The IFMA Austin News
October 2000
Home                                                                                           by Roberta Schofield

You are invited to

IFMA’s Halloween Bash

To Benefit

HOPE for Kids & Safe Place  

Halloween Party

  Thursday, October 26th

5:30 to The Bewitching Hour

Zilker Clubhouse  
 200 Zilker Clubhouse Road

Donation of $20.00 is requested at the door. (Tax Deductible)  

Get your costume at Goodwin and donate it back.

Party Questions ???  Call Cindy Stewart: 496.4960  or  Veronica Bailey:  908.4651  

For reservations           Phone Jim Coles @ 329.6785

By Bob Payne

    September Meeting 

Mike Leach opened the meeting with a comment on how many people showed up. The cafe had to bring out three extra tables to seat everyone. He asked for all the guest to introduce themselves. Besides the former members, here are the people who where new to me. If you will email me, I'll correct the spelling. Michael Muehchaosa and Mack Schener of Innovative Interiors, James M Howse of the Texas Workers Comp Ins Fund, Tim Mussey of DuPont, Mike Heathe, John Nyfeler of Aguirre,  and Pamela Johnson of Facility Consultants.
Veronica Bailey, Cindy Stewart, and Pamela Krisan did a lights, camera, action to promote IFMA's Halloween party to benefit Hope for Kids and Safe Place. It's gonna be FUN.

Claud Kissmann is an advisor on an FM program at A&M.  The program has the Dean's support and now the program is full at 20 students. 

Cathy Barclay of Knoll and Mark Wendland won the drawings. The prizes were donated by FMG and Dupont.

Glin Jay begin his briefing by saying the FM needs to be looked at as valve added.  You can have a positive impact on the organization with better efficiencies.  It's a difficult job, the rules keep changing and the velocity of change is unprecedented.  If you don't show management how efficient you are, someone will show how in-efficient you are.  He had our attention.

Glin had six things to focus on: FM technology, Custom Service, Work Place Futures, Best Practices, B2B commerce and Training Competency.
FM technologies are the computer based tools that you can use: AutoCAD, PM programs, Work Order programs, project software, life-cycle costing, databases linked to the AutoCAD graphics and it's now all on the Web. Think about how you can use the palm devices to input and retrieve the information.   One good  rule of thumb is the initial cost of the software is only 1/8th of the life cycle cost.   Now, the request for more information drives the system you should have.
Of course, you have to provide customer service, not just customer service but good service.  It's a game of relationships.  Your service must be performance focused.  Always audit and survey.  
Work place futures deals with alternative officing. Now, it's easy to work at home if you spend all your time on the phone and the computer. Plug and Play is expected wherever you are.  If you can make it work, you can save on real-estate.   
Best Practices has been around for a while, and it still plays well. Unless you are really good, you need the "best" experience of others. Networking at IFMA meetings is a good place to learn plus the Best Practice seminars we've had. Benchmarking is another word you should know all about.
Business to Business (B2B) ... You should consider automating your core vendor commitments to ebusiness from ordering, billing, to payments.
Training Competencies: Teach the FM business to everyone in your organization.  One way you can increase your competency  is to become a certified facility manager (CFM).

Mike Leach closed the meeting by announcing the Halloween meeting at the Zilker Club House and asking for a vote to return to the Cool River Cafe. The response was a strong yes.

The following three pictures are of the cafe.  They have a very nice TV setup, pool room, and a cognac & cigar room and more. The parking was much better than the last watering hole. 

        

By J. Robert Howard 
FACServices INC.                                                                                                                                  
New Members

Joe Ochoa
Facilities Operations Advisor
Dell

Nell Albright
Facilities Operations Manager
Dell

Kim Johnston
Facilities Maintenance Specialists
Fisher-Rosemont Systems Inc.

Robert Carpenter
Director of Facilities
Prodigy Communications

2000 IFMA Austin Chapter
Officers & Committee Chairs

President
 Mike Leach  Cadence Design Systems 231-3334 

Vice President 
Judy Balli,  Mannington Comm. Carpet 218-4055 

Treasurer
  Nancy Paine Sematech 356.8458

Secretary 
Bronson Dorsey CoRe-Strategies 797.7009

Programs 
Robert Payne, SAS Institute 258-5171 

Membership 
JoAn Reames, ABC Pest & Lawn Services 837-9500

Public Relations 
Veronica Bailey,  Haworth Inc. 908-4651

Community Involvement 
Cynthia Stewart,  KDI   443-4929

Newsletter 
Roberta E. Schofield, JE Dunn Construction, Inc. 327-6411 

Webmaster  
J.R, Howard, FACServices 996-4142

Education 
Ken Doss, Dell Computing 728-4563

Education 
Earnie Leake,  Austin IDC 997-3936

Immediate Past President 
Ed Garcia,`CONDEA Vista Co. 331-2327

IFMA Austin News is published monthly by members of the International Facility Manager Association, Austin Chapter

 
INTRODUCING the IFMA AUSTIN

BEST PRACTICES RECOGNITION AWARD PROGRAM

To further enhance the educational opportunities provided through IFMA membership, the IFMA Austin Chapter is looking to fellow members to capitalize upon and benefit from their experiences. One of the most effective forums is best practices. By spotlighting and sharing our best practices, we can inspire and help others to achieve excellence in their various facility related realms. As we approach the second annual “Best Practices Seminar”, the time is right to launch an ongoing program to continue the educational process. This exciting new program is the IFMA Austin Best Practices and Solutions Recognition Award.

The goal of this award is to identify best practices and recognize the facility practitioner for personal contribution. In justification, most professionals meet daily or monthly business challenges, some routine and others exemplary and extraordinary, such as business disasters. A jury of peers who actively practice facility management will judge the submissions. A body of past Chapter presidents have agreed to comprise the core of this committee. Other volunteers are welcome.

The standard of selection will be as follows: Facility Managers who are able to recognize creative and proactive facility solutions to business challenges will judge Best Practices. Individuals who submit a best practice, or are nominated by FMs because of some solution or success, are not competing against others or compared to rigid criteria. This is a showcase in an ongoing format. Although the frequency will be limited, the duration will not!

Now you’re inspired and ready to submit yourself or someone else. Here’s some suggested guidelines for consideration: improved building design, construction fast-tracking, unique relocation, disaster recovery efforts, major business solution, important contribution to environmental & health/life safety. The results are most often tangible and measurable.

Include in your submission:

Uniqueness of solution and implementation

Timeliness in achieving or responsiveness to disaster situation

Significant cost savings

Trend-setting aspect of process

Business success or solution achieved

Any other relevant facts or information, including major participants in or contributors to success.

The award will include recognition within IFMA, as well as notification of said recognition to awardees employer. Chapter meeting presentation, newsletter and Web page feature, as well as a plaque or certificate will also be included. (NOTE: If a sponsor is identified, plaques or quality, framed certificates will be possible! If interested in sponsoring, please let us know.)

You, the contributing member, will establish the timetable for this award program. Don’t wait to make a submission, and you’re not limited to just one entry. The committee is prepared to accept submissions immediately and announce the first winner during the general session at the Best Practices Seminar on November 11. To simplify the process, a brief form is provided. You may submit your entry via fax, e-mail, or postal service.
IFMA AUSTIN BEST PRACTICES AND SOLUTIONS RECOGNITION AWARD

DATA SUBMITTAL SHEET

 

“BEST PRACTITIONER’S” NAME:

BUSINESS/CORPORATION:

DESCRIPTION OF BEST PRACTICE AND SOLUTION:

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Complete information for review. Include measurable results.)

Uniqueness/Creativity

 

Timeliness of Solution

 

Proven Cost Savings

 

Improved Facility Process

 

Business Success Contribution

 

Other Facts or Information

 

Submitted By:

Name:

Corporation:

Phone:

Address:

Send form to: IFMA Austin Chapter, PO Box 90151, Austin, TX, 78709-0151; Fax # 512-301-3405;

e-mail pbielss@usinternet.com

Facilities Management Graduate-Level

Degree Program  

Members of the Texas A&M Facilities Management Industry Advisory Council (FMIAC) have been working this past year on a degree program in Facilities Management. Last year, things got under way with the creation of a graduate level certificate program and a core class in FM being offered in the graduate curriculum. The core class this year filled to capacity (20 students).

The response has been so positive that the Dean of the School of Architecture has requested a formal proposal for a full degree program. Robert Johnson, the FM program Director, is presently working on this proposal.

The FMIAC is planning to hold an open meeting on Friday, November 3, from noon to 4 P.M. in College Station. In preparation for this event, a very short (2-3 minute) survey of facilities managers in Texas is being conducted to gauge interest in activities planned by the FMIAC for 2000/2001 year and beyond.

The survey can be taken at:

http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey-intro.zgi?ID=ppakkhl3ahe2&PIN=nqdg1cvqkhgd.

Witnessing the birth of a facility management degree program is very exciting. I highly recommend that if you have not had the opportunity to see this first hand, that you pencil in November 3 and attend the FMIAC meeting. I promise that you'll be impressed with the facilities, faculty, and the activities already in place. This is only the beginning and an opportunity to contribute to the Facility Management Profession.

Please contact Robert Johnson at rejohnson@tamu.edu letting him know you plan to attend.

Additional information can found on the website http://taz.tamu.edu/~crscenter/facmgt/

Claud Kissmann, P.E., C.P.E.

e-mail: ckissmann@earthlink.net

Make sure your facilities are ADA—compliant!

Toilet Stall Latches

Normal wear and tear can cause toilet stall latch hardware to break. It is often replaced with a latch or a bolt from the local hardware store that does not meet ADA requirements.

Replacing broken latches with non-compliant hardware will make an otherwise accessible toilet stall non-compliant. To be accessible, door hardware on toilet stalls must be operable with one hand and without twisting the wrist. There are only a few styles of door latch that meet this standard.

Schools and the ADA

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all programs and facilities be accessible. But many schools still don't comply.

Some of the problem areas for schools are:

a.. Inaccessible stage areas in auditoriums and assembly spaces

b.. Lack of accessible seating in stadium viewing stands

c.. Inaccessible routes to playing fields, which are often over grass or other unstable surfaces

d.. Lack of accessible seating in assembly rooms

e.. Incorrect counter heights in libraries

f.. Lack of Braille and raised letters on classroom signage

g.. Non-compliant reach ranges for cafeteria vending machines & self-service counters

h.. Inaccessible computer networks and web sites

Many schools and universities have been involved in lawsuits on these and other areas of non-compliance.

The wide range of programs and services provided in educational facilities presents schools with unique challenges when seeking to provide full accessibility. When assessing ADA compliance, it is important to look at school programs, as well as buildings.

9-1-1 Systems

Individuals who are deaf, hearing impaired or have speech impairments must have equal access to 9-1-1 systems. This can be achieved by installing Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD) at call-taking positions and by providing appropriate training for operators.

Emergency system operators should be trained in the use of TTY equipment and TTY protocols. All call-taking positions should be equipped to handle TTY communication.

Operator training is very important to insure effective communication via TTY in an emergency situation. This includes training to recognize the various types of TTY calls, including "silent calls".

A lack of appropriate equipment or training can result in inappropriate or non-existent emergency responses for individuals with disabilities.

 Provided by Ed Garcia
Condea Vista

The Year 2000 program
The Austin IFMA Chapter Meetings  will fall on the dates listed below which is usually the 2nd Thursday of each month.  ..
Jan 13
Feb 10
Mar 9
Apr 13
May 18  
Jun 8 		Y2K... What problem
Space-Smart Moves
Do you need an AED
Emergency Planning Guide;   
Golf Tournament 
Austin Energy 		July 13
Aug 10  
Sep 14
Oct 12
Nov 16
Dec 14 		Round Rock Express
Evening meeting at SAS
Glin Jay @ Cool River
IFMA Ween
Noon @ Cool River
Christmas Party

Programs to be announced via e-mail,
 but update your calendar program now.

Bob Payne