To all my fellow Chapter members:
As my presidential term comes to a close, I look back in awe at what the chapter has accomplished. I have been fortunate to preside over a year when a number of chapter activities came to fruition that had been ongoing, in some cases for years, beforehand. I cannot take credit for those achievements, which are solely the fruit of hard work and planning by the Board and the members at large who spent countless volunteer hours making them happen.
First and foremost, I would cite the chapter’s distinction in becoming the first in IFMA to qualify as a provider of IACET continuing education credits. This was the culmination of literally years of work by a small but passionate group of Board members whose efforts have positioned us as a powerful nucleus for professional growth and education in the IFMA community, an example that has already begun to have an influence well beyond our city. This enhances the value proposition of our monthly and other educational events, recognizing the effort that members are making to attend them out of their busy workday schedules.
In no particular order, I also want to mention some other things:
The Chapter has continued to strengthen its ties to the educational community, establishing the new position of Academic Degree Program Liaison to build on the mutually beneficial relationship we have nurtured with both Georgia Tech and Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU). We expect these relationships to continue growing and exercise a significant effect on the emergence of young FM professionals in the region. Hand in hand with that effect, the Chapter continues to grow as a source of mentoring guidance and job opportunity for not only the young FMs but also those seasoned professionals who seek fresh perspectives in their careers.
This past year Atlanta also won IFMA’s Large Chapter of the Year Award for the fourth time, setting us firmly in place as a role model for the rest of the Association and again highlighting the collective strength of our dedicated volunteer members. Many factors went into this success, some of which I have already mentioned above; among others I would highlight the continuing growth of our chapter’s presence in the world of Internet communications, expanding our social networks and seamlessly integrating the newsletter and web site platforms to keep the membership up to date on what’s happening as well as creating a fascinating archive that is available to everyone in the chapter.
Recognition of the many services and products that our associate members, especially our Sustaining Patrons, provide to the FM industry is part and parcel of continuing to enhance our communications as well as provide other activities to showcase their value. As part of this effort the chapter this year completely revamped its face to the world, integrating with the national IFMA brand with a new logo and a fresh, updated look and feel to the web site, newsletter, and other media tools.
The chapter continues to provide leadership in the cause of sustainable facility management, taking an active role in the Atlanta Better Business Challenge, updating our website’s sustainability content to offer useful and timely guides to sources and best practices for the community at large as well as the chapter’s membership.
Another strong tie to the Atlanta region is the work of our Community Services Committee, which this year cemented a strong relationship with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits through a Certificate Program in which chapter members will provide educational content, giving nonprofit organizations immediately applicable guidance in planning and managing their facility operations.
I’m sure I haven’t said enough about the chapter’s accomplishments over this past term; If I’ve missed something, please know that it isn’t because I haven’t recognized and supported the efforts that resulted in its successful outcome. It’s been an immeasurable privilege and source of personal pride to serve as your president this year; if there’s anything I regret, it’s that I haven’t been able to attend and be there as the cheerleader-in-chief at every one of our many outstanding events. I’m awed by the strength and enthusiasm of the leadership team that’s taking over for me this summer and look forward to supporting them as a Past President in any way I can.
Best regards,
Ken Bryson
