The Sports Turf Managers Group (STMG) is a sub-group of members of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association involved in sports turf management. Our members include municipal and school district employees, landscape architects, educators, turfgrass researchers and other professionals within the industry.

The group was initiated in 2000 at the annual WCTA Conference in Victoria and currently has over 60 members with representation from all four Western Provinces. The STMG membership list is set up electronically with names, phone numbers and email addresses and there is no fee. Members are encouraged to use this invaluable network to communicate and share information with others in our industry.

The STMG continues to evolve and the future looks very bright. The focus now is setting up regional chapters" of the Group where people in similar geographic areas can meet and share information. In the spring of 2003 the "BC Interior Chapter" held its very successful inaugural meeting.

The STMG plans two events (field trips and/or educational seminars) per year, and two general meetings. The meetings are held at the annual WCTA conference and the summer field day. As regional chapters form, members within those chapters will be encouraged to meet more frequently. For more information on becoming part of this valuable network, please contact me at: wcta@dowco.com

Jim Plasteras
Chairman, Sports Turf Managers Group (WCTA)

GOALS AND STRATEGIES 2003-2004

STMG GOAL:

"To improve communication and information exchange among sportsturf managers."

STRATEGIES:

1. Continue working at establishing regional chapters of the Group, which will enable sportsturf managers in specific geographic areas to meet and discuss common issues.
2. Maintain contacts and relationships with similar associations i.e. the Sports Turf Association in Guelph and the Sports Turf Managers Association (USA).
3. Discuss issues and look for solutions to the challenges faced by sports turf managers.
4. Promote and encourage members to utilize the existing STMG "E-group" format to gather and exchange information.
5. Actively recruit new members to the STMG.
6. Continue to plan two official field trip/sessions per year. These events would be over and above the annual conference and summer field-day STMG meetings.
7. With participation from the STMG membership, update and submit new information for the "Sportsfield Managers" page on the WCTA website.