Sports Turf Manager Association

Committees help to advance the work of the association by providing ideas, perspective and insight into the programs and services for its members. STMA truly benefits from your involvement and we invite you to participate on a 2007 STMA Committee or Task Force.

Most committees meet via teleconference approximately four to six calls per year. The exception to this is the Bylaws Committee and Synthetic / Natural Turfgrass Task Force, which met via teleconference much more frequently.

For a list of the STMA Committees and Task Forces and their goals, click here.

To be considered for service, please fill out this form and return it to STMA headquarters by Dec. 15. Appointments will be made by the officers no later than the STMA Spring Board meeting, which is held in March. To review the STMA Committee Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), click here.

Make Your Vote Count

In late November, you will receive a concise voting packet in the mail. Included in that packet are a ballot, an informational postcard, and the notice of Annual Meeting with a Proxy.

The ballot will contain two important issues which require your vote: 1) Elect your new STMA Board of Directors 2) Approve the STMA Proposed Bylaws Revisions. Casting your vote will shape the future of sports field management by electing a strong leadership and expanding Bylaws to position STMA as a more inclusive organization.

The STMA Nominations Committee is presenting the following Slate of Candidates to the Membership:

Immediate Past President:
Mike Trigg, CSFM, Waukegan Park District, Waukegan, IL

President:
Mike Andresen, CSFM, Iowa State University Athletic Dept., Ames, IA

President Elect:
Abby McNeal, CSFM, AEG/Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL

Commercial VP:
Tra DuBois, World Class Athletic Surfaces, Inc., Leland, MS

Secretary:
David Rulli, Jeffco Stadium, Lakewood, CO

Treasurer:
Chris Calcaterra, M.Ed., CSFM, City of Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, AZ

Professional Facilities:
Darian Daily, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Troy Smith, CSFM, Denver Broncos Football Club, Denver, CO

*College & University:
Jay Warnick, CSFM, BYU-Idaho, Rexburg, ID

Schools (K-12):
Jody Gill, Blue Valley School District, Overland Park, KS

Michael Tarantino, Poway USD, Poway, CA

*Educator:
David Minner, Ph.D., Iowa State University, Ames, IA

*Parks and Rec:
Lance Tibbetts, CSFM, Town of Windham, Windham, ME

Commercial Representative:
Dale Getz, CSFM, The Toro Company, Bloomington, MN

Joe Traficano, West Coast Turf, Mesa, AZ

When you receive your ballot, there will be instructions on going on-line to review the candidates’ biographical information and vision statement for the organization.

To review the Proposed Bylaws Revisions, click here.

Please take the time to cast your vote. Your ballot will contain instructions on how to cast your vote electronically or via fax, as well as using the U.S. Mail.

REMINDER: Conference Early Registration Ends Dec. 15.

Take advantage of the discounted conference rate of $350 for a full conference registration package. It includes 66 educational sessions or workshops, more than 8 hours to meet with exhibitors, distributors and product developers and 16 hours of networking, breakfasts, lunches, receptions and the Awards Banquet. The registration form is included in the brochure or you can register on-line or print a registration form from the website. Rates will increase to $375 after Dec. 15.

Support the SAFE Foundation

Play Golf!

The Jacobsen-sponsored golf tournament at the conference provides solid fundraising for the SAFE Foundation (Foundation for Safer Athletic Environments), STMA’s charity. The Tournament is Wed., Jan. 17, 2007 at the Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio, TX. Green fees, transportation, lunch, golf car, and prizes are included in the $125 fee. The scramble format makes this outing a fun time for golfers of all abilities. If you do not have a handicap, just note your average score for a round of golf on the registration form. To register, go on-line, or fill out the form on the web site, or the form included in your conference brochure.

The Foundation’s mission is to support sports specific research, educational programs, and environmental concerns to promote user safety. The Foundation has been awarding scholarships to deserving men and women who are pursuing a career as a sports turf manager and to those who are graduate students in research. The Toro Foundation giving program also helps to support the scholarship program. SAFE’s future goal is to fund research on significant issues affecting sports field management.

SAFE Funds Two Projects

Together with STMA and the NIAAA (National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association), SAFE has funded a video on mound-building and home plate maintenance. The video will be available for purchase through the STMA website and in the merchandise area at the annual conference. SAFE has also provided funding to the STMA Student Challenge, with platinum sponsor Hunter Industries. SAFE will award $4,000 each to the two winning teams of the Student Challenge to use to develop hands-on learning laboratories at their colleges or universities.

STMA members tell us that networking is one of the top reasons to join STMA and the upcoming conference and exhibition has more than 15 hours dedicated for member-to-member networking. Here are 10 easy to implement techniques to help you build relationships in your network.

1. Fight the temptation to just 'hang out' with the people you already know. The more diverse people you build relationships with, the more opportunities will arise, both for your own benefit and for theirs. Say your hellos, chat for a few quick minutes and then make plans to get together at some other time (maybe even later that night) to REALLY catch up. The message is, "Yes, I really want to spend more time with you, but not right now - I want to network a bit, first."
2. Set a networking goal. For example, tell yourself that you want to meet 10 new people during the STMA conference. Keep track of that goal, and each day remind yourself about the number of new people you must meet.
3. Know that a great way to network is to simply introduce yourself to anyone who is standing alone.
4. Engage them by being curious about them - ask something about who they are, who they work for, who they know, etc., or start with a statement: “I’m interested in hearing about how you …” Get engaged by asking questions you don't already know the answers to.
5. Ask for a business card so that you can remember their names, have a record of who you talked to and how to reach them, and you can use the back of the card to write down what you want to remember and what might be a relevant next step to take. If you didn’t exchange business cards and you run into someone you already met but can't remember their name, simply say "Hello again. Remind me of your name." Then remind them of your name.
6. Give the people you talk with your undivided attention.
7. Treat everyone as equals. There is no real value in title or prestige alone. Value is in the information and support people can give, and that often comes from surprising sources. A network is not a bureaucracy or a hierarchy. It is a level and fair playing field. Give just to give. Don't give with the sole purpose of getting something back.
8. When the conversation lulls, move on - "Excuse me, there's someone I want to meet (that person standing alone over there)," is a perfectly acceptable thing to say. Smile and then walk away.
9. Be a network catalyst. Introduce two people you know to each other. This is the ultimate in flattery when someone takes the time out of their day to make the effort to make introductions.
10. Say ‘thank you’ for those who have shared their time and advice.

Sources: Donna Messer, ConnectUs Communications; Diane Darling; Barry Zweibel, GottaGettaCoach!