Page 54 - GBC fall 2015

Associate Publisher • Nathalie Lavallée
Having recently returned from our summer NGCOA Canada Board of Directors’ Meeting, I am always so impressed by how our Association, led by the Board of Directors, accomplishes so much. Because of our integrated system, our governance is led from the bottom up, rather than top down, which is common in the Association world.
Due to this integrated system, golf courses join just ONE association, yet are able to have all of their regional needs met, at no additional cost because our eight chapters are integrated into one organization: the NGCOA Canada. For those who are not aware, all eight chapters have a Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) made up of operators in that chapter. At minimum, the president of each chapter CAB also sits on the NGCOA Canada Board of Directors so at no time is a chapter not represented at the national table. It’s streamlined and it’s efficient.
All chapter annual strategic plans and budgets are driven by the CABs in consultation with the chapter’s regional director. This is what I am referencing above when I say we are governed by the bottom up. The road map for all chapters is defined by operators inside that chapter and brought to the national table for discussion and ultimately for approval.
I have rarely seen strategic plans being changed once they make it to the Summer Board Meeting because the people who set it are the experts in their area and there is a tremendous amount of respect for all of that knowledge around the board table. Chapter and department strategic plans are then rolled into one national road map that helps direct the staff for that current fiscal.
Governing From The Ground Up
The same can be said when we create new policies or want to introduce a new national initiative. After our due diligence is done, new projects and policies are presented to the board of directors, who give us the go-ahead, vote it down, or ask us for additional research. It truly is a national organization that is driven by and inclusive of all regions across the country. I have worked in politics and the corporate world in the past where top down is the only option. I could not be prouder today to work for such a strong and unified organization.
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the entire NGCOA Canada staff team to THANK our Board and CAB volunteers for their dedication to the organization and support of the staff.
In closing, I am inviting you to join the Board of Directors and your peers from coast to coast at the 2015 Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show in November. We’ve been told over and over how the outcome of just one session pays for the investment of attending the Conference let alone the knowledge gained from the other 15-20 operational education sessions and consultations with operators from Newfoundland to Victoria. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
I look forward to seeing you all in November.
Nathalie Lavallée Chief Operating Officer NGCOA Canada nlavallee@ngcoa.ca
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