America‘s #1 City For Business

IFMA Austin News
December 1998 abridged
Jayne Mortensen

America‘s #1 City For Business!

All Eyes on the New Management!

By Jayne Mortensen

As the baton is passed from the 1998 Executive Committee to the new 1999 IFMA-Austin Freshman Team….lets start with a hearty "THANK YOU" for all the athletic prowess, time and talent that was lent to IFMA-Aust in 1998.

New leaders with fresh ideas are only as good as Wheaties with no milk….hint, hint...we rely on you! In the very near future, individuals from this ominous green Holiday column are going to be calling on you!

Don’t run, turn off your lights, forward your phone to your favorite enemy and please don’t change your e-mail address. Try this IFMA uniform on for style. Before you know it you will be styling and performing with the rest of the distinguished front page- above the fold - officer and committee chair column hounds.

What is your sport? Are you a slugger for fund raising? Call Tom Cagley. The rouster for programs? Call Robert Payne. Maybe a sprinter for education? Call Nell Ebright. With every call you will receive the grand trophy of a return phone call! Not to mention gratitude from these people who are not looking forward to surviving as a committee of one.

This association is yours, make of it what you will, but please make it part of you routine. Don’t leave just a few IFMA-Austin members on the field while the majority are on the sidelines. You have to play to win…. Ok the sports analogies are a little overtired... however 1999 is going to be a #1 system. Let's make IFMA National know they are taking on "the number one business city in the nation!" Did I mention awards? Call Janice Deer. She is litigious. Now there is a non-sports term. Or here is a novel idea... how about writing an article for the newsletter or web-page. There is one sure way of putting a zipper on my editorials. Call me, email or fax me... just don't wax me! Don't wax any of us; we need your help.

On behalf of all of the 1999 IFMA-Austin Officers and Committee Chairs, lets have a blast in the next 12 months! It all starts with participation, and that means you!

Lets start today! I think I hear your phone ringing!

E-mail jamortensen@msn.com or call Jayne Mortensen @ 472-7300 for more information.

Holidays IFMA-Austin Style

by Patty May

Was That Ho Ho Ho

Or Ha Ha Ha?

Mark your party calendar...IFMA-Austin’s Annual Holiday Party is

When ?	Thursday December 3, 1998 Dinner @ 6:30 Show Starts @ 7:30
Where?	Esther’s Follies 525 East 6th Street
Cost?	$30.00 per person $60.00 per couple

For those who may wonder.
CASH BAR!
If you haven’t experienced Esther Follies, then this is not to be missed! The only reason to skip this one is if you're still out snipe hunting with relatives from Thanksgiving!
Attendance is limited...if you did not RSVP on the fax that was sent out in November, a reservation was not made in your name. However there are always cancellations, so please call me if you have an interest in joining in on the fun!
Patty May @ 380-0444!

Robert Payne is the Programs Chair for 1999... are you ready to help?

IFMA-Austin’s Newest CFM
Congratulations!!! to Mike Leach, Dell Financial Services , for his recent designation as Certified Facility Manager, CFM. Mike took the CFM Exam in Chicago, prior to World Workplace and was recently notified of his success. Mike is also the newly elected Chapter Treasurer for 1999. Way to go Mike!!!!

Contact Mike or any of the other distinguished CFM’s of Austin to learn how to make CFM a reality for you!

World Workplace 98 in Retrospect

by Amy Bowman

World Workplace ‘98 in Chicago was a well rounded, successful event that provided something for everyone. The educational opportunities were numerous with sessions and round table discussions on a variety of topics. Once again, the trade show featured products and services on the cutting edge of facility management.

Approximately twenty IFMA-Austin Chapter members attended this year. The networking opportunities added yet another facet to the event. The IFMA Foundation Gala fund raiser was held in a popular downtown Chicago nightclub with entertainment provided by a world class blues band. An added attraction was set by the Booze Brothers, dead ringers for the real Blues Brothers, complete with Illinois State Police stationed around the room! The welcome reception was held at the Museum of Science and Industry amidst a festival-type atmosphere. Glow in the dark plastic tubes were passed out at the entrance encouraging a wide array of creatively designed jewelry, hats, eyeware, armor, etc. This set a standard for the evening of non-stop entertainment, as well as child-like fascination. All exhibits in the massive three-story museum were open for viewing. Staged entertainment included everyone from mad scientists to "The Village People Band".

On a much more upscale note, the formal "Black Tie" awards banquet was an inspiration to the Austin chapter members in attendance. As we listened to the descriptions for the winning chapters, it once again reinforced our belief that the Austin Chapter of IFMA has what it takes to be a competitor in all categories. This is a challenge to all members to get involved, participate in meetings and special events this coming year, because we can't do it without your help. Mark your calendars and budget now to attend.

Member Spotlight

by JoAn Reames

Hey IFMA-Austin…. Please get to know
Ann Morgan!

Ann Morgan is the newest addition to the IFMA-Austin family. Much to our delight, Ann recently accepted the position of IFMA-Austin Association Executive, a position previously held by Jack Drummond. Ann brings more than 15 years of professional property management experience to our IFMA chapter. This avid runner and mountain biker previously worked with the respected Austin firm Faison-Stone, where she managed First City Center, now Frost Bank Plaza. Here general knowledge of real estate, contracts, property and facility management is a very positive addition to IFMA-Austin. In addition to her involvement with IFMA, Ann is also the Association Executive for Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and Texas Building Owners & Managers Association (Texas BOMA).

Please make a note of the many ways you can contact Ann:
E-mail amorgan@io.com
Phone 441-0630

A native Texan, Ann was raised in El Paso where she graduated both high school and college. Ann calls one of the neat old homes in Travis Heights her home & office, which she shares with her two wonderful canine friends, Olly & Franny. As usual, life is full of coincidences. Ann is the life long friend of our very own FM Funnies cartoonist... Gary McClanahan.

Please make an effort to "get to know" Ann, believe me you won’t regret it! Behind the scenes is not Ann’s style. Your first Ann sighting will be the Holiday Party at Esther’s Follies!

Welcome Aboard…..

Ann!

Welcome Aboard…..
Ann!

'Twas the Night before Budgets!

By Jayne Mortensen

'Twas the night before FM budget deadlines, and all through this place, every department head was screaming…" We need more space!"
Every project schedule and maintenance agreement was stacked in my chair, with hopes that upper management would somehow care.   All proposals and contracts were signed in their folder, every vendor in hopes that they could finally place the order!
With me in my cubicle and my computer a flicker, I looked at my e-mail and began to grow sicker.  When on my monitor did appear all the budget items I forgot for IFMA next year.
Backing away from my keyboard I flew into the hall, stumbled over a re-cycle container and took a great fall.  The screen was glowing with true confession, adding to my strong dose of depression.
When what to my dizzy head did appear, the IFMA website, where things were so clear.   With all the officers so bright and neat, I started paging down and took a seat.
Easier than ever the answers appeared, scrolling down and alleviating my fears. There’s World Workplace, the Golf Tournament, Best Practices, and Holiday Party.   The Picnic, January’s program, then February, and all the monthly tours they’ve started. From the top of the page to the top of UT's Tower, it's all there for me to empower!
As my heart rate lessened, and my head stopped pounding I thought of my budget with new idea’s resounding.   So straightening my lumbar and focusing my vision I decided to tackle my new budget revision.
And then in a voice sounding all to real, I heard the familiar message " you’ve got mail!" As I opened my mailbox and settled down, it started dumping messages with a bound.   All neatly typed from form to letter, was a budget amount for 1999 all put together.
An itemized spreadsheet with every event, saved this FM from an entire night spent.
There was a note from the president, saying thanks for the support, just drop us a check or payment of sort.   And to every IFMA member the paperwork is complete, no receipts or expense report deadlines to meet.
Advance payments is what this program is called, just budget them all, we are so glad we can help you this fall.   As I looked at my watch then back at my screen, I realized what relaxation must mean.

Then far in the distance, I swear I could hear... a voice faintly saying. ..lets make 1999 a great IFMA year!

It’s not too early to think…

The Annual IFMA-Austin

Golf Tournament is in April.

Lets start planning now!