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

IFMA San Francisco Chapter Wins the Web Communication Award!

Our talented Webmaster, Kathleen Smith doesn't toot her own horn much, so we're going to toot it for her!

Congratulations to Kathleen and the SF Chapter on our 2007 IFMA Award of Excellence in Web Communication! The award was presented at this year's World Workplace in New Orleans at a lovely banquet in the La Louisiane Ballroom of the Ernest Morial Convention Center on Friday evening, October 26th. Chapter members and friends in attendance showed our great appreciation for Kathleen's hard work and dedication with an uproarious round of applause and noisemaking. A great time was had by all!

Many thanks to Kathleen for her fantastic work on our SF Chapter website.

-Emily Gibson, Chapter Administrator, on behalf of the San Francisco Chapter of IFMA!

Beta Test of CFM Exam Review - September 14th & 15th, 2007

The exam review sponsored by IFMA San Francisco and held at Genentech was a complete success according to its three leaders:

Jon Martens, CFM, CFMJ - Redwood Empire Chapter,
Chris Hodges, CFM, IFMA Fellow – Capitol Chapter (Wash. D.C.) and
Kit Tuveson, CFM, IFMA Fellow – Sacramento Chapter.

This was an opportunity for the committee to test the new exam review and some of the new exam questions that they have worked so very hard on along with seven other members of the Team.

The Team started with a learning matrix that outlined what a CFM should know and understand. One of the concepts that was presented several times throughout the two day session is that this is a “competency” exam and as such requires the examinee to constantly understand what the perspective of the Facility Manager is and NOT what they would do individually in their own current work situation.

There were 15 participants signed up and all appreciated the discussion of the new materials and how to think when answering 180 questions that have between one and three correct multiple choice answers. Yes, that’s right, some questions required choosing the correct three of the five or six multiple choice possible answers. Although the exam is 180 questions instead of 300 and has less time to complete with no breaks, 4 hours versus the 6 hours previously, the consensus amongst the previous exam takers was that there was adequate time to complete the exam but no time to dawdle either. The testing service determined that no one who has taken the exam so far has taken more than 3 hours 15 minutes to complete it. We were very fortunate to have Jon Martens offer the review session at this time.

The three members of the team packed up and left for Washington, D.C. on Sunday to administer the review and Beta Test to a group from the Capitol Chapter on Monday and Tuesday. The review will also be given at WWP next month in New Orleans.

If you are interested in signing up for the next CFM Exam Review, there is a review session scheduled for World Workplace in New Orleans. If you are not attending WWP, then keep your eyes open for a notice on our Chapter calendar as to another offering next Spring. You can also contact Jon Martens directly at jon@jemcor.com or 707.326.5508 and he will put you on his list of interested parties.

Thanks for your interest in the CFM Exam,

John Dilges, CFM
SF Chapter of IFMA
Co-Chair of the Programs/Education Committee

Sustainable Landscape Design Round Table Discussion

On September 11th, we met at Genentech in South San Francisco for a encore presentation by David Nelson, ASLA, Principal-in-Charge and Senior Designer for Landscape Archtectural and Urban Design Projects at MPA Design. David's presentation revealed a world where hardcore engineering, green fundamentals (reduce, reuse, recycle), budgets and politics merge with the timeless values of nature and beauty.

The following sunset tour of the Genentech campus was punctuated by sightings of a Gen-cat (invaluable in the management of pestiferous but valued starlings and blackbirds), a magnificent memorial Norfolk pine, a solstice secret, strawberry trees, climbing ficus, 30-thousand pound ficus trees (on a laboratory roof), lichen covered Sonoma boulders, rubber duckies, 5% grades and 8% grades, wild grasses and naked ladies. Or maybe that's pink ladies -- the debate continues.

Special thanks to David for his help with many practical answers to questions regarding planning considerations and the facility management of landscapes.

Play Ball!

On June 8th, members of IFMA San Francisco and IFMA East Bay attended our annual night at the ballgame to watch the San Francisco Giants battle it out with the Oakland Athletics.

We were pleased to have the opportunity to acknowledge our Platinum Sponsor, Genentech, on the Jumbo-tron. THANK YOU GENENTECH for stepping up to the plate again and continuing your sponsorship of IFMA San Francisco!

Photo by Emily Gibson

LEED-CI Round Table Discussion at Bevery Prior Architects - May 8th, 2007

IFMA San Francisco held its latest “Roundtable” at the offices of Beverly Prior last Tuesday with a crowd of more than 30 attendees! LEED-CI was such a popular topic and was greeted with such enthusiasm that we are planning to continue to have more roundtables around the topic of LEED certification and how to become a LEED AP! If you are interested in this topic, please let us know by e-mail to admin@ifmasf.org.

Thanks,

John Dilges
Education Chair

Tour Behind the Scenes of the San Francisco Ballet - April 17, 2007

Thank you Jason Blackwell and Andrew Havill for guiding us behind the scenes of the San Francisco Ballet and for being such gracious hosts. Seeing the practice studios, physio-therapy rooms, administrative offices, student lounge, and the very mysterious little room from which the ballet shoes are dispensed, greatly enriched our enjoyment of the performances that evening. Hearing about the unique facilities management challenges your staff meets with obvious affection and regard for the dancers' well-being made our own appreciation of their gifts that much greater.

It was a magical evening -- thank you, again!

IFMASF Tours the San Francisco Conservatory of Music - February 15, 2007

Our tour guides were Donald Cremers of SMWM, the architects responsible for the design of the renovation and expansion of SFCM, and Elizabeth Freer of Oppenheim Lewis, Project Manager. Their generosity in discussing the solutions to the unique problems posed by the creation of a vital, living space encompassing rehearsal rooms, performance spaces, architectural heritage, and the extraordinary talent and psyches of the students, was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by the attendees. Not surprisingly, those solutions present unique challenges, as well, to the facilities management team at SFCM. The discourse on the technological aspects of the renovation was nicely complemented by the many human aspects considered and incorporated into this extraordinary creative space.

Thank you, Donald and Elizabeth.

Photographs provided by Wulf Trachta.

Hey! Did You Know the Best Time to Get a Job is When You Have a Job?

Sign up for the IFMASF Job Search use group at Yahoo! and share your own tips and expertise on navigating the job market. Have you ever wanted an impartial review of your resume? Trying to find the perfect person to hire for your own team? Need a place to ask your peers everything you wanted to know about changing jobs but didn't know who to ask? This is the place.

The IFMASF Job Search use group is an offshoot of the Job Search Support Group organized by IFMASF member Adele Dow earlier this year.

New to use groups? Please note:

* You choose when and how to stay in touch
* Swap photos, files, polls, calendars, links, and more with members
* Quickly scan new postings and browse detailed message archives
* Plus enjoy many more ways to show and tell - 24/7

Visit IFMASF Job Search at:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=42879/*http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ifmasfjobsearch

Or, navigate to groups at Yahoo! and search for ifmasfjobsearch.

Get involved and do good for yourself and others!

World Workplace 2006

Doug Benway, Vice President of Sales with The Corner Office attended World Workplace in San Diego and was kind enough to share his photos of receptions and vendor displays with us. As in previous years, World Workplace 2006 was an exceptional opportunity to socialize with FM peers from across the nation, share ideas, and strengthen professional relationships.

Thank you, Doug!

Casino Night on the Hornblower Yacht

On September 21st, IFMA San Francisco enjoyed a members and sponsors appreciation night on the Hornblower Yacht Entertainer. The beauty of the last night of summer as the Entertainer sailed the Bay perfectly complemented the dining, dancing, and casino gaming below decks. To see more pictures of this event, visit the photo archive on the chapter web site.

IFMA San Francisco extends a special Thank You to our event sponsors: ABM Engineering, Siemens, Resource and Design, Kimball Office Furniture, and Corporate Care.

IFMASF Tours NRDC Certified LEED-CI Gold Offices in the Historic 111 Sutter Street Building

James Jenkins, Senior Vice President of GCI General Contractors conducted our tour of the National Resource Defense Council offices while pointing out highlights of the features which qualified the NRDC offices for their Gold level certification.

James graciously shared details of the LEED certification process, including many innovative solutions implemented by GCI, educating sub-contractors to "buy into" the LEED goals, on-site recycling of construction materials, using older air quality technologies in new ways, and much more.

Details of the goals met for LEED certification and a Material List are available for download as PDF files.

IFMA San Francisco Welcomes a New Bronze Sponsor

Please join us in thanking DPR Construction Inc. for supporting our Chapter at the Bronze Sponsorship Level. DPR's core markets include Advanced Technology, Biopharmaceutical, and Green Construction. Please visit DPR at www.dprinc.com to learn more about our newest sponsor.

IFMASF Tours Golden Gate Disposal & Recycling Facility

Our monthly program on July 27th began with a brief presentation by Heather Paulson, Outreach Associate with La Casa de las Madres, the oldest battered women's shelter in California. Visit the Community Relations page on our Chapter web site for information on other Community resources supported by IFMASF chapter members.

Chris Levaggi, Program Manager, Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling Company discussed the finer points of trash disposal, recycling, and turning food and yard waste into organic mulch. (And, yes, there was a test afterwards.) Did you know that California leads the nation and San Francisco leads the state in recycling waste? Not content to rest on their laurels, Golden Gate continues to develop innovative solutions to facilitate recycling at the office and residentially.

Wayne Gluhan with Crosspoint Technology discussed both the local and global aspects of managing e-waste. Attendees will wonder no longer about what to do with those old computers and monitors or how to really, really, REALLY delete that sensitive data from recycled hard drives.

The employees at Golden Gate are delightfully creative and their creations nicely complement the Artist in Resident program at Golden Gate. Below are pictures of Heather Paulson and original artwork available for purchase at Golden Gate. To see more pictures of the tour, including the sculpture garden and some lovely surprises, visit our Photo Archive page.

THANK YOU CHAPTER SPONSORS!

Our sponsors make possible the programs and educational events that make the San Francisco chapter exceptional. We couldn't do it without them! If you or your company are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please visit our web site Sponsors page.

Thank You Sponsors!

Genentech, Inc.

ABM Engineering Services

Corporate Care

Resource and Design, Inc.

Huntsman Architechtural Group

Cor-O-Van

Wulfwerks

Please Welcome Our New Board of Directors!














From left to right:

Oscar Gomez, Vice President
Dawn Knoll, Secretary
John Kennedy, President
Karen Cochran, Treasurer
Nancy Kelley, Immediate Past President

And a big THANK YOU to Roxanne Bell, last term's Immediate Past President and our dedicated Committee Chairpersons -- who would love to have YOU come onboard! Visit the web site (www.ifmasf.org) for contact information.

On Friday, June 23rd, IFMA East Bay and IFMA San Francisco watched the Oakland A's whoop the Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Sigh. 40 tickets were sold to this joint-chapter event and a fine time was had by all.

Also, we acknowledged our Platinum Sponsor -- Genentech -- on the Jumbotron.

IFMASF sponsors a night out at the ballpark every year. We hope you'll join us next year!

Ty Whitehead, Facilities Manager, Howard Rice, has been a member of IFMA SF since 2001. On the heels of completing a 100,000 sq. ft. renovation/restack in their Embarcadero Center facility, Ty studied for and passed the CFM exam on May 15th. Our heartiest congratulations go out to Ty, and best wishes for continued success in the FM field!

Use Your Resume To Help Negotiate a Higher Salary

Most job seekers believe that salary negotiation starts once they have an offer in hand, but nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, your resume can make the difference between negotiating at the top end of the salary range—or the bottom end—in your next job offer. If that sounds strange to you, consider the following points:

• A prospective employer’s first impression of you is created entirely by your resume.
  

• The employer’s first impression of you will assign a value and build a level of urgency for the employer to contact you—before someone else does.
  

• First impressions are nearly impossible to change.
  

If your resume sells your skills short, then you can’t expect to receive offers at the upper end of your salary scale. Your current resume could be losing you thousands of dollars in income power. By making a few key changes in your resume now, you can position yourself for higher salaries in the future.

There are three resume strategies for promoting high salary negotiation success:

1. Show that you are a high return on investment with quantifiable results.

Many job seekers throw around the phrase “results oriented”, but they fail to back it up with concrete evidence—leaving the reader to conclude otherwise. You may feel that you have no quantifiable evidence of your value in previous jobs, but every job has quantifiable results that can better reflect your worth on your resume. Revenue, sales dollars and material costs are not the only results that use numbers.

Consider using the number of man-hours saved in process improvements, the percentage of repeat customers, or the number of peers helped by a particular efficiency to help reflect your abilities. Every employee is hired to solve problems, and most problems have some quantifiable element at their core.

2. Illustrate the breadth of your experience.

Notice the use of the word “breadth” rather than “length” of experience. Just because a candidate has been doing a job for a long time does not necessarily mean he is worth more. Breadth of experience focuses on quality, not quantity.

There are two key ways to express breadth of experience:

• Industry knowledge

Since industry expertise is usually in high demand, you can show your value through insider understanding of industry issues.

• Transferable skills

If your career spans many industries within the same occupation, highlight the transferable skills that have enabled you to bridge the gaps from industry to industry.

3. Entice the reader to want to know more about you.

Job seekers often make the mistake of assuming that the job of their resume is to inform the reader. Not so! The ONLY job of your resume is to entice the reader to want to know more about you.

What that translates to is an understanding of what to include and what to leave off your resume. Too much detail can distract the reader and lose his interest, but not enough information, and the reader will wonder what you have been doing with your life. A proper balance between detail and result will win the reader’s interest and leave them saying, “I’ve got to call this guy for an interview today!”

A professional resume writer can create a resume that sells you as a high return on investment. By portraying you as someone with great breadth of experience and a wide range of critical skills, potential employers will see you immediately as someone of high value, building their vision—and your self-confidence—of you in the upper end of the salary scale.

Deborah Walker, CCMC
Career Coach ~ Resume Writer
Find more job-search tips and resume samples at:

www.AlphaAdvantage.com

Kevin Manalili, Facilities Manager of Corporate Services at Genentech, is our most recent CFM. Congratulations Kevin.