Dear GTC IFMA members,

I am very excited to have been given the opportunity to serve as Chapter President for the 2018-2019 term.  I came to this role at a rather late point in my Facility Management career, having been a member for almost 20 years. 

A couple of years ago, I was getting ready to retire and was preparing my “Bucket List”. One of the items on the list was to be more active in our local chapter.  After participating in several IFMA National projects and serving on the GTC Professional Development Committee, I ran for and was elected to the Board as Chapter Secretary.  My PDC committee mate, Robert Sunukjian, was serving as Treasurer; my colleagues, Connie Drake and Laura Shaw, were serving as President and Immediate Past President respectively.  The group had a proven record for working well together…it just felt “right”.  So far, it’s been one of the best “Bucket List” items I’ve done!

What’s the key?  In my opinion, becoming engaged in the workings of the Chapter and accepting last year’s President Robert Sunukjian’s challenge to increase volunteerism.  He and the rest of the Board members made it easy to do so by updating the Committee leader’s job descriptions so that roles would be better defined and implementing a project work sheet system for the committees to use for events and goals.  Combine that with an awesome array of Committee Chairs, Co-chairs, and volunteers, and I can confidently say that we had a very successful year.

I have every reason to believe that this year will be just a good, if not better.  We’ve made it easy to work on a committee by allowing people to choose how much they want to participate.  Members can head an event or just working on specific tasks that contribute to the event allowing all to participate according to their interests, capabilities, and availability.  Try something new!  Pick and choose the best fit for you according to your particular passion in the Facility Management field.

You’re invited to become not just engaged in the Greater Triangle Chapter of IFMA, but EXTREMELY ENGAGED.  Contact a committee chair and find out what opportunities are open to you to learn more about our great organization.  It’s easy to do that by visiting our updated website!

I’ll sign off with a quote by Howard Schultz, former Executive Chairman of Starbucks (who coincidently, is retiring as of June 30 of this year):

“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.”

To me, that describes IFMA.  Please join the new Board, Robert Sunukjian (Immediate Past President), Justin Barber (Vice President), Angel Bond (Treasurer), Haley Conover (Secretary), and myself as we explore new possibilities.  We look forward to being extremely engaged with all of you!

Cris Karasek
President 2018-2019

July 11 Monthly Meeting

Join the Greater Triangle Chapter of IFMA on Wednesday, July 11th at 11:30AM at the Embassy Suites, 201 Harrison Oaks Blvd, Cary, NC  27513 for Speaker Art McCann, Chief Information Officer with Highwoods Properties, on Cyber Security.

SPEAKER:  Art McCann BIO

TOPIC: CYBER SECURITY

We will also be installing our 2018-2019 Board at this luncheon.

  REGISTER HERE

2018 Ronald McDonald House Event

The GTC of IFMA Community Outreach Ronald McDonald House Event was a smash hit this year. IFMA Volunteers prepared, cooked, and served delicious chicken parmesan with spaghetti and tomato sauce, mixed vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and garlic bread with sliced watermelon. Holly with RoofWerks hired an ice cream truck to come and all the children and families enjoyed delicious ice cream cones and ice cream treats after the meal. In addition, Roofwerks provided cheery red and white table decorations, including color-coordinated Chinese lanterns!

A few of the families commented “What catering company is this? Can you come back next week?” One woman with her family saw the spread of food and became overcome with tears as she thanked us. It was a very humbling yet gratifying event. The IFMA team volunteers below performed like a professional catering company, and it was a joyful experience for all!
 

• Holly Bowers, RoofWerks, Head of Operations 
• Ed Boyle, Highwoods Properties, Senior Property Manager
  
•  Matt Brooks, Ecoscape Solutions Group, Business Development Manager
  
• Carol Carter, Facilities Specialist
• Mark Cimerro, One Diversified, Account Executive
• Lisa Davis, Jones Lang Lasalle, Finance Director
• Travis Dodson, The American Board of Pediatrics, Operations Manager
• Matthew Gault, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sales Representative
• Bobby Grant, Quintiles, Sr Facilities Coordinator
• Carol Heckman, CertaPro Painters of Cary-Apex, Commercial Sales
• Cristine Karasek, Consultant
• Faith Kilafwasru, Stanley Stephens, Regional Sales Manager
• Michelle Parish, Shaw Contract, Territory Manager
• David Sielaty, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Director-Facility Services

Committee/Member Orientation - Speed Networking

Come learn how to get more involved in the Greater Triangle Chapter of IFMA on July 19th at Bond Brothers Beer Company at our Get to Know the Committees Event! 

All members are invited to network and enjoy food and drinks with the Chapter Membership and learn more about the committees that are making the Chapter successful. 

 This is your opportunity to engage and join a committee, have fun, and develop meaningful personal and professional relationships.  

REGISTER HERE

IFMA World Workplace 2018 Chapter Sponsorship Opportunities

Calling all North and South Carolina Facility Managers and industry organizations – IFMA’s World Workplace Conference & Expo is coming to Charlotte on October 3-5, 2018.  Be a part of history!

The Carolina Chapters have collaborated with World Workplace Show Management to dedicate an area on the expo floor – Victory Lane.  The Victory Lane booth will follow a NASCAR Pit Road theme.  Choose a sponsorship level that fits your budget and showcase your organization in the most heavily attended area of the Expo Floor! There will be a racecar in the booth, decaled with logos from our Gold level sponsoring organizations.  On behalf of the Carolina chapters, we invite you to join us in Victory Lane!

Sponsorship opportunities for World Workplace are limited.  They are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gold Level Sponsorship – $1,000  (Limit 12)  

• Logo on vests worn by Chapter Volunteers
• Large Logo on Car in Booth on Expo Floor
• Gold sponsors can choose their location on the car on a first come first served basis. (4 on each side, 2 on roof, 2 on trunk)
• Logo on a Pit Road sign around the booth
• Logo on email communication and fliers distributed to all 5 Carolina Chapters promoting World Workplace 2018

Silver Level Sponsorship – $500  (Limit 10)

• Logo on Banner in Booth on Expo Floor
• Logo on email communication and fliers distributed to all 5 Carolina Chapters promoting World Workplace 2018

Register Online - Deadline for registration and payment is July 31^st, 2018.

Additional information about the Event.

• Usual attendance ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 + practicing FMs, vendor/associate members, and other industry partners who attend the expo and educational sessions. 
• This is the first time that Charlotte, NC, has hosted IFMA World Workplace. 
• There are 5 local IFMA chapters (all within 3 hours of Charlotte, NC).  Total membership among all 5 chapters is approximately 900 members.
• Facility tours (additional fee) will be held at 4 local organizations on Tuesday, 10/2.  Locations TBA.
• The expo floor will be open on Wednesday, 10/3, and Thursday, 10/4.
• The Welcome Reception (heavily attended welcome party) will be held on Wednesday, 10/3, location NASCAR Hall of Fame

The Greater Triangle Chapter of IFMA is excited to announce our 2018-2019 Sponsorship Opportunities will open Monday, July 2nd!

Keep an eye out for a CVENT in your inbox for sponsorship sign up on July 2nd.

This program allows our Chapter to provide professional development opportunities, exciting and innovative programs, and networking events for our members. 

These sponsorships fund the majority of programming and operations for the Chapter. We are extremely thankful for the support of all sponsors!

CFM Question

The skills necessary to be a successful facilities manager in today's world are (choose 2): 

A. Care Taker
B. Policy Writer
C. Business Leadership
D. Operator
E. Public Relations