AUSTIN CHAPTER 
NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2006 
by Mary Duke

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS 

Announcement: Officer Change 

Robin Connolly announced that Mike Negro resigned as President, and that she would move up to that position. Shannon Schiermann will move up to First VP, and Mark Wendland up to Second VP. The third VP slot would not be filled until 2007. 

Lunch meeting fees will increase by $5.00 for the November meeting. Members will pay $25.00, and non-members $30.00. If you RSVP and then don't show up, you will be billed for $27.00. 

A change in venue was being discussed at the time of the last meeting, but that has been tabled for the time being. 

A Note from your President: 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as President. When Mike Negro decided to take a facilities position in San Antonio, I was happy to step up, albeit a year early. I have two goals for the chapter for this year: 

  • To change our Chapter sponsorship strategy and to increase financial 
    support for our chapter. This will help us to support various educational 
    programs that we have not been able to support in the past. 
  • To support the "branding" of our chapter materials

It's going to be a good year! 

Robin 

EFFORTLESS COMMUNITY SUPPORT! HELP A NON-PROFIT SCHOOL 
FOR DYSLEXIC CHILDREN . . . info provided by Nisa Kostecka 

Kathryn Ingerly and Nisa Kostecka have formed a Community Service Committee. 

Support Rawson-Saunders! 

Your groceries, office supplies, and even your trash add up to big dollars for Rawson-Saunders School! And your support always helps our school. Plus, it is hassle-free. Keep this info in your wallet and you will always have the school number handy. More information may be found at http://www.rawson-saunders.org/ 

  • Our code at Randall's grocery is 8505.
  • Office Depot will donate a percentage of your purchase to our school. Tell the cashier you support Rawson-Saunders. Our code is 70113664.
  • Order Scholastics Books from us.
  • Recycle your paper here, but please, no cardboard.
  • Write "Rawson-Saunders School" on your Westbank Cleaners claim ticket, and turn it in when picking up your cleaning.

A volunteer is needed for the newsletter, especially if you have experience in FrontPage - but beginners are welcome!

 INTRODUCTION INTO K-9 SEARCH 

Matt McDermott introduced "Willa" his prized pooch, an Australian Sheppard-Flat Coat Retriever mix.

 Matt is a computer tech and volunteered for search and rescue missions, taking on these searches for no salary. He became a volunteer after 9-11. He adopted Willa at six weeks old. They work as a team and work for 12 to 18 hour stretches, with 20-30 minute breaks. One of their missions was to recover human remains after the Katrina disaster. A sign that Willa provides Matt is when her tail is straight up in the air. 

Matt is very concerned about Willa's well-being. Whenever they are at a disaster site he asks the point of contact if there is anything in the environment that would hurt Willa. There could be toxic waste products in walls, sharp objects such as glass shards, etc. that could harm Willa. If there are indications, or there is an unknown danger, boots can be placed on Willa's paws to protect her. Dogs take in toxins fastest through their feet than anywhere else on their body. 

  • Both Matt and Willa are decontaminated at the site, and during the Katrina disaster, they were decontaminated up to six times per day.
  • Matt noted that dogs are capable of finding victims under water by the gasses the decomposing body emits.
  • Check with your lawyer, but although there is a reasonable amount of privacy during building searches, if there is illegal activity in a common area of a building, the items can be confiscated.
  • Dogs can experience post traumatic stress disorder and must go through debriefing just as their human counterparts do. Counseling is also in order.
  • Search dogs are trained using a reward system and scent tubes.
More information can be obtained by going to the website:
 http://www.k9search.com/ and http://www.k9search.org/ 

WINE BID 

The winner of the wine auction was Sid Fiegal. Congrats! 

BINGO EVENT 

The first bingo event was a huge success. Mary Duke won 2 gas gift cards that were donated by Jani-King. She donated them to Matt McDermott and K-9 Search for their volunteer activities.

 UPCOMING EVENTS 
September 14Cool Roofing
October 12Ergonomics: Using Workplace Standards in Programming
November 9 Three Global Corporate Projects
December 2Holiday Party - County Line on the Hill off Bee Caves, 7 PM
January 11Changes in Flood Data Maps
February 15Facility Management at Camp David During the Reagan Years

September 14 Meeting 

Embassy Suites, Members $20, Guests $25 - Lunch will be provided

Cool Roofing: An Emerging Hot Topic 

The metal initiative is a coalition of companies and trade association formed to educate building owners, facility managers, architects, and contractors about the use and selection of metal roofs and walls in commercial buildings. 

Toy Henson, Director of Education will discuss the features and benefits of the new generation of "cool roofs", including the energy cost savings and tax credits available to those who use these highly energy-efficient systems. The presentation will include a case study comparing energy costs of buildings with cool roofs to those with conventional roofing. 

Presentation Highlights Include:

  • Principles of Cool Roofing
  • Urban heat island effect
  • Initiatives and programs
  • Standards, codes and laws

We look forward to seeing you! Guests are welcome! 

HOLIDAY PARTY 

The holiday party will be held on the evening of Saturday, December 2, at the County Line on the Hill off of Bee Caves Road.  We will have a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Prices will be forthcoming. 

BOARD AND COMMITTEE CONTACT INFORMATION 

NameTitleCell Work
Kathyrn IngerlyMembership512-784-0226512-251-7514
Kimbra HerringSponsorship512-632-2280512-335-9888
Mark Wendland2nd VP & Secretary512-507-8541512-219-4715
Mary DukeNewsletter & Web Apprentice512-751-8908512-908-4662
Nisa KosteckaPrograms & Web Apprentice512-203-5542512-837-2800
Robin ConnollyPresident512-773-5752512-499-4730
Shannon Shiermann1st VP & Treas. PR512-914-7759512-433-3384
Sid FiegelGolf Chair512-917-0424512-380-0444

Please submit any ideas or articles to: 
Mary Duke at FMG: marydu@fmgi.com or call at 512-908-4662