Chapter Digest
May 2026
News for CMAA Leaders
In this issue:
Featured Strategy
Advocacy in Action: National Golf Day
The American Golf Industry Coalition conducted its 18th National Golf Day on Wednesday, May 6. CMAA’s 2026 Advocacy Committee, Board of Directors, and many other CMAA members joined the activities to advocate for the industry and our key issues with meetings on Capitol Hill, various agencies, and the White House in Washington, DC. This marked the CMAA’s largest contingent in attendance at National Golf Day.
Throughout the day on Wednesday, more than 250 industry leaders representing 40 states held more than 255 meetings with lawmakers to discuss golf’s role in supporting jobs, small businesses, tourism, environmental stewardship, and community development
Advocates addressed four core issues:
- The Parity for Athletic Recreation Act (PAR)—HR1583 is bipartisan legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code to correct the exclusion of golf courses and country clubs from access to tax-exempt bond proceeds and disaster relief available to other small businesses and recreational facilities.
- H-2B Visas—Seasonal workforce access is key for all who rely on H-2B workers to fill vital roles that remain unfilled despite intensive domestic recruitment efforts. The current supply is insufficient and permanent reform is needed. The creation of a Certified Seasonal Employer H-2B cap exemption through the FY2027 DHS Appropriations bill would help address seasonal labor challenges for all who rely on this important program.
- Turfgrass Research—Turfgrass is the country’s third largest crop. The investment in the National Turfgrass Statistics Study would support federal investment in turfgrass genetics, drought tolerance, pest resistance, and water efficiency research for the benefit of all users nationwide.
- The Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT)—HR2369/S1144 is bipartisan legislation that would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow the use pre-tax dollars through HSA/FSA funds for activity expenses, better supporting health and wellness for Americans.
Further, all CMAA members can virtually support these efforts by contacting their members of Congress through ClubIndustryVotes.org. It’s not too late to help amplify their voices.
Take Action Now and Send a Virtual Letter to Your Member of Congress This May!
Chapter Idea Fair Winner
Congratulations to the Golden State Chapter, which won first place in the 2025 Chapter Idea Fair for its Best in Show idea in the “Education” category. See how they focus on one competency area each month.
TGSC’s Education Committee maps CMAA’s 11 Core Competencies across the year—one focus area per month—giving members a clear roadmap for continuous learning and CMI accumulation.
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!
- Member Survey Available as of May 4
- Listen to Let’s Talk Club Management, Episode 157: Leaning into Employee Safety and Episode 158: The Evolution of the CCE
- May 31: 2027 National Board of Directors Nominations Due
- June 5: Speaking Proposals Due for 2027 World Conference & Club Business Expo
- Ongoing: Submit Your 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
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!
Is Your Chapter Developing the Next National Leader?
CMAA is now accepting nominations for candidates interested in serving on the 2027 National Board of Directors. Professional members in good standing with at least 10 years of CMAA membership, the CCM designation, and a demonstrated record of service to the Association are eligible for nomination.
Service on the National Board requires a strong understanding of CMAA’s mission, programs, and governance. The Nominating Committee is particularly interested in candidates who have developed this perspective through active chapter leadership, national committee service, and meaningful engagement with the Association.
Board members are expected to:
- Bring a strong working knowledge of CMAA programs, governance, and member priorities
- Contribute informed perspective to strategic discussions impacting the club management profession
- Demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing CMAA and supporting member success
CMAA’s strongest national leaders often begin their service at the Chapter level, where they gain experience representing member perspectives and contributing to the work of the Association. Candidates who have served in chapter officer roles (preferably as president) and on national committees are especially well positioned to contribute to the Board’s strategic work.
The CMAA Nominating Committee has outlined additional qualification criteria and leadership attributes for both new and incumbent Board members. Interested members should review the eligibility requirements on the CMAA website or reach out to Kim Pasquale with any questions.
Nominations are due by May 31. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Thank you.
Managing Directors
We want to publicize your chapter’s events! Please send pictures and descriptions to Melissa Low so we can show you off!
Chairs
Advocacy/Legislative Chair: CMAA & Allies File Joint Comments on DOL's Proposed Independent Contractor Rule
On April 28, CMAA, the National Club Association, and the National Golf Course Owners Association filed joint comments with the Department of Labor in response to its proposed revisions to its analysis for determining employee and independent contractor classifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act, released in March.
The Club Foundation Liaison: Note these Upcoming Student Scholarship Deadlines
Two important student deadlines are approaching June 1. Encourage students you know to apply and take advantage of these valuable opportunities—for both their personal growth and their Chapters.
- 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 2nd 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 through Chapter-level fundraising work, which The Club Foundation will match dollar for dollar, up to $500. - New This Year: University of South Carolina Scholarship—Deadline: June 1
This scholarship provides funding to help cover tuition expenses for students from the University of South Carolina, while also supporting continuing education opportunities for recent graduates. We are excited to begin accepting applications for this program and deeply grateful for the generosity and initiative of donors and leadership at The Tree Farm, whose support established the endowed fund that makes this initiative possible. To learn more about the USC Scholarship and application details, please visit our website.
For full details and to apply, visit our Apply Page. Don’t miss these annual opportunities.
Communications/Public Relations Chair: Congratulations, Class of 2026!
To all our seniors preparing to walk across the stage, congratulations! We are incredibly proud of your hard work and dedication. To celebrate your achievements, we want to feature you!
We’re inviting all graduating student members to send in your graduation photos, ideally featuring your CMAA Graduation Stoles, to be highlighted on our social media and in upcoming communications. Whether it’s a classic cap-and-gown shot or a celebration with your Student Chapter, let us share your big day with the whole community.
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 Kyle Jennings, CAE, Director, Communications.
Professional Development Chair: Cybersecurity Staff Training Courses Available on CMAA’s Club Resource Center
CMAA’s Club Resource Center (CRC) course line-up offers five cybersecurity training courses for you and your staff. They include:
- Cybersecurity Overview
- Workplace Security Basics 2.0
- Cybersecurity - Staying Safe Online 3.0
- Social Engineering 2.0
- Introduction to Ransomware 2.0
The CRC subscription brings you a broad scope of online interactive training courses for all your club’s staff. Contact Bob Gould for a full CRC course list or more information.
Research Chair: Compensation and Benefits Survey Closes Soon
The 2026 Compensation & Benefits Survey closes May 15. Get the data you need for informed decision making and support this important research initiative benefiting club management professionals throughout the industry. All CMAA members submitting complete data will receive:
- A complimentary copy of the 2026 Compensation & Benefits Report for their club, and
- An invitation to an in-depth webinar exploring the results (date TBA).
- Participation is mandatory for complimentary copy – the report is not for sale.
Get the resources you need to create a competitive compensation strategy for your club's team!
These 60 minutes of your time will help with advancing the private club industry. As private club professionals, we all know how important compensation and benefits data can be. The goal of the survey is to focus on gathering valuable compensation and benefits information that will help educate the private club industry. This report will help current and future private club managers navigate any discussions to help strengthen their team and support conversations regarding salary and benefits at the club.
CMAA collaborates with Club Benchmarking, a CMAA Executive Partner, to power CMAA’s annual surveys.
Please Note:
- Confidentiality of all data is guaranteed. Data will only be presented in an aggregated format.
- In addition to overseeing data gathering and analysis, Club Benchmarking is committed to providing full support for survey participants. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Data Management Team.
If you have any questions, please contact Amilcar Davy, CMAA's Director of Research, at 703-739-9500, or Bryan LaBlue, Club Benchmarking’s Senior Director of Research and Innovation, at 774-571-8427.
Student Chapter Liaison: Equipping Future Leaders: Fourth Edition of Contemporary Club Management Textbook Available
As we look toward the upcoming term, providing your students with the highest caliber of industry resources is essential for their professional growth and development.
We are pleased to highlight the fourth edition of the Contemporary Club Management online textbook. As the definitive guide to private club operations, this comprehensive resource covers the core pillars of the industry including leadership, food and beverage, golf operations, and finance.
The textbook is available through the TopHat platform for a one-time payment of $85 (plus tax). This unique investment provides students with access to all future updates and new editions at no additional cost, ensuring they stay current with industry standards throughout their journey.