Overcoming Generational Differences in the Workplace: January 17th, 2008

Our inaugural program for 2008 took an entertaining and practical look at five generations in the workplace: the Veteran or G.I. Generation, the Silent Generation, the Baby Boom Generation, Generation X and Generation Y -- all of whom were represented at our program! And all of whom were quite outspoken!

After the lively and light-hearted presentation by our speaker, Kassia Dellabough, an independent consultant operating the Institute for Creative Learning (LERN.org), attendees had much more insight into the perceived quirks of those co-workers from different generations who are "not like us."

Bottom line? We CAN work together -- our complementary strengths and perspectives bringing creativity, experience, and improved levels of teamwork when we bring open minds and open hearts to the table.

Thank you, Kassia, for a valuable and informative presentation!

Chapter Board Plans IFMA San Francisco’s Future

In mid-October, eight members of the IFMA SF Board and Committee Chairs gave up their Sunday to help plan the future of the San Francisco Chapter. In attendance was John Kennedy, President; Oscar Gomez, Vice President; Karen Cochran, Secretary; John Dilges, Education + Programs Co-chair; Kathryn Abbassi, Membership Chair; Emily Gibson, Chapter Administrator; and Kathleen Smith, Web Communications Chair. Nancy Kelley, Past President, facilitated the four hour planning session. Dawn Knoll, Secretary, was unable to attend, as she was fulfilling her second role for the chapter; as IFMA Foundation Liaison, Dawn was traveling to New Orleans for the planning of foundation activities at World Workplace.

The event was hosted by Karen Cochran at PG & E's Market Street offices. The group created a chapter mission statement, set goals in various areas of chapter activity and developed strategies to meet those goals. The timeframe was to plan the chapter’s future for the next three to five years.

Mission Statement

The San Francisco IFMA Chapter supports and promotes the professional development of the facility manager through a variety of educational activities and networking opportunities.

Goals

The group came up with goals for membership, programs and education, hospitality, finances, resources, communication, sponsorship and community service.

In review of the goals, there was found to be significant overlap between committees and areas of concern. The end result was the following set of summary goals:

SUMMARY

• Increase participation by the membership
• Increase communication within the chapter and beyond
• Increase and leverage our resources
• Increase our variety:
• __Of participants
• __Of program and event content
• __Of locations of events
• __Of revenue sources
• __Of times of events (breakfast forums, luncheons and after work )
• Increase collaboration with other chapters and organizations
• Increase visibility to the public, members and sponsors
• Increase professional credentials through the CFM review
• Increase Community service
• Introduce Metrics as a method of measuring our success

The balance of the planning session was focused on developing strategies and methods to help us reach our goals.

To better collaborate, we will be reaching out to the other three Bay area chapters, industry organizations including IIDA, BOMA, USGBC, Coronet, the AIA and PBD. We will partner with UC Berkeley and their FM programs to get students involved, potentially planning a mentoring program and career day to bridge the generational gap as well. And we will look to be involved in community service activities through outreach and volunteerism. We encourage our membership to let us know who they want us to support.

Our collaboration activities will allow us opportunities for visibility by putting us in touch with the Bay area public as well as other industry organizations. We’ll continue to update our award winning website, and will supplement e-mailings with seasonal postcards announcing upcoming events. Outreach to the local media and National IFMA through press/news releases will be some of the methods of getting our chapter and its programs recognized.

In order to support our incredibly diverse members, we’re asking them to tell us what mix of program times and subjects they prefer; our tours will continue to be a huge draw and a mix of round table discussions, panels and speakers will be scheduled. We’ll try out new forums for annual events; a white elephant sale, career fair and more. Events planned for outside the core geographic area will include car pooling or bus transportation as necessary.

Participation is a key to our success. Those of us who volunteer find the rewards enriching; many who join the Board and committees stay on for five or more years and develop close ties with their peers. We will continue to encourage our members and inductees to volunteer, as each participant brings a different viewpoint, set of resources and interests to our group. Our chapter is a jewel; we have a most diverse membership and such wonderful resources to draw from; great places to go and people to meet. We are committed to furthering the success of the chapter and hope you will join in - your chapter is what you make it!

Nancy Kelley
Past President