Goal
of the program is to build and maintain a positive relationship with members of
the United States Congress
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
Grassroots Ambassador program launched in 2014 with the goal of matching a
GCSAA member with each member of the United States Congress to serve as a
liaison between the lawmaker and their staff on issues of critical importance
to the golf industry.
With the recent announcement of the spring Grassroots Ambassador class,
the program now features 270 GCSAA Class A, B and C members throughout the
country who are actively engaged with their congressional representative.
Michael Lee, manager of government affairs for GCSAA, oversees the
program. Lee, who formerly worked as state director for U.S. Senator James
Inhofe (R-Okla.), knows firsthand the effects of grassroots programs. “It’s important as an association that we
have a unified message and our ambassadors are well educated on the issues,”
said Lee. “Congressional members hear
from hundreds of constituents on a daily basis and having a proper plan in place
assures that your message doesn’t get lost in the clutter.”
That message is focused on GCSAA’s six priority issues: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
fertilizers, labor and immigration, pesticides, value of golf and water
management. “The priority issues are
reviewed yearly by the government affairs committee, GCSAA board of directors
and staff and we use that input to take actions on those items as necessary,”
said Chava McKeel, GCSAA director of government affairs.
Once accepted into the Grassroots Ambassador program, members
participate in an initial training session that provides them with political
basics and the “how to” of advocacy. Throughout
the remainder of the year, ambassadors receive monthly news updates and
participate in “live” issues based training webinars. If they attend the Golf Industry Show held
annually in February, ambassadors are also enrolled in four-hour government
affairs bootcamp. All training materials
are also available On Demand through gcsaa.org.
Additionally, Lee provides each ambassador with an outreach plan
tailored to preferences and schedule that maps out putting together successful congressional
engagements. Each ambassador is required
to have two physical “touches” with their assigned member of Congress or staff
annually.
“The face-to-face meetings are crucial to the success of the program
and moving forward our priorities agenda,” said Lee. “These meetings, as well as annual events
like National Golf Day (April 26 on Capitol Hill), educate our lawmakers on the
economic importance of golf to their communities, as well as the industries
responsible use and management of natural resources. Letters, emails, and phone
calls are effective communication tools, but nothing beats advocating in person
with congressional members and staff.”
Over the past three years, GCSAA Grassroots Ambassadors have promoted
and in some cases defended the above mentioned priority issues. Waters of the United States (WOTUS), H-2B
Visa’s, neonicotinoid and Glyphosate bans, overtime reform and the economic
impact of the game of golf are just a few areas of focus that ambassadors have
taken action on.
“The program is really starting to make strides,” said McKeel. “The golf industry has a voice and our concerns
are being addressed. At the same time,
it gives our members a great opportunity to learn and participate in the
legislative process while representing an industry that they care so dearly
about. We are really excited about where
we are and where we are heading.”
For more information on the Grassroots Ambassador Program, click here or for information
concerning National Golf Day on April 26, visit www.wearegolf.org.
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