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News You Can Use
CSFM Practice Exam — Now Online!
Considering certification as a Sports Field Manager? Take the CSFM practice exam to determine the content areas that you are strong in and where you might need a refresher. To determine if you have the 40 points necessary to be eligible to take the test, contact Leah Craig, ph. 800-323-3875. And, remember you can take the test at a time and location convenient to you.


How do Professional Athletes Rate their Playing Fields?
Now you can read the results of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) survey about playing surfaces during the 2006. New this year are questions regarding synthetic playing surfaces.


What do you do with your Staff on a rainy day?
Consider gathering your staff around the computer and take an on-line course! Click on the link to STMA On-line courses from the Top Links at www.STMA.org or use this link. STMA on-line courses include sessions on fertilizers, wear and traffic management, master planning, construction and renovation and other practical techniques. New topics will be posted this month, so check back often.


Brush up on your Project Management Skills
STMA has just produced Advisory Bulletin #4 — The Fundamentals of Project Management. To download a free copy of the 8-page pamphlet, click here. The bulletin contains the key elements to managing a project from start to finish, and it even provides a ‘Top Ten Tips’ from your fellow sports turf managers.


Begin Preparing Now to Submit a Field of the Year Application
Although Field of the Year applications are not due until October, now is the perfect time to take springtime photos of your field and document your management practices. View the application and photo requirements on-line. The application has been simplified even more so than from previous year’s forms to make applying fast and easy for you.

Field of the Year winners are featured in an issue of SportsTurf , receive complimentary conference registration to the 2008 annual conference with two nights complimentary lodging at the Phoenix Hyatt, signature clothing for the winner, national and local media releases, and recognition at the STMA Annual Awards Banquet.


Consider Serving on the STMA Board
Each year, STMA presents a “Call for Nominations” for you to indicate your interest in board service. Please take a moment to consider serving on the STMA Board of Directors, or nominating a qualified colleague. The benefits are many. Through serving on the board, you’ll:

• Contribute to your professional association.
• Be a part of a decision-making body.
• Hone your listening, collaborative and other personal development skills.
• Strengthen your leadership abilities.
• Make a difference in the strategic direction of the profession.
• Garner respect from your employer, your peers and your staff.

For 2008, STMA is seeking nominations for Directors from the Academic, the Parks and Recreation and the Higher Education segments of membership. Per the STMA Bylaws, an Academic must be a member engaged in research, education or in extension outreach programs related to sports fields. The Parks and Recreation representative must be a member who manages sports fields for a parks and recreational facility, municipality, city or other non-profit entity. The Higher Education representative must be a member who manages sports fields for institutions that provide education beyond the secondary level. These three positions will be elected to two-year terms.

For 2009, the Director positions up for election will be K-12, (a member who manages sports fields for institutions that provide education to students in grades Kindergarten through 12); Professional representative, (a member who manages sports fields used by professional athletes); and Commercial representative. The Bylaws define “Commercial” as an entity engaged in a commercial enterprise providing services and/or products to the sports turf profession.

The Nominating Committee, chaired by Past President, Mike Trigg, CSFM, and comprised of non-board members from the segments up for election, considers all nominations and prepares the Slate of Candidates for the membership’s vote. Members can write in a candidate for any position up for election, including the Officers (Secretary, Treasurer, Commercial Vice President, President Elect, and President). The sixth Officer, the Immediate Past President, automatically ascends from President and is a non-voting position on the Board.

If you are interested in board service, please click here.