The British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association is a dedicated group of turfgrass professionals committed to providing the best possible playing conditions for golfers from around the world.

President's Message - October, 2011

Well, here it is again, what is “supposed to be” the slow down period at most golf courses. Normally we are all excited to see the year coming to an end for many, and a considerable slow down for others. At this point we normally begin preparing for the trials and tribulations that will present themselves in the upcoming year. This year however has proven to be late to start and looks to be late to finish as well. Having conversed with people all over the province I dare say for the sake of our businesses we could use a little extra help this fall getting people out and money in to the bank accounts.

Although it is never easy maintaining our respective facilities it also never ceases to amaze me just how resilient and creative golf course superintendents can be when confronted by adversity. We always seem to find ways around the problems we confront and continue to go about our business. This year has tested many superintendents, with vastly reduced budgets as well as further pesticide use uncertainty. Unfortunately, not everyone is equally appreciated for their creativity and hard work but hopefully we can start changing that perception.

The BCGSA board has been busy working to provide for the membership yet again this year. The new education portion of the Exchange tournament was well received by those who attended. I must say however, that I was a bit disappointed that there were not more people there, and especially those who were in Quesnel at the time. Dean Piller, Steven Kerbrat especially, and others from the Board and Northern chapter put a lot of work in to making this event happen and I would personally like to thank them for that hard work. Hopefully we can provide an equally great speaker when we host the event next year in the Interior and also provide such a great venue as Eric Erikkson and his team did for us in Quesnel. Also thank you to Dena Gent for her tremendous efforts, and last but definitely not least, our very generous sponsors, without them these events would not be possible and your support is appreciated by all.

Also, in regards to education, as mentioned the BCGSA is working with the WCTA to provide a pre-conference speaker at the annual WCTA conference. We are pleased to inform the members that we have Dr. Frank Wong lined up for the 2012 conference in Victoria. Please watch the Newsletters and the WCTA conference updates for more details.

As previously mentioned, 2011 has been a busy year with several new endeavours being undertaken to give back to our membership. The previously mentioned education portion of the Exchange tournament was introduced, along with the upcoming BCGSA pre-conference speaker being implemented in to the WCTA conference. A monthly BCGSA email newsletter was launched to keep the members abreast of association and industry happenings. We have begun to work even more closely with the WCTA, via members from each association sitting in on the other’s Board meetings to facilitate better communication, and minimize duplication of services. We now have a BCGSA Board member position within the WCTA research committee and are also fully involved with the National Allied Golf Association, BC chapter and all of it’s endeavours. Our next exciting venture is the introduction of a BCGSA hospitality event at the WCTA conference. Planning is well underway and we hope to have further details to the membership before long.

One of the biggest issues facing us at this time is the threat of increased pesticide legislation which may limit our ability to utilize these valuable tools. Several individuals have spearheaded campaigns within their regions to approach local MLA’s and express their concerns regarding the proposed legislation. I challenge every member to meet with their respective MLA, convey your concerns and dispel some myths. If you’re timid to do so, you just have to remember that these individuals work for you and in so have to listen to your concerns. Do your piece and be part of the solution.

In closing I would like to wish everyone a smooth transition in to fall and ultimately a great winter break. I look forward to seeing everyone at one or all of the upcoming events that are happening in the next few months.

Respectfully submitted
Davin Marr
BCGSA President

Overview

The British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association was incorporated on November 17, 1995. On December 12, 1995 representatives from each region met to enact changes to the By-laws to form the basic structure of a unified provincial association, as mandated by the membership.

There are currently over 300 members within the Association and five regions consisting of: Interior, Kootenay, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Northern region.

The purpose of the BCGSA is to heighten the professional recognition of the Golf Course Superintendent both in golf course maintenance as well as in the culture and science of turf management.

The BCGSA promotes fraternity, benevolence; justice and mutual understanding to and for its members.

The BCGSA encourages, promotes and participates in Turfgrass Research and the interchange of scientific and practical knowledge relating to the care of golf courses. This results in more and efficient golf operations, better turf, and the best possible playing conditions for golfers of all abilities.

The BCGSA recognizes and promotes the value of education and sponsors, whenever possible, conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the benefit of its members and the turfgrass industry.

The BCGSA also cooperates with many other associations whose interests run parallel to, or compliment that of the BCGSA.

Top of Page

Administrative Roles

The BCGSA Board of Directors consists of five Directors and one Executive Administrator.

The President shall be chief executive office of the Association. He/She shall have the general and active management of the business of the Association. He/She shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect and he/she or a Vice-President with the Secretary, Treasurer or other directors appointed by the Board for the purpose shall sign all By-laws and other documents requiring the signatures of the Directors of the Association. The President further shall, during any period when the Board of Directors is not in session, have general charge of the supervision of the affairs and property of the Association subject, however, to such rules and regulations as my from time to time be made by the Board of Directors. He/She shall preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees. He/She shall from time to time as often as may be directed, subject reports to the Board of Directors and give such information touching the affairs of the Association as may be required and make such recommendations as he/she may think proper. He/She shall appoint all committees with all appointments being subject to the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors, except in those cases or circumstances where action is required of such a committee or committees prior to any such meeting of the Board of Directors such approval of appointment shall not be required.

The Vice President shall in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President and shall perform such other duties as shall from time to time be imposed upon him/her by the Board. In the event that the office of President becomes vacant because of the President's death, resignation, total disability, or removal, the Vice President shall perform all duties of the President until the next annual election or until the new President is elected or appointed, whichever shall first occur. In the event the offices of President and Vice-President should become vacant or incapacitated to act, then the next senior director shall fill the vacancy until such time as an election can be held.

The Treasurer oversees and safely secures all financial accounts, records and documents of the Association. He/she shall make an annual report and budget and such other reports as may be required by the Board of Directors. The books of the Treasurer and all records are available for inspection by the members at all times.

The Communications Director provides opportunities for all members to increase communication flow within the five regions and increase opportunities to share information, express needs through communication vehicles such as membership surveys and newsletters.

The Member Relations Director co-ordinates membership recruitment and assists in servicing membership needs - Membership Applications, Group Industry Membership, Scholarship and Bursary Fund, and Educational Research Fund.

The CGSA Director is the liaison between the Canadian Superintendents Association and the British Columbia Superintendents Association and reports to the association on the business arising from the meetings of the Canadian Superintendents Association.

The Past-President performs duties as requested by the board.

The role of the Executive Administrator The Executive Administrator shall house the Head Office of the BCGSA in his/her home, have custody of the entire office, and administer the daily duties of the office from their home. These duties to include, but not limited to, providing a central communication source to all members and directors, by phone, fax, website and email. The Administrator will develop and maintain the website of the Association. He/She will assume all accounting, budget, banking, invoicing and office administration duties. The Administrator is responsible for circulating agendas, minutes, job postings, notices, correspondence, reports, and surveys, as required. He/She is responsible for advertisement recruitment, including the membership roster and newsletters, in addition to the content, layout and design, and publishing of the roster and newsletters. The Administrator liaises with Associations such as the WCTA, BCGA, NCGOA, Kwantlen College, USGA and others. The Administrator attends executive and regional meetings and events, and is responsible for developing all marketing initiatives for the Association.

The Executive Administrator shall have custody of and prepare minutes of proceedings of all of the association and its directors. These minutes shall be kept in a book, belonging to the Association, kept for such purposes. He/She shall ascertain that due and proper notice, as provided by the By-laws, has been given all meetings of the members of the Association and of the Board of Directors, and shall be custodian of the association records and shall perform all the other duties as may be required of him/her by the Board of Directors. He/She shall be custodian of the Seal of the Association which he/she shall deliver only when authorized by a resolution of the Board to do so and to such person or persons, for their use, as may be named in the Resolution. The minute book shall at all times be open to inspection by all members of the Association at any regular meeting.

The Executive Administrator shall receive all monies, bills, notes, bonds, and similar property belonging to the Association and safely keep the same in the name of the Association in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors, and shall keep such financial accounts and records as may be required of him/her by the Board of Directors, as well as make an annual report and such other reports as may be required by the Board of Directors. The books of the Association and any other books and records shall at all times be open to inspection by all members of the Association.