Chapter Digest
News for CMAA Leaders: January 2026
In this issue:
Featured Strategy
Interns Anyone?
If your club plans to hire interns soon, CMAA has resources to help with that process. 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, and successful internship experience. Here are some options:
- Internship Job Board—Log in to 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.
- Career Opportunities & Networking Showcase—World Conference and Club Business Expo attendees can attend the Career Opportunities & Networking Showcase at the Club Business Expo on 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. This event has limited space, so sign up today to reserve your table.
- 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.
Chapter Idea Fair Winner
Congratulations to the Philadelphia & Vicinity Chapter, which won first place in the 2025 Chapter Idea Fair for its idea in the “Education” category. See how they educated members by creating a “Championship Circuit.”
At the end of the circuit, we are excited for what can be achieved by way of resume building in a year, and networking to last a lifetime.
Chapter Spotlight
We want to hear what your Chapter is doing! Recently hold a fundraiser? Exciting event? Share your Chapter good news via email to goodnews@cmaa.org and you could be featured in an upcoming edition!
- Ongoing: Submit Your #CMAARally Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org
New Member Totals
The New Member Recruitment Contest provides encouragement for CMAA Chapters to increase, maintain, and preserve their membership. This annual contest awards grants to Chapters (in size categories small, medium and large) that surpass, achieve, or are closest to reaching their set membership recruitment goals.
Chapter Management Resources
All Officers
If you have not already done so, please submit your 2026 Chapter Officers/ Chairman Report.
Calling All Chapter Leaders! Encourage Your Members to Vote
Your voice carries weight with CMAA members, and we’d appreciate your help in encouraging eligible members to vote in the 2026 CMAA Board of Directors election.
Online voting is open now and can be completed in minutes. It’s a simple two-step process: 1-Request Your Code, and 2-Vote Online! The online voting portal closes on February 18. Members attending the World Conference & Club Business Expo may vote in person in Anaheim, February 19-21, during select hours listed in the Conference App.
Member participation is essential to strong, representative leadership at the national level. A brief reminder from you can make a real difference. Thank you for helping ensure our members’ voices are heard.
Help Shape CMAA’s Future: Confirmed Member Research Study
You may have received an invitation to participate in an online research discussion group conducted on behalf of CMAA. We want to confirm this is a valid, CMAA-authorized outreach. CMAA has partnered with MGI, a trusted association research firm, to gather CMAA member insights that will help shape the future value of CMAA membership and better support today’s club management professionals. More details on this qualitative and quantitative research initiative will be shared soon. Thank you for your continued engagement.
Chairs
Advocacy/Legislative Chair: DHS and DOL Release Fewer Additional FY2026 H-2B Visas
On December 31, 2025, the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security announced their intent to release 35,000 additional 35,000 H-2B visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. These visas will supplement the congressionally mandated 66,000 H-2B visas that are available annually. The H-2B visa allotment for the first half of FY2026 was exhausted on September 12, 2025. This represents a 50 percent reduction in the total number of supplemental visas released as compared to each FY from 2023 to 2025. The full details regarding the release of these additional H-2B visas, including any eligibility criteria and filing requirements, are expected in the coming weeks.
Communications/Public Relations Chair: We Want to Hear from Your Chapter!
Add these dates to your calendar and make plans to brag on your Chapter. Your news could be featured in the Chapter News section of Club Management magazine or the Chapter Spotlight section of this newsletter!
- 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: Start 2026 Off Right with Recruitment
Congratulations on another incredible recruitment year in 2025! Let’s start the 2026 recruitment year off right! All new and rejoining members pay $525 for their first year of National dues. Please direct all prospective members to the online join form.
Professional Development Chair: How to Submit a Certification Petition
For your members hoping to sit the Certified Club Manager (CCM) exam this year, they must submit a Certification Petition to the National Office staff for review to determine their eligibility status. Petitions can now be submitted electronically through the CMAA website.
Prior to submitting the Certification Petition, it’s important for each member to review their credit history to monitor their status of eligibility. Members must log in to their CMAA account and find “My Open Applications” to check their eligibility status on their own. They should use the eligibility status from their CMAA account to determine their readiness to submit the Certification Petition.
Once an individual feels they’ve met all CCM eligibility requirements, they should follow the steps below to submit the Certification Petition:
- Complete and submit a Certification Petition form, along with the non-refundable petition fee of $100. If there is no invoice in their CMAA account, please contact us and we’ll post the invoice for you. Payment can be made using a credit card.
- Once received by the CMAA National Office staff, the Certification Petition will be reviewed to ensure the form has been completed. The applicant’s credit history will be reviewed to show evidence that the eligibility requirements have been met.
- The applicant will be notified via email if they have met the eligibility requirements to sit for the CCM exam. If approved, the applicant will be notified via email with information on how to proceed with purchasing and scheduling the exam. If the applicant is not approved to sit for the exam, they will be notified via email with information on which requirements have not been met at this time.
If your members have any questions regarding eligibility, please have them send an email to Sonya Peterbark or Brian Watkins.
Research Chairman: Participate in the CMAA Governance and Policy Survey
We invite you to participate in the CMAA Governance and Policy Survey, a key initiative focused on understanding governance structures and policies within the private club industry.
Your insights will directly contribute to a comprehensive report prepared by Club Benchmarking, designed to help club leaders benchmark their governance practices and strengthen strategic decision-making.
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential.
The deadline for participation is Friday, February 6. Please, only ONE submission per club. Your participation will help create a resource that benefits the entire club community.
If you have any questions, please contact us at research@clubbenchmarking.com.
Thank you for your time and commitment to advancing governance excellence in our industry.
Student Chapter Liaison: LAST CALL: Encourage Your Student Members to Enter Before It’s Too Late!
Countdown to 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 premier event brings together club management professionals and students for unmatched opportunities to learn, network, and grow.
Students won’t want to miss out on signature programs such as the Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair, Shark Tank, and the [NEW] Student Chapter Showcase each designed to spotlight creativity, collaboration, and innovation across CMAA Student Chapters nationwide.
The countdown is on; students have just one week left to enter! Now is the time to finalize submissions, gather materials, and secure their spot in these exciting competitions.
Important Deadlines:
- Shark Tank: Entries due Wednesday, January 14, at 12:00 noon ET
- Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair: Entries due Friday, January 16, at 12:00 noon ET
- Student Chapter Showcase: Table reservations due Wednesday, January 28, at 12:00 noon ET
Each of these experiences gives students the chance to showcase their strongest ideas, highlight their Student Chapter’s accomplishments, and pitch innovative projects to industry leaders. Whether competing in Shark Tank, presenting in the Idea Fair, or participating in the Student Chapter Showcase, students gain recognition, build confidence, and make meaningful professional connections.
Student Coaching with Kevin MacDonald & Shelley MacDougall
Students can also elevate their experience through on-site Coaching Sessions an impactful opportunity to strengthen self-awareness, enhance communication skills, and develop the mindset needed for personal and professional success.
Contact Haley Habosky to sign up. Spaces are limited and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wine Society Chapter Representative: Sign Up for the CMAA Wine Society Napa Valley Immersion Experience—Limited Spots Remain!
Step beyond the tasting room and into the heart of Napa Valley. This exclusive, one-day immersion has been thoughtfully designed for CMAA members who want more than a standard winery visit-those who want access, insight, and unforgettable moments. From private cave tours and underground cellar tastings to rare Premier Napa Valley wines poured in historic settings, this experience brings together some of Napa's most iconic wineries, portfolios, and personalities in a way that simply isn't available to the public. With limited attendance and a meticulously curated itinerary, this is a rare opportunity to experience Napa Valley at its very best, all in one extraordinary day!