January Meeting

Linda Delmas opened the meeting at 1150. Our goal is still education, but it's been a struggle to find material, speakers, etc. We have books on order and expect to start with a study group to get right with the program.  We need participation. ( A group  met and set up a program for group study.)

Julie Sheaffer has arranged for a social at North by Northwest.  Get in the mood to be sweethearts.

Sharon Henson said this years Golf tournament will be at the Hills of Lakeway.  It's an excellent course and we are beginning to sigh up sponsors.  Schmidt Electric is our Tournament Sponsor again this year.  Please see me after the meeting if you are interested in sponsorships.  We want to get the golf tournament off the ground.  We will be auctioning off caddies before lunch.  When he asked if anyone knew an auctioneer,  2 people raised their hands.   Our charity partner is Meals on Wheels.  It's a great organization, and they are delighted to work with us. Charles Dixon is the chairman. See you in April.  

Sharon introduced Dusty Tutor and Steve Smith who would speak on outsourcing.  Dusty spoke about his company and their work at National Instruments. His contract people are treated just like family and few customers know that they aren't from NI.  You should consider outsourcing as a support system.  A contractor can provide services that you lack the expertise, for liability concerns, and for things you just don't want to worry about. It allows you to concentrate on your core business.  A contractor at your site can call upon other people in his company that do the same thing. Typically, a contractor will pay his people less than the host company and the contractor will probably pay fewer benefits. If you are considering it, you need to develop an RFP,  Request for Proposal.  It should spell out your goals, scope of work, and timing. It's okay to have detailed specifications, but it usually boils down to a relationships.  The spirit of the contract is most important.  If you don't have them now, you need to document all your procedures.  Procedures will help in any personnel change.

Typical candidates for outsourcing are housekeeping, landscaping, and security.  To insure you get good people, it might be wise to do the final interview of the contractors who will work at your site.  This would be more important for maintenance and security and less for landscaping and housekeeping.  You would want a stable work force and not one that moved around between the contractor's sites.

Typical contracts are for 1 year, renewable, with a 30 day out.  Most contracts last more than one year because most don't like to change horses. The customer works with the contractor until the relationship sours.  Some contractors offer a lot of tracking and documentations. Of course you pay for this; so, make sure the information is not just gee whiz. 

At the end of the meeting, there was the question of the day:   Cherilyn remembered the date of the golf tournament and received her lunch free.

At the next meeting, don't forget to turn your pager or phone to stun.  
At our next meeting, bring a question or a story.

by J. Robert Howard
FACServices

Extra flooring and ceiling                                                                              Get Green

IFMA's Management Summit

Feb. 23-25,  2003 Del Lago Conference Center & Resort Montgomery,  Texas 60 miles north of Houston

Don't miss out on the opportunity to attend an important educational and networking event for facility managers seeking to take on more strategic roles in their organizations. IFMA's Management Summit offers the chance to network with other FMs and expand your understanding of critical issues facing the FM profession.

Jo Pease, Corporate Ethics and Compliance Officer, for Shell Oil Company, will give the opening keynote address where she will explain Shell's approach to ethics and compliance in the United States. The closing keynote will be Keith Orndoff, Futurist, for Future Impact Education, covering how the changes in people, culture, security, and technology will bring the built-space industries into a new radically more encompassing future.

For more information or to register online, please visit www.ifma.org, email events@ifma.org or call +1-713-623-4362. IFMA Members $350, Nonmembers $450, Golf Tournament $100

If you are interested in carpooling with another Austin IFMA member, please email Jim Coles.

  Backup Power Supplies

BIFMA: Modest Office Furniture Industry Recovery Expected in Late 2003 
Anticipates a 5.6% increase in shipments

JANUARY 16, 2003 -- The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) International recently released the latest office furniture industry forecast prepared by the economic consulting organization, Global Insight (formerly DRI-WEFA). The forecast anticipates a 5.6 percent increase in shipments to $9.4 billion for 2003, as compared to $8.9 billion realized in 2002. Further improvement is expected in 2004 with shipments expected to top $10.5 billion.

The latest forecast assumes a short but successful first-quarter altercation with Iraq will put a drag on first quarter economic activity. Once success is realized, economic confidence returns and recovery begins in earnest. A cautious corporate investment outlook and weak office construction will restrain office furniture shipments, while rebounding employment and corporate profits will stabilize demand and contribute to shipment growth in the second half of 2003.

After tax corporate profit growth is expected to accelerate in 2003, but not at the pace or to the level expected just 3 months ago. Stronger business sentiment and an improved business investment climate should contribute to more vigorous profit recovery in 2004. Likewise, service sector employment has recovered somewhat, and growth is expected to continue through 2004. However, employment growth will not reach the rate that characterized the late 90s, limiting its upside contribution to office furniture demand during the next few years.

For more information, go to www.bifma.org.

(Article is from Facilities Design & Management January 2003)

Noise & Amplified Sound

National Association of Mold Professionals Offers 
Mold Inspection & Remediation Certification Courses 

Prevent Toxic Mold from Spreading throughout Homes, Schools & Commercial Buildings

WALLED LAKE, Mich., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP) announced today, it's offering comprehensive mold inspection and remediation certification classes throughout the year. The NAMP has decided to provide an extensive two-day certification program due to the increasing percentage of adverse health-related problems caused from mold exposure, and the shortage of trained professionals in the mold inspection, testing, and cleanup industries. The course is held once a month in Detroit, MI. For more information on NAMP and its certification program, visit the website at www.moldpro.org or call 248-738-2127.

Course Topics Include:

* Mold issues and health-related problems caused from mold exposure * Hands-on instructions with sampling equipment for mold testing * Sampling strategies and protocols. Special sampling processes including testing for hidden mold inside walls, above ceilings, beneath floors, and inside heating and air conditioning equipment and ducts * Report interpretation, generation, and data management * Proper and safe techniques for mold removal and remediation * Recommended locations to purchase mold inspection and remediation equipment and supplies

Course Lecturers Include: Dr. Samuel Abramson, M.D., Edward P. Maloney, M.S., CMI, CMR, Francis B. McLaughlin, FAIC, Dr. Mark J. Banner, Ph.D., Dr. Paul C. Norman, Ph.D., and Gary R. Trzaskos, J.D.

The NAMP is a non-profit organization that was established with the goal of promoting the mold inspection and remediation industry. NAMP has developed an extensive training and certification program to provide education and authoritative credentials for mold professionals. NAMP provides ongoing activities designed to educate the public, and to instill the value of performing certified mold inspections as a perfunctory part of real estate transactions, after structures have been damaged by water, and any time health issues have become a concern. For more information visit www.moldpro.org.

(Article is from FacilityCity.com January 2003)

I’ve always wondered why a golfers warning is “Fore”.  Why not say “Three” on a par 3 hole?

According to L. M. Boyd:

British infantry once fired volleys from two ranks – rear rank standing behind front rank kneeling  - to double the firepower.  Rear rankers about to fire warned front rankers to keep heads down by calling out,

         “Beware Before!”

Then, “’Ware Before!” 

Then just, “’Fore!”

2003 Austin IFMA Golf Tournament  -- Title sponsor:

The 2003 Austin IFMA Golf Tournament will be held Monday, April 28, 2003, at the Hills Country Club. This years sponsored charity will be Meals on Wheels. There will be a 1:30 shotgun start with boxed lunches served before. Dinner will be served afterwards. Anyone interested in becoming a golf tournament sponsor may contact Charles Dixon, the Golf Tournament Chairman,   cdixon@cbrichardellis.com for additional information. Sponsorship levels are as follows: