Chapter Digest
November 2026
News for CMAA Leaders
In this issue:
Featured Strategy
Take Part in CMAA Faculty Research
Faculty research grant recipients from CMAA and The Club Foundation are conducting a study on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts talent acquisition, onboarding and training, employee retention, and employee engagement within the private club industry.
CMAA members with responsibilities in human resources and club management are invited to participate in this research project, “Leveraging the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Talent Acquisition, Training, Retention and Employee Engagement in the Private Club Industry.”
Why participate?
AI is rapidly becoming an important tool in the private club sector. Your experience and perspective can help us better understand how clubs are currently using AI, the opportunities it presents, and the challenges that club managers encounter. Your insights will contribute to a better understanding of AI’s role in the future of club management and HR.
Participation involves one live interview on Microsoft Teams of up to 60 minutes. On average, interviews take about 45 minutes. The interview questions and a participant information sheet with full details about the study are available in advance upon request.
If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please email Emily Zirbes with the subject line “AI Interview.” You will receive a response within 24 hours to find a convenient interview time for you.
NOTE: This research team comprises members from Iowa State University (US), Manchester Metropolitan University (UK), Texas A&M University (US), the University of Central Florida (US), and Nueva Vizcaya State University (Philippines). This project has been reviewed by the MMU Faculty of Business and Law Research Ethics and Governance Committee, EthOS92021.
Chapter Idea Fair Winner
Congratulations to the Florida Chapter, which won first place in the 2026 Chapter Idea Fair for their idea in the “New Member Recruitment & Onboarding” category. See how they allow prospective members to experience the Chapter before joining and then welcome them personally as new members.
Chapter Spotlight
We want to hear what your Chapter is doing! Recently hold a fundraiser? Exciting event? Share your Chapter good news via email to goodnews@cmaa.org and you could be featured in an upcoming edition!
- December 10: World Conference Early Registration Ends
- December 15: Chapter of the Year Entries Due
- December 15: Chapter Workshop Grant Applications Due
- Ongoing: Submit Your Chapter Photos and Announcements to goodnews@cmaa.org
New Member Totals
The New Member Recruitment Contest provides encouragement for CMAA Chapters to increase, maintain, and preserve their membership. This annual contest awards grants to Chapters (in size categories small, medium and large) that surpass, achieve, or are closest to reaching their set membership recruitment goals.
Chapter Management Resources
All Officers
National Committee Calls Are Open—Answer Yours!
CMAA’s National and At-Conference Committees are where ideas take shape and progress happens, and they’re a key part of our leadership and success.
If you’ve renewed your CMAA membership for 2027 and are a Professional or Alumnus member, why not take the next step and volunteer for a National Committee? (And if you haven’t renewed yet, now is the perfect time!)
CMAA is led by members, for members. Committee appointments are thoughtfully made to bring together a mix of voices that represent different Chapters, regions, club types, experiences, and backgrounds.
Your insight and energy can make a real difference. Learn more.
Inspired by Our Past. Ready for What’s Next.
As our Association begins its 18-month centennial celebrations, we are pleased to share the CMAA theme with you: Inspired by Our Past. Ready for What’s Next. The purpose of the theme is to give all CMAA members, Chapters, and National a common goal to work towards for the membership year. We can’t wait to see how you make this theme come to life in your Chapters. Cheers to 100 years!
Chairs
Advocacy/Legislative Chair: Save the Date for National Golf Day
Annually, National Golf Day unites the golf and club industries on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Advocates convene to educate members of Congress and their staff about the industry and the impact of notable legislative and regulatory issues. The event is organized by the American Golf Industry Coalition (AGIC), of which CMAA is a proud founding member. The 2027 National Golf Day will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2027, with events beginning on May 4.
Stay tuned for the opening of applications for the National Golf Day Stipend, made possible by The Club Foundation. To encourage broader member participation, CMAA has established a travel stipend to defray the cost of attendance. CMAA members may apply for support to cover travel and accommodations associated with participation in the Washington, DC, advocacy event.
The Club Foundation Liaison: The Club Foundation Annual Chapter Challenge Begins
Each year, the generosity of CMAA Chapters and members fuels scholarships and grants for CMAA professionals through The Club Foundation (CF).
Giving Tuesday is on December 1 this year. It comes at the tail end of a season of giving thanks, buying, and giving around the nation and across the globe. Giving Tuesday 2025 donations around the world totaled $4 Billion in gifts, with more than 38 Million people participating. This global campaign has grown dramatically since it was started by the United Nations Foundation and New York’s 92nd Street Y when in 2012 donations totaled $10 Million.
The Club Foundation has also seen growth in the number of donations and amount received in the last several years. This is possible because of all those of you who donate generously. We are also grateful to our extraordinary Managing Directors for their encouragement at the Chapter level, to members in their region.
Scroll down on the Giving Tuesday page to see last year’s results, Chapter winners, and all those who donated during the 2025 campaign.
The Chapter Challenge Is On
Every donation made through the Giving Tuesday Chapter Challenge page that lists your Chapter counts toward your Chapter’s total. Chapters that exceed their goal by the largest percentage will earn social media shoutouts and full bragging rights!
Donor Prizes
All donors who give $25 or more will be entered into random drawings for:
- A World Conference & Club Business Expo registration (Education Only) or a Leadership/Legislative Conference (LLC) registration
- There are nine prize hours during the day, with more than 25 prizes to win
Communications/Public Relations Chair: Visit Denver for the 2027 Communications Summit
Get the tools you need to be a successful Club Communicator at the 2027 Communications Summit. The Summit is designed for professionals who directly manage or oversee the communications and marketing efforts at the club or who are looking to learn more about this very important and constantly changing aspect of club operations.
Join CMAA in Denver, CO, April 12-15, 2027, to learn, grow, ignite, and discover alongside peers from across the country.
Register now—this is a high-demand event that sells out very quickly. If you want to attend, don't delay!
Membership Chair: Keep Your Recruitment Numbers Up
We are in the home stretch for the recruitment contest, and the races are close. See if you can help push your Chapter past the finish line (and beyond!). This has already been an incredible recruitment year… let’s keep on recruiting!
Additionally, The Club Foundation has graciously increased the grant money for this award program. In each Chapter size category, winners will receive:
First Place Chapters: $3,000
Second Place Chapters: $2,000
Third Place Chapters: $1,000
Professional Development Chair: Register for an Upcoming Club Wellness Community Webinar
Discover how LED light therapy can enhance wellness offerings at your club. Join the Club Wellness Community for an educational session with Annet King, BABTAC, CIBTAC, ITEC, CIDESCO, Vice President of Global Sales at BioPhotas, Inc. Annet will explore the science and applications of FDA-cleared LED light therapy, including proven wavelengths, safety, treatment benefits, and practical applications for skin, wellness, and fitness. This session offers valuable insights for club managers and wellness professionals interested in expanding their understanding of LED technology.
Student Chapter Liaison: Student & Faculty Competitions at World Conference
With the World Conference and Club Business Expo just around the corner, two featured competitions offer student teams and faculty advisors the ultimate platform to highlight innovation, leadership, and chapter success on a national stage. Please encourage your Student Chapter members to participate in these exciting programs.
Student Shark Tank Competition
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, January 6
Final Round: Monday, February 8 | 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Step into the spotlight and command the room! The Student Shark Tank Competition gives students the chance to showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit for a shot at the $1,000 grand prize! From crafting a ninety second pitch video to presenting live on stage at CMAA’s World Conference and Club Business Expo, participants will have the opportunity to impress a panel of club management “Sharks” with their product, software, or concept
Student Chapter & Faculty Idea Fair
Submission Deadline: Saturday, January 9
Showcase your top accomplishments and compete for a $1,000 Student Chapter grant from The Club Foundation. Both Student Chapters and Faculty Advisors are invited to enter as many ideas as they like across five student categories and four faculty categories. Review the full requirements and help your Student Chapters start gathering materials today to leave a mark in Chicago!