GEO Introduces New Standards for Sustainable Golf Development Several years ago the GCBAA was approached by Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of the Golf Environment Organization (GEO) to discuss the creation of a voluntary sustainability standard for sustainable golf developments. GEO is a sustainability group founded to support the industry, helping golf be recognized for a positive impact on the people and nature it touches. GEO provides three programs and administers golf’s sustainability assurance, GEO Certified® available for Club and Course Operations, for Developments, and for Renovations. Over time and through continued conversations the GCBAA along with a working group developed the guide. Those involved included: Sara Beavis, Senior Lecturer, Australian National University College of Medicine, Biology and Environment; Ziyun Dai, Beijing Forestry University; Robert Donkers, Former Coordinator for Urban Policy, DG Environment for the European Commission; Richard Holland, Director of Market Transformation, World Wildlife Fund; Tom Mackenzie, representing the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, Ross Perrett, representing the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects, and Jason Straka, representing the American Society of Golf Course Architects. The American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Golf Course Builders Association of America congratulate the Golf Environmental Organization on the release of the Voluntary Sustainability Standard for Golf Developments. As members of the International Sustainable Golf Development Working Group who provided guidance through the creation of the guidelines, our respective organizations were able to provide feedback and critique of the document. ASGCA and GCBAA members thank GEO for providing a tool to promote sustainable golf course development and maintenance, and for helping the golf industry to raise its profile as an entity dedicated to good stewardship of the environment. For more information, visit golfenvironment.org.
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HSBC Golf Business Forum set for Florida The 2016 HSBC Golf Business Forum will be held November 28– December 1 at the Marriott Resort Sawgrass, Florida. Known for being one of the largest and most significant meetings of golf industry executives and decision makers, it provides its attendees with education, networking opportunities and social interaction. The primary objective is to help attendees meet new contacts and do business, with the event enjoying a diverse representation of stakeholders from across the industry. GCBAA is excited to support this event and the global audience it attracts. For the past several years the GCBAA has been involved in events throughout Asia and has had the pleasure to meet a number of friends in the industry. This event allows the GCBAA to continue that network and support our members we gained along the way. As show partners the GCBAA membership receives a $400 discount on the Executive Package registration fee. Use code GCBAA16GBF. To register, visit gcbaa.org and click on the HSBC banner.
HUMAN RESOURCES (CONT.)
Is There a “Reasonable Possibility” That Your Drug Testing Policy is Retaliatory? regulations will not be affected by the rule change. However, employers with blanket post-injury drug testing policies, or any policy established outside of compliance with state and federal laws, should revise their policies to adhere to the “reasonable possibility” standard.
Editor’s Note: This article is not intended to provide legal advice to our readers. Rather, this article is intended to alert our readers to new and developing issues and to provide some common sense answers to complex legal questions. Readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel or the authors of this article if the reader wishes to obtain a specific legal opinion regarding how these legal standards may apply to their particular circumstances. The authors of this article, Jack L. Shultz and Brittney M. Moriarty, Law Clerk, can be contacted at 402/434-3000, or at O’Neill, Heinrich, Damkroger, Bergmeyer & Shultz, P.C., L.L.O., P.O. Box 82028, Lincoln, NE 68501-2028, jshultz@ohdbslaw.com.