know the smell of the blue ink from a mimeograph machine get extra credit or maybe need to not admit it.

11. You shared a dial up modem and a clunky computer with other team members. Glad those days are gone, and our cell phone or other handheld is our portable companion.

12. Dressing down at work meant wearing loafers or sandals.

13. CMAA’s CEO sent weekly email updates to members for the last three months. I’ll be switching back to the monthly blog starting next month as we return some things to their normal CMAA rhythm. 

I hope you appreciate the subtle changes in our work or club world that often happen without great fanfare. I think most would agree these are all positive changes too! 

Have a terrific upcoming week as you prepare for the July 4th holiday.

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Access our Reopening FAQs
We’ve curated your questions about reopening into topics areas and paired our extensive resources. Access these materials today and share with your team! 

Please Contribute: Coronavirus Operations Research Phase 2 Closing Sunday
The 2020 Coronavirus Operations Survey Phase 2 is open through Sunday, June 28. We request only one response per club and ask that the most senior manager at each facility completes the survey. Please take time to complete this survey. We value your input. Results will be disseminated the week of June 29.

Thank you to everyone who has participated thus far in all of our research efforts.. Access all results on www.cmaa.org/beprepared and recordings of all of the interpretive webinars on CMAA University with the COVID-19 Resources.

Onboarding New Employees? Get Insight from the Latest CMAA Podcast
The newest CMAA Master Club Manager (MCM), Boris Gradina, MCM, CCE, joins us this week to share his research on the importance of onboarding new employees. He takes us through how he arrived at this topic for the MCM Monograph, the difference between orientation and onboarding, and why timing of the onboarding process is so crucial in ensuring long-term employee retention. Listen online or on Apple Podcasts.

→ Upcoming Webinar: Get the Latest Research Insights
Join Jeff Morgan, FASAE, CAE; Sarah Bal, CAE; and Amilcar Davy, CMAA on Wednesday, July 1, at 3:00 p.m. for a one-hour webinar on How Are Clubs Operating as They Reopen from COVID-19? The Latest Insights from CMAA's Research Results. 

Miss a Recent Webinar?
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.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” 
Seneca

Hello CMAA Members,

Click Here for This Week's Video Message!

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Access our Reopening Resources 
We’ve curated your questions about reopening into topics areas and paired our extensive resources. Access these materials today and share with your team!

Contribute to Our Next Phase of Coronavirus Operations Research
The 2020 Coronavirus Operations Survey Phase 2 is open through Sunday, June 28. We request only one response per club and ask that the most senior manager at each facility completes the survey. Please take time to complete this valuable survey. We value your input. Results will be disseminated the week of June 29.

Thank you to everyone who has participated thus far in all of our research efforts over the past few months. Access all results on www.cmaa.org/beprepared and recordings of all of the interpretive webinars on CMAA University with the COVID-19 Resources. 

Listen to the Let’s Talk Club Management Ep. 32 – Total Transparency
In this first episode of June, we sat down with Steve Buck, CCM, CCE, General Manager of the Stock Farm Club in Hamilton, MT. Steve’s club was hit by COVID-19, with eight of his golf course maintenance crew going down with the virus. He shares with us the experience of containing the virus, communicating with the local community and the state, and the biggest takeaways of the incident. From making sure his staff were cared for to navigating the politics of living and working in a small town, Steve’s story of crisis management is a must-hear for any club management professional. Listen online or on Apple Podcasts. 

Upcoming Webinars 
CMAA is winding down daily webinars. Upcoming webinars will include: 

→ Thursday, June 25 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
CSFA/CMAA Webinar
Innovative Earnings: Creative Wellness Revenue Drivers during COVID-19
Moderator: Nicole Mains, Club Wellness Evolutions, LLC
Panelists: Teresa McKee, Woodfield Country Club, Boca Raton, FL; Les Johns, Grey Oaks Country Club, Naples, FL; and Lukasz Monka, The Landings Club, Savannah, GA

Miss a Recent Webinar?
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.

Hello CMAA Members,

As we approach Day 90 of the COVID-19 crisis, I am thinking about daily rituals. We probably all have daily rituals. My morning routine include getting up before the sunrise and getting outside to take in the start of the day. In the evening, I turn off my phone and get offline at least an hour before bedtime so I can decompress. I am sure you have your own – maybe it includes fitness, or maybe meditation, or a devotional, or possibly a cup of coffee. Did you know that Beethoven had a morning ritual that he needed exactly 60 coffee beans for his morning brew?

Regardless of your rituals, they probably give you satisfaction, inspiration, pep, or maybe calm you down. They are done for mind and/or body and each of our rituals are as unique as each of us. But have you given thought to what rituals have become new during this COVID crisis that you might want to keep? Maybe you have also lost some rituals that you really miss too – like stopping by your favorite coffee shop where the barista knows your name and exactly how your coffee is made. Gosh, I bet you can’t wait for that normalcy again.

Our road to normalcy still has lots of twists and turns ahead of us so pace yourself as changes in opening facilities have come quickly the past few weeks by states and localities. I suspect each change brings new challenges. But I know you will take it in stride.

Finally, I hope you have CMAA rituals too, like reading Club Management or CMAA’s Outlook, or reaching out regularly to your CMAA peer network. I hope your CMAA rituals during COVID have expanded to check out the posts on CMAA’s online Connect community or regularly consulting CMAA’s pandemic website when you have a need. 

It is my hope these new CMAA rituals have served you well and will continue to provide value as we head down this evolving road to normalcy. We’ve got your back with CMAA community, information, and education every step of the way. 

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Got Reopening Questions?
CMAA knows there are a lot of questions as clubs reopen. We’ve curated your questions into subject areas and paired our extensive resources. Access these materials today and share with your team! 

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:

→  Monday, June 15 – 2:00 p.m. EDT*
Club Leaders Alliance
Dick Kopplin, Kurt Kuebler, CCM, & Tom Wallace, CCM, CCE, Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace; Ray Cronin & Jim Butler, CCM, CCE, PGA, Club Benchmarking; Bill McMahon, Sr., Frank Vain, & Chris Coulter, CCM, McMahon Group
*This webinar is scheduled for 90 minutes.

→  Wednesday, June 17 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Summer Activities & Events
Ed Ronan, CCM, CCE, Bretton Woods; Desi Speh, Arizona Country Club; and Kelley Williams, CCM, Carlouel Beach & Yacht Club

→  Thursday, June 18 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Club Spa & Fitness Association Trends Report
Greg Manns & Jacob Starinsky, Industry Insights; and 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.

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” ~Jim Rohn

Click Here for a Live Message from Jeff!

CMAA’s Week Ahead 

Got Questions About Reopening?
CMAA knows there are a lot of questions as clubs reopen. We’ve curated your questions into subject areas and paired our extensive resources. Access these materials today and share with your team! 

How Are Clubs Adapting? Latest Research Released
The results are in from CMAA’s latest research, Reopening Your Club Amidst COVID-19: Insights from CMAA's Research Results, June 5 Report. On a scale of 0-100%, clubs are operating at an average level of 55.2 percent. Clubs have utilized several ways to accommodate members for food and beverage demand while abiding by social distancing, including:

• Using existing outdoor dining space with social distancing (76.6%), 

• Using existing indoor dining space with social distancing (72.8%), 

• Using additional outdoor dining space around the club (44.7%), and 

• Adding additional indoor dining space in ballrooms or function spaces (34%). 

Get more insights from the full report. (link: https://www.cmaa.org/covid/research/index.html)

Legislative Update: Congress Amends Conditions of Payroll Protection Program
This week, both chambers of Congress passed the Payroll Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, HR 7010. The President is expected to sign the legislation shortly. The legislation narrowly addresses the conditions of the existing Payroll Protection Program (PPP) but did not address the issue of or expand eligibility to other organizations, like 501(c)(7) clubs. Read more about the specific program changes. 

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:

→  Monday, June 8 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Getting Back To Business – How Technology Will Play A Role In Reopening Your Club
Trevor Coughlan and Jeremy Roth, Jonas Club Software

→  Tuesday, June 9 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
Retirement Plan Update: Optimists vs. Pessimists*
Dennis Pearlman, Case Pearlman
*This webinar is scheduled for 30-minutes.

→  Wednesday, June 10 – 2:00 p.m. EDT
New IRS Proposed Regulations on Separate Trades or Business and Other Changes
Frank Lucas, CPA, and Alex Mitchell, RSM

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.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

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)