by
Government Affairs Team
| Jan 11, 2022
By Vilmer Alvarado, government affairs intern
GCSAA hosted the Government Affairs Committee Dec. 1-3, 2021, at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan. This was the first time the Government Affairs Committee had met in person since May 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They normally meet in Washington, D.C., as part of National Golf Day activities.
The committee discussed many topics of importance to the association’s advocacy strategy with a particular focus of importance on the many legislative and regulatory obstacles that the industry of golf faces and the need of the organization to create stronger narratives through enhanced communication tactics. The committee meeting kicked off with an update from GCSAA Chief Executive Officer Rhett Evans, who delivered a state of the association and formally welcomed attendants to GCSAA headquarters.
Government Affairs Senior Manager Michael Lee updated the committee on the Grassroots Ambassador program and talked about next steps to secure the final 60 Grassroots Ambassadors. Director of Congressional Affairs Bob Helland discussed all things GCSAAPAC and its goal for creating a culture of PAC giving within the organization.
The staff provided the committee a presentation on the priority issues of the organization on topics such as H-2B, WOTUS and pesticides. Director of Government Affairs Chava McKeel worked with the committee to begin the process of developing a two-year Government Affairs Strategic Business Plan where the committee laid out strengths, challenges, opportunities, and risks that GCSAA, its members and golf face looking toward the future.
Day two of the meeting featured two special guests brought in via Zoom. First, GCSAA has formed a Smart Sectors partnership with EPA Region 3, and EPA representatives were available to talk to the committee about how EPA and GCSAA members can work more closely together in the future in this proactive program. The committee also heard from EPA about the topic of environmental justice, a key priority of the Biden Administration. Next, the committee listened to the a presentation by the American Farm Bureau Federation on their work on climate change initiatives, another key initiative of the Biden Administration.
The committee includes Jeff L. White, CGCS, chairman; T.A. Barker, CGCS, vice chairman; Gregory D. Brandriet, CGCS; Kevin M. Custis; Parker L. Ferren, CGCS; Jeffrey E. Holliday, CGCS; Rick T. Mooney; Michael D. Posey; Eddie M. Roach Jr., CGCS;Robert B. Searle; and Rory VanPoucke.