Working towards bringing our chapter forward

It is my pleasure to begin my service to the Greater New York Chapter of IFMA as president for the 2009 - 2011 term. I have been a member of this chapter since 1993, beginning my volunteer efforts many years ago when Tony Cornacchia asked me to take over the leadership of the professional credentials committee. I have been helping our members achieve the CFM and FMP designation ever since. During my time on the executive board I have worked under the excellent leadership of Gary Fescine, Brian Ostrowe and of course our last president, Carole Green. While serving with Carole as her first vice president, I was able to more clearly understand all of the complex challenges that come with the role of president of our chapter. I thank her for involving me in many leadership discussions over the last year. Over the next two years I hope to address, along with our current executive board, some of the challenges facing us and work towards bringing our chapter forward. I want to focus on the value of your membership and help you to enjoy the benefits of membership. In order to implement this we will be refocusing our volunteer committees. There will be 5 distinct areas: membership, communications, associates, programs, and professional outreach. A new volunteer position will be created and entitled "the talent pool coordinator." This person or persons will work with each new chapter member as well as any interested current members to help them find an active volunteer role in the chapter, this in the effort of providing better service. From here ideas can be shared within our 5 focus areas on member likes, dislikes and comments will be addressed. We will become more technologically progessive, utilizing such social networking tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. In addition, we will encourage members to become part of the many IFMA online community groups. This will help keep us current with other professional organizations and allow us to appeal to younger FMs, who have already discovered the value of these opportunities. Our website will be updated to be more friendly and with informative event reviews, calendars, and pictures. We will be starting a monthly IFMA email blast to cut down on the number of emails sent out by the chapter. This monthly blast will contain all programs, educational, networking and special event calendars. It will also serve as a teaser with links to the website with articles/pictures on past programs and a whole list of special features highlighting members, their achievements (professional and personal). In order to insure our professional members' satisfaction we will be setting up a series of focus groups to determine interest in events, special programs, educational opportunities, and volunteer involvement. For our associates, we will be discussing networking, sponsorship, programs and volunteer involvement as well. It is proven that professional involvement improves members' participation and opens more opportunities for professional and personal development. We will publicize and promote our chapter scholarship opportunities for continuing education. Our development of the facility management profession and our professional members will improve and grow. Look for upcoming events and opportunities to contribute and support this effort through volunteer and financial contributions. I will be setting up a past president's advisory group to assist me as well as the executive board. I am a big fan of not repeating the past over and over again. We will take the best of what we have achieved over our 26 years and build our future on this strong base. Committee plans, charts of work and a Google account for archiving our procedures, plans, templates, surveys, is all in the works. Our chapter has an incredible following with many long term members. To honor and recognize this distinguished loyalty a Heritage Society will be established. Members with over 10 years of membership and up will be welcomed into this special club later in our term. And finally one of the most important things we can do, raise the awareness of our members' contributions to the facility management profession. Their careers, the success of their employees, and their efforts in helping our chapter improve delivery of services to members. This new ABC Program (Above and Beyond the Call) will recognize small daily accomplishments as well as major triumphs. It will succeed by regular submissions that you, a member of the Greater New York Chapter, let me hear about. Simply give me a call or send me an email and the program will be on its way. I look forward to working with you over the next two years improving and refining our chapter's abilities. If you have ideas, suggestions or something you wish to share, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming programs or events. Christian Miller is the 2009 president of the Greater New York Chapter of IFMA.