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Just as turfgrass requires the right soil, nutrients, moisture, and maintenance, volunteers are essential to SFMA’s future!

SFMA is very fortunate that its membership has a strong culture of volunteerism. Each year more than 200 people sign up to serve on Committees and Task Groups. The insight that these members bring to discussions truly makes a difference in the success of SFMA’s programs and service offerings.

You must be a current SFMA member to serve on a Committee.

Below is the list of opportunities for your consideration, categorized within three areas: association support, awards programs, conference, and membership. Start thinking now about how you would like to serve and be sure to submit your preferences when the sign-up window opens!

Look for an email with the sign up link later this month!

Association Support

• Commercial Advisory Council – Provides a forum to exchange ideas on how SFMA can better serve and engage its commercial members and how this segment can help to advance the association. (Commercial members only)
• Editorial/Magazine – Ensures that the Sports Field Management magazine contains information relevant to the sports field manager; to provide ideas and contacts for articles for publication; to provide aesthetic and other recommendations on functionality and readability.
• Finance & Audit – Provides oversight of the SFMA’s financial resources by reporting information to the Board of Directors. The Finance & Audit Committee shall be responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Board of Directors for approval: 1) annual budget; 2) financial policies; 3) investment policies and guidelines; 4) the annual audit or review.
• Historical – Acquires, documents, and displays the history of the association (Both STMA and SFMA) and the sports field management profession.
• Subject Matter Experts (Formerly Technical Standards) – A membership network willing to answer technical questions; to help answer interview questions at times; to review resources on the SFMA website for accuracy; periodically called on to review magazine articles; to work with the American Society for Testing & Materials on sports facility standards and recommendations as needed.

Awards Programs

• Field of the Year – Judges the association’s awards program applicants selecting the Field of the Year winners; develop strategies to enhance the awards program.
• Innovative – Judges the innovative awards program; ensures a fair judging process; enhances the program as necessary. (Non-commercial members only)
• Scholarship – Judges the association’s SAFE scholarship program applicants; develops strategies to enhance the scholarship program and recommends them to the SAFE Board of Trustees.

Conference

• Conference Education – Determines the content, topics, presentation formats, speakers, and moderators for the conference; recommends ways to leverage conference education.
• Conference SAFE events – Organizes aspects of the SAFE Foundation fundraising events including bowling, golf, and corn hole; suggests additional fundraising opportunities tied to conference.
• Student Challenge – Develops the annual student challenge exam questions, answer key, and protocols; assist in proctoring the exam as needed. (Non-academic members only)
• Tours – Organizes the appropriate off-site tours, including venues, presenters, and formats.

Membership

• Membership Enhancement (Formerly just called Membership) – Develops initiatives to drive association membership growth and retention; recommends programs that add value for each member.
• Member Resources – (Formerly Information Outreach/Learning Initiatives) Develops educational and informational opportunities for members targeted to specific needs to enhance their personal and professional development.
• Member Advocacy – Develops strategies to advocate for the profession of sports field management and the knowledge and expertise of SFMA members to the general public and other athletic facility stakeholders.
• Certification – Develops strategies to grow the number of certified members; consistently monitors the program and recommends enhancements to ensure that the program is the top achievement for sports field managers.
• Chapter Relations – Develops a chapter support structure that is beneficial locally and nationally; facilitates the sharing of best practices; supports the growth of the chapter network in states that do not have a chapter.
• International – Positions SFMA as a global leader in sports facility management and the go-to resource for those who work internationally in the industry; grow the international membership segment; support international efforts recognizing sports field management profession.
• Environmental – Develops environmental strategies that position SFMA and its members as leaders in environmental stewardship; oversees the Environmental Certification program.