Tour of the San Francisco Old Mint—March 20th, 2008



Our March program—a tour of the historic Old Mint—was rich in history, wonder and excitement. They do NOT build 'em like that anymore! Surrounded by rubble after the 1906 earthquake (see the Emporium below), the Old Mint stood unfazed, surviving not only the quake but the devastating fire that followed.



Built in 1874, and one of only five buildings in San Francisco to be designated a National Historic Landmark, the renovated mint will be open to the public by 2011. For more information about the San Francisco Mint Project, visit www.themintproject.org.

Special thanks to Jeanne Beaudet for her superb historical commentary and to Art Ferretti, Facilities Manager for the San Francisco Museum & Historical Society and the Mint Project, for his fascinating insights into this historic architectural treasure.

Stay tuned! We plan to re-visit the Old Mint after construction starts for a progress tour.

IFMA—UC Berkeley Extension Night













On Saturday, March 15th, 2008, representatives of Bay Area IFMA chapters joined forces with UC Berkeley Extension to launch UCBE's FMP Program at their SOMA facility in San Francisco.

The program was a great success and we look forward to welcoming new members to the chapters.

For more information about UC Berkeley Extension's Facilities Management program, including the FM Certificate Program, visit their web site at www.unex.berkeley.edu/cert/facmgmt.html.

Pictured above, from left to right, are Raffy Espiritu—President, IFMA SV; Ann Godfrey—UC Berekeley Extension Program, Facilities Management Program Director; Jon Martens—President, IFMA Redwood Empire; and John C. Kennedy, CFM—President, IFMA San Francisco. Also in attendance was Karen Cochran, CFM, RPA, FMA, CCIM—Treasurer IFMA San Francisco.

Thank you, everyone, for taking time from your weekend to promote and mentor professional facilities management!

Leah Nadel: Education & Programs Co-Chair

Leah Nadel, who took over the reins of Education & Programs Co-chair this past year, has worked in the contract furniture industry for more than 20 years, with extensive experience in government (GSA) and the health care industry. Her considerable skill set includes account management, project management, and facilities management.

Leah's most recent undertaking is with Origin Solutions as a Facilities Coordinator at Alta Bates Sutter Medical Center—a role involving the challenge of multiple campuses.

She holds degrees from UCLA in Interior and Environmental Design and from San Francisco State University in Graphic and Visual Communications.

Please introduce yourself to Leah at our monthly programs—she welcomes your comments and suggestions!

Nancy Brewster Kelley, LEED AP — WOO HOO!

Much like the dreaded bar exam, even the well-studied may need to take the LEED exam more than once to pass it. Nancy Kelley, SF chapter past president, soundly trounced the LEED exam this past week to become our newest (and our Board's first) LEED Accredited Professional.

The LEED course of study and exams are offered in 3 categories: New Construction, Existing Buildings and Commercial Interiors. While Nancy’s specialty area is commercial interiors, LEED accredited professionals can work in any category of project certification.

Nancy is currently working on her second LEED project, for the California State Parks Foundation. Her first LEED project, for Beverly Prior Architects, anticipates a LEED CI Gold certification.

Nancy’s firm, Kelley Project Services, has provided full service facility and project management services to corporate clients for 14 years. Nancy hopes her practice and clients will benefit from her commitment to sustainable design and construction. We know they will!

Congratulations, Nancy!

Welcome Our New Hospitality Committee Chairwoman!

As the Chapter continues to improve member services, we created a new committee in 2007, and welcome Carmina Bacani as chair. Carmina is Marketing/Business Development Associate for Resource + Design, Inc., a pre-eminent furniture dealer in the Bay area for whom she has worked for 2 years. Carmina’s work with the Hospitality committee supports both membership and programs, and helps us welcome, track and reach out to both current and potential members. Carmina’s dual role at R + D gives give her a great background for her work with the IFMA San Francisco chapter.

Carmina is also very involved with programs with IIDA for the San Francisco Chapter. Carmina’s contact information and smiling face can be found on our website at ifmasf.org AND at many chapter events! Welcome, Carmina and thanks for your thoughtful support!

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

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.