Angel Bond, RPA
The Dilweg Companies, LLC
President 2020-2021

OCTOBER 2020 VIRTUAL WINE TASTING

Join the Greater Triangle Chapter of IFMA for an evening of wine tasting & networking!

Where: Virtual
When: October 22nd starting at 4:30pm
Host: The Wine Feed - Head Sommelier Matt Arnold
Pickup: October 16^th – 22^nd at The Wine Feed Locations below.

Pickup Locations:
1) Durham - 307 S Roxboro St, Durham, NC 27701

Wine: 

SIGN UP HERE

GTC OF IFMA REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND FIRST VIRTUAL ADVOCACY DAY
by Cris Karasek

In years past, IFMA representatives from across the USA would convene in September for Advocacy Day: a two-day meeting each year to learn about current political issues and meet with their state representatives. Typically, the first day was spent learning about specific issues concerning the Facility Management profession and the second day was spent in meetings with each attendee’s regional Congressperson. Jeff Johnson, External Affairs Counsel, IFMA leads the IFMA Government Affairs Committee and is Co-Chair of the High Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus,​ and coordinates IFMA Advocacy Day.

Current Covid-19 restrictions prevented that from happening this year. Members of the IFMA Government Affairs group felt that an annual gathering was important enough that it should be held virtually; and on September 16, one hundred and twelve IFMA members from across the country did just that.

GTC of IFMA Past Presidents, Cris Karasek, Mike O’Brien, and 2020 GTC Vice President, Travis Dodson, attended this first Virtual IFMA Government Affair’s Advocacy Day, representing our Chapter. It was Travis’s first time to participate in the conference.  He commented, “While I don’t think the interaction was what it would have been in person, it was still a great learning opportunity to see how national-level politics shape the local environment in which our facilities are located.  I appreciated hearing how IFMA has been able to lobby on behalf of their members to ensure those of us caring for facilities are considered essential workers and opening up additional opportunities under current legislation.  I look forward to finding out how our chapter can be more engaged with advocacy that will support our members and the environment.”

Mike O’Brien is a long-time veteran of Advocacy Day. He says, “…when I was first involved in Advocacy efforts, we were introducing IFMA, who we were as FM’s, the importance of FM Training and accreditation to our national leaders. We raised these concepts (listed below) to them to establish their importance and gain their support! Through the persistence of IFMA and the group we can highlight the following (successes)”:

• The establishment of the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act which affects 80,000 Federal employees and 100,000 Federal contractors
• Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act which requires realignment of the federal civilian real estate portfolio
• The election of IFMA as the Chair of the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus which continues to focus on further expansion of facilities-related improvements at the federal level.

The group concurred that, while it was timely and interesting to conduct the meeting remotely, it will be a common goal to meet in person next September. GTC members may contact Cris Karasek if they would like to learn more about attending Advocacy Day and learning how Congress creates and implement the laws that affect our profession.

In conclusion, Mike O’Brien makes a key point, “Overall, in this election time I think the best comment I could make is that our democracy does indeed work and we can play a role in its development.  Be sure to vote!”

WORLD WORKPLACE 2020 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

In case you missed it, IFMA’s annual World Workplace Conference has shifted to a virtual model. The Virtual Conference will take place December 9 and 10, 2020 featuring keynote speakers, educational sessions, a virtual expo hall, and members only roundtables.

With this change, the Professional Development Committee is pleased to announce multiple scholarship opportunities for our members to cover the registration fee.

The World Workplace 2020 Virtual Platform will provide you with the opportunity to earn CFM Maintenance Points, accrue CEU credits, and increase industry knowledge and sharpen your skills. 

If you are interested in learning about what's on the horizon and take away proven strategies from the most reliable resource for facility management, this is a great opportunity. You will be able to discuss shared workplace challenges with professional peers, exchange ideas with topic experts, and consult with knowledgeable product and service providers during the virtual expo hall.  More information regarding conference sessions can be found here.

Please complete and submit the application form by October 31, 2020 and send to Candi McDowell at ifmacandi@gmail.com.

Scholarship winners will be notified no later than November 13, 2020!