News for CMAA Leaders: December 2025

All Officers

Review CMAA’s Antitrust Guidelines

Has your Chapter leadership reviewed CMAA’s Antitrust Guidelines recently? Annually, your leadership should review the guidelines to ensure compliance. Many club and Chapter policies or programs that might be discussed at meetings or via other means including email, online discussion boards, or listservs raise issues of antitrust and trade regulation. These areas include:

• Prices, fees, or rates, such as discounts, costs, salaries, terms and conditions of sale, warranties, or profit margins;
• Membership restrictions, categories, and termination;
• Uniform terms of sale or contract provisions.

Review CMAA’s Antitrust Guidelines to keep your Chapter in compliance. As a Chapter officer, you should also ensure that your Chapter’s directors and officers insurance policy includes coverage for antitrust.

Last Call for National Committee Sign-Ups!

CMAA thrives because of the energy and heart our members bring. If you’ve ever thought about getting more involved nationally, this is your moment. Help shape our programs, strengthen our community, and grow alongside fellow leaders.

A quick reminder: Committee participation is open only to Professional and Alumnus members. Each year, we fill nearly 250 positions across both at-conference committees and standing committees. While CMAA receives more applications than available spots, we encourage you to raise your hand—every submission is valued, and each cycle brings new opportunities to be involved.

Request to volunteer and help make an impact.

Managing Directors

Members who have not paid their national dues by the end of the year will be dropped from the Association’s roster. Please look at your Chapter lists to see who has yet to renew and help us keep these members onboard. If you need assistance determining who still needs to renew, please contact the Membership Team.

Advocacy/Legislative Chair: IRS Issues Guidance for Individuals with 2025 Tip & Overtime Income

On November 21, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance for workers eligible to claim the deduction for tip and overtime compensation for 2025. The IRS opted not to modify the W-2 and Form 1099 forms for 2025.

The notice explains and shows examples of how individual workers can determine the amount of their deduction without receiving a separate accounting statement from their employer. 

Read more in the Legislative Report.

Career Services Chair: It’s Time to Start Thinking About Interns at Your Club

If your club currently hires interns—or is planning to welcome interns in the future—CMAA has resources to support you every step of the way. No matter your club’s size or how many interns you’re looking to bring on, we’re here to help you build a strong, structured, and successful internship experience. Let’s get started.

Internship Job Board—Log in into cmaa.org and choose Fill Positions to post your Internships. Start listing your opportunities now. These free ads run for 12 weeks and can be renewed. Be sure to check INTERN in Step 3.

World Conference and Club Business Expo attendees can attend the Career Opportunities & Networking Showcase at the Club Business Expo (Thursday, February 19, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.) to connect with CMAA Student attendees and interact with the next generation of club industry leaders. Sign up today to reserve your space.

Verified Internship Program (VIP)—Because clubs differ widely in their membership size, culture, and offerings, it may be difficult for students to know exactly what they can expect from their internship experience. This program can help guide you in managing the expectations of students, faculty, and managers, and showcases what a career in the club industry looks like. Read VIP At-A-Glance and then consider joining today.

Contact Karen Woodie with any questions.

The Club Foundation Liaison: Thank You for Your Generosity on Giving Tuesday

Thank you to all those who donated on Giving Tuesday and congratulations to our Chapter Challenge winners:

• First place: Georgia Chapter with 322% of goal.
• Second place: Greater Michigan Chapter with 237% of goal.
• Third place: Tennessee Volunteer Chapter with 227% of goal.
• Highest Dollars Raised: Florida Chapter with $4,876.34 in contributions.

Exceeded 100% of Goal: Alabama Chapter, Florida Chapter, Georgia Chapter, Greater Illinois Chapter, Greater Michigan Chapter, Nebraska Chapter, Oregon Chapter, Tennessee Volunteer Chapter, and Wisconsin Badger Chapter 

Communications/Public Relations Chair: Put Your Chapter in the Spotlight

We know your Chapter is doing remarkable things. Share your events, philanthropic activities, awards, and more with the greater CMAA community by submitting your good news to the CMAA Communications Team.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis and are used on a space available basis.

Submissions may appear in the Chapter news section of Club Management magazine, as the Chapter Spotlight in Chapter Digest newsletter, or on social media (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram).

Add these dates to your calendar and make plans to brag on your Chapter in the Chapter News section of the Club Management magazine!

• January/February 2026 Edition—Content Due by November 19 (Space is limited!)
• March/April 2026 Edition—Content Due by February 13
• May/June 2026 Edition—Content Due by March 20
• July/August 2026 Edition—Content Due by June 1
• September/October 2026 Edition—Content Due by July 10
• November/December 2026 Edition—Content Due by September 11

All items should be submitted electronically to goodnews@cmaa.org. Please send high-resolution photographs (300 dpi) as separate graphic files (jpg, png).

For questions, please contact CMAA’s Vice President, Communications & Advocacy Melissa Low, CAE, at 703-739-9500 ext. 286.

Membership Chair: The 2025 New Member Recruitment Contest Ends on December 31

Please look at the New Member Recruitment Contest standings and see how your Chapter is doing. Many Chapters have already met or exceeded their goals! Remember, winning chapters in each size category will receive a $2,000 Education Grant funded by The Club Foundation. Congratulations on an incredible recruitment year!

Professional Development Chair: Note These Upcoming Sessions on Credits, Certification, and the MID Program

Do you have members who are new to the Association or Chapter members with questions about credits and certifications? At the 2026 World Conference & Club Business Expo, the CMAA Professional Development team will host two sessions designed to provide clarity and guidance.

• Wednesday February 18: Join Brian Watkins, Director of Certification and Education, for an in-depth discussion on credits and the certification process. He will explain the different types of credits and how members can earn them, while answering your questions directly.
• Saturday February 21: If you missed the first session or have additional questions, Brian will revisit credits and certification. Dawn Coleman, Vice President of Professional Development, will join Brian and discuss the Manager In Development Program. 

These sessions will be a great opportunity to strengthen your understanding of certification and explore different pathways for development.

Student Chapter Liaison: Tell Your Student Members the Countdown is on for the 2026 World Conference & Club Business Expo!

Registration is open for the 2026 CMAA World Conference & Club Business Expo, taking place February 17–21 in Anaheim, CA! This event is CMAA’s premier gathering for club management professionals and students alike, offering unmatched opportunities to learn, network, and grow.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of exciting opportunities, including the Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair, Shark Tank, and the [NEW] Student Chapter Showcase! Each program is designed to spotlight creativity, collaboration, and innovation within CMAA Student Chapters across the country.

Students have just one month to submit their entries, so now is the time to begin preparing submissions and securing their spot in these competitions.

Important Deadlines

• Shark Tank
  Entries are due Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 12:00 noon ET.
• Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair
  Entries are due Friday, January 16, 2026, at 12:00 noon ET.
• Student Chapter Showcase
  To participate, Student Chapters must reserve a table by Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 12:00 noon ET.

Each of these experiences allows students to share their best ideas, showcase their Student Chapter’s achievements, and pitch innovative projects to industry leaders. Whether entering the Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair, competing in Shark Tank, or representing their Student Chapter at the [NEW] Student Chapter Showcase, these opportunities help students gain recognition, build confidence, and make lasting professional connections.

Student Coaching with Kevin McDonald and Shelley MacDougall

Students can also benefit from on-site Coaching Sessions, an impactful way to strengthen self-awareness, refine communication skills, and develop the attitudes and habits that support personal and professional growth.

Join CMAA Coaches Kevin MacDonald and Shelley MacDougall for a group coaching experience on February 18, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. Contact Haley Habosky to sign up. Spaces are limited and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wine Society Chapter Representative: Mark Your Calendars for this Upcoming Webinar

Invite your Wine Society members to a webinar on February 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST: Inside Premiere Napa Valley: How Clubs Can Tap Into this Secret Napa Valley Experience.

Join us for an exclusive webinar exploring Premiere Napa Valley (PNV)—the wine world’s most unique barrel auction and one of Napa Valley’s most exciting annual events. Learn what makes PNV lots so rare, who buys them, and how clubs across the country are using these one-of-a-kind wines in five, ten and twenty case lots to elevate their programs and create memorable member experiences. Hear insights from Randy Ruder, GM, Beach Point Club and successful PNV bidder; Amber Mihna, Staglin Family Vineyard and PNV board member; Peter Wilmart, Hudson Vineyards and PNV board member; and other Napa Valley Vintner representatives as they share stories, strategies, and behind-the-scenes details from Napa’s most celebrated auction week. It is the best week of the year in Napa Valley for trade! Bonus: The first 50 registrants will receive a complimentary three-pack of 375ml PNV wines, along with PNV materials and event details, shipped directly to them.