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"Norm, Great job, great day! Your Board Leadership presentation was very well done and my Board is still talking about several points. Also really enjoyed the golf—you played very well. I`m glad we weren`t betting. Stay in touch. Thanks again."
John H. Wright
General Manager/COO
Norwood Hills Country Club
"Norm, Nice to see you again. I think we hit the target on Thursday. Your message was well sent and well received. The long conversations after your presentation were very encouraging. It was really neat to just sit back and listen as they all participated in a great conversation about the direction of the club and strategically planning the future.
I would highly recommend your "Club Governance and Board Orientation" session to all clubs. I think it is the type of information that helps re-align the thinking in an ever changing industry.
If you would like to use me or Bent Creek as a reference for this session please do so."
Thank you and warm regards,
Charlie Haskell, CEC
General Manager
Bent Creek Country Club
"Norm Spitzig has recently taken his show on the road again... this time all the way to Asia! And he is continuing to play to rave reviews!
"I attended his first Asian presentation at the 2008 Asia Club Managers Conference held at ONE15 Marina Club in Singapore. His topic: "Best Private Club Governance Practices", is now an international best seller. The new material travelled very well - and Norm found a receptive audience of managers from many nations and cultures throughout the region. Delegates who dealt with volunteer boards and committees found that they weren't alone in the governance issues they faced and Norm's "Best Practices" gave them practical tools that they could use to increase the effectiveness of their volunteers and their own effectiveness as General Managers.
"But it was more than the "Best Practices" that won the audience over. Norm's years of experience gave him many anecdotes from his career as a private club manager and as a club consultant and these stories illustrated, clarified and magnified the "Best Practice" lessons.
"Indeed, Norm was so well-received that he went on to speak at the 2009 Asia Club Managers Conference in Hong Kong, again to rave reviews. (FYI, Norm also spoke at the 2007 and 2009 Golf Management Australia Conferences and is also scheduled to return to the 2010 Asian Club Managers Conference (once again in Singapore) and also to the 2010 Golf Management Asia gathering in Bangkok. In addition, Norm has recently returned to Hong Kong to facilitate a Board Strategic Planning Retreat for one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious clubs in the city.)
"Private club issues are truly global. And Norm is a global speaker/consultant/facilitator who travels well and communicates effectively with diverse audiences. Wherever you are, you will benefit from Norm's experience and engaging, understated delivery. I hope your professional association and/or individual private club will give Norm a call soon as either a speaker or a strategic planning facilitator - whether you are in the United States or around the world!"
David Brightling, GM / COO
ONE 15 Marina
Singapore
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"I recent had the pleasure to listen to a lecture by Mr. Norm Spitzig at BMI III at Michigan State University. Mr. Spitzig struck me as unique because after many years in the club business he still really has 'club in his heart.' By that I mean he genuinely appreciates members and genuinely appreciates what clubs are to members."
Karen Peterson
Clubhouse Manager
Inglewood Country Club
Kenmore, Washington
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"Norm, I thought your Board Leadership training was superb and believe we certainly identified some critical issues that need to be addressed."
With much appreciation,
Neil Thompson, Board Member
Heritage Pines
Hudson, Florida
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"Norm, Thank you for coordinating such a fantastic session at the CMAA National Conference. Your presentation was intriguing and inspiring - and the exchange of ideas was priceless."
Best regards,
J. Brent Tartamella, CCM
The Westmoor Club
Nantucket, MA
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"Dear Norm, What a wonderful seminar you presented at Orlando World Conference! You and the panel provided some great advice with regard to staying ahead of the curve in an increasingly challenging profession."
Sincerely,
Blaine A. Burgess, CCM
Chief Operating Officer
Cypress Lake Country Club
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Note: To Ed Henderson from the Country Club of Spartanburg (SC) telling him of their successful capital campaign vote. Ed worked with the club for many months in helping them craft their campaign after a similar plan was defeated over a year ago.
"Ed, Last night was the night. 250 voted for and 45 voted against. After 15 years of being on this board I think I could write a book on what not to expect. I do not think everyone realizes how important a role you played but I do. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with us. Take care and we probably will see each other again."
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Thanks,
Stan
Country Club of Spartanburg
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“Dear Norm, Thanks are due to both you and Ed for a terrific seminar at the Governor's Club. You two were at your best! From the comments I've heard I know it was very successful.”
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Jill Philmon, General Manager
Columbia Country Club
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“Ed, I certainly enjoyed the "tag team" approach you and Norm use. You make Chapter professional development meetings have purpose - and fun, too. I look forward to “learning” from you again in the future.”
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Best Regards,
Bradley Barden, CCM
General Manager / Chief Operating Officer
Lynchburg, Virginia
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"Dear Norm, Thank you very much for speaking at our recent Oklahoma-Kansas Chapter Annual Meeting. Your presentation was both informative and entertaining. I heard rave reviews from many of the Club Managers in attendance, and I personally enjoyed and benefited from your shared experiences and wisdom!
My wife, Samantha, and I both enjoyed getting to know you at the dinner on Sunday evening, and I look forward to visiting with you again soon, either at Conference or on your next visit to Oklahoma.
Please do not hesitate to utilize me as a speaking reference, should you ever have the need. Our Chapter would love to host you again in the future, particularly at an event at which our respective Club Directors can gain insight from your knowledge of our industry."
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Kindest regards,
Jason Fiscus, CCM
General Manager / COO
Tulsa Country Club
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“Dear Norm, I attended the Metropolitan Golf Association meeting at the Montclair Country Club where you did a great power point presentation. I would love to show that presentation at my Board of Directors meeting tomorrow night. Is it possible that you can e-mail me that presentation?
You were the best speaker I have heard on any subject matter! Terrific - I loved your delivery.”
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Thank you
Edward Kwitko, Vice President
Cold Spring Country Club
Huntington, New York
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"Dear Norm, On behalf of the Metropolitan Golf Association, I want to thank you for being a featured speaker at our Presidents Council Fall Conference at the Montclair Golf Club.
The Presidents Council is the largest of our educational programs. Every year we try to put together a lively and informative program. Your overview on Board leadership ande the hallmarks of great private clubs was valuble and right on target. All of the feedback from those in attendance was extremely positive.
The Metropolitan golf Association values your efforts in helping make this year's President Council so successful and I look forward to working with you in the future.”
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With best personal regards,
Tom Dunnam
Director of Member Services
Metropolitan Golf Association
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"Dear Norm, I personally want to thank you for the great job you did for us on the recent Boca West Board of Directors Retreat. Everyone who attended thanked me for making this event happen. You have already been quoted several times by the Board Members in attendance - and also by me. You were the perfect person to do this and to "get through" to our Board Members with regard to their roles and responsibilities. Again, my sincere thanks."
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Dorothy Bucksbaum
Chairman of the Board
Boca West
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"Norm, Thanks for the great job at the first annual New Jersey Chapter Board Member / General Manager outing. Hope you enjoyed your day here at Manasquan River!"
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Mike Zusack, CCM
General Manager/COO
Manasquan River Golf Club
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"Norm, It was a pleasure to meet you and have you facilitate our strategic planning session. We had not previously met you, but based on Terra's Waldron's very strong reference we were hopeful that you would drive us forward to some meaningful direction and decisions. You accomplished that!"
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Phil Sutphin
Board Member
Dataw Island
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"Norm, I really enjoyed your talk on "The Partnership between the Club Board of Directors and its General Manager". Tom Tarasoff, Mesa Country Club President, and Mark Selleh, Mesa Country Club Treasurer, also made very positive comments on your educational seminar. The Club would like to publish the "12 Hallmarks of Great Private Clubs" in our Traditions newsletter."
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Bruce Brown, General Manager
Mesa Country Club
Mesa, Arizona
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"Hyannis Yacht Club Board very much enjoyed and appreciated your insightful and informative talk. Thank you very much!"
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Wes Richardson, General Manager
Hyannis Yacht Club
Hyannis, Massachusetts
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"Dear Ed, It was a pleasure listening to your discussion on leadership based on your past experience and research. It is always interesting hearing and learning from other managers' views on the qualities that make a great leader, knowing too that there is no one correct answer. It is indeed apparent that to be a great leader, one must possess a combination of most, if not all of the qualities that you mentioned - and based on an individual's personality, he/she may be weaker in various areas, but makes up for any weakness by being exceptionally strong in another area. Again, on behalf of the Philadelphia chapter, I thank you for your insight and I would welcome any opportunity in the future to discuss the topic of leadership with you."
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Kent Silhanek, Treasurer
Philadelphia and Vicinity Chapter CMAA
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"Ed, Thank you for a wonderful day of educational sessions. All three topics were very timely and the response from our group was excellent. We will certainly give you a VERY POSITIVE reference should the need arise. Thank you again for making the marathon trip and making me as the education chair look good."
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Rainer Gehres, Education Chairman
CMAA Inland Empire Chapter
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"Mr. Henderson, I had the opportunity to attend your education session at Brookside Country Club this past Tuesday. It was a great way for me to indoctrinate our new House Committee Chairman into what Club Management is all about. The most reassuring aspect of your lesson was to know you and I share common ground on what our roles are as club managers. Even though my A choice was Cultural Fit every other option, right down to Social Grace ties directly into each other. In everyway those eight choices combined determine how successful or not a manager will be."
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Philadelphia Area Club Manager
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"Norm, Great job in Orlando this past week! Not only did my Club President enjoy the brief time we had with you at lunch, but your session enabled him to come away with a tremendous impression of CMAA and what General Managers do for clubs. He wants to be sure that we send our new President to this every year! I, too, took away a lot of great ideas and the knowledge gained will continue to help me run my club even better. So, thank you!"
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Peter J. Serena, General Manager
Eagle Creek Golf and Country Club
Naples, Florida
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"Mr. Henderson. Thank you for providing great education for the Inland Empire - CMAA managers. You're great!"
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Scott Nelson
Spokane Club
Spokane, Washington
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"Norm, Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights this past Tuesday evening at the Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter Meeting. Your talk was outstanding! Your presentation style is very comfortable from which to absorb and learn. All the best!"
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Rollie J. Carlson, General Manager
Hudson Golf Club
Hudson, Wisconsin
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"Norm, Thanks for your presentation to the Illinois Chapter. Your insights and comments were most thought-provoking and everyone greatly benefited from the information you presented. Club Directors take their role as club leaders very seriously and you offer them a great venue for them to learn about current industry 'best practices' in a non-threatening, professional manner."
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Chris Collins
General Manager
Champaign Country Club
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"The strategic points of your talk (to the annual Southern California Chapter Board Member/General Manager gathering) were absolutely invaluable. It's always nice to have someone repeat what you are saying on a daily basis to your Board of Directors; they suddenly appreciate the fact more that we may actually know what we are doing!"
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Fondest Regards,
Matthew Allnatt, General Manager
Wilshire Country Club, Los Angeles, California
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"Thank you very much for your patient and wise facilitation and leadership of our Club's Long Range/Strategic Planning Committee meeting. The initial feedback has been very positive."
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Bill Shonk, CCM
Chief Operating Officer & General Manager
Princess Anne Country Club
Virginia Beach, Virginia
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"On behalf of the Greater Southwest Chapter, I want to thank you for your informative and enjoyable presentation. The feedback from our members was very positive - we'll have you both back in the near future!"
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Jo Sours, Managing Director
The Greater Southwest Chapter CMAA
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"Great job, Norm, on your talk to the Greater Cleveland Chapter. I really enjoy your insight into the private club business and the way you are able to deliver the message. Much continues success."
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Richard LaRocca, CCM
The Kirtland CC, Willoughby, Ohio
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"Your presentation was great and promoted thoughtful interaction among all who attended!"
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Nancy Kaska
Executive Secretary
Greater Cleveland CMAA Chapter
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"What an increadible education session! The Club Managers Association of Southern California prides itself on giving its members the finest education available and your efforts and outstanding presentation skills have perpetrated this standard. I have received positive feedback and outright praises from not only the managers in attendance but the directors, too. It is obvious that the time the directors invested was worthwhile. You received a cumulative evaluation score of 9.25 on overall satisfaction (10 being the highest). Congratulations on scoring one of the highest ratings ever."
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Ron Banaszak, CCM
Club Managers Association of Southern California
Anaheim, California
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"It was a pleasure to have you share your insight and expertise with the RoadRunner Chapter members at Rancho La Quinta. Your topic is most pertinent to those who expect to have reasonable success in today's club enfireonment where leadership is now the expected norm, no pun intended."
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Neal A. Sheets, CCM
Eldorado, Indian Wells, California
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"The Board of Directors Orientation presenation was a great success. Each and every one of the Directors complimented the many positive aspects of the program. They were very pleased with the material that you made available and also with the question and answer session.Although the Board of Directors conducts a retreat every year this was the first time they had a guest speaker. As a result of your seminar, the Board has reaffirmed their confidence as a group and their ability to govern the future policy of the Club."
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Kurt Pitcher, CCM
General Manager/COO
Lochmoor Club, Grosse Point Woods, Michigan
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"Thank you for an outstanding education program. Your presenation and candor impressed my entire Board. The Board thoroughly enjoyed the question and answer session and I have received many compliments on the quality of the program and the material you distributed. Your 'Board of Directors Orientation' seminar provides invaluable insight int he defining roles and responisbilies. I am convinced our entire operation will benefit from your seminar well into the future. Thank you for such an outstanding and beneficial program."
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Alex M. Raimondi, CCM
General Manager/COO
Wilderness Country Club, Florida
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From the Trenches Session
Presented by Ed Henderson and Norm Spitzig
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