December 2011 IFMA – Northern Alberta Chapter Newsletter

  

The President’s Message


The great football coach, Vince Lombardi once said, “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual”. As I have been associated with the Northern Alberta Chapter of IFMA for the past few years, I have been greatly impressed by the work, dedication and effort of each individual that has served on the board either in the past and also the present. What perhaps quantity has lacked, quality and dedication has provided in abundance. 

According to the International Facility Management Association Annual Report for 2010 – 2011, total membership was 19,959 and in September passed the 20,000 mark.  One factor that was cited for the increase in membership was a high retention rate of around 80%.  IFMA is placing renewed emphasis on both recruitment and retention. 

While an increase in membership and retention is a worthwhile goal and may be important and of benefit to IFMA, what really is IFMA’s ultimate goal and objective is to provide experienced, dedicated and well trained Facility Management professionals to manage public or private assets in a safe, viable and professional manner.  In the United States, President Barack Obama signed the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 (FBPTA).  It is mentioned that the bill’s premise is “if buildings are maintained properly by trained and certified facility professionals, buildings will perform better and at lower costs and ultimately be worth more at their time of disposition...”[i]

Our individual and collective goal as stated above, is to provide our profession and all those Facility Management professionals supporting our profession with the education, training and tools to be able to properly and professional maintain various assets and buildings.

Although our numbers may be few, with renewed emphasis and support, the Northern Alberta Chapter of the International Facility Management Association will be able to reach out and broaden our horizons and gain the professional exposure and respect of our industry.

During this Holiday and Christmas Season, may we as individuals and perhaps companies and organizations also reach out in some way to those who less fortunate than ourselves.  We see and go by them every day.  Aesop once said “No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted”.

May everyone have a joyous, happy and safe Holiday and Christmas season with family and friends.

Best Regards

Brian Lillie, FMP
NAC President

NEW MEMBERS            

 

Welcome to the following New Members in 2011

Susan Dober                  Facilities Lead/Office Manager            CH2M Hill

Ivor J. Macgregor           Director of Operations                        Sodexo

James E McDonough     Corporate Business Manager              Herman Miller Canada

Robert Scott                   Regional Director                                BEE-CLEAN Building Maintenance

Mark McCargar               Regional Operational Manager             Brookfield LePage Johnson Controls


To ensure the future of the Northern Alberta Chapter of IFMA, it is important to mentor your colleagues and new staff and demonstrate the value to your employer by encouraging membership with the local chapter of IFMA.

PROGRAMS

Register Now for the Christmas Dinner Event

Wednesday, December 14th with Mike Mack, on Social Media at the Royal Glenora Club, 5:30pm

January                       CFM Study Group starts
February                     Education Session, ‘Workplace Trends & Sustainability for Facility Managers presented by four industry leaders February 28, 2012 3:00pm to 5:00pm, at the Alberta Research Council

March                          EPCOR Tour - Tentative

April                             Edmonton Clinic North Tour- Tentative

May                             AUMA Building Tour Wind Turbines - Tentative

June                            AGM and Barbeque or Golf, location to be determined

 

CFM EXAM REVIEW CLASS OF 2012

What is the Review Class? This preparation course is to assist you in successfully completing IFMA’s Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Examination.

It is designed to provide those preparing to take the exam with increased confidence.  It is not an in-depth study of FM but an opportunity to self-evaluate your readiness to take the exam and to increase your comfort in the areas that you may not have as much experience.  The review discusses the format, sample questions and information related to the nine (9) competency areas tested in the exam. Each week a competency and exam question review will be lead by local chapter members that have completed their CFM certification and will share their experience and exam questions with candidates to strengthen your knowledge and increase your confidence in each of the competency areas?
Details attached to newsletter.
January 14 to February 25, 2012 Saturday mornings 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: ACM Architecture / Construction Managers   10803 – 105 Avenue, Edmonton. 

BUILDEX MARCH 20 & 21, 2012

Once again the Northern Alberta Chapter will be participating in the trade show at Buildex. BUILDEX is Edmonton’s premier tradeshow & conference for three distinct groups of industry professionals: Property & Real Estate Management and Architecture & Interior Design. Hosting over 150 exhibitors and drawing more than 2000 attendees each year, BUILDEX is the largest event of its kind in Edmonton and has become a must-attend industry event.

http://www.buildexedmonton.com/  Your participation as a volunteer is needed at the booth, please contact Vicki Hackl, ifma-nac@ifma-nac.org to confirm your interest and availability.

2011 – 2012 BOARD of DIRECTORS

 

Brian Lillie, FMP                                    President

Paul Simons, CFM                               Past President

Bill Cormack, CFM                               Vice President

Marilyn Graham                                   Treasurer

David Wray                                           Secretary

Wayne Heartwell                                Membership

Glenn Matich                                       Director
Mike Pieters, CFM                              Director
 

Vicki Hackl                                          Administrator

 

RESOURCES www.ifma-nac.org local chapter web site

 

Encourage your employer to post your job advertisements on the web site under Classifieds.

There is a $150.00 fee [members and non members], no GST, to post one job ad. Email a pdf file with your company contact information to ifma-nac@ifma-nac.org

 

If you have ideas for events, education sessions and newsletter articles please contact Vicki Hackl at ifma-nac@ifma-nac.org

  

RESOURCES www.ifma.org IFMA headquarters web site

 

Facility Management Staffing Report, Research Report #33 This insightful report allows facility and H.R. professionals to determine if they are applying sufficient resources to the FM function. Order a copy from the IFMA Bookstore today.

Job Seekers: Resume postings are FREE. Set up your own private My Career account for free job alerts, to store cover letters, resumes and more.

IFMA’s Online Education - Featuring multimedia self-study course modules developed from the nine facility management competencies and performance skills, IFMA’s Online Education allows you to earn CEUs and successfully complete the Facility Management Professional credential. View available online courses and prices.

 

IFMA is the Houston, Texas-based professional association for facility management with approximately 19,000 members in 124 chapters and 78 countries.  The organization offers networking opportunities through its regional chapters and councils structure, provides certification and educational programs, conducts research, spots trends and assists facility managers in developing skills and strategies to manage the human, structural and real estate assets of an organization.  For more information, visit the Association’s Web site at www.ifma.org