Open Letter To All Concerned.. and YES That Means You!
By Pat Differ
As a long time contributing member of both the WCTA and the BCGSA who has been taking a break from this wonderful working environment over the past 3 years or so, and who has been recently over the past year, back at it so to speak, I have taken it upon myself to write this open letter to the membership of both associations.
I must admit that I often rant by writing when experiencing something that I do not like as a way of dealing with it, then stuff what I’ve written in the drawer or save it where everything else is today “in the computer”… well, I took the back off of mine and…”it ain’t in there!”
Today after re-entering this arena the first thing I noticed last fall was the change in what used to be the way business was being done. Should I text, or email, or what, app or tweet? Whatever happened to phoning?
We hold ourselves to incredibly high standards, when we strive to produce the best playing conditions we possibly can each and every day. Every day is a game day! There are no days off or practice days for us or our grass. Producing an outstanding product is the norm for us.
The digital world had become even more the norm than even just a few short years ago. This often impersonal way of operating offers a way to hide yet still do a job, sort of.. in a manner that for many seems acceptable. I suppose in a way, many organizations go through these times yet I feel “we are different”. We always meet challenges daily in what we do.
The year has gone by with many experiences. Trade shows, customer relations have changed, budgets are tighter and we are all living in a world where we “feel” much is different yet try to keep up, we feel compelled to trudge along in the best manner possible. Troopers to the end, like good soldiers.
What made me write at this time is the experience of seeing so many events during the calendar year being jammed into already busy schedules of turf managers. How many “educational” sessions there are in all and the many formats they are hosted in. The focus of education use to be (and should always be) conferences as they offer the best structure and diversity for mechanics, spray tech’s and the different turf managers from golf to parks to schools and sod farms. We are all growers of turf and value the WCTA.
The sheer number of events scattered all over, hosted by groups outside of any conference actually compete with the long established structure of organizations like the CGSA and the WCTA. Industry gets hit up all the time and in tough economic times maybe we need to review this fragmented state we find ourselves in today, for the betterment of all. How many times we go to the well.
There has been grumbling for years about the lack of participation in industry sponsored events such as trade shows, field days and even at regular golf course chapter meetings. The internet has brought business to our desks and now phones.
Each province has conferences and our members are pulled by the desire to join each association involved in their regions. The true benefit and value of any association is the sharing of experiences and peer camaraderie. When we try to have too much structure we compete with the amount of time we have and simply cannot attend or derive any benefit at all from these sessions.
Nationally our CGSA cries for members, locally the BCGSA and the WCTA duke it out respectfully with many times, having members of both or even all three trying to retain meaningful memberships. Each association putting on education during the year outside of conferences with the goal being to offer CEC’s and to also sell something often times. We truly must separate true education from sales motivated seminars. Of course we all endorse education.
All this has created a very unsettling atmosphere around our industry today and I am one who does not like it. I need to say what I am saying respectfully, and in a manner which delivers a very important message, with the hope that this may stir conversation by all with a vested interest to generate through discussion, the best solution possible or run the risk of sitting back and just watching each association’s demise. No need to compete when there is a common goal.
The value in education and memberships is clear. The strength in membership is only clear when those members are active members and take part in association meetings and events best they can. Realizing all along, that not all can attend everything.
Shrinking budgets are a reality, and the fact that our places of employment are who we owe our livelihoods to must be respected, most employers are in support of education and encourage us to attend. We are professionals and have a burning desire to be recognized as such. We have come a long way since the mud on your boots mentality of “the guy who cuts the grass!”
Science has always been a part of what we do and in the last 25 years or so has become the driving force behind most of the education offered and truth is without a solid understanding of it one really does not stand a chance of survival in this fast moving business.
“Not much difference between someone who cannot read and someone who does not read”.
With that comment I will get to the meat of my meaning here. Many in the Industry are just plain tired of ponying up for function after function in a tight economy only to have a buyer’s remorse and wonder if the money and effort to support things is really worth it? Not for one minute does this mean or am I saying the industry does not want to support the customer base it serves but what is really meant is “Where are all the superintendents or turfgrass managers?”
At the many (too many?) trade shows, or events, far too often now days is it the case where the industry finds itself in a booth space talking to other industry vendors. Let’s begin to try to fix this.
Of course the choice is always there to not attend, no one wants to be first, no one wants to be seen to rock the boat, but damn it, someone needs to because this is the elephant in the room. The WCTA over the past few years has been very successful representing us in provincial matters from pesticide usage, to water issues this past summer and is invaluable as a voice representing thousands of acres provincially.
Those superintendents and turf managers who are regulars know who they are, we know who they are. Many travel great distances to be a professional, to attend and to learn and support the organization they belong to. All are under budget pressures and time away is often tough. We are all in this together and must work toward a solution for all and with that attitude we will win.
We are in a time where there are regular no shows even at Chapter meetings around the province. Superintendents want the CGSA, BCGSA designation on their business cards, and their clubs pay for them to be members, but they do not go to meetings! Send your Assistant! Be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Associations are way stronger if you were to attend and share your knowledge with the next generation of young people entering this “profession”.
Many who do not attempt to come out are repeat offenders, we KNOW who you are. No hard feelings but for the sake of your employer who feeds you, the industry who supports you, and your association who desperately needs your input and expertise, get off your pedestal or backside and support your association. Your professional image, and in fact your future just may depend on your involvement.
Respectfully, Pat Differ