SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/605094
www.stma.org December 2015 | SportsTurf 7 Allen Johnson, CSFM. johnsona@packers.com N ineteen years ago I began in this industry. Before then, I wasn't even aware that it was an industry. Obviously, I had a lot to learn. I learned in various ways, some by my own initia- tive, some by trial and error. Most of my learning came through other people—by listening, watching, and seeing their end results. From some I learned what to do, and from others, what not to do. Because I learned through others, I learned at a much faster rate. Most of the learning through others was possible because of my involvement with the Sports Turf Managers Association. There is no doubt in my mind that I am a much better Field Manager today than when I first started 19 years ago. A lot of that is a direct result of belonging to this great association. There is also no doubt in my mind that the organization I work for has benefitted by my participation and membership in this association. When I first started coming to STMA Conferences years ago I can remember learning about the goals of the associa- tion and its members. There was a general theme then that still exists today. It had something to do about being respected as a professional. While I believe that gains have been made, I also think that there are more gains to make. Some may think that it is the asso- ciation's sole responsibility to achieve on behalf of the Sports Turf Manager; some of you may not realize what you can do to help the cause, either. I'm here to tell you that if you belong to this association you also subscribe to achieving that goal. We all have a respon- sibility. We, including the association, all have a part to play. The association's responsibility is to help improve the knowledge, profes- sionalism, and skill set of our members. It is also the association's responsibil- ity to get the word out on a broad scale about the existence of our profession and how employing a member can positively impact an institution's experience with sports turf surfaces. Individually, it is your responsibility to make the most of the opportunity that STMA provides and to use those tools to help you gain respect at your specific place of employment. The association cannot make your boss like or respect you more. It cannot argue on your behalf for more resources, less play on your fields, or for better pay. You have to do the heavy lifting at your place of work. You must somehow earn the respect of your peers and superiors. One of the great strengths of this asso- ciation is the willingness of its members to help each other, and to lend encourage- ment, advice, and support. Please take advantage of those traits and push forward in gaining respect at your organization. This year's annual conference takes place January 19-22 in San Diego, CA. Make your reservations to attend, and take the opportunity to grow as a professional and benefit the organization for which you work. ■ ST PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE IT'S UP TO YOU BUT STMA CAN HELP President: Allen Johnson, CSFM Immediate Past President: David Pinsonneault, CSFM, CPRP President-Elect: Jeff Salmond, CSFM Secretary/Treasurer: Timothy Van Loo, CSFM Vice-President Commercial: James Graff Professional Facilities: Dan Bergstrom Academic: Jeffrey Fowler Higher Education: Matt Anderson Parks & Recreation: Sarah Martin, CSFM K-12: Bobby Behr, CSFM Commercial: Doug Schattinger Elected-at-Large: Jimmy Simpson, CSFM Elected-at-Large: David Anderson Chief Executive Officer: Kim Heck STMA OFFICE 805 New Hampshire Suite E Lawrence, KS 66044 Phone: 800-323-3875 Fax: 800-366-0391 Email: STMAinfo@STMA.org www.STMA.org STMA Editorial Communications Committee Chairman: Sarah Martin, CSFM TJ Brewer, CSFM; Joe Churchill; Jim Cornelius, CSFM; Jeremy Driscoll; Cliff Driver, CSFM; Eric Fasbender, CSFM; Mark Frever, CSFM; Matt Hollan; Jamie Mehringer; Greg Petry; Jeff Salmond, CSFM; Troy Smith, CSFM; Scott Stevens; Dr. Joey Young SportsTurf (ISSN 1061-687X) (USPS 000-292) (Reg. U.S. Pat. & T.M. Off.) is published monthly by EPG Media & Specialty Information at 75 Pike Street, Port Jervis, NY 12271. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sportsturf, PO Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076-7823. For subscription information and requests, call Subscription Services at (845) 856-2229. Subscription rates: 1 year, $40 US & Poss.; 2 years, $65 US & Poss.; 1 year, $65 Canada/Foreign Surface, 1 year, $130 Airmail. All sub- scriptions are payable in advance in US funds. Send payments to Sportsturf, PO Box 2123, Skokie, IL 60076- 7823. Phone: (847) 763-9565. Fax: (847) 763-9569. Single copies or back issues, $8 each US/Canada; $12 Foreign. Periodicals postage paid at Port Jervis, NY and additional mailing offices. COPYRIGHT 2015, SportsTurf. Material may not be reproduced or photocopied in any form with- out the written permission of the publisher.