For Everyone Who Plays the Game - Chicago District Golf ... · A BRIEF OVERVIEW The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is the regional governing body for amateur golf in Illinois

For Everyone Who Plays the Game

Chicago District Golf Association • CDGA Foundation

11855 Archer Avenue • Lemont, IL • 60439 www.cdga.org • www.cdgafoundation.org

Volunteer Expectations

CDGA Governors & Directors

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is the regional governing body for amateur golf in Illinois and parts of three other states. The CDGA services nearly 400 clubs and 80,000 individual golfers. Golfers receive member offers, a USGA Handicap Index and competitive playing opportunities, while clubs receive USGA rating and measuring services, turfgrass diagnostics and educational seminars. Midwest Golf House and its Three-Hole Sunshine Course are home to our Foundation, which annually serves more than 1,000 individuals with special needs and wounded veterans while also bringing playing opportunities to youth golfers. CDGA Mission Statement: Promoting the game of golf within our District CDGA Vision Statement: For 100 years, the CDGA has been involved in the promotion and betterment of the game of golf within our District. The Association was formed to assist clubs with questions about caddy welfare and trade golf associations. Over the years we have expanded into many areas which include course rating and providing handicaps to our members, as well as other services to golf courses and individual members. The benefit of membership in the CDGA to the clubs and to those who play the game is that they are receiving services that enhance their enjoyment of the game and are also sharing our mission of promoting the game within our District now and into the future.

******************************************************************* All CDGA Directors and Governors are nominated to serve two-year renewable terms, and have the ability to be re-nominated on a biannual basis for up to an additional 8 years. The annual slate for the following year is approved by the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting which is held in December. The role of the CDGA Governors and Directors is vital to the overall success of the Association and Foundation. It is imperative that all of the Blue Coats obtain a general understanding of the services provided by the CDGA to member clubs and individual members, as well as support and participate in the various Association and Foundation activities. As part of the commitment to the CDGA and the Foundation, every




Governor and Director is asked to make the following financial commitment:

Pay annual Blue Coat dues – Currently $250 per year, the dues cover the cost of attending board and committee meetings, lunches and dinners associated with the meetings, meals at tournaments and other general expenses such as name badges. The Board sets the dues level each year. Dues are payable beginning the Monday following the Annual Meeting for the following year and each Blue Coat will receive an initial notice along with reminders. Dues must be paid prior to March 1 to avoid suspension of volunteer privileges.

Minimum contribution to the Foundation – each Blue Coat must contribute a minimum of $150 per year to the Foundation. This can be accomplished in a variety ways such as participating in the Golf Marathon, the Foundation Outing, making a direct contribution or other fundraising endeavors.

New Blue Coat Program Participation Requirements For first-year Blue Coats, there is a participation expectation of a minimum of 10 volunteer days to the CDGA and/or the Foundation. In order to assist new Blue Coats, as well as give them the opportunity to experience all aspects of Association and Foundation activities, it is strongly recommended they follow the guidelines below:

Meetings: Aside from the Annual Meeting, attendance is recommended for at least three other meetings in the following calendar year from the list below (dates are subject to change):

CDGA Annual Meeting - First Friday in December Winter Board Meeting - End of February, Midwest Golf House Club Leadership Conference - Early March Spring Board Meeting - Early May Summer Board Meeting - Mid-August Public Golf Round-Table - October, Midwest Golf House

Fall Board Meeting - Late October

Attend at least one Rules of Golf Workshop and one Course Rating Workshop conducted by the CDGA. These workshops are usually held in late winter and early spring and the schedule will be distributed.




Volunteer at least one Foundation camp. Camps are held throughout the District at all times of the season and the schedule is published in the spring. Participation in the camp program is expected.

Volunteer at least three days at CDGA-run tournaments. The Association conducts the following types of tournaments:

USGA Qualifying Event CDGA or State Amateur Qualifier CDGA Championships

First-year Blue Coats are strongly encouraged and expected to participate in at least one course rating. This schedule is produced on a monthly basis and distributed via the monthly volunteer email.

General Blue Coat Participation Requirements After the first year, the Blue Coat is encouraged to find their areas of interest within the CDGA and the Foundation and increase his or her activity. It is strongly recommended that the individual continue to utilize the guidelines above as a guide for Association and Foundation volunteer work. Other expectations of Blue Coats after their first year of service include:

Disseminate Information to Clubs: Every Blue Coat is expected to ensure that the staff and officials at their club receive information about CDGA and Foundation programs and services. It is also expected that the Blue Coat make a presentation (or asks a CDGA staff member to do so) to the club's Board of Directors (private clubs) or the key staff individuals (public facilities) regarding the activities and programs of the CDGA at a minimum of one time per year. Committees: Each Blue Coat will be assigned to the Tournament Site committee and may be asked by the CDGA President to serve on other Association and /or Foundation committees. If the Blue Coat accepts the committee assignment(s), he or she is expected to be an active member of the committee and participate.

Foundation: Each Blue Coat is expected to support and promote the activities of the Foundation. This is done through personal contributions, volunteering time at least one Foundation camp and/or fundraising activity, as well as encouraging their club and other individuals to support the Foundation.




Nominating Committee Review

Each year the Nominating Committee will review the participation level for all CDGA Blue Coats. In doing so, they will use the guidelines outlined above to determine the involvement activity for every Blue Coat. It is important to note that the participation guidelines, along with the subsequent items, could be amended if an individual brings expertise, resources and/or talents to the Association or Foundation that go beyond the scope of the points listed. The Nominating Committee will take into account all aspects of the Blue Coat’s contributions on behalf of the CDGA and the Foundation when reviewing the terms of service and compiling the slate of Directors and Governors for the following year. Updated Date: 12/2016

Volunteer Handbook

Welcome!

This handbook is designed to provide potential Directors of the Chicago District

Golf Association (CDGA) with pertinent information about the Association and

Foundation. The material contained in these pages will give you a general

overview of the CDGA, as well as what is expected of you. As you read through

the information please feel free to contact our office staff with any questions. We

sincerely appreciate your interest in becoming a volunteer for the CDGA and

Chicago District Golf Association Foundation (CDGA Foundation).

Michael Sheldon Robert Michael Grandinetti Sheldon Solow Robert Markionni Association President CDGA First Vice President & Executive Director CDGA Foundation President

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Brief Overview ............................................3

Statement of Policy .........................................4

The Structure of the CDGA ............................6

Office & Staff .................................................8

Programs & Services of the CDGA ..............10

CDGA Foundation ........................................13

Volunteer Activities ......................................14

CDGA Policy on Commercialism ................15

CDGA General Policies ................................16

CDGA Volunteer Code of Conduct ..............18

Attire .............................................................19

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A BRIEF OVERVIEW

The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is the regional governing body for amateur golf in Illinois and parts of three other states. The CDGA services 400 clubs and nearly 80,000 individual golfers. Golfers receive member offers, a USGA Handicap Index and competitive playing opportunities, while clubs receive USGA rating and measuring services, turfgrass diagnostics and educational seminars. Midwest Golf House and its Three-Hole Sunshine Course are home to the CDGA Foundation, which annually serves more than 1,000 individuals with special needs and wounded veterans while also bringing playing opportunities to youth golfers. The CDGA is governed by a district wide Board of Governors, as well as Directors, Alumni Directors and an advisory committee comprised of Past Presidents (volunteers). The Governors, Directors, Alumni Directors and Past Presidents donate their services and time, amounting to more than 10,000 hours each year. The day-to-day administration is handled by the full-time staff of eighteen (18), working out of our office:

Midwest Golf House 11855 Archer Avenue

Lemont, Illinois 60439 Phone (630) 257-2005 Fax (630) 257-2088

The CDGA provides many services to the game of golf. Among these services are interpretation of the Rules of Golf, processing of applications for reinstatement to amateur status, handicap administration, tournament program, course measuring, course and Slope ratings, and our educational programs. The CDGA handles thousands of inquiries annually through personal visits, phone contacts and correspondence.

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THE CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION

STATEMENT OF POLICY The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) believes that every employee and volunteer has the right to work in an environment totally free of sexual harassment and ethnic, racial discriminatory or sex-oriented joking or epithets. Such conduct does not advance the purposes of the CDGA; also it is morally wrong and may subject the CDGA to legal exposure. Consequently, any employee or volunteer who engages in such prohibited conduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Conduct Constituting Prohibited Sexual Harassment For example, and without compiling an exhaustive list, the following are illustrative of the types of conduct that the CDGA condemns and prohibits under this policy:

It is sexual harassment for any person to condition a benefit such as a certain salary or promotion on the granting of sexual favors or the establishment or continuance of a personal relationship, or to imply to an employee or volunteer that an award of such a benefit is conditioned upon the granting of sexual favors or the establishment or continuance of a personal relationship.

It is also sexual harassment for any volunteer or employee to state or imply that another

employee’s or volunteer’s performance is attributable in whole or in part to the sex of that employee or volunteer.

It is also sexual harassment for any employee or volunteer to state or imply that any

employee’s performance appraisal, salary, or promotion in the corporate hierarchy has resulted from the granting of a sexual relationship.

As a volunteer for the CDGA, you should be aware that the issue of whether conduct constitutes sexual harassment or discriminatory conduct may depend on how that conduct is viewed by the employee or volunteer who is subjected to the conduct. Any employee or volunteer who initiates or persists in this type of prohibited conduct assumes the risk that the person who is the object of the conduct may view such behavior as offensive. Thus, any employee or volunteer who initiates or persists in this type of conduct may be subject to discipline even if such behavior might not have been intended as offensive. Conduct Constituting Prohibited Ethnic, Racial, Discriminatory, or Sexual Joking and Epithets As examples, and without compiling an exhaustive list, the following are illustrative of the type of conduct the CDGA also condemns and prohibits under this policy:

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It is prohibited for any employee or volunteer to engage in any conduct which has the effect of creating an abusive or offensive work environment due to a person’s sex, race, color, ethnic background, age, national origin, marital status, religion or disability.

It is prohibited for any employee or volunteer to bring any item to the work premises for

purposes of a racial, ethnic, discriminatory, or sexual joke or epithet. It is also prohibited for any employee or volunteer to use CDGA property, bulletin boards or

documents for purposes of a racial, ethnic, discriminatory or sexual joke or epithet. It is also prohibited for any employee or volunteer to utter or utilize any racial, ethnic,

discriminatory, or sex jokes or epithets at any CDGA function, or when referring to or about any other person, be they an employee, volunteer or someone not affiliated with the CDGA.

It is also prohibited for any employee or volunteer to harass anyone else due to their sex,

race, color, ethnic background, age, national origin, religion, marital status or disability. It is also prohibited for any employee or volunteer to deface CDGA property or the personal

property of anyone else for purposes of a racial, ethnic, discriminatory or sexual joke or epithet.

Procedure upon the Occurrence of Prohibited Conduct Any employee or volunteer who believes they have been subjected or exposed to sexual harassment, discrimination, or ethnic, racial, discriminatory, or sexual comments, jokes or epithets has the right to have such activity terminated immediately. Complaints about such conduct should be made to the employee’s immediate supervisor, any member of management or to any officer of the CDGA. Complaints should be made immediately after an employee or volunteer believes that they have been subjected to any conduct prohibited by the CDGA’s policy. Complaints will be treated in a confidential manner to the extent possible. An investigation will be made immediately concerning the allegations. If the investigation leads to a determination that the charges are true, corrective action will be taken immediately.

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THE STRUCTURE OF THE CDGA

As a voluntary, not-for-profit organization, the CDGA operates to provide services to golf. The

work of the Association is divided into three groups/areas: The Board of Governors/Directors, the

CDGA Staff, and the Committees.

DIRECTORS

CDGA Directors are expected to volunteer on a regular basis for CDGA activities, which includes

course ratings, working at various Association tournaments, distributing information to member

clubs and attending seminars and workshops. Also, Directors serve on various CDGA committees

as well as being invited to attend Board of Directors’ meetings. For the 2017, we have a total of 82

Directors serving on the Board.

For your benefit, to accurately define the role of a Director, we refer to Article VI, Section I, of the

CDGA By-Laws:

In addition to a Board of Governors, the CDGA shall have a Board of Directors,

which shall be responsible for the admission of new Member Clubs, the election of

Governors, amendments to this Constitution and Bylaws, and such other matters

which are delegated to the Board of Directors by this Constitution and Bylaws or by

the Board of Governors. Except as provided below, individuals serving as Directors

shall be members in good standing of different Member Clubs; however, a Director

may be a member of the same Member Club as one other Director. Any individual

serving as a Director shall assist in all CDGA activities as outlined by the Board of

Governors and/or Board of Directors, and shall serve a two-year term. A Director

may serve a total of five (5) terms (10 years), unless he or she becomes a Governor.

Directors shall serve without salary or other compensation.

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GOVERNORS Like the Directors, the Governors are expected to volunteer for CDGA activities. For 2017, we

have a total of 23 Governors, nine of whom are officers of the Association. Article V, Section 1 of

the by-laws describes the make-up of the Board of Governors:

There shall be a Board of Governors consisting of the President of the CDGA, 1st

Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and up to two additional Vice-Presidents at

Large, at the sole discretion of the Board of Governors. In the event that there are

four (4) Vice-Presidents serving, then at least one Vice-President shall be from

outside the metropolitan area of Chicago (which shall be defined to be outside the

counties of Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, Will, DuPage, and

Kankakee in Illinois, and Lake and Porter Counties in Indiana). The Board of

Governors shall also include the immediate Past President, the Secretary, the

Treasurer, the General Counsel, and a specified number of other individual

Governors as determined below, all of whom shall be Individual Members in good

standing of Member Clubs with no more than two (2) Governors being from the

same Member Club. The Board of Governors shall be selected by the Nominating

Committee of the CDGA and elected by a majority vote of the Directors present and

voting at the Annual Meeting of Directors. The individuals comprising the Board of

Governors shall serve without salary or other compensation, and for a two-year term

following his or her election at the Annual Meeting. A Governor may serve a total of

five (5) terms (10 years), provided, however, that if a Governor is elected an officer

of the CDGA, he or she may serve as a Governor for the longer of up to five (5)

terms (10 years) from the date of first being elected a Governor or until the end of

his or her term as an officer. The total number of persons on the Board of Governors

shall be no more than thirty (30) and no less than fifteen (15).

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OFFICE & STAFF - GENERAL OVERVIEW Some general information about our office and our staff:

Midwest Golf House 11855 Archer Avenue

Lemont, Illinois 60439 Phone (630) 257-2005 (General Number)

(866) 314-2342 (from outside of the metro Chicago area) Fax (630) 257-2088

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 1 through October 31 and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November 1 through February 28. Currently, the CDGA has 18 full-time staff members and utilizes part-time staff as well as interns. The staff, including name, titles, direct phone number, email address, and areas of responsibility, are listed below (please note that the last four digits of each employee’s direct phone number is also their extension number): Executive Director -- Robert Markionni (630-685-2303, [email protected]) -- oversees all aspects of the day to day operations of the CDGA, and the CDGA Foundation. Senior Managing Director, Communications -- Matt Baylor (630-685-2302, [email protected]) -- oversees all aspects of the CDGA and CDGA Foundation communications programs. Senior Managing Director, Member Services -- Jodi Ciotti (630-685-2323, [email protected]) -- oversees all aspects of the CDGA Membership and Tournament program. Senior Managing Director, CFO – Margie Lawlor (630-685-2320, [email protected]) -- is responsible for all financial aspects of the CDGA, including accounts receivable and accounts payable Senior Managing Director, Foundation -- Brittany Ottolini (630-685-2313, [email protected]) -- oversees the day to day aspects of the Foundation. Senior Managing Director, Field Services -- John Petrarca (630-685-2306, [email protected]) -- responsible for the course rating program as well as membership programs for clubs. Senior Director of Handicapping -- Lynn Boyd (630-685-2304, [email protected]) -- administers all aspects of the CDGA handicap program and assists with membership. Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships -- Andrew Louthain (630-685-2321, [email protected]) -- manages all aspects of the marketing program, which includes the CDGA corporate partners.

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Senior Director of Field Services -- Rick LeHew (309-446-9444, [email protected]) -- based in Peoria, services CDGA member clubs outside of metro Chicago (predominantly south of Interstate 80 and west of Interstate 39). Also, recruits new member clubs for the CDGA. Director of Turfgrass Programs – Jesse Benelli (630-685-2307, [email protected]) -- works with golf course superintendents in a diagnostic capacity and conducts research in turfgrass studies. Director of Information Technology -- Kevin Blumenthal (630-685-2350, [email protected]) -- oversees all aspects of the CDGA computer program for member clubs as well as Midwest Golf House. Director of Foundation Administration -- Alex Nolly (630-685-2351, [email protected]) – is responsible for working on the day to day administration of the Foundation. Director of Facility Management & Green Superintendent -- Christopher Painter (630-685-2311, [email protected]) -- responsible for the maintenance on the Three-Hole Sunshine Course at Midwest Golf House, as well as building maintenance and the grounds of the complex. Director of Association Administration -- Sheila Petrarca (630-685-2322, [email protected]) – oversees office administration as well as administration of the corporate partner program. Director of Communications -- Casey Richards (630-685-2324, [email protected]) -- works with the Senior Managing Director, Communications on all phases of the CDGA & CDGA Foundation communications program. Director of Rules & Competitions -- Nick Scillia (630-685-2312, [email protected]) -- involved with all aspects of the CDGA tournament program. Manager of Turfgrass Research -- Ron Townsend (630-685-2310, [email protected]) -- works with the Director of Turfgrass Programs in all phases of the CDGA turfgrass program. Assistant Facility Manager & Green Superintendent-- Nikki Munroe ([email protected]) -- responsible for assisting in the maintenance on the Three-Hole Sunshine Course at Midwest Golf House, as well as building maintenance and the grounds of the complex.

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PROGRAMS & SERVICES OF THE CDGA The CDGA provides many services to the game of golf. Our programs primarily benefit member clubs and individual members; however, we also provide some services to non-member clubs as well. Below is some background information about our membership: • Our District covers the northern two-thirds of Illinois, as well as northwest Indiana,

southwestern Michigan, and southern Wisconsin. As a District Association, state borders do not govern us, however, when a club outside of Illinois expresses interest in joining the Association, we always stress to them that they should also belong to their state association.

• Our membership consists of both public and private clubs which include men, women and

juniors. At the end of the 2016 season, our general membership numbers were as follows: > Total number of member clubs was 400 with 382 located in Illinois and 18 outside

of Illinois. > 232 are public clubs, 134 are private clubs, 17 are semi-private, and 17 are clubs

without real estate. > Our total individual membership was about 78,772 broken down as follows: Public 33,667 Private 43,003 IJGA 2,101 Handicap Administration Every member of the CDGA receives a Handicap Index® through his or her club. The CDGA is authorized by the USGA to issue a Handicap Index to our members. Our office staff works closely with every member club in the administration of this important program. Tournament Program Our association sponsors and conducts approximately 50 tournaments, including the CDGA Amateur Championship, Illinois State Amateur Championship, and the Illinois State Senior Amateur Championship. We also conduct qualifying rounds for various USGA events such as the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, & U.S. Amateur.

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Course & Slope Rating We are also authorized by the USGA to issue course and Slope ratings to golf courses. This program ties into the Handicap program as the course and Slope rating are taken into account when a golfer’s Handicap Index is being calculated. Our volunteers who participate in the course rating program receive extensive training. This is necessary because the USGA wants to insure that all golf associations across the country that are authorized to issue ratings are following their stringent guidelines. This allows for consistency throughout the United States. Educational Program Our Educational Program is recognized as one of the most extensive in the country. We conduct many seminars, with our annual events including: Club Leadership Conference -- held in early March for Officers/Directors and key staff from our

private member clubs. Issues pertaining to private club operation are discussed in various groups.

Public Golf Round Table -- conducted each fall as an open discussion format for owners,

managers, professionals and staff members from public facilities. Rules Seminars -- we conduct a series of Rules seminars for our general membership each

spring. These half-day sessions cover the Rules that the average CDGA member and golfer need to know.

Turfgrass The turfgrass staff office and research laboratory is located in the Midwest Golf House. The turfgrass staff is available for personal diagnostic visits with golf course superintendents. In addition, they are prepared to make emergency trips to a course that may be threatened with an immediate problem and there is no charge for this service to CDGA member clubs. Also, with the advent of the Midwest Golf House and the Three-Hole Sunshine Course, extensive turfgrass research is being conducted. Outside of the USGA, this is the only paid turfgrass program of its kind to date. CDGA Magazine - Chicago District Golfer Published six times per year, the magazine is designed to keep CDGA members informed about what is going on in the world of golf as it relates to our District. The magazine is mailed directly to our members. We will ask you to help us make sure we have a current mailing address for the golfers from your club. The magazine is one of the benefits of being a CDGA member and the cost of the subscription is included in the CDGA membership dues. We also produce a supplemental digital version four times per year.

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CDGA Membership Card Each member of the CDGA will receive a membership card via our app. This card will identify them as a member of the CDGA and also displays the handicap label. CDGA.org The CDGA’s website, CDGA.org, contains various materials including tournament applications and articles and information about the CDGA. Also, tournament starting times and results are posted on the website, and individual members can look up their handicap indexes. The website allows the CDGA to provide information to our members in a timely and current basis and in 2015 we had approximately 12 million page views. The “My CDGA Caddie” section of the website contains information for all CDGA Directors. Scorecard E-Revision newsletter On each revision day (1st and 15th of each month), an email is sent to members who have provided us with their email address. The email contains their updated handicap information as well as a newsletter that contains news and notes from our Association, Foundation, and Allied Associations. My CDGA Smartphone App Members who own an iPhone or Android smartphone can download the My CDGA app at no cost. They are able to post home or away scores as well as view scoring history, handicap, search member peer review and connect with CDGA member clubs by viewing the member club directory. The app also contains your CDGA membership card.

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CDGA FOUNDATION The CDGA Foundation is the charitable organization of the association. The mission statement of the Foundation is:

“Bringing Joy to People with Special Needs Through Golf”

Over the years’ the Foundation has provided philanthropic support to various not-for-profit organizations and veterans programs as well as funding for turfgrass research in cooperation with the University of Illinois. At the present time, the Foundation's efforts are primarily directed to three areas – golf for individuals with disabilities, youth golf, and golf programs for veterans.

All of the Foundation programs are entirely supported by contributions with the vast majority of the funding coming from our individual members. As a CDGA Director your involvement with the Foundation is extremely important, and there are several ways in which you can contribute:

Sunshine Club – you can work with your club, public or private, and have them participate as part of the Sunshine Club program. Through this program a private club will bill their entire membership $35 per year for our Foundation. A few public facilities also participate in the program by soliciting funds from their members/golfers. Currently, we have 37 clubs in this program and our goal is to increase that number each year.

Your Own Contribution – Each Director must contribute a minimum of $150 per year to our Foundation. During the campaign to build the Midwest Golf House Complex, every Blue Coat contributed to the project. Without that support the Midwest Golf House Complex would not have become a reality.

Foundation Golf Events – there are a variety of events where the proceeds benefit the Foundation and they include the annual CDGA Foundation Outing, the 100-Hole Golf Marathon, and the Fore Our Veteran’s Golf Outing. For more information on these you can visit the Foundation website – www.cdgafoundation.org – or contact a staff member.

Other Contributors – Another way in which you can support the Foundation activities is to encourage other individuals to participate. Whether it is volunteering at a camp, playing in the CDGA Foundation Outing or Golf Marathon, or a direct contribution, you are an ambassador for the CDGA Foundation.

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VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES One of the most important aspects of being a CDGA Volunteer is the time you donate for various CDGA activities. The most prominent areas are Committee Work, Tournaments & Course Ratings: Committee Work

The purpose of the committee structure is very important and touches all aspects of CDGA operations, including, but not limited to, recommending policy, financial operations, and recommending new programs and services.

Tournaments The tournament schedule consists of approximately 50 tournaments. For the

majority of our events, volunteers are needed in the areas of rules, starters, and scoring. Jodi Ciotti (Senior Managing Director, Member Services) is the staff person responsible for overseeing our tournament program.

Course Ratings On average, our course rating teams visit 40 to 60 sites each season. This program is

vitally important because the handicap system is based on accurate course and Slope ratings. On a yearly basis, we are authorized by the USGA to issue course and Slope ratings. Individuals who would like to serve as a course rater will receive training before becoming part of a rating team. Beginning in late spring and continuing throughout the summer, on a monthly basis, a schedule of the upcoming ratings is sent to all volunteers. John Petrarca (Senior Managing Director, Field Services) is responsible for handling the administration of the course & Slope rating programs in the Chicago Metro Area and Rick LeHew (Senior Director of Field Services) is responsible for the course ratings in central and northwest Illinois.

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CDGA POLICY ON COMMERCIALISM (November 15, 2004)

The Chicago District Golf Association follows the guidelines listed below on the subject of commercialism in conducting its affairs:

1. In an effort to provide member clubs with a comprehensive program of benefits, the CDGA will, from time to time, establish relationships with companies that provide services that are beneficial to golf course operations. For example, such relationships can be in the areas of telecommunications, utility supply, merchant processing and insurance programs. If the CDGA establishes these relationships, they will promote these services and companies to member clubs as a benefit of membership.

2. In publishing and disseminating Chicago District Golfer Magazine (the CDGA

Magazine), the CDGA will endeavor to publish articles related to the game of golf and promote amateur golf in Illinois and other areas within the Chicago District. The CDGA and its publisher will reserve the right therefore to refuse advertising which for any reason may be inconsistent with this goal. Advertisements promoting non-USGA sanctioned golf-related items will not be allowed.

3. The CDGA will not allow the use of its mailing list of individual members from CDGA

affiliated clubs to be used for any commercial purposes, and the mailing list will be restricted solely and only for use by the CDGA, its partners and the CDGA Foundation.

4. The CDGA has established a corporate partner program that shall be carried out in a

manner not inconsistent with this policy on commercialism. Accordingly, for purposes of seeking alternative sources of income to fund its programs, the CDGA shall select corporations to act as partners. The participating corporations shall not be companies engaged in the sale, manufacture or distribution of tobacco or firearms. The participating corporations shall not be allowed to use any logo of the CDGA* in any manner, including but not limited to advertising without the written consent of the CDGA.

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CDGA GENERAL POLICIES STATIONERY No CDGA volunteer is permitted to use stationery with the CDGA and/or the CDGA Foundation logo. If a volunteer needs to have correspondence sent on CDGA and/or Foundation stationery, they are to submit the information to the office and the staff will copy the material onto stationery for distribution. VOLUNTEER EXPENSES Each Director and Governor will be billed $250 at the beginning of the calendar year. This

will cover the following:

1. Expenses for all Board Meetings. For the Spring and Summer meeting, this would be for lunch, golf, and cocktails/appetizers. For the Fall and Winter meeting, this would be for cocktails/appetizers.

2. Annual Meeting – cocktails and appetizers.

3. Gold Membership – all CDGA volunteers will be enrolled in the Association’s Gold

Membership Program. In summary, with this policy, we do not bill Directors/Governors on a per meeting basis. The upfront charge will cover all costs as described above. In most cases, the CDGA does not reimburse volunteers for expenses incurred while at various functions. The volunteer must pay for their own expenses when attending association meetings (other than the items outlined above) and seminars, or working at tournaments and course ratings. If a volunteer attends a national meeting at the request of the CDGA, the volunteer will have their general expenses reimbursed by the Association. There are occasions throughout the year when lunch and/or dinner are provided to CDGA volunteers who are working at the event. Those functions are listed below: All CDGA Tournaments & USGA qualifying rounds (lunch)

All course ratings (lunch)

Club Leadership Conference (lunch)

Radix Cup (cocktails and heavy appetizers)

State Amateur (all lunches & dinners)

Mixed Championship (cocktails and heavy appetizers)

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CLOTHING The CDGA has a complete line of clothing and other golf related items that are available for purchase through our website. The clothing items have the CDGA logo and are to be worn at certain events (refer to page 19 on attire).

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CDGA VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT (May, 2008)

The Chicago District Golf Association has adopted the following Code of Conduct for Officers, Governors, Directors, Alumni Directors, Honorary Directors, and Past Presidents. All Officers, Governors, Directors, Alumni Directors, Honorary Directors, and Past

Presidents of the CDGA have the responsibility to conduct themselves in such a manner as to bring credit to the Association.

All Officers, Governors, Directors, Alumni Directors, Honorary Directors, and Past

Presidents will adhere to a code of conduct which is consistent with the Association's goals and mission.


Presidents shall conduct themselves in a responsible and appropriate fashion during board meetings and while attending any CDGA function, tournament, or meeting.


Presidents shall not partake of alcoholic beverages at any time in connection with CDGA activities (such as including but not limited to, officiating a golf tournament, conducting a course rating, playing golf prior to a meeting), unless in connection with meals or functions following adjournment of meetings; the consumption of alcoholic beverages during board meetings or prior thereto is not allowed.

All Officers, Governors, Directors, Alumni Directors, Honorary Directors, Trustees, and Past

Presidents shall refrain from using their affiliation with the CDGA in an inappropriate manner, including but not limited to using such affiliation for personal financial or commercial gain, or claiming to be speaking or writing officially on behalf of the CDGA without the prior written consent of the Association Board of Directors.

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ATTIRE Business Meetings, Seminars, Workshops:

Men: Dark shoes, gray slacks, white dress shirt, CDGA tie, navy blazer with CDGA blazer patch and nametag.

Women: Dark shoes, gray skirt or slacks, white blouse, navy blazer with CDGA

blazer patch and nametag. Championships/Tournaments/Qualifying Rounds:

Men: Dark shoes, khaki slacks, white CDGA golf shirt. The navy blazer can be worn to the golf course.

Women: Dark shoes, khaki slacks or skirt, white CDGA golf shirt. The navy blazer

can be worn to the golf course.

Course Ratings:

Men: Dark shoes, khaki slacks, white CDGA golf shirt. The navy blazer can be worn to the golf course.

Women: Dark shoes, khaki slacks or skirt, white CDGA golf shirt. The navy blazer

can be worn to the golf course. For tournaments and course ratings, if the weather is inclement, outer wear (sweater, vest,

rain suit, etc.) with the CDGA logo is to be worn. A cap with the CDGA logo is the preferred hat to be worn, but is not required.

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For Everyone Who Plays the Game - Chicago District Golf ... · A BRIEF OVERVIEW The Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) is the regional governing body for amateur golf in Illinois

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