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GCSAA goes to Washington
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Members of GCSAA’s government relations committee made their way to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13 to talk with U.S. senators about immigration.
Their message? GCSAA supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes guest worker provisions and is not limited to border security.
Reform measures should safeguard the seasonal worker H-2B visa program and not place undue economic burdens on employers.
Committee members urged their elected officials to help move forward compromise legislation before the end of the 109th Congress. The visit also gave committee members a unique opportunity to educate federal lawmakers and their staff about the association and its philanthropic arm, The Environmental Institute for Golf.
Members of the committee are: chairman and member of GCSAA’s board of directors James R. Fitzroy, CGCS; Keith Creagh; Raymond G. Davies, CGCS; Mark E. Esoda, CGCS; Dean M. Graves, CGCS; Russell E. Heller, CGCS; Stephen Matuza, CGCS, MG; Gregory A. Pheneger; and Robert J. Tillema, CGCS.
Prior to these visits, committee members assembled at the law offices of Reed Smith, GCSAA’s Washington, D.C.-based law firm, to conduct business and receive advocacy training. Firm partner David C. Evans discussed how Reed Smith is representing GCSAA with Congress and federal regulatory agencies to advance the association’s strategic government relations and public policy goals. Members also received a briefing on current federal immigration legislation and the forecasted future of the national immigration debate.
Carrie Riordan, GCSAA’s director of information and public policy, briefed the committee on recent GCSAA-related government relations activities, and committee members spent time discussing the future strategic direction of GCSAA’s government relations and public policy efforts. Committee members talked about important local and regional issues affecting the profession and how GCSAA can support members and chapters as they deal with these issues.
After a working lunch, which included training on how to conduct an effective legislative appointment, committee members headed to Capitol Hill. Fitzroy said of the visits, “When golf course superintendents connect with lawmakers and build personal relationships, the golf course management profession benefits. These personal relationships are vital to protecting and advancing the interests of the golf course management industry.”
On day two of the meeting, Brian Steinwand, GCSAA’s liaison in EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program, was on hand to discuss ways to strengthen the relationship between EPA and GCSAA through effective communication and outreach.
Committee members also heard from Allen James, CAE, president of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment, on two initiatives affecting the green industry that GCSAA is currently working on with RISE — the EPA’s consideration of changes to the federal agricultural worker protection regulation and the federal pesticide applicator certification regulations, and a coordinated grassroots effort by RISE to address attempts at the local government level by activists to ban the use of pesticides and fertilizers.
During the meeting, the committee considered the future development of a key contact program, which would allow public policy staff to engage a specific, trained group of members who would work to build personal relationships with lawmakers in an effort to expand the political strength of GCSAA. Committee members also reviewed existing public policy tools and identified the best ways for members to more effectively consume existing resources.
Upon reflection of his visit to Washington, Pheneger says he realized more than ever the importance of GCSAA members proactively taking the time to build relationships with federal, state and local lawmakers.
“Waiting to talk to lawmakers until there is a negative issue puts (the golf industry) behind the smoking gun and makes us very defensive,” Pheneger says. “I was nervous prior to visiting with my elected official, but as soon as I got into the meeting, I realized they really wanted to talk to me to learn more about how I felt about the issues.”
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