Page 53 - Summer eng 2017

Associate Publisher • Nathalie Lavallée
That’s how I describe the NGCOA Canada...an Association without borders. Although we have a head office and eight chapters across the country, there are no physical, financial, or resource barriers that prevent us from servicing all our members equally from coast to coast to coast. The Alberta Chapter has access to the same resources as the Quebec Chapter as does the Business Development Department, regardless of where these departments are located.
Because we are one organization, we only need one accountant, not nine, one brand manager, not nine, one board of directors that has representation from each chapter, one business development department that services the entire country and I could go on and on.
So, why is this important to our stakeholders? The efficiencies of having one organization with offices/chapters across the country means that the member wins every time. You have access to a continuously growing ‘basket’ of member benefits that serve you on a national, provincial, and regional basis, yet you are only paying one set of membership dues.
Most of our team has combined roles. For example, Dallas Desjardins manages our Atlantic Chapter while managing the National Grow Your Business Department and Shawn Hunter, is Managing Editor of this publication and also manages our Southwestern Ontario Chapter.
Association
Without Borders
MEMBERS’
At the head office, our staff work on all NGCOA Canada initiatives, regardless of the province or region. As you can see, there really are no borders at the NGCOA Canada!
Our structure is unique in the association world. I have many friends in the association space that envy our structure. Because of these efficiencies, we are able to keep your membership dues down while continuously growing the ROI for you.
Well, the season is finally upon us and although I didn’t win the Masters Office pool - that accolade goes to our Brand Manager, Stacey Tayler, the Masters was the last push I needed to get excited about getting out golfing!
While on the subject of golfing, please afford me a little sideways rant. I don’t really understand the uproar in the media over Michelle Wie’s golf outfits. Have we looked at what Eugenie Bouchard and Maria Sharapova are wearing? I don’t find that offensive – I think they are wearing the appropriate clothing for the temperatures they encounter and the type of movement they need in their clothing.
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The 2016 Wimbledon Championship saw 10,000 more visitors than in 2015, ESPN’s viewership was up 35% and TSN experienced the highest viewership ever. I doubt that was because of Eugenie or Maria’s clothing. My belief is that the tennis industry has done a great job at making tennis cool just like snowboarding revived the skiing industry.
At a time when we are all trying hard to shed that ‘elitist’ perception, I wonder if it makes sense to turn away Bob, who has a passion for the sport and oodles of money in his pockets, just because those pockets happen to be on nicely pressed cargo shorts?
I am looking forward to a great golfing season! Don’t forget about the National Get Out and Golf Day on May 28. Let’s invite all Canadians to experience what this great game is all about!
Nathalie Lavallée Chief Operating Officer NGCOA Canada nlavallee@ngcoa.ca
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