Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. -Hal Borland

It's hard to believe that half of the 2010-2011 year is already behind us and it's time to take a look at our BSC, goals and measurements and assess where we've come from and where we want to go from here.

In May at our Strategic Planning Meeting we updated and revised the Balanced Score Card to move the chapter forward another year.  The programs and initiatives that the Atlanta Chapter have already established and continued through the years are still going strong and have shown a steady increase in attendance over the last year.  Our monthly programs, FM Networking Breakfasts, New Member Breakfasts, Sustaining Patron and Association Reception, Community Service and Non-Profit Educational offerings remain strong, coupled with the Chapter's strong Scholarships and IFMA Foundation support program are the foundation that has made Atlanta the award-winning chapter that it is.

All of our efforts of bringing you more value for membership dollars appear to be bearing fruit.  The fact that in this difficult year our membership counts have continued to increase by 7% lets us know that our Chapter is traveling the right path. Our member numbers are at an all time historic high of 484 members!

As a result of several focus group meetings instigated by the Executive Team we have, in the past year, implemented and continue to improve upon the following initiatives:

1. Adding a Vice President/Communications position to the Executive Committee effective the 2010-11 fiscal year; a Public Relations Coordinator for the chapter for increased recognition and emphasizing focus on the facility management role in the industry for the Atlanta community.  To that end, the Board is in the midst of meetings with BouncePath, our chosen Public Relations firm, to begin media training and  begin moving forward to fulfill our mission and make the Atlanta Chapter of IFMA the premier, focused resource for professional development and innovative solutions in strategic facility management. We want IFMA to be the go-to resource for media when they need experts in the facility management field for story input.
2. Supporting International's and the Chapter's focus on Sustainability (reducing the chapter budget by $15,000 to implement an electronic newsletter, rebranding the chapter logo and website and winning Newsletter Publishing Chapter of the Year at World Workplace 2010).  Sustainability continues to be a priority with LEED Green Associate and AP O+M training opportunities for members.
3. Collaboration with other built environment organizations such as CoreNet, AIA and USGBC.  Atlanta Work Place 2009 - will repeat and add other collaborative organizations for AWP 2010.  We added many new educational opportunities in the past year that helped to earn us the title of Professional Development Chapter of the Year at World Workplace 2010.  The subcommittee for Atlanta Workplace is already working on our chapters Fall educational and associate expo event.  Look for details in next months newsletter. 
4. We've worked to streamline our Board reporting, track our volunteer hours and are establishing a map for succession planning by revamping our Nominating Committee process.

I believe with these and other initiatives, we have charted a path for the long lasting success of the chapter.

I'm looking forward to meeting with a team at the end of January to review the Strategic Plan for 2010-2011.  If you receive a call from an executive committee member, consider giving of your time to assist in the review process.  This is a great way for you to be part of the chapter's growth.   Additionally, a team is needed to help develop the long-term strategic planning to carry our Chapter for the next five years and assure IFMA Atlanta's place as a leader in the FM industry.  With the support of our members, we look forward to an exciting new era in the Chapter's history.

I will close with a personal message, to thank each of you for your support of me as your leader and friend in 2010.  It was a tough year for my family and we are blessed to have each of you as friends!  I hope you each find happiness, peace, joy and health in the New Year!

Do You Want to Get More Involved?

Are you interested in getting more involved with IFMA's Atlanta chapter, but not sure where to start?  If so, please contact Wendy Gill, our chapter's volunteer coordinator at wgill@taylorgroupga.com.

There are all kinds of opportunities to help out - many of which could be done from the comfort of your home or office.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Atlanta Workplace 2011

Volunteers Needed!

The time has come to begin planning out Atlanta Workplace 2011, a regional event based on our national conference format. For those new to the Chapter this annual event is filled with educational sessions, an associates-only expo and fundraising for our favorite charity, the IFMA Foundation.

If you are interested in helping out, please contact Derek Rusch at drusch@dekalboffice.com