Good Afternoon!

This email is being sent to the chapter leadership of the Kentuckiana & Bluegrass GCSA.

Our prayers are with everyone in Kentucky and the surrounding area, as they deal with the aftermath of the severe storms that hit the area earlier this week.  We are especially concerned about the safety and well-being of GCSAA members and their families and we hope and pray that everyone is safe.

Knowing the devastation that can be caused by severe storms, we are asking you to assist us in making known the availability of GCSAA’s Emergency Relief Fund to our 'shared' members.

The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance to GCSAA members who suffer personal loss or medical hardship.

* Any GCSAA member is eligible for this assistance.

* The amount of the assistance provided shall differ by situation up to a maximum of $2,500 per claim.

* All applicants for assistance will be required to provide written explanation of how the funds will be spent and all claims must be accompanied by documentation, including in the case of personal loss, a copy of appropriate estimates and/or invoices, if requested.

* GCSAA reserves the right to verify the information received from an applicant.

* Legitimate claims will be processed on a first-come, first serve basis.

* All claims shall be processed by the Senior Manager of Governance/Member Services.

Initially, GCSAA will provide $1,000 financial assistance (intended to assist with clothing, food and shelter) to members who contact us (via phone or email) and whose daily lives are altered by the affects of the floods and who meet ANY of the following criteria:

* Have had to relocate (whether they are staying with family, friends or in a motel) from their homes.

* Remain in their homes, but lose basic necessities such as electricity, water, etc. which lead to unexpected financial burden.

* Are employed at a golf course that sustains substantial damage and may not be a source of employment going forward.

Note: These members will not be required to provide us with any documentation or invoices other than a verbal or email request for assistance and verification on our end that they are within the affected area. Our goal is to provide financial assistance as quickly as possible.

Once our members have had an opportunity to truly assess their long-term situation, in terms of personal loss and employment status, we will make available the additional $1,500 following more closely the aforementioned criteria.

Please know that GCSAA is here to help our members anyway we can.

If you have questions about the fund or the application process, please contact GCSAA Senior Manager of Governance/Member Standards Scott Woodhead, at 800/472-7878, ext. 4418 swoodhead@gcsaa.org.

We hope that everyone remains safe!!

R. Scott Woodhead, CGCS-Retired 
Senior Manager of Governance/Member Standards
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, KS  66049
1-800-472-7878 ext 4418 (toll-free)
785-832-4418 (direct)
785-832-4433 (fax)
swoodhead@gcsaa.org