President’s Report Fall, 2015

B. Haberer

The year of 2015 brought some major changes to IWGA. Even though we are 82 years old (founded in 1933), the Board of Directors supported the changes that brought us up to the new technology ways of our society. Starting with our web site change – my thanks to the gals who put many, many hours in making the change and coming up with a very user friendly and well formatted web site. It is a web site that we all should be proud to showcase the IWGA.

The option to now register and pay on line for our tournaments has helped to broaden our base of players. Players from all over the state can read about our tournaments and enter. Using the web site to communicate tournament confirmations, changes, pay entry fees, and or field information insures that everyone involved is well informed. The web site is a big step in helping to publicize the IWGA tournaments, our charitable giving, and what we do.

Our web site not only serves the public well but has also strengthened our Board of Directors. With the board access page, we can now post information for all board members to read. Our past minutes, our guidelines for tournaments, our directory, our board reports, our historical information – it is all now housed in one place! With the IWGA not having a set office space, the web site board access page greatly helps to keep our information centralized and preserved. Any board member can refer to a certain llink on our web page and read the How-to’s for tournaments, offices, and other duties as a board member.

We need to continue to seek ways to help our Victory Fund. Mary B. and Ruth F. have worked hard to help publicize and acknowledge those gifts to our Victory Fund. Using the term, Victory Fund, rather than Victory Tournament is one way that has helped improve the understanding of the fund. With our mission to provide opportunities for golf for women in Illinois, our charitable donations to women’s golf team is certainly in line. Through the ten university women’s golf teams (made up of 10-12 women) we are providing approximately 100 women golf opportunities that may not be available without our donation to their team.

Even with these technical changes behind the scenes, the IWGA has had another outstanding year in running our three tournaments. With the professionalism and work ethic displayed by our board members, all three tournaments were a success. Even though we would like to say we are in full control – the rain at the State Amateur threw us a snag – but the IWGA handled it! It was amazing to look back and see how our board members reacted and stepped forward to insure that we made the best and fairest decisions.

There are so many things that board members on their own time have done this year to help IWGA improve. As I thought about the busy year, the commitment shown by our board members, the willingness to step in and help, the smiles even in the rain, the smiles after a long day at the course, these are the things that make IWGA a strong organization!

According to Howard Berman in his book, Making a Difference, he lists the seven qualities of a good board member. They are:

  • Integrity: Demonstrating a zero tolerance for unethical behavior, both for themselves and their colleagues.
  • Independence: Having no unique business, financial or personal relationships — or hoped-for-relationships — that create even the perception of a conflict of interest.
  • Mature Confidence: Speaking out and actively participating in board and committee deliberations.
  • Corporate Manners: Recognizing the difference between productively participating in discussions andcounter-productivelydominating deliberations through the volume or length of comments. Must be able to work with other members to create workable compromises.
  • A Sense of Context: Making relevant, informed comments focused on the specific aspect of the issue being considered. Must be able to stay on topic.
  • Courage: Willingness to do the right thing/make the right decision even if it is difficult or unpopular (i.e., no fence sitting).
  • Commitment: Understanding that being an effective board member requires the time, the heart, and the standards to make the enterprise successful.

As I read this list, I most thought about the individuals who make up our IWGA Board of Directors. My compliments and sincere thanks to each of you for your help and willingness this year. IWGA is a better organization because of you!

Barb