The Programs Committee held a breakfast meeting in September. This was a first for a program meeting and was well attended by both Professionals and Associates. The total number of attendees was not as great as is normal for lunch meetings, but a review of the attendees indicates that the majority of the attendees do not typically attend the lunch programs. This change in time does appear to allow more of our membership to participate and we will do this again in 2013.
An “IFMA Credentialing Minute” will be presented at monthly Program meetings to inform members about the benefits of IFMA credentials.
The Education Committee has been busy lining up the education sessions for Atlanta Workplace along with a few other activities.
Anthony Maddox, Ken Bryson, and Ken Stephenson represented IFMA Atlanta with information at the Georgia Association of State Facility Administrators at their annual conference. Anthony Maddox presented on the topic of Maintenance and Operations. Ken Stephenson presented an overview of IFMA International with focus on Credentialing and on IFMA Atlanta with focus on Professional Development Opportunities Ken Bryson networked and shared information about IFMA with interested persons.
Joe Carroll and the Career Management Committee have been working to assist job seekers, review resumes, hold meetings and following up with participants. Positions available have been forwarded to Joe for distribution to IFMA Members seeking employment. The Mentoring Program currently has 5 mentees connected with 5 mentors with additional mentors ready to begin. This program is expected to expand with more connection with GIT and SPSU.
The CFM Certification Committee continues to provide CFM Study Support Material to CFM Candidates and others. In 2013, IFMA International is adding 2 competencies -Sustainability and Disaster Preparedness which will make the CFM Certification more challenging and more valuable. IFMA International has started a virtual study group for CFM Credential only.
The Sustainability Committee continues to work to provide classroom training for the SFP Credential. Sharon Jaye will be assisting Kathy Roper as the Instructors. Sharon Jaye is a Member of the International IFMA Sustainability Committee and will coordinate the advocacy of the SFP designation.
The Sustainability Committee is leading IFMA Atlanta’s work with the Atlanta Better Buildings Challenge. “How-To Guides” concerning sustainable facility management are on the IFMA Foundation WEB Site under Research.
Tours are ready to go. On 09-26-2012 at 3:30 PM, we will tour the Martin Luther King Federal Building (Historic Preservation Project). Additional tours are now being planned for 2013, so check the calendar for more information.
Our work with SPSU continues. Sharon Jaye has been appointed to the SPSU Construction Industry Advisory Board. SPSU is working to set up a Student Chapter of IFMA with Support from IFMA Atlanta. Joe Carroll and Anthony Maddox will be attending an Education Career Day at SPSU on October 10, 2012. IFMA Atlanta is looking forward to working with the emerging Student Chapter of IFMA on the SPSU campus.
IFMA Atlanta is working closely with Georgia Tech through the Liaison group. Students attended the September Program meeting and IFMA Members provided a FM/PM/ SP (Service Provider) panel discussion for BC6100 class on 9/11/2012.
You can see that there are a lot of opportunities to participate in Professional Development through IFMA Atlanta. I encourage you to take advantage of as many of these as possible and to become involved in the areas of your choosing.
