May 2005 Committee Reports

Ann Harrod and Stephanie Segall, Co-chairs

The annual drive for sponsors for the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter will begin this summer rather than in the fall as in previous years.  The co-chairs feel this change will enable the committee to gather more sponsorship interest for 2006 because many vendors begin budgeting for the coming year in summer and early fall.

The committee is also planning to host one or two events this year such as discussions on “how to deal with difficult people” and “negotiating skills.”  While these events would be designed for associate members, all members of the chapter would be invited to attend.  The co-chairs are in search of additional members for this important committee, and intend to make the committee’s presence and chapter contributions better known at both the Wine Tasting Event on May 25 and the Annual Golf Outing on June 16.  Several Platinum and Gold level sponsors have been invited to make visual presentations at both events.

Dave Bongivengo and Steve Niswonger, Co-chairs

The committee announced that the remaining $902 in its budget would be donated to the St. John Youth Center to help defray the expenses of sending children to summer camp.  The committee will assist in this year’s Annual Golf Outing by selling raffle tickets and helping to arrange the many prizes that are donated for the event.

The committee plans to initiate chapter participation this fall with Ohio State University Student Affairs in the university’s annual Habitat-for-Humanity project.  Details of this opportunity for helping those in need of affordable housing will be forthcoming.

Bongivengo also reported that Bill McIntyre of Pitney Bowes has joined the committee.  McIntyre is a new member of the central Ohio Chapter and enthusiastic about serving on the committee.

J.D. Flaherty and Joyce Penrod, Co-chairs

Flaherty announced that chapter strength stands at 192, which includes 118 professional members, 63 associate members and 11non-chapter members.  While the Wine Tasting Event on May 25 maintains top priority for the committee, Penrod is checking into other activities such as a summer evening at Picnic at the Pops.

Ken Mulligan, Justin Murphy, and Sandy Stayrook, Co-chairs

A new educational/informative series of panel discussions concerning growth and development in central Ohio is in the works.  Donna Byrom, Miriah Liggett, Tom Logsdon, and Murphy are spearheading this effort.  Byrom says there is much concern over the future of central Ohio and considerable speculation that ranges from a loss in population to a 30 percent growth in 25 years.  Either way, the future could have a serious impact on facility managers.

“We are planning one panel discussion per quarter over a one-year period and are looking for experts to join our panels.  We hope to cover all aspects of growth—population projections, urban sprawl/infrastructure, development parameters, adaptive reuse/smart growth, sustainable environments, and brownfields/greenfields.  There definitely will be something of great interest for everyone,” Byrom said.

Stephanie Segall and Anne Harrod, Co-chairs

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is the site for this year’s World Workplace, which is scheduled for October 21-24.  All chapter members are invited to make this annual trip to the International convention.

This is a fun and exciting way for members to network with thousands of other facility managers from all over the world.  Many will leave for Philadelphia on October 21, and return October 24th.  Early registration has already begun!  Airfare is expected to range from $300.00-$350.00.  Significant flight and room discounts may be available for groups of 10 or more.  If you decided to attend please, do not schedule your flights.  There will be more information to follow for those interested in going. If you are still undecided, but still want to receive future updates you must contact Segall at (614) 717-9957, (614) 717-9958 (Fax), or by email at srsucla@aol.com, of Harrod at (614) 575-0828, (614) 575-9045 (Fax), or aharrod@graebel.com.