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Down to business
Nice stories aside, these are the main issues O'Neill wants to tackle during his year as GCSAA president.
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Photo by Larry Lambrecht |
Pages upon pages could be written about Tim O’Neill and his family, his course, and his beloved Boston Red Sox. But when it gets down to brass tacks, these are the main points of focus for O’Neill in 2005:
Environmental initiatives: Continue to make progress toward the goals of The Environmental Institute for Golf. During 2004, the environmental programs committee and its related task groups have been sifting through the myriad of environmental data and programs in hopes of providing a Web-based, user-friendly resource for superintendents. “Superintendents have been enjoying a more positive image in the environmental community,” O’Neill says. “I would like to see that momentum continue through the work of the EIFG.”
Strategic thinking: The board has been spending more time discussing strategic issues and is working to incorporate that strategy throughout the membership. Through resource groups, delegates and committees, a higher level of “strategic thinking” is occurring, O’Neill says. As a result, these discussions help chart the direction of the organization.
Certification, chapter affiliation, membership standards and the Golf Industry Show are all examples of strategic thinking.
Communication to the members: “We can always do a better job of communicating,” O’Neill says. “I received some good advice from one of the past presidents here at the CC of Darien, and that was ‘Tim, no surprises.’ I want to avoid surprising our members,” O’Neill says.
O’Neill says he believes it shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone when the Club Managers Association of America joined with GCSAA to form the Golf Industry Show, but it was. “We need to communicate and involve our members appropriately in the decision-making process, as actively as we can.”
Solidify the committee process: The committee system is an important link that provides needed member feedback. O’Neill wants to make sure that the new committee structure is air-tight. Superintendents who aren’t on the board are now able to serve as chairs or vice-chairs of committees.
“We want to help develop new leaders and involve as many members as possible,” O’Neill says. “I want to make sure that we continue to work on the committee structure, to be sure it’s effective and meaningful for those who participate. It’s one of the indicators of success — committee involvement. But we’ve made it clear it can’t just be ceremonial, it has to be meaningful involvement.”
Strengthen relationships with industry partners and clients: O’Neill knows the value of strong relationships, and he’s excited to see what kind of steps forward the association can make with industry partners during his tenure as president of the association.
“Without strong relationships with the owners, the architects and the managers, there’d be no way we could formulate an agreement to create the Golf Industry Show,” O’Neill says.
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