New York State Chapter Club Managers Association of America 2007-2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Albert B. Antonez, CCM The Country Club of Rochester Vice President Mark Miller Irondequoit Country Club Treasurer Richard Marr, PGA Midvale Country Club Secretary Robert Seth, CCM The Buffalo Club Directors Bruce Becker, CCM Westwood Country Club Joseph Ferolo Brookfield Country Club Charles Haskell, CEC Lancaster Country Club Chris Swiatek Country Club of Buffalo Immediate Past President John Corey Genesee Valley Club Letter from the President WINTER 2008 Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them." ~ Warren G. Bennis There were many highlights from the 81 st CMAA World Conference in Orlando making it difficult to pick out the best; 2007 Small Chapter of the Year and Excellence in Education, both awarded to our Chapter for the second year in a row, Michael Smith s selection for a Wilmoore Kendall Scholarship, and Rob Seth winning the Harley Motorcycle. All great stuff, but for me, the phenomenal attendance by members and student members of our Chapter was tops. The educational programming was diverse, providing students and managers of all types and sizes of clubs, the tools and resources necessary to improve and become more effective. For sure, there was a clunker sprinkled in amongst the almost eighty sessions, but for the most part, dynamic and industry specific information was widely available to guide and assist us in our growth. Other benefits from attendance included great networking opportunities to take advantage of the wisdom and knowledge of fellow managers, and exposure to the many resources our National Office provides to our membership. The Idea Fair showcased great practices and programs that attendees can take back and modify for their own clubs. This year at Conference I volunteered to help with the Career Services Mock Interviews. It was a great experience in addition to everything else taking place during the week. At the end of the day, its up to each one of us to take create our own destiny and it will not happen without effort and commitment. Those who were fortunate to hear Christopher Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness) at Opening Session know that nothing is impossible once you set your sights on it. We have great talent in our Small Chapter and our hope is that everyone will participate and be involved at a higher level. If there is anything you have a keen interest in supporting, please let us know. We are here for you and look forward to fantastic year. Al Antonez, CCM, President
John Corey, 2007 NYS Chapter President Honored; Spellman, Wiedeman, Simpson, and Minahan Achieve Professional Milestones. John Corey, 2007 NYSCMAA Chapter President was recognized for his service to the chapter at the President s and Scholarship Ball held on January 12, 2008. Under John s leadership the Chapter once again was recognized as Small Chapter of the Year and with an Excellence in Education Award. Jackie Wiedeman, CCM and John Corey Tom Spellman, CCM, General Manager of The Genesee Valley Club, Jackie Wiedeman, CCM, Banquet Manager of the Country Club of Buffalo, and Colin Simpson, CCM, Sommelier, and General Manager of Monroe Golf Club recently achieved the Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation, the hallmark of professionalism in club management since 1965. It is the cornerstone of CMAA s member recognition program and a widely respected mark of a manager s commitment to professional development and the club industry. Tim Minahan, CCM General Manager of the Country Club of Buffalo was recently accepted into the CMAA Honor Society. Members are admitted to the Honor Society after achievement of 400 additional credits beyond certification with a minimum of 150 credits from CMAA/CMI endorsed education, active membership status for a minimum of seven years; and successful completion of BMI IV or V. Tom Spellman, CCM, General Manager of Genesee Valley Club and John Corey Tim Minahan, CCM, General Manager / COO of the Country Club of Buffalo Two Niagara University Students Receive Chapter Scholarships Rita Grigoryev and Laura Stevenson, of Niagara University s School of Hospitality and Tourism, and members of the Niagara University Student Chapter were recipients of the 2007 Eric Scott Trust and NYSCMAA Chapter Scholarships. Rita Grigoryev is in her Senior year, and has worked at The Country Club of Buffalo and The Chevy Chase Club in Chevy Chase, MD. Also a Senior, Laura Stevenson currently serves as Student Chapter President. She works at The Buffalo Club and has completed summer internships at the Chevy Chase Club, and The Niagara Fall Country Club. PAGE 2 The Eric Scott Trust was established to provide a scholarship each year to students pursuing a hospitality degree that are currently working in one of our Chapter clubs. In addition to receiving $1,000 each, the winning students are the guests of honor at our Annual President s and Scholarship Ball. (L to R) Rita Grigoryev, Dr. William Frye and Laura Stevenson
NYSCMAA Chapter Donation to Camp Good Days On behalf of the NYSCMAA Chapter, Rich Marr 2007 Treasurer presented a check for $7,406 to Joelle Cain from Camp Good Days and Special Times from the proceeds of the Directors and Charity Golf Outing hosted by Colin Simpson, CCM at the Monroe Golf Club, in Pittsford, NY. The 2008 event will be hosted by Joe Ferolo at Brookfield Country Club in August. Joe and 2008 Tournament Committee members, Chris Swiatek and Rich Marr have already starting to plan this year s event. Please be sure to reserve your spot and attend with members of your Board. Joelle Cain and Rich Marr, PGA, General Manager of Midvale Country Club 2007 Absolut Club Manager of the Year Go Purple Eagles! Albert Antonez, CCM, the General Manager of The Country Club of Rochester, was selected by a committee of his peers to receive the Absolut Club Manager of the Year award. This prestigious honor is in its fourth year of sponsorship by Absolut Vodka and is open to the members of the New York State and Central New York State Chapters of the Club Managers Association of America. Eric Rule, CCM General Manager of Oak Hill Country Club and the 2004 Absolut Club Manager of the Year, presented a plaque to Al at the President s and Scholarship Ball. PAGE 3
Niagara University CMAA Shines at World Conference on Club Management The date is January 31, 2008. The thermometer reads twelve degrees Fahrenheit and the snow continues to accumulate at Niagara University. Fifteen students from the Niagara University Chapter of CMAA board Southwest Airways to attend the 81 st World Conference on Club Management and Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Florida. The hundreds of bags of popcorn and sticks of cotton candy sold at the Niagara University Men s Basketball and Hockey Games by the student chapter brought great opportunities to those students in attendance at World Conference. Upon arrival in Orlando, the New York State club managers and the students wearing their purple Niagara University polos, gathered by the Marriott pool to network at an informal cocktail reception. The students and managers were able to interact with one another in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The week started off at the Student Achievement Breakfast, when CMAA officials announced that Niagara University would be recognized as a student chapter of CMAA. Their chapter status makes Niagara University eligible to become Chapter of the Year in 2009. A list of requirements must be met, which the students will be working diligently to meet this upcoming year. Friday afternoon, the students attended the Career Opportunity Showcase. The showcase provided the young professionals with the perfect networking environment to secure internships for the summer, and for some full-time jobs. Many of the Niagara University students walked away from the career fair with job opportunities from Boca West Country Club, Charlotte Country Club, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, and Chevy Chase Club. Throughout conference, the student chapter attended several informational sessions regarding all aspects of the club management industry. Many of the attendees who saw the motion picture, The Pursuit of Happyness, were able to relate the keynote speaker, Chris Gardner to the challenges and hardships Will Smith faced in his role as Gardner. The students learned the importance Niagara University Student Chapter taking a spin on Rob Seth s new Harley Davidson motorcycle that he won in this year s Club Foundation raffle. of being a builder and not a destroyer in the workplace. The manager sessions allowed the future club managers to see potential challenges and opportunities they may face at their club. The students gained an understanding of Bringing the Family Back to the Club and Providing the Best in Service and Value. The women in the club management industry were able to hear what it is that holds them back from reaching their career aspirations and how to develop their leadership competence and confidence as they move forward in their career. The Niagara University students were very fortunate to attend the Managers Awards Luncheon Monday afternoon. While this luncheon provided yet another networking opportunity for the students, it also allowed them to support their New York State Club Managers when it was announced they had won the Small Chapter of the Year Award and the Excellence in Education Award for the small chapter category. The New York State Club Managers are strong supporters of the Niagara University Student Chapter of CMAA, and we are very proud to be associated with a group of distinguished professionals in the industry. After a busy week of extraordinary networking and learning opportunities, the students returned home to snowy Buffalo to fulfill their vending commitments and promote the student chapter of CMAA to potential members in The College of Hospitality and Tourism. The chapter looks forward to holding the New York State Chapter Meeting on campus in the spring. ~ Laura Stevenson, NU Student Chapter President PAGE 4
Upcoming NYSCMAA Chapter Programs & Events Tuesday February 19 th Location: The Park Club- Host Wess Welsby, CCM Topic: Serve Safe - 6 Hour CMI Workshop Seminar: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Competency Area: Food and Beverage Tuesday March 4 th Seminar: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Lunch, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Location: Genesee Valley Club Hosts Tom Spellman, CCM, and John Corey Chapter Business Meeting: 8:30 AM Speakers: Norm Spitzig, MCM and Patrick Hanna, National Club Association Competency Areas: Leadership, Government Influences This unique day of programming will feature two 2-Hour Education Sessions: Norm Spitzig, MCM Successful Leadership Models in the Private Club Industry: A Partnership between the Club Board of Directors and it s General Manager and Patrick Hanna Trends and Issues for Private Clubs Letters to the Editor Congratulations with the NYS Newsletter. It is absolutely first class. ~ Tom Merrick, CCM, General Manager, Transit Valley Club Great job, this is a fabulous newsletter. A great read for all of us. Thank you. ~ Mary Smith, Club Manager, Rochester Yacht Club Congratulations on writing such a fine newsletter. I am glad somebody finally took the initiative, since I last attempted it over 10 years ago. The graphics look great, but I think the content is weak. Where is the smut, who s sleeping with who, and who s about to get the axe? My newsletter was viewed as the New York Post of newsletters vs. your N.Y. Times. ~ Indignantly Yours, Brad Pollak, CCM, General Manager Sycamore Creek Country Club Board Update Board members will be contacting each member of the chapter to encourage their participation and support of the 2008 Roster Book. The Board is exploring ways to increase chapter participation in the CMAA National Club Championship. At a recent an organizational meeting, the Board reviewed Chapter plans, policies, and membership categories. As a reminder, all members of the New York State Chapter are required to be members in good standing of CMAA (National). Please be sure to remit your payment for dues to Rich Marr, Treasurer for the 2007/2008 year, or your name and Club name, will be excluded from the 2008 Roster Book. Thanks in advance for your attention to this matter. Contact Info NYSCMAA-Rich Marr, c/o Midvale Country Club, 2387 Baird Road, Penfield, NY 14526 Visit us on the web at www.nyscmaa.org