3 minute read
From the helpdesk
This month: Flag protocol when a member dies and... what is my club’s carbon footprint?
Regarding a recent discussion concerning golf and wildlife habitat, do you have any suggestions for course management to provide golf and wildlife habitat? There are three main bodies that will assist managers and course managers with the provision of wildlife habitats and general environmental issues, once the club has agreed to implement a policy. The R&A: randa.org/en/ sustainability The Golf Environment Organisation (GEO): sustainable. golf The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA): bigga.org.uk
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In addition, the GCMA will fully support their member managers in implementing those policies they and their clubs wish to pursue.
At my club the committee is proposing the role of general manager be managed by the committee and report to it. While I agree the role is directed by the committee, and its ‘published’ policies, the GM cannot be managed by a ‘committee’ on a practical level and there needs to be one point of referral, a club
chairman, for example, who carries out the actual reporting line responsibilities. I’d be very interested in the GCMA’s opinion of this proposal... Here at the GCMA we believe the clue is in the title. The manager should be allowed to manage without interference, and this is now accepted as best practice. As you say, there should be no micromanaging from the committee and further reinforcement of this can be found in the industry joint governance guide here: gcma.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2019/10/ClubGovernance-Guide-Version-2.0- LINKS.pdf
There has recently been debate at our club with regards to when and how the club flag should be flown in the event of the death of a member. I wonder if someone could help in clarifying the protocol in this regard? Flag flying protocols have been discussed in two articles that can be found by following the links below.
The first article discusses the correct half-mast position and can be found at: mailchi. mp/e1ac2259d597/1sept17- 2229541?e=b95badfebe
Also consider: gcma.org.uk/ news/fun-with-flags-countryetiquette/
The issue of when to recognise a death is a matter for the club itself and does vary from club to club. Some clubs will only recognise current members while others will recognise past members who have done something of note for the club or the wider golf community.
It is normal to half-mast as soon as the death has been officially informed (there has been embarrassment in the past!). It is also common practice to raise the flag to full-mast again once the funeral and wake formalities have been concluded.
I am trying to measure the carbon footprint of our club. Does the GCMA have any tools that do this? The GCMA do not have any tools to do this, however there are plenty of calculators online that you could use such as: carboncalculator.org.uk/ Or: co2.myclimate.org/en/ company_calculators/new And: carbonfootprint.com/ calculator.aspx
An online helpdesk offers an advisory service to members. Visit gcma.org.uk/members to find out more.
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