SFMA Committees

Committees are the lifeblood of SFMA. Each year, nearly two hundred members volunteer to serve on the more than 20 SFMA Committees and Task Groups. These volunteers help guide the development of programs and provide member insight and feedback on new initiatives and current services. Committee work helps to advance the mission and strategic plan of SFMA.

Committee service is for one year beginning in March and ending in February. Most committees meet via conference calls several times a year.

• Advocacy: This committee will recommend outreach efforts to advance the profession and highlight the work of the sports field manager.
• Awards: To judge the association’s awards program applicants selecting the Field of the Year winners and the Minor League Baseball Sports Field Manager of the Year; to develop strategies to enhance the programs. (Approx. 20 hours Mid-Oct. to Mid-Nov.)
• Bylaws: To develop association bylaws, which are fair and enforceable, and clearly define the expectations for membership, governance processes and board of director’s service. (Approx. 3 hours per year). This Committee may or may not need to address bylaws – dependent upon Board actions that may affect the Bylaws language.
• Certification: To develop strategies to grow the number of certified members; to consistently monitor the program and recommend enhancements to ensure that the program is the top achievement for sports field managers. (Approx. 12 hours per year)
• Certification Review Panels: (CSFM Members ONLY) To consider alleged violations of any Application or Certification Standard. Panels may be established as standing panels. Members may be assigned to one of three panels (These panels are called into operation only if there is a concern of possible violation).
• Chapter Relations: To create a chapter structure that is beneficial locally and nationally; to financially assist chapters with their administrative, operations and educational efforts; to facilitate the sharing of best practices. (Approx. 6 hours a year)
• Commercial Advisory Council: To provide a forum to exchange ideas on how SFMA can better serve and engage its commercial members and how this segment can help to advance the association. (2-year commitment – Approx. 16 hours per year)
• Conference Education and Tours Subcommittees: To develop all content, sessions, workshops and off-site venues, and select speakers and moderators for the next year’s conference that will make it a “must attend” event for members and nonmembers; to recommend strategies that will drive attendance to the exhibition and will add value to exhibitors. (Education – approx. 12 hours over 2 months, Tours – approx. 8 hours per year)
• Conference Bowling: To organize the aspects of the SAFE Foundation Bowling Fundraiser.
• Editorial: To ensure that the SFMA magazine contains information relevant to the sports field manager; to provide ideas and contacts for articles for publication. (Approx. 6 hours per year)
• Environmental: To develop environmental strategies that position SFMA and its members as leaders in environmental stewardship and the related health and safety issues that impact fans and players. (Approx. 12 hours per year)
• Ethics: To provide a fair and unbiased council to investigate claims of ethics violations, determine if the claim has merit, and shepherd the appeals process. (This Committee is called into operation only if there is an ethics violation claim)
• Finance & Audit: To provide oversight of the SFMA’s financial resources by reporting information to the Board of Directors. (Approx. 5 hours per year)
• Historical: To preserve the history of the association and the profession. (Approx. 24 hours per year)
• Information Outreach: To develop educational and informational opportunities for members to enhance their personal and professional development. (Approx. 8 hours per year)
• Innovative Awards Judging: To judge the innovative awards program, ensure a fair judging process and enhance the program as necessary. (Non-commercial members only)
• International: To position SFMA as a global leader in sports facility management and make SFMA the ‘go-to’ resource for those who work internationally in the industry. (Approx. 8 hours per year)
• Membership: To develop initiatives to drive membership growth and retention; to recommend programs that add value for each member. (Approx. 8 hours per year)
• Nominating: The Immediate Past President chairs this committee selects its members. It must have representation from each category of membership.
• Past President’s Advisory Council: Purpose: To advise the SFMA Board on issues pertaining to the past, present and future of SFMA. (Limited to SFMA/SFMA Past Presidents)
• Scholarship: To judge the recipients of the SAFE Scholarships, the Terry Mellor Educational Grant, the Gary Vandenberg Internship Grant, the Darian Daily Legacy Award, and the Leo Goertz Membership Grant; to develop strategies to enhance these programs. (Approx. 12 hours over one-month mid-Oct. to mid-Nov.).
• Student Challenge: To develop the annual student challenge exam protocols and assist in proctoring the exam as needed. (Approx. 8 hours per year and volunteering at the conference)
• Technical Standards: To help determine standards and best management practices needed in the profession; to guide the work of ASTM on developing sports field and facility standards. (Approx. 4 hours per year)
• Technology Team (Website, Social Media): To oversee SFMA’s communication and membership platforms to insure they are current, cohesive and serve members’ needs. (Approx. 4 hours per year)