SFMA volunteer opportunities

SFMA Volunteer Opportunities

Just as turfgrass requires the right soil, nutrients, moisture and maintenance, volunteers are essential to SFMA’s future. SFMA offers a variety of ways for its members to get involved – from short-term volunteer efforts to committee, advisory council and board service. With every new volunteer, SFMA grows stronger, more diverse and inclusive, and better equipped to reach its goals. Deepen your roots with SFMA and your colleagues, and volunteer today!

In 2024, SFMA will realign its committees and task groups to fit with the goals of the association and the work required to achieve them. One challenge being addressed is the continuity of activity and progress within each group from year to year. To address this, the SFMA president and president-elect will appoint a chair and vice chair for each committee. These leaders will work side by side, and as the chair completes their term, the vice chair will then assume the chair position and a new vice chair will be appointed to work alongside them. This will help each committee maintain positive momentum and help drive SFMA initiatives.

SFMA’s volunteer opportunities are listed below. The sign-up period will open in February, so please watch your email for your chance to throw your hat in the ring and let SFMA know what area you would like to support. SFMA’s president and president-elect will work on the appointments, as well as designating the chairs and vice chairs, and you everyone will be notified of placements in late February or early March.

The opportunities for your consideration are categorized within the following areas: association support, awards programs, conference and membership.

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 advance the association. (Commercial members only)
  • Editorial/Magazine – Ensures that SportsField 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 SFMA 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 (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 “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.