I’m happy, and a little sad, to be hitting the stretch run of my 2nd and final year as chapter president. It’s been a great time for me, and the skills and relationships built during this time will continue for many years to come.

Thanks to all my partners in the chapter leadership, I think our best days are yet to come!

At the 2008 ¾ year mark… our chapter is having a very good year. A string of great lunch programs, facility tours and networking events, ongoing CFM roundtables, a CFM Exam review, and 7 new CFM’s! It’s so gratifying to be part of helping other people achieve their CFM, and I plan to contribute to those programs in a few new expanded ways next year.

On my personal agenda this summer, a solo bike-camping trip 3 days around Florida (out to Crystal River and back), vacation in Ontario split between Toronto and a quiet lakeside cabin, and enjoying having all 3 daughters home again. Our oldest spent the last 2 years away at college, she’s back for one year before an adventure overseas her senior year.

At work, I spent more than my share of time dealing with our historic building’s water intrusion issues and brainstorming (more like hurricanestorming) over creative ways to do more with less, work smarter not harder, and think outside the box, as we strive to provide better service with fewer resources. Seems like you can work more hours, and that helps, to a point, but there’s a limit when you have to quit and go home. (Sound familiar to anyone?)!

Back at the IFMA Orlando ranch, we’re gearing up for World Workplace in Dallas Oct 15-17, highlighted by the outstanding keynote speakers, education sessions, networking opportunities, and our annual chapter dinner. We awarded two members conference admission and airfare, our second year of that program. We are going to hook up with at least one other Florida chapter at WWP for a social, in advance of next year when we host World Workplace. We have formed a committee to meet with IFMA National about next year, much more to follow between now and then. If you’ve never been to World Workplace before, please budget $800 in professional development/continuing education for next year and I can guarantee you will love it!

Nominations for the new board are being assembled from your submittals, and within 2 months the 09 board of directors will be complete. You too can participate and get so much more from IFMA and your relationships with other board members. Contact any board or committee member for more information.

As the economy struggles, more members are looking for work, or looking to secure their existing position through certification or participation in professional development. At times like these your IFMA membership can really pay off. Things like Benchmarking, networking, IFMA’s online resources, education, making great vendor connections, and pursuing an FMP or FM can help you stay among the better informed and qualified in the FM job market.

We still have a few super events coming up in 2008, so consult the calendar on the website www.ifmaorlando.org and register early!

Thanks for your time, until next time!

Geoff