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By Lynda Reinhart
Each year, the IAAM Foundation solicits
contributions from its members to help support various learning initiatives and
grant requests. Whenever someone sticks his hand out, most people want to know,
“What’s in it for me?” before parting with their hard-earned cash. It’s a
reasonable question. There are thousands of good causes out there that rely on
donations to carry out their mission: save the whales, feed the children, help
the homeless … and educate the facility managers? Let’s face it, the IAAM
Foundation can’t rely on the sympathy vote for fundraising, so it goes back to
the original question, “What’s in it for me?”
 Most
of the organization’s members who volunteer for committees and work closely with
IAAM understand how the money is used and the strength of the initiative, which
wouldn’t be possible without funding. We’re the ones (and I say “we,” because I
now find myself in this category) who thank the Foundation at every turn for
supporting the programs we work on throughout the year. The challenge ahead is
conveying to the general membership how they also benefit from these various
programs. I think the best explanation is the “build a better manager” theory.
A Strong Foundation
It all begins in college. Those who know me also know I’m a huge advocate of
student professional development. It’s not only a benefit to the student, but it
also helps the industry as a whole by enhancing the skills and leadership
abilities of those who will one day work in our facilities. Each year at the
Annual Conference I try to meet as many of the student volunteers and IAAM
Foundation scholarship recipients as possible. It excites me when a few years
later, I see some of those same students back as active members. These are the
people who have experienced firsthand what’s in it for them.
“Managers who earn the CFE designation are recognized by those inside and
outside the industry as experts in their profession.”
The IAAM Foundation programs provide professional development, which eventually
leads to better-educated members and a stronger industry.
 Stephanie
Barreras from Northwood University attended the 2004 Annual Conference in Reno,
Nev., on a student scholarship. She now works with the Foundation as an IAAM
staff member. “As a student scholarship winner I was afforded the opportunity to
use the Annual Conference as a stepping stone to my future in the industry.
“It allowed me not only to learn from experts in the industry through the
various educational sessions, but it also permitted me to meet and form
relationships with those in the positions I want to strive to be in. Had I not
participated in the Annual Conferences as a student volunteer and scholarship
recipient, the favorable place I am in today would have been considerably more
difficult to attain.”
David Lucier, event manager at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, echoes
Barreras’ comments: “As a student, I was very fortunate to attend several
conferences with the aid of scholarships. These conferences had a great impact
on my decision to pursue a future in facility management. Attending seminars and
meeting people from different venues definitely played an important role in
learning exactly where my career path is hopefully going to take me.
“I was able to take advantage of student scholarships, and I’m looking forward
to the opportunity to apply for others to help me improve as a professional and
continue to learn. The IAAM Foundation has had a very positive impact on my
career, and I know many others share the same sentiments.”
Body Language
The classroom experience is further enhanced by the work generated by the Body
of Knowledge Committee. Over the past seven years, this group has developed the
core competencies, which grew into a facility management textbook and a graduate
degree program, and now serves as the starting point for IAAM educational
curricula tracks developed by the IAAM Board of Education.
 Once
the fledgling facility manager has his foot in the door, the opportunities for
professional education are boundless: Public Assembly Facility Management School
at Oglebay, Graduate Institute at Oglebay, Academy for Venue Safety and
Security, Senior Executive Symposium, and, of course, the newly created European
Academy for Venue Management, which will welcome its first class this September.
If you’ve attended any of these programs, you can attest that there’s something
in it for everyone. If you’ve sent any of your employees to one or more of these
programs, you and your operation have also benefited from their experience.
Crowning Achievement
The capstone of the IAAM educational process is the Certified Facilities
Executive (CFE) program. This program was begun by IAAM in 1976 to recognize
excellence in the professional development and competence of managers of public
assembly facilities.
“All of these initiatives (and many other projects that I haven’t even touched
on) would never have come to fruition without funding from the Foundation.”
The CFE designation says three important things about a facility executive: he’s
a skilled manager, committed to the industry, and pledged to continued
professional growth and development. Managers who earn the CFE designation are
recognized by those inside and outside the industry as experts in their
profession. Who wouldn’t want to be known as an expert? Beyond that, who
wouldn’t want someone they’ve mentored and directed in their career to be known
as an expert? (I’m quite certain that would make you an expert by default).
All of these initiatives (and many other projects that I haven’t even touched
on) would never have come to fruition without funding from the Foundation. In
some cases it was seed money to get started, others are ongoing scholarships,
and some rely on annual grants to continue their mission. In all cases, the
Foundation was able to fund the projects because of member donations.
The results are tangible programs and products that strengthen our profession
and businesses by providing the most up-to-date information and learning
experiences that keep our members energized and one step ahead of the game. When
we build a better manager, we all win.
Lynda Reinhart first joined IAAM
after applying for and receiving a $40 student membership scholarship in 1997.
Since then, she has served since its inception on the Body of Knowledge
Committee and worked with the Universities Committee on the University Venue
Management Conference. She is a graduate of the PAFMS at Oglebay and the AVSS
and has applied to attend the Graduate Institute next year. Reinhart currently
serves as assistant director at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center and hopes to
begin the CFE application process in the near future. |
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