SportsTurf

June 2012

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.

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STMA in action SAFE Grant opportunities help practitioners and interns The SAFE Foundation has been funding schol- arships since its inception in 2000. In 2009, it added its first Educational Grant and a second educational grant was added in 2011. The Terry Mellor Continuing Education Grant, sponsored by Turface Athletics, awards $1,000 to its winner to attend the STMA Confer- ence and Exhibition, which is held annually in January. All members of an STMA-affiliated chapter are eligible to win, and must be nomi- nated through a letter of recommendation by a National STMA Member. This award serves as a remembrance of Terry Mellor, brother of long time professional groundskeeper David R. Mellor. David is cur- rently Director of Grounds with the Boston Red Sox. This scholarship is in keeping with the commitment to professional development through continuing education, a philosophy shared by the Mellor brothers. STMA also provides a complimentary confer- NOW OPEN at the Daytona Hilton Reservations STMA heads to Daytona Beach for its 2013 Annual Conference and Exhibition, January 15-19, 2013, and you can reserve your room you can reserve your room by calling 386-254-8200 The Hilton Daytona Beach Re- sort/Ocean Walk Village, STMA's host hotel, is right across the street from the Convention Center. Room rates are $159. Although this rate is offered until December 22, the con- ference hotel this year in Long Beach sold out quickly, so book your reservations early. ence registration to the winner, and the winner is recognized at the Association's annual Awards Banquet, held at the conference. Winners of this grant include: Weston Floyd, University of Texas/Tyler, 2011; Kevin Fernandez, White Bear Lake School District, White Bear Lake, MN, 2010; and Eddie Atherton, City of Owensboro, Owensboro, KY, 2009. The SAFE Foundation introduced its second grant in 2011. The Gary Vanden Berg Internship Grant honors Gary Vanden Berg, CSFM, for his contributions to the industry in promoting in- ternships. Gary was the Director of Grounds for the Milwaukee Brewers until his death last Oc- tober and his commitment to creating an excel- lent learning experience for interns was legendary throughout the MLB and the entire sports turf industry. This grant is awarded in late fall for an in- ternship completed during the spring or sum- mer of that year. STMA Student Members in good standing who are currently enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours or were enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours in the semester just before the internship are eligible to submit for the $1,000 grant. The grant is intended to offset the costs a student may have incurred while interning. In addition to receiving the $1,000 grant, the winner also receives a full conference registration and 3 nights lodging at the next STMA National Conference and Exhibi- tion, where he/she will be introduced during the Awards Program. The 2011 winner was Aaron Bryant, from the University of Tennessee. Aaron interned with the New York Mets. If you are interested in donating to the Gary Vanden Berg grant, contact STMA head- quarters at 800-323-3875. The STMA Scholarship Committee selects the Terry Mellor and Gary Vanden Berg grant win- ners. ■ Board service—a very rewarding volunteer experience "Serving on the board is the best thing you can do to grow yourself and the indus- try," says Abby McNeal, CSFM, who served on STMA's Board of Directors from 2003 through 2010. The STMA Nominating Committee shares McNeal's philosophy as it issues the annual "Call for Nominations" to STMA voting mem- bers. Through this "Call" members are asked to consider board service, or to urge a quali- fied colleague to consider service. The benefits are many. In addition to per- sonal growth, McNeal cites other rewards. "Working with others that are passionate about the success of the members of our in- dustry is very gratifying," she says. "The mem- bers of our association have so much to offer, and they are the reason the board works so hard." Other benefits of board service include: • Contribute to your professional associa- tion. • Be a part of a decision-making body. • Hone your listening, collaborative and other personal development skills. • Strengthen your leadership abilities. • Make a difference in the strategic direc- tion of the profession. • Garner respect from your employer, your peers and your staff. In 2013, the Director Positions that are up for election include: 42 SportsTurf | June 2012 www.sportsturfonline.com • Sports Turf Manager representing Facili- ties used by Professional Athletes • Commercial Director • Sports Turf Manager representing Schools K-12 • At-Large (any category) All Directors will be elected to a 2-year term except for the At-Large Director, who is elected to a 1-year term. The STMA Board of Directors sets policy and strategic direction for the programs and services STMA provides and is accountable to its membership. Individual Board Member re- sponsibilities are to: • Attend and actively participate in quar- terly board meetings (4 per year): January, March, July, & October. • Chair one or more committees. • Attend special events, as needed. • Attend and actively participate in the annual conference. For more information on board member duties, please contact headquarters at STMAinfo@STMA.org or ph. 800-323-3875, for a copy of the Board Handbook. To have your name considered by the Nominating Commit- tee, please go to www.STMA.org and fill out the electronic Board Service Interest Form. Be sure to answer the two brief questions in- cluded on the form. The deadline to submit your interest is August 31. ■

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