It is always easier to reflect on the year that has just gone rather than try and predict the year ahead. So to start with the easier option, there is no way that this time last year I would have predicted that the Association would have moved from Weston‑super‑Mare and taken up residence at our new home – Bristol & Clifton GC.
In conjunction with the incorporation process and the election of the skills based Board of Directors, as well as the appointment of a newly created position of Digital Communications Manager that Mike Hyde (left) has taken on, the Association finds itself posed extremely well to move into the new year.
So as we prepare to look forward to 2015, I have just returned from the Club Inc European Club Leadership Summit, which was held in the extremely impressive Twickenham Rugby Stadium. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Niall Flanagan and his ‘Club Inc’ team for the invitation and the presentation of a most excellent networking and informative event.
A variance of presenters ranged from ‘The art of Service’ from Knut Wylde, Hotel Manager at Claridges in London, to ‘Building your brand by Driving Excellence’ by Jim G James, Senior Director at Augusta. This was an opportunity to listen to people from outside of the norm, yet they were able to share their experiences and philosophies on providing a service that is far away from what the majority of us provide. However, in reality there are no differences – we all aim to provide a service to our members or guests at the clubs we manage.
As we prepare to move into the next calendar year, we are preparing to launch the new website in January which will hopefully be live by the time the January magazine is published. As we prepare the finishing touches of the website we are presently reviewing the GCMA mission statement, hence I became extremely interested when Jim James posted the Augusta mission statement:
Mike and the website designers are just completing the final touches in preparation for the new site to go live before BTME at Harrogate, where once again we will be hosting a stand within the exhibition and will welcome your visits. In addition we will be hosting a three day residential training course at a local hotel, which will commence on the Sunday and finish on the Tuesday.
The new website will create a number of communication channels as well as the start of GCMAtv, which will provide a series of video or YouTube style presentations. The library is also being overhauled and will in time provide an easier route to find the information documents that you require. In addition, our new Facebook and Twitter accounts will also be launched.
The Regions
Looking further ahead, we are at the consultation stages of reviewing how the 16 GCMA regions are administered. Whilst it is accepted that a region in one part of the country will not be run the same as another in a totally different area, we have collectively got our thoughts together and will endeavour to see if there is a need to change and streamline the administration processes. The Regional Secretaries Conference in Manchester at the end of January will provide us with the opportunity to discuss these matters.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to pass on the compliments of the season to you all and wish you a most productive and prosperous New Year.
By Bob Williams
