Chapter Digest
News for CMAA Leaders: May 2025
Featured Strategy
Featured Strategy: 2025 National Golf Day: Wrapping Up the Largest Advocacy Event to Date
Annually, National Golf Day brings industry professionals to Capitol Hill to share the industry’s contributions and advocate for the legislative and regulatory issues impacting the industry. It serves as the pinnacle advocacy event of the year for the American Golf Industry Coalition (formerly known as We Are Golf). The Coalition celebrated its 17th annual event on Thursday, May 1. The number of advocates who attended was the largest in the event’s history with more than 300 participants conducting 240 meetings with members of Congress.
Volunteer advocates from CMAA’s Advocacy Committee, Chapter Legislative Chairs, and other interested members joined professionals from across the golf industry to educate Congress and their staff on critical issues including workforce and labor, environment, and health and wellness.
Let's breakdown the three, priority issues:
- Advancing HR1583, the Parity for Athletic Recreation (PAR) Act, legislation to modernize the tax code and remove discriminatory language disqualifying golf and clubs from accessing various forms of disaster relief and economic stimulus programs available to other hospitality businesses.
- Supporting HR2369/S1144, the PHIT Act, legislation that would allow the option to use pre-tax dollars through HSA/FSA funds for activity expenses including sports league fees, lessons & clinics, tournaments & greens fees, sport-exclusive footwear, etc.
- Reauthorize the National Turfgrass Research Initiative in the Farm Bill and continue to fund $3 million for vital research for the fourth largest crop in the US.
Advocates were also prepped on other topics of interest to the industry including the current discussions on Permanent Standard Time vs. Daylight Savings Time, the H-2B Visa Program, the reintroduction of legislation to provide a 40 percent tax credit on the purchase of zero-emission landscaping equipment, and the efforts to define the Waters of the United States.
Additionally, CMAA members participated virtually by contacting their members of Congress. CMAA’s Action Alert is still available, and we encourage everyone to help ensure the message is heard by Congress! Act now.
To learn more about these issues, visit CMAA’s Legislative Report.
Featured Chapter Idea Fair
Chapter Idea Fair Winner
Congratulations to the Nebraska Chapter, which won first place in the 2024 Chapter Idea Fair for its idea in the “Student and Faculty Engagement” category. See how the intern mixer series they developed allowed them to connect with students and showcase the club industry!
"[M]any clubs sent several interns to the entire mixer series, which showed a great commitment to bettering these future club leaders!"
CMAA News
- 30 Club Management Professionals Achieve Certification
- Pulsar Security Renews Commitment to CMAA Partnership Network
- Listen to Let’s Talk Club Management, Episode 134: Understanding Relational Member Benefits and Episode 135: Wine and Leadership
To Do
- May 30: 2026 World Conference Proposals Due
- May 31: Nominations Due for the 2026 CMAA Board of Directors
- Ongoing: Submit Your #CMAARally Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org
Chapter Management Resources
All Officers
Has your Chapter filled out the Blueprint for Chapter Success this year? This tool leads your Chapter through a process of self-evaluation and goal setting. Make sure to share this resource with your Chapter at your next meeting and be the best that you can be!
Managing Directors
We want to publicize your chapter’s events! Please send pictures and descriptions to goodnews@cmaa.org so we can show you off!
Club Foundation Liaison
Chapter Liaison Quarterly Zoom Get-together
Each quarter, Club Foundation Liaisons come together with Foundation Director Ava Spece to stay informed about the latest developments from The Club Foundation. These get-togethers serve as an opportunity for Chapter representatives to hear updates and to ask questions about the Foundation’s mission-driven efforts in granting and fundraising.
The next quarterly gathering is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Chapter representatives are encouraged to attend and participate in the ongoing conversation about the Foundation’s impact across our industry.
If you did not receive a calendar invitation or have questions prior to the meeting, please contact Ava Spece at 703-299-4284. See you soon!
Communications/Public Relations Chair
Brag on Your Chapter by May 30
We know your Chapter is accomplishing great things. Share your events, philanthropic activities, awards, #CMAARally photos, and more. Submissions are used as space is available, and may appear in Club Management magazine, Chapter Digest, Outlook, or on our social media channels (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram).
Our next deadline is coming up for the Chapter News section of Club Management magazine. We’d love to include your Chapter in the July/August 2025 edition.
All items should be submitted electronically to goodnews@cmaa.org. Please send hi-resolution photographs (300 dpi) as separate graphic files (jpg, png).
For questions, please contact Melissa Low, CAE, Vice President, Communications and Advocacy, at 703-739-9500 ext. 286.
Corporate Relations Chair
Pulsar Security Renews Commitment to CMAA Partnership Network
Pulsar Security (Pulsar) has renewed its commitment to the CMAA Partnership Network. In four years as a CMAA Partner, Pulsar has worked with CMAA to develop a webinar series and create training content for the Club Resource Center related to cybersecurity and information technology. Read more.
Legislative/Advocacy Chair
What’s Ahead for Eliminating Taxes on Overtime?
Congress is currently focused on addressing expiring tax cuts and other domestic policy initiatives through a massive legislative package. The current Administration has prioritized including tax exemptions for overtime pay and tip income, among other priorities. The House of Representatives plans to complete their consideration by Memorial Day while the Senate is planning for a July 4 deadline.
During this session of Congress, three bills have been introduced with differing proposals on how to achieve and implement the tax exemption of overtime pay. What do these proposals look like, how are states tackling this issue, and how would this impact staffing in the club industry?
Read more in the Legislative Report
Membership Chair
Make Your New Members Feel Welcome
Attending your first meeting or event can be intimidating—how are you making new members feel welcome at Chapter events?
Professional Development Chair
Register for Upcoming Summits
Registration for several Summits is available now. Mark your calendars and sign up today:
- Club Wellness Summit: July 28-31, Naples, FL
- Membership & Marketing Summit: August 5-6, Virtual
- Human Resources Summit: August 12-14, Savannah, GA
- Chef Summit: September 7-10, Jupiter, FL
Research Chair
Check Out the Universal Key Club Performance Indicators White Paper
Released in 2023, the Universal Key Club Performance Indicators White Paper details the six Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that encapsulate a high-level picture of financial health, including the major components of a club.
As more clubs utilize data to make decisions and understand their financial health, this white paper has proven to be a useful tool. Collecting data points to produce metrics that make up Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is vital to be able to understand what makes up the health and success of your club.
The task force chose to highlight the six KPIs listed below, with the intention of providing the industry with a basic level of information regarding a club’s overall financial health. Using and interpreting these KPIs individually will not provide a full picture of your organization, but together they will provide a clear picture of the overall financial health of the club. These KPIs give clubs a quick snapshot and provide a basis for understanding your club’s financial strengths and weaknesses. When properly understood and applied, these KPIs can provide you with the analytical starting point that will help you and your board make better, more informed decisions.
- Change in Net Assets (Member’s Equity) Over Time = (Ending Net Assets – Beginning Net Assets) / Beginning Net Assets
- Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities
- Debt to Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Members’ Net Assets (Total Equity)
- Net PP&E (Property, Plant, and Equipment) Ratio = (Net PP&E – land) / (Gross PP&E – land)
- Change in Full Member Equivalents = Annual Operating Dues Revenue/Annual Dues for a Full Comprehensive Member, calculated each year to track the change of increase or decrease.
- Dues to Operating Revenue = Operating Membership Dues Revenue / Total Operating Revenue
Student Chapter Liaison
Don’t Miss the June 1 Deadline for Funding
June 1 marks two important student funding deadlines. Encourage students you know to apply and take advantage of these valuable opportunities—for both their personal growth and their Chapter’s.
- Joe Perdue Scholarship—Deadline: June 1
This scholarship provides a $5,000 award to each awardee committed to advancing their professional careers in the club industry. The funds are paid directly to the recipient's university bursar account to cover tuition and fees. Students must be enrolled in an accredited institution and in their second year of studies by the academic fall of 2025 and members of their Student Chapter. - Student Chapter Grant—Deadline: June 1
This annual grant provides $500 to support Student Chapter activities related to attending World Conference. Awarded Chapters receive a complimentary student registration to the CMAA World Conference for the Chapter President or his/her designee and a matching-funds travel grant of $500. All active Student Chapters are already eligible to receive the complimentary registration voucher. To apply for the matching travel grant, Chapters must submit an official application and provide documentation showing the amount raised, which The Club Foundation will match dollar for dollar, up to $500.
For full details and to apply, visit our Apply Page. Don’t miss this annual opportunity.
Wine Society Chapter Representative
Encourage Colleagues to Join Today
The Wine Society half-year membership rate makes it a great time to join!
New Member Totals
We have reached 40% of our goal this year. Keep up the amazing work!
Chapter Spotlight
New Jersey Club Foundation Donates $25,000 to Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Honor of Past Chapter Presidents
The New Jersey Club Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Jersey Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (NJCMA), proudly announced a $25,000 donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Tuesday, April 8 at Orange Lawn Tennis Club. This contribution marks the first installment of a three-year, $100,000 pledge in support of Tunnel to Towers’ mission to honor and support first responders, military service members, and their families.
This donation is part of a relatively new initiative established by the New Jersey Club Foundation to pay homage to the Chapter’s Past Presidents. The program invites our Past Presidents to select a charitable organization to receive a significant donation from the Foundation, allowing them to continue playing an active and meaningful role in the chapter’s philanthropic efforts long after their term concludes.
“This program is about preserving the legacy of our chapter leadership while supporting causes that reflect the values of our club management community,” said Joseph Kuntar, President of the New Jersey Club Foundation. “We’re honored to make this first donation under the program to Tunnel to Towers, an organization whose work deeply resonates with our members and the broader community.”
The event featured a pickleball outing and cocktail reception, bringing together club managers, Foundation trustees, NJCMA members, Past Chapter Presidents and Tunnel to Towers representatives for a spirited afternoon of camaraderie and giving. We wish to thank Ashley Ochoa of Gallo wine sales, and one of our Corporate Sponsors, who graciously donated items from Nobilo wines and Horse Soldier Bourbon.
Founded in honor of fallen 9/11 firefighter Stephen Siller, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families, families of fallen first responders, catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and its newest initiative of eliminating veteran homelessness”.
This special initiative not only strengthens the Foundation’s commitment to meaningful charitable work but also ensures the ongoing involvement and influence of the Chapter’s Past Presidents within the NJCMA family.
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!
