When I started this Field Staff position at the Western NY GCSA-Finger Lakes AGCS education event in March of 2012, the mention of GCSAA often led to a phrase “all I get is a magazine.”  My response generally was to ask if the magazine was really good, and to let them know that now they had a resource in me.  I want to touch on my efforts to directly deliver GCSAA resources to you the members and do my best to highlight the many resources available to you and working for you daily.  Because this is such a long list that includes member, local association, and national level benefits, this segment will include only member benefits.  Future newsletters will cover additional opportunities!

All these resources and efforts are specifically designed to achieve the mission of your national association:

GCSAA Mission

GCSAA is dedicated to serving its members, advancing their profession and improving communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.

So here now entering year twelve, I now have nearly 1500 contacts in my phone, made hundreds of site visits, attended countless chapter events, written dozens of newsletter articles, volunteered at 16 events, and have advocated for our great industry in many of my regional states and attended National Golf Day in D.C for the third time this past May.  If I haven’t been a resource to you yet, lets connect and fix that!  Please reach out or see me at one of the many association events I will attend.

Resources for Members

• In 38 states GCSAA members have access to health insurance.  Massachusetts will only allow for their own state-run insurance programs, and/or have certain state limitations, do not allow outside parties to offer options within the state so the GCSAA opportunity is not available to you.
• GCSAA provides free life insurance and AD&D (accidental death & dismemberment) as a part of your membership. The coverage is provided by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) and administered by USI Affinity.  Be sure you have designated a beneficiary (form here if needed).  Eligibility and benefits can be found here.
• GCSAA has partnered with trusted companies (listed below) to offer exclusive savings on a variety of personal and professional products.  If you haven’t looked into these opportunities, you should! Specifics are located here.
• Jump start your career advancement and discuss your individual situation and goals with career services’ Erin Wolfram, CPRW.  Wolfram is a certified professional resume writer who specializes in the golf course maintenance industry. Services offered to GCSAA members are free to reduced fee including customized and successful resume services and career coaching resources to help you rise above the competition in the turf industry.
• Free webinars.
• Access to mountains of information, including Michigan State’s TGIF library database, BMP resources, operation reports and surveys (including compensation and benefit surveys), member forums to learn from your peers, and more. 
• In 2006, in reaction to Hurricane Katrina, the association established the GCSAA Disaster Relief Fund to assist GCSAA members who suffered personal loss. The fund has continued to be a resource for members who face tragedy caused by natural disasters.
• As a benefit of membership, many GCSAA members enjoy complimentary admission to designated golf events. The tournament benefits linked here are to be used as a general guideline.  Perhaps you got to enjoy the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol, or one of the many other great events right here in the Northeast…..your GCSAA membership may have allowed that to happen!

So is GCSAA more than just a magazine….you tell me!