Important Message from the Board of Directors to all WCTA Members Regarding the Future of Regional Golf and Sportsturf Management Industry Associations in Western Canada

In August of 2013, Directors of the Boards of both the Western Canada Turfgrass Association and the British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association met, along with staff, to explore opportunities for synergies between the two organizations, to identify gaps and overlaps in activities, to discuss potential operational efficiencies ranging from shared responsibilities to joint programs to association amalgamation.

The catalyst for the meeting, facilitated by former Kootenay Rockies Tourism President Chris Dadson, was a simple question that was being asked more and more frequently by people in the BC golf industry, “Why are there two associations?” 

The reality is there are several individually incorporated associations that offer a variety of services to western Canadian golf course personnel including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, the British Columbia Golf Superintendents Association, the Alberta Golf Course Superintendents Association, Southern Alberta Turfgrass Association, Peace Country Golf Superintendents Association, the Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association, the Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association and of course the WCTA. 

That said, the August meeting focussed on British Columbia and the BCGSA/WCTA with the understanding that many in the industry, but not all, are members of both associations while a high percentage are not affiliated with any professional organization. 

The outcome of this meeting was extremely positive with the majority of meeting participants agreeing that some form of amalgamation of the WCTA and BCGSA would be beneficial to the turfgrass/golf industry.  A wide variety of constructive comments and ideas were brought forward and a task list was outlined to define what an amalgamation process would require.  Some of the comments included:

♦ “the benefit of amalgamation can be a bigger and better product”
♦ “amalgamation can support industry even more”
♦ “am uncomfortable with this change; how would it be seen outside of BC and with other organizations such as CGSA”
♦ “in favour of amalgamation; I feel somewhat revitalized”
♦ “in favour, but very hesitant to see anyone pushed out the door”
♦ “the identity of the superintendents is important”
♦ “this is a good starting point through good dialogue”
♦ “identity is very important to me as is a BC focus”
♦ “this is murky to me as to how it will work; I am interested in caution to the next step”
♦ “this is about strength in numbers and can be a win/win”
♦ “I am interested in what the members want”
♦ “both organizations offer great things and can be stronger as one – the focus should be on BC; I don’t like the Western name”
♦ “was apprehensive going into this process, but have swung over to see as win/win and better/better; favour the BC aspect”
♦ “in favour of amalgamation with a BC focus”
♦ “came in hesitant; in favour now”

Since the initial meeting, discussions continued amongst each group’s respective Boards.  Over the subsequent months, several letters of correspondence were drafted and sent including a potential model for an umbrella organization created by the WCTA amalgamation committee.    

At this point, both Boards feel it is important and in the best interest of the industry, to engage all those who derive their livelihood from the business of golf and sportsturf management, by sharing the facilitator’s report from the original meeting, the subsequent correspondence between the two Boards and the draft amalgamation model.  The list of correspondence is as follows (click each for link to document) :

Apr 3, 2013  letter from Dean Piller, BCGSA President to WCTA regarding the future of turfgrass conferences in British Columbia and BCGSA Concept for Future Joint Conferences (draft)

Aug 2013 Joint Meeting Report, Chris Dadson, Facilitator

Jan 8, 2014  letter from Keith Lyall, WCTA President, to BCGSA regarding the importance of continuing to pursue opportunities to work together

Jan 14, 2014  Amalgamation framework document - a draft proposal presented to the BCGSA from the WCTA Amalgamation Committee for the development of an amalgamation framework

Mar 10, 2014 letter from Dean Piller, BCGSA President to WCTA, response to Amalgamation framework draft proposal

Apr 4, 2014 letter from Trevor Smith, WCTA President to BCGSA, response to questions and concerns brought forward March 10, 2014

You are being asked to take some time to review the documents and provide your thoughts and comments regarding the future direction of the associations and the industry by replying to feedback@wctaturf.com 

The Board of Directors of the WCTA has worked dilligently on behalf of the membership and unanimously agrees that more can be accomplished by working together than by working independently but would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions.  Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the issue and provide your feedback.  We would be glad to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you,

WCTA Board of Directors