Nebraska GCSA has been managed by Kissel/E&S Associates for nearly a year now and from my perspective it has been a great thing for our association. We have seen improvements in the association including a revamped newsletter, enhanced communication through emails and notices, and better organized monthly meetings. Those things are all critical to serving the membership, but Kissel’s work doesn’t end there. Many other behind-the-scenes’ duties facilitate Nebraska GCSA’s mission. A prime example was Nebraska GCSA’s exhibit at the Nebraska Golf Expo in Omaha. Kristin Crawford and Katy Post made sure we did this event right. They were consumed by the fact that we wanted to promote our profession and enhance our image. With only volunteer help our presence at the Expo would not have been polished or impressive. An executive director has the time and energy to devote to causes that fulfill our mission. This is one example of Kissel’s diligence but there have been so many more since their hiring. They have responded to Omaha’s overtures to shut down a public golf course, challenged the Nebraska Corn Board’s advertisement attacking golf courses, and networked with the NGA, PGA of Nebraska, and Nebraska Dept. of Tourism to promote golf in the state. Also they are able to provide a great conference room for board meetings, consistent financial reporting, and always want to “help us any way they can.” In a nutshell, their mantra is we do our job (of managing our association) so you (members) can do yours. Hopefully you met Kristin and Katy at Nebraska Turfgrass Conference so you can put a face with the name. Let them know you appreciate their work, because as President I sure do!
Generally superintendents want to be recognized but not recognized. By this I mean we want our value to our golf course to be noted but we want our work to speak for us. Unfortunately, that rarely goes far enough.Interaction with the golfer really does help your image and perceived value to golf operations. GCSAA has run an aggressive campaign to improve superintendents’ image in the past ten years. Some have scoffed at this idea, but it has been documented that superintendents are more appreciated and recognized than at any time before. We hope that Nebraska GCSA’s presence at the Nebraska Golf Expo improved your standing with golfers across Nebraska.
I have never been very good at training new employees to mow and will pass it off to my staff if possible. My wife informs me that I can’t give instructions just once and expect someone to learn that way. I guess that is a shortcoming of mine which doesn’t bode well for a new employee under my tutelage. But whether it is me or my staff doing the training, our new employees learn to mow greens first. Some of you may be questioning my sanity to put a new hire on the most critical mowing operation right out of the gate, but it has worked for us. Why? I am not sure but maybe it is the trial by fire method that encourages the quickest, most advanced learning curve? That same trial by fire training engrossed me last spring when I became President of Nebraska GCSA. I knew as much about the association as the first day employee knows about mowing a golf green, but I climbed on and gave my best effort. Much like a new operator, I struggled to “find the controls” as I started out. Was it overwhelming? Yes. Did I make mistakes? Yes. But by the 6th hole the novice mower (and myself) were quickly adapting to a new venture. Follow along as I relate what that journey has meant for me.
This article has been floating in my mind for awhile now, and I was encouraged to see Derek Nicholson in the July Plain Turf, note many of the same things I have observed about serving as a Nebraska GCSA officer. As he mentioned, this experience has developed personal and professional talents that can be utilized in the workplace and beyond. Time management, public speaking, and organizational skills can all be honed in these positions. Participating on the BOD has improved all of those abilities, but more specifically it has made me more self-assured at my own course. Thankfully the Wild Hose BOD has always been very supportive of me and maintenance operations, but I was always hesitant when presenting budgets or just giving the monthly course report. Now I am more assertive and confident when giving these presentations to my bosses because of my experience as an officer with the Nebraska GCSA. Also I sense an increased level of respect from my board of directors. And when a couple of them mentioned the press releases in the newspaper, I could sense a bit of pride that “their super” is leading the state association. Undoubtedly, they now realize my competency as a superintendent and a leader. I relate these feelings to you to illustrate just some of the positives that you can take away from serving within the association.
By week’s end, the new mower trainee is delighted to have learned a new skill and proud to have done so. That too, is the way I feel about my term. I have been able to develop abilities that were untapped before and can utilize them in the future. You too can develop yourself personally and professionally by “climbing on that greensmower” for the first time.
We are so excited to welcome Kissel/E&S Associates as our new Association Management Team. They are going to do a great job managing and growing our chapter. Who are these people you might ask? The bulk of the work will be done by the three K’s –Kristin Crawford, Katy Post, and Kay Lemon. Kristin Crawford will serve as the Executive Director of our group. She will be the main contact and will oversee all affairs of the association. Kristin is very affable and will be our liaison to other allied associations, UNL, and professional service providers. As Jim Cummins commented after the interview “she seems like a real go-getter who could really extend our agenda with the Nebraska PGA section and Nebraska Golf Association.” I agree that she will be able to gain us added credibility and increased visibility in the Nebraska golfing sector! During the short time I have worked with her, she has proven to be very detail-oriented and prepared; no stone will go unturned with her at the helm. Katy Post will handle communications and membership services which includes maintaining the member database, membership correspondence (meeting notices, announcements, etc), and managing the web site. Kay Lemon will be charged with the financial administration of the association including all reports and advertising accounts. This team of ladies is headed by Gordon Kissel, managing partner, who has extensive legislative and governmental lobbying experience. Gordon is well connected within the Lincoln and statewide community and adds his clout and experience to the team and as Kristin stated before their interview “keeps his thumb on me!”
