News for CMAA Leaders: September 2024

Outstanding Chapters Honored in the 2024 Chapter Idea Fair

More than 45 amazing entries were submitted in this year’s Chapter Idea Fair competition held in conjunction with the Leadership/Legislative Conference from September 15-17 in Washington, DC. These entries provided a showcase of wonderful ideas and best practices. Since the sharing of knowledge defines who we are and what we do as an Association, we thank all the Chapters that participated and pay special tribute to the Blue-Ribbon winners. Listed below are the winners of each category, as well as the sought-after “Best in Show” winner and the brand-new “Most Transferable Idea” winner.

SIGS/Member Communities: Carolinas Chapter
Chapter Communications: Greater Southwest Chapter
Governance: New Jersey Chapter
Education: Alabama Chapter
New Member Onboarding & Retention: Wisconsin Badger Chapter
Membership Engagement: Greater Michigan Chapter
Community Outreach: Virginias Chapter
Student Chapter Engagement: Nebraska Chapter

Best in Show: Alabama Chapter - Community Outreach
Most Transferable Idea: Connecticut Chapter - Education

All entries and their descriptions are posted on CMAA’s website. Check them out and see what great new ideas you can implement in your Chapter!

Once again, congratulations and thank you again to all our participants for sharing their successes with the Association. A very special thank you goes to Chairman Maggie Barragan, and her committee of judges: Bridget Eckert, CCM, Clement Gelas, and Paul Korbar, CCM.

CMAA News

1. The Club Foundation Announces New Iteration of the Chapter Workshop Grant
2. Toro Renews CMAA Partnership
3. Listen to Let’s Talk Club Management, Episode 120: The Power of Ten

To Do

1. November 1: CMAA Fellows Program Nominations Due
2. Ongoing: Submit Your Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org 

All Officers

It is approaching that time when you and your Chapter will decide who will serve as Chapter Officers and Chairman for the 2025 membership year. During your next Chapter meeting, have a member or two of your Chapter Board get up and talk about what volunteering on the Chapter level means to them and to the Chapter. Offer to talk to any interested members after the meeting. Now is the time to get people involved. Cheers to a successful 2025 membership year!

Managing Directors

The National Headquarters sent out the 2025 Membership renewal notices in early August. Please let your members know that they can save time and renew online. National renewals are due by October 31, 2024.

Career Services Chairman

Is your Résumé MBAS?

Whether you are looking for a job or not, it is always a good idea to have an up-to-date résumé at the ready. Your résumé should reflect your qualifications that make you stand out in a crowd. You need to think MBAS: My Brand, Accurate, Simple.

• My Brand–What makes you the best person for the job, your qualifications, your uniqueness.
• Accurate–Be sure the information you provide is correct: dates, certifications, experience. Don't embellish.
• Simple–Try to make your résumé concise. Making your résumé easy to read and to-the-point helps potential employers find you in a crowd.

For help to make your résumé shine, contact Erin Kennedy at Professional Résumé Services for a free 15-minute consultation, and get started today!

Club Foundation Liaison

Chapter Workshop Grants Available

The Club Foundation is now taking applications from small- and medium-sized Chapters for Chapter Workshop Grants. Focused on providing education funding to Chapters, each award is $2,500.

Applications are evaluated by a representative group of CMAA members comprised of individuals from both the Chapter Relations and the Professional Development Committees. Applications are awarded based on financial need and merit of the application and are due December 15. To review the application guidelines and to apply, please visit The Club Foundation apply page.

Upcoming Deadlines for 2024:

For more information about any of our scholarships or about donating to the Foundation, please visit our website.

How does CF fund all those scholarships? The Club Foundation would not be able to fulfill its mission of providing grants and scholarships, if not for your generosity and that of so many others in our industry. You make a difference every time you contribute. Don’t forget to add a donation to your membership renewal this year!  You can also Fuel the Future of our industry by making a monthly automatic subscription donation.

Communications/Public Relations Chairman

New CMAA Brand Guide

CMAA has launched its new Brand Guide. This guide replaces the previous Style Guide and will help you as Chapter officers to ensure CMAA and Chapter brand elements are used appropriately and look professional anytime they are used. Using the Brand Guide will help to effectively represent the CMAA brand within and beyond the club industry.

Use this valuable resource to reference to obtain guidance on:

• CMAA Logo Usage
• Chapter Logo Usage
• Official Colors
• Official Event Nomenclature
• Communication Strategy
• Much More

For any questions, please contact Melissa Low, CAE, Vice President, Communications and Advocacy, at 703-739-9500 ext. 286.

Corporate Relations Chairman

GGA Partners and CMAA Release 2024 Club Leaders Perspective Research Report

Facing Challenges and Finding Success in the Private Club Industry

GGA Partners and the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) released the 2024 Club Leaders Perspective research, a report that benchmarks operational data and examines current trends across a wide spectrum of private club facilities.

Launched in 2020, the Club Leaders Perspective Research explores timely topics to address new challenges and identifies opportunities in the marketplace focused on:

• Operations
• Strategy
• Management

Whether you are leading a city, athletic, golf, yacht, or country club, the insights found in the 2024 Club Leaders Perspective research will provide value as you chart the course for the future prosperity of your club. Download the report.

Legislative/Advocacy Chairman

DOL’s Tip Rule Struck Down by Court of Appeals

The Department of Labor’s 2021 tip rule has been struck down by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The rule had been in effect since December 28, 2021, and was struck down on August 23, 2024.

Under the rule, an employer could only use the tip credit when a tipped employee is performing labor that produces tips and labor that directly supports tip-producing work, if it is not performed for a substantial amount of time. The final rule defined a “substantial amount of time” as either (1) exceeding 20 percent of the hours worked during the employee's workweek or (2) performing for a continuous period exceeding 30 minutes. The rule had become known as the 80/20/30 rule.

The ruling is applicable nationwide. Read more.

Membership Chairman

New Members Joining in September and October Renew in 2025

We are now in the 2025 membership year for new members. Everyone who joins in the months of September and October pays $500 ($445 if they are Alumnus members) and does not have to renew until October 31, 2025. Joining in the next two months will give them the most bang for their buck. Please direct them to our Join Page.

Professional Development Chairman

New Culinary Courses Coming to the Club Resource Center

CMAA is excited to announce that we have joined the Auguste Escoffeir School of Culinary Arts and are now offering several of Escoffeir’s online culinary courses on the CRC. Some of the 23 courses available include Culinary Essentials, Laminated Doughs, Building the Plate, Plant Based Stocks, Sauces and Soups, and Holistic Wellness Essentials.

Auguste Escoffeir School of Culinary Arts online was ranked the Best Online School in 2023. If you have questions or would like to sign up your club, please contact Bob Gould.

Research Chairman

Read Chapters Two to Four of the Capital Improvements Handbook

CMAA is excited to release the second section of the Capital Improvements Handbook. The Capital Improvements Handbook looks at the process and best practices/suggested procedures discussed at the CMAA Capital Improvements Symposium. This is done while also emphasizing the significance of building high-performing project management teams and engaging various stakeholders, including club members, throughout the journey.

Chapters Two to Four of the Handbook focus on:

• Funding Capital Improvements
• Assembling the Construction Team
• Construction Feasibility and Valuation

The Handbook also delves into common pitfalls such as lack of strategy and leadership, unanticipated costs, and inexperienced project management. Emphasizing the necessity of time, patience, and strategic planning, this white paper aims to equip club decision-makers with the knowledge required to make informed choices, ensuring each capital improvement project contributes to the club’s long-term success and reputation.

The Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for club decision-makers embarking on capital improvement projects. By adopting a strategic and collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders, ensuring robust financial planning, and adhering to regulatory requirements, clubs can successfully navigate the complexities of capital improvements.

Student Chapter Liaison

Encourage Your Student Members to Register for NSEC

Encourage your student members to join CMAA at the 2024 National Student Education Conference, taking place in the vibrant city of Charlotte, NC, November 9-11! This event is designed exclusively for student members to enhance their CMAA experience and set the stage for a successful future in the club industry.

The last day to book within the hotel room block is October 18—don't wait!

Access Resources to Recruit Student Members: How many of your Chapter members have college students interning at their clubs? How many did they have during the summer? Start talking to those students about what they want their career path to look like.

Share the CMAA Student Member Instagram with them and the video on why they should #ChooseClubs. Extend an offer to host them and a few friends to a club tour. Show them that the club industry is for them and needs them. You never know what interest and passion you can spark!

Wine Society Chapter Representative

Time is Running Out to Join the Wine Society in the Finger Lakes

There is still time to register for the CMAA Wine Society Finger Lakes Experience in Watkin’s Glen, NY, October 20-23. This unique wine experience is open to all Wine Society and CMAA members that are interested in learning more about the thriving Finger Lakes wine region. The three-and-a-half-day event will feature multiple winery visits, education sessions, and networking opportunities.