A New Year with New Hope

We had a busy 2011 growing the Capital Chapter of IFMA and expanding our members’ benefits. I would like to thank all of the executive board members, committee chairpersons, volunteers and administrator for all of their hard work and dedication in making our chapter the biggest AND THE BEST in the world. Even during a difficult year for our economy, we grew the chapter to 895 members which is a testament to the value of your membership. The year ended with our holiday party celebration at a beautiful venue, the Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. Over 175 people participated in this annual event that produced over $800 in gift card donations for our friends at SOME/CET and $1,595 in revenue from the silent auction to be donated to the IFMA Foundation.The event was a huge success and we gained some new members who were first time attendees so I’m looking forward to seeing them at a future event.

As we begin 2012, we continue to hear the words “cautiously optimistic” to describe the economic outlook. While we are lucky enough to live and work in one of the most prosperous areas in the country, we still need to take measures to ensure we have the right skills to handle the challenges that lie ahead of us this year. As a member of the Capital Chapter of IFMA, you are exposed to the latest facility management trends, workplace strategies as well as educational and networking opportunities. All of these things help you grow professionally and personally. With so much uncertainty in the air, this is a great time to think about your career goals and what you can do to enhance your knowledge and further your career as a facility manager. Why not make 2012 the year you obtain your CFM, FMP and/or SFP credentials? Our chapter offers preparation classes and will provide the help you need to earn your credential.

In addition to the professional development aspect of our chapter, you should also take advantage of our social gatherings and community service events. Please join us for our next social gathering on January 26^th at the Front Page in Washington, DC and our community service project, The Alice Ferguson River Clean-up, in April. Not only will you be giving back to the community, but you will also get the opportunity to meet other chapter members and expand your network. You can find the details for any of our events at our website at www.ifmacap.org

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon and making this a great year for our chapter!

Best regards,

Kimberly Dize, LEED Green Associate
President, Capital Chapter of IFMA