CSCM ALUMNI
DF: It was a way to meet other club managers at the monthly
meetings and conference. It also provided an educational component
that was specific to our profession.
CM: I knew of the CSCM in the late 1990s when I was working
at a public club, and therefore ineligible for membership. When I
moved to the Riverside Club in Saskatoon, I joined immediately.
Before I was a member, the local branch members would invite me
to their meetings, so I knew everyone and got involved as soon as
I could.
What have the benefits of CSCM been for you?
DW: Professional networking and support; education in the form
of governance, strategic planning, master planning, leadership and
corporate culture; professional designations; and relationships.
I’ve made friends for life.
DF: Networking and colleagues to connect with to help learn
how other clubs have dealt with similar issues; professional development;
professional designations; and job postings and seeing
new opportunities through CSCM’s website.
CF: Friendships from coast to coast, including those my wife
made by attending conferences with me – we still keep in touch
with those friends even three years after my retirement; networking
opportunities in the club business; and ongoing involvement
in CSCM as an Alumni member, being valued for my contribution.
How have you seen the CSCM evolve over the years
of your membership?
DW: There continues to be turning points in the evolvement. A
couple that stick out for me are:
1. Establishing the CSCM as a professional organization complete
with proper governance that included the staffing of a
National Office.
2. Creating direction for CSCM via a strategic plan.
3. Elevating the education at conference and even more importantly
through our association with Club Management
Association of America (CMAA). The Business Management
Institute (BMI) education programs are second to none.
4. The resources available to CSCM by an affiliation with CMAA
can not be underestimated. It has allowed CSCM to grow
and improve with the very education that in large part leads
to the CCM and CCE designations.
DF:
1. CSCM has become more inclusive of the various positions
in the Club industry. My initial experience was mostly with
General Managers.
2. The leadership of CSCM has grown as well from the early
days of a management company sharing a part time role of
running the association, to the current situation.
3. The Board has also provided strategic planning over the years
to help set the vision and work to evolve the society.
CF:
1. I found that over the years it went from being very exclusive,
private clubs only to accepting clubs that would benefit from
collective education and experience.
2. The work that was done to align with the CMAA has turned
out to be one of the greatest assets.
3. The CCM designation has raised the bar for all managers and
professionalized our chosen career in the eyes of both club
directors and members.
Any advice for current members of CSCM?
DW: First, attend the national conference. In 1989, I was recently
married. By 1993, we had two small children, but my wife Janet
and I headed to our first conference in Vancouver. We never looked
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