It is with great honor that I have served as President of the Southeast Chapter of the International Facility Management Association for this current term.  We are a diverse group of talented facility management professionals whose mission is to provide resources and be advocates for the management of facilities.   It is hard to believe the term is almost coming to an end (June 30, 2012), but I feel this year has been a year to remember!  Our 25th Anniversary has been a year of accomplishments:

• 21 students are pursuing their FMP certification made possible by our chapter hosting the 4 module class.  The turnout has exceeded our expectations and puts us on a trajectory to achieve our goal of at least 10 members to become designated in 2012!  It is not too late to sign up for Modules III & IV – the classes are open to all FM and Vendor members.
• The 25th Anniversary event was a true gala, with over 100 members and their guests gathering at North Hills Country Club in December 2011 to celebrate.  I would like to recognize the dedicated committee members who truly made this event special for the membership: Bob Isnard, Steve Joosten, Holly Eberle, Kim Krechel, Mark Sekula, Jennifer Wagner, Wisconsin Association Management.
• The Membership Committee, led by Chairman Grant Horn and Vice Chair Jeff Rinderle, along with a highly motivated group of committee members, has focused on membership retention in addition to recruitment.  The results have been astounding, as we averaged 210 members throughout the year and achieved approximately 8% net growth of our chapter (compared to our goal of 5%).
• We have put a strong emphasis on encouraging higher turnout of FM’s at our wide array of educational offerings throughout the year.  These initiatives have resulted in a 40% increase of FM participation at our programs (compared to our goal of 20%).  Come to one of our upcoming programs and see for yourself!
• One of our biggest initiatives this year was phasing out the newsletter and implementing an internet communications strategy we famously dubbed SEW IFMA 2.0.  While our technological revolution is still ongoing, the key benefits of this strategy are now live.  Our biweekly Noteworthy e-newsletter is filled to the brink with educational and informative content.  The goal of the Noteworthy is also to get YOU to visit the SEW IFMA website more frequently.  The website has become a dynamic tool with new content added almost daily.  If you don’t visit the website at least once per week, you are now missing out on all that SEW IFMA has to offer.  A special kudos to the Communications Committee led by Elizabeth Vorass and a group of engaged volunteers striving to bring you timely information.
• We have launched a member recognition Award program.  You should have received an electronic ballot recently by email; please be sure to vote.  The program was conceived by Bryan Olen, Scott Wollenzien and Greg Reilly (all FM’s) and is a terrific way to recognize the dedication of our committees, volunteers and accomplishments.  Voting ends in April and winners will be announced at the June Sponsorship, Installation, and now…Awards Dinner at the Italian Community Center.  A special guest speaker will soon be announced.

There is still a lot more we plan to accomplish these year.  Please note the following updates:

• The Membership Committee has launched the Member Rewards Incentive Program.  YOU can win great prizes for simply recruiting new SEW IFMA members.  Details about this exciting program are now available at the website (under the Join Tab).
• The events page is fully populated with information about upcoming programs and educational offerings.  In fact, there are almost 10 different events before the end of the term (June 30).  Rather than highlight each event here, please visit the events page frequently.  
• The Annual Sponsorship Program sign-up deadline is fast approaching.  This is an annual sponsorship offered to our members at reduced prices, ranging from only $300 - $1000.  Unlike other organizations that hit you repeatedly throughout the year, we have this annual drive that provides year-long benefits, to both the chapter and the sponsor.   Please sign up for your sponsorship no later than April 27; and Click here for more information.
• New feature of website and Noteworthy: Projects & Products (http://www.sewifma.org/news/projects-and-products.html).  Email Tom Frederick if you have a project to highlight.

Please come to our next event and experience all that SEW IFMA has to offer. We all look forward to seeing YOU soon.

Respectfully,

Brian S. Parrish, MBA
SEW IFMA Chapter President
2011 – 2012

(414) 271-6100