DSGA
Different Strokes Golf Association
Different Strokes Golf Association
Shawn D. Wade
President
What an AMAZING Start....
I can hardly believe we are already here in the merry old month of May and we are off to such a great start! Almost every date is full for regular play dates with hosts, new and exiting formats are being introduced, new members are joining by the handful, mini-play dates have been introduced, first official out of town gathering is under way with a great turnout, and the Texas ShootOUT is scheduled with courses chosen. Amazing!!!
The success of this organization, as I have said many times, belongs to the membership and you have truly made this YOUR DSGA. Great Job! I am proud to be a part of this exciting year as we strive to be the premier gay & lesbian golf organization of the southwest.
Where are we headed?
It is always good to know there is a sense of direction when you are in a leadership role in an organization. We have a very dedicated board, enthusiastic hosts and excited members who all have a sense of ownership and pride in belonging to DSGA. This organization is stepping it up to the next level.
Stepping it up to the next level, what does that mean? Well for starters, we are two months into the season and we already have more members this year than we did at the end of last year. More members are signing up to receive handicaps through GHIN. All of the events we have had this year have had record numbers of attendees for the first of the season and most of them have filled up early and had waiting lists in place. Play dates for the next seven events are already mostly filled with waiting lists ready to be put into place. Mini-Play dates have been started so there would be more opportunity to play with your fellow group members and they have been well attended. Outreach is going strong with three of your five board members attending the Stonewall Golfer's Annual Rainbow Challenge Golf Tournament and meeting great new friends who share a common bond. Our first out of town event has been planned and the turnout well above what had been expected when originally brainstormed by the board. That is what stepping it up to the next level includes.
What on earth could we do to make this organization even better? I have several goals for the 2008 year as your Princess...uh I mean, President.
My main goals are the following:
- Revisit/Revise the DSGA Bylaws.
- Create and incorporate Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.
- Continue to solicit involvement from the membership in different aspects of the organization.
- Solicit and incorporate Individual and Corporate Sponsorships for our general season as well as for the Texas ShootOUT to keep the costs lower and to allow us to enjoy more costly courses that have an appeal to many of the members.
- Continue to encourage new golfers (of all skill levels) to be a part of DSGA and to continue the growth of the new members by starting a buddy program to help "newbies" to the game learn golf ettiquette, rules and basics when playing with the organization and when venturing out to play in other venues.
- Encourage excitement through playing new and inventive games while getting to know more members of the organization.
- Continue to stress the importance of having a handicap through such systems as GHIN so as to watch your own individual improvement as well as level yourself to the playing abilities of the more experienced members.
These are my goals for the 2008 DSGA Season. I welcome your input and your involvement in any of these areas. This organization is what you make of it and your involvement and excitement makes me want to work harder for you. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or catch me at any one of our events.
In closing I would like for each and every one of you to take the time to stop and say Thank You to the board members who serve with me. I could not even imagine this organization without the steady involvement of Casey, Dorie, Colene and Alan. These four individuals have done so much in putting forth all of the things you see before you but more importantly for the things you do not see behind the scenes. Alan & Casey have done an amazing job in assisting the hosts in negotiating courses and incorporating our individual needs when they have been called upon to do so. Alan has also done an amazing job in helping the members get to know each other with the continuation of the badge program. Dorie has kept our membership and accounting records so amazingly up to date. Colene has managed your sign-ups, cancellations, updates, information flow and created a VERY IMPRESSIVE NEW & IMPROVED DSGA WEBSITE!!! And all of this goes on without complaining and more importantly with no compensation except the pats on the back from you. Thank you all for all you do for the organization!
Last but not least, please thank your hosts at each event. Without the involvement of our hosts there would be way too much for the five of us to handle. Thank you, Thank YOU, THANK YOU!!!
I will see you on the links!
Sincerely Yours,
Shawn D. Wade
President
