I first heard the statement above many years ago, and it is a driving force in my life.  It has gotten me through adversity and has allowed me to have a smile and satisfaction knowing I have made a difference in this world.  I genuinely love helping others-especially people in our profession.

Thursday, April 21^th is the Annual Golf Classic to be held at the Legacy on Lanier Golf Club. I look forward to relaxing, recreating and renewing connections.  Some consider this to be a one-day networking opportunity to take clients and potential new members out to meet with current members and to bring in new business and seal contracts.  Others view it as a day to show the boss a good time at the "lake".  This year, SteveChristopher and team have several "special guests" (football and baseball greats), who will make the day even more special with autographs, pictures and more.  The Golf Classic is the chapter's annual fundraiser, allowing us to donate 10% of our operating dollars to the profession.

I challenge each of you to participate.  This participation and support is one way that you can "give back" to Facility Management.  The money raised will support the IFMA Foundation with a $10,000 donation at this October's World Work Place in Phoenix, AZ.  It will also allow us to sponsor a white paper on Sustainability Research and Resources.  This paper, in conjunction with an upcoming makeover of the Sustainability section of our chapter's website, will certainly make the IFMA Atlanta stand out as a champion of the sustainability movement and will benefit each of you in your workplace.

On a global level, the money that we give to the IFMA Foundation helps to enhance and grow the Facility Management profession in the following ways:

1.       The Foundation provides scholarships to students and grants to organizations that are helping to further the FM profession.  Chapters throughout the country have generously donated to the Foundation to make this happen.  The Atlanta Chapter continues to support the scholarship program with funding as well as its members' time taken to rate and review each award application.

2.       The IFMA Foundation publishes the International Journal of Facility Management (IJFM), which is an open source, internet accessible journal devoted to the science, technology and practice of facility management.  The journal serves to educate practitioners and students, and also provides an outlet and motivation for researchers to begin new research and collaborate with allied professionals. The IJFM also serves to advance the research agenda and professionalism of the entire field of FM.  As more research is established, the professionalism of the industry is enhanced, creating a further need for research and researchers.  Thus promoting more growth to academics within facility management and prepare better practitioners thus by furthering the advancement in the industry (www.ijfm.net).

The money that is given to the IFMA Foundation supports the Accredited Degree Program, an initiative that was designed to recognize and encourage strengthening of current facility management degrees and to assist in the development of new FM degree programs throughout the world.  There are currently thirteen accredited degree programs worldwide and we are proud to be included through our partnership with GeorgiaTech as one of those programs. This Chapter worked to create the program at GeorgiaTech and you continue to support an annual donation of $10K to fund the chair's position via a grant. It is our goal as a chapter to provide funding to support the GeorgiaTech and its FM Masters Degree program.  We want to be able to maintain what we started for future generations of FMer's.

Your "one-day" at the Spring Classic will support "everyday" actions that will improve the FM profession.  So when a volunteer calls to ask you to participate at our annual Golf Classic, I would remind you that not only are you going to have a wonderful time, but the money you give will help our Chapter, the IFMA Foundation, IFMA International and the entire industry. If you are unable to make it to the Golf Classic, consider adding a donation when you renew your membership by checking the appropriate box.  It is an easy way to give directly to the IFMA Foundation.

I hope each of you are inspired by my actions and the actions of your Chapter.  I thank you for all the support you have offered in the past and continue to offer in the future.  I look forward to seeing each of you at Lake Lanier

-- Christy.