Walt Bonvell, CGM President’s Message
The Forum Newsletter is published six times a year by the Professional Grounds Management Society 720 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21230 410-223-2861 / Fax 410-752-8295 E-mail: pgms@assnhqtrs.com pgms.org Board of Directors: President Walter Bonvell, CGM President-Elect John Burns, CGM Vice Pres. John Doiron Treasurer Marion Bolick, CGM Past President John Van Etten, CGM Directors Cary Avery, CGM Diana Bramble Gerry Dobbs, CGM Mark Feist Ted Heywood, CGM Ron Hostick, CGM, CSFM Gerald Landby Joe Payne, CGM Susanne Woodell, CGM Staff Thomas C. Shaner, CAE Executive Director Kelly Mesaris Associate Director Monica Shaner Financial Manager Molly Baldwin-Abbott Director of Communications Meghan Brady Assistant Director of Communications Opinions expressed in PGMS Forum are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily express the opinions or policies of the PGMS Board and its membership. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.
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PGMS Keeps Growing
One thing that I have realized over the past 30 years of grounds work at Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) is that no day is the same and every day is a learning experience. Being a seventeen year PGMS member has given me the knowledge and guidance I need to meet every challenge. This year’s harsh winter and wet spring have brought many new challenges for me as a Grounds Manager. But, the experience I have gained by becoming a Certified Grounds Manager is proving to help me through these challenges. PGMS is the only association to offer such a certification program. Participants who complete it earn the title CGM, Certified Grounds Manager. I cannot stress the importance of this program. Speak to any CGM to hear testimony of their personal and professional accomplishments due to certification. Today, we have 152 CGM’s nationwide. If you have not done so, please consider how certification can benefit you and your career. At the Spring Regional in Florida, PGMS unveiled the long awaited accreditation program. The Landscape Management and Operations Accreditation program is now available! This is a unique program that allows your site to earn up to four (4) levels of accreditation. Already, sites from around the country are inquiring about this new, innovative opportunity. For more information, check it out on pgms.org. The PGMS Board has also been busy updating another great program, the PGMS Green Star Awards. You can now go online to fill out your application. Simply download the power point template and complete your application using the template guidelines. Then, upload your power point presentation and pictures online. User-friendly, step by step instructions are available. Start now! The deadline is July 31 at 5 p.m. (EST). If you are looking to take your family on a summer vacation this August, consider bringing them with you to the PGMS Summer Regional in Minneapolis, Minn. This will be a wonderful regional event that you won’t want to miss. Details are on the PGMS website. The Minneapolis/St. Paul area is a family wonderland with lots of things to do and places to go. Your family will enjoy numerous indoor and outdoor sights such as the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe, Minnesota Zoo and Mill City Museum. I am very proud to announce that a new PGMS branch was installed on March 28. A big “thank you” goes to Frank Molina (Columbia University, New York City) for working endless hours on the successful formation of the new Northeast New Jersey and New York City Branch. Board members of the branch include: President - Frank Molina; Vice President - Charles King; Treasurer - Richard Bussert and; Secretary - George Reis. I also want to thank John Doiron, vice president of PGMS and Ted Heywood, CGM, Northeast regional director, for making the trip to New York City to help “cut the ribbon” for the opening of the 11th PGMS branch. Welcome all new members! As our branches grow, so does our membership. Part of the strategic growth plan is for PGMS to open four new branches by 2015 and retain a national membership of 1,000. Today, we are 831 members strong. As our membership grows, so will the branches. As the association grows, so does its Board of Directors. Recently, the Directors voted to expand the Board to include a supplier member. As recently announced on the website, the Board welcomed our newest member, Paula Sliefert of the Toro Company and a 2014 Platinum Partner in Professionalism. Congratulations Paula! I look forward to seeing everyone in August and wish all a safe and enjoyable summer.
Walt Bonvell, CGM PGMS President