EFMA President’s Message – Tom Louie, P.Eng FEC

EFMA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Tom Louie, P. Eng., FEC

As we move through fall, the season of transition and change, I can not help but notice a parallel. Like the autumn trees, changing colour in preparation for the next season, our organization, too, is enduring a transition of sorts – one of growth and change. Such a similarity invites reflection.

In 2009 and 2010 your executive engaged in a process to develop a long-range plan for the association. This inward and outward reflection resulted in the final document identified as 2011–2015 Directions. Initially, the implementation of the plan started with the rebranding of our association in 2011 – from the School Plant Officials Association (SPOA) to the Educational Facility Managers Association (EFMA) – and continued with a marketing plan to raise the EFMA’s profile province wide.

And so begins the next step. Equipped with a clear blueprint for success, your executive is now well-positioned for the future. It is my hope that the executive will focus their efforts over the next few years on the EFMA’s long-range plan, particularly “Goal 3: Our association has organizational sustainability.”

The objectives of this goal are outlined as follows: • Develop succession plan for executive and zone chairs • Improve value to members, exhibitors and sponsors • Increase membership • Improve membership engagement • Improve zone executive interaction • Known as an association of facility professionals

Many of the aforementioned points focus on increasing our membership – and so they should. Membership is the key to any association; without membership, an association would wither away, much like the autumn leaves. By focusing on the needs of our membership, your executive can ensure the value of membership is ever-increasing. What is the value of membership? As one of the credit card companies would say, “Priceless.” For 12 years, I have had the privilege of holding an EFMA membership, and I can tell you from personal experience that it has been invaluable. Succinctly, many fellow members have also relayed this same idea: “I’m very thankful for EFMA and the support, education and leadership it provides to facility management professionals.”

“EFMA leadership opportunities gave me a confidence that translated into my job. My supervisor at the time took notice of my growing facility knowledge and management skills and eventually promoted me.”

So what can the EFMA do for current and new members? In my opinion, EFMA can: • Strengthen your workplace skills • Improve the performance of your facilities • Provide the latest technologies, trends and research • Promote your value as a decision-making education partner • Raise your professional profile in the education sector • Offer a means of networking

At this time, I would like to extend a warm welcome to both new and long-time members and ask that each of you exercise your EFMA membership to the fullest: attend zone meetings, conferences, and converse with your executive and fellow members. I would also like to extend a second warm welcome to perspective EFMA members; I look forward to working alongside you. Together, you the membership are the lifeblood of this association, and as your president, I commit to serving you in the highest regard as we put these goals into action.

To another successful year! b