Advocacy is a big part of GCSAA and the industry. GCSAA’s government affairs team of Chava McKeel, Bob Helland, Michael Lee, and Sarah Riley work tirelessly to ensure golf is represented and heard at the local and federal levels.

They don’t do this alone, however. A team of Grassroots Ambassadors across the country are also pounding the pavement and ensuring golf’s voice is heard in the offices of Congress.

Continuing in the government affairs realm, this week I’m highlighting GCSAA’s Grassroots Ambassador program.

               #18 Grassroots Ambassador Program

The goal of the program is to match a member of GCSAA with each member of Congress, and to build strong relationships between them. The program will establish a network of committed volunteers to serve as the “go-to” people for lawmakers and their staff on golf course management issues. 

Ambassadors don’t go into this blindly. They will receive the tools and training needed to become effective advocates for the profession. Resources include a welcome packet to be sent upon signing up, access to online advocate training videos available on demand in Ambassador Central, and invitations to participate in advocacy webinars throughout the year.

GCSAA offers the Grassroots Ambassador Academy at the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show where ambassadors interact with grassroots trainers and learn the art of political engagement.

Additionally, Grassroots Ambassadors are awarded GCSAA education points:

• .1 points per training webinar
• .05 points for participating in the National Golf Day issues training webinar
• .35 points for attending Grassroots Ambassador Academy at the Golf Industry Show

Service points:

• .25 service points for each in-person meeting with your assigned Member of Congress or their staff and reporting that activity to Michael Lee (such as attending a town hall meeting, hosting a golf course site visit, attending a federal or state lobby day, meeting at the district office, etc.).

Finally, ambassadors have the opportunity to win the Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award, which honors individual ambassadors who have demonstrated growth in advocacy through Congressional outreach and relationship development with a member of Congress. Recipients of the award win an expenses-paid trip to National Golf Day and recognition in GCSAA media. The GAL award is presented in partnership with The Toro Co.