Our chapter is dedicated to YOUR success! | |
Read on for opportunities to advance in your FM career through your involvement in our chapter! | |
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IFMA Member Spotlight
Swarn Soldate, CFM
Facilities & Construction Manager
Enterprise Mobility
How did you get into your current position?
Migrated from retail/service division of our business to work on special cost savings initiatives in the Facilities Department 25+ years ago. The department grew, evolved and solidified over time. We grew up and got our footing. Now we have a visible and notable impact on our business that spans over all of our business lines. We have a seat at the grown ups table!
What excites you about facility management?
The thing I love most is that I get to learn something new every day and that every day is different. I don’t get bored. Second to that is the visible & tangeable impact my work and work product has on the lives of my co-workers. I make a positive difference thru design and innovation!
How do you benefit from the IFMA and the Seattle Chapter?
Attending events reminds me I can always strive to be better at my craft- some of the other professionals Ive heard speak or engaged with, inspire me to push myself and improve.
Lunch and learns are great- Id love to see more options on topics beyond sustainability related systems. Creative/Innovative Interior design finishes, ADA compliance and creative solutions related to interior spaces, Innovative products you applied to address a problem area.
Any advice for new members?
Don’t be afraid to try…everyone makes mistakes. That’s the best way to learn! We learn more with collaboration and we wont get that from you if you don’t throw it out there.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up- believe me everyone has something to contribute….I almost always learn something new when I meet new people…love it!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Watch professional tennis, go to the spa, supporting art in many different forms…opera, symphony, ballet, fashion, museums and going to the casino.
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Our chapter is dedicated to our members and would like to showcase the efforts of professional and associate members alike!
If you have a member to showcase in our newsletter, please contact melanie.danuser@buildingpotential.org
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IFMA National Free FM Memberships
For the third year in a row, we are working with IFMA National to grant (5) free base professional memberships as a thank you to FM professionals for their contributions and to attract new FMs to our group. If you know of an FM who would benefit from IFMA membership, please send us a note at melanie.danuser@buildingpotential.org
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It’s time for our student giveaway.
Students studying full-time at an accredited college or university qualify for a one-year free base membership. To qualify, students must provide proof of current enrollment by September 30, 2024.
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Insights from IFMA's Executive Summit 2024
Navigating the Technological Landscape for FM
There are megatrends around technology integration and digitalization that will transform the FM industry. To overcome internal challenges, service providers need to come up with ready-made market solutions rather than waiting for clients to tell them what they want. To remain competitive and deliver innovative FM services, facility managers must embrace digital transformation. In this whitepaper, we share insights, opportunities and challenges concerning cybersecurity and the FM industry from leaders around the industry. Read Now
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IFMA's Research & Benchmarking
IFMA's Research & Benchmarking offers insights and key takeaways from the best in FM. Facility managers can watch analysis and deep dives into the latest trends to stay one step ahead of tomorrow's challenges. In addition to sharing research reports, white papers and webinars, IFMA is pleased to host two sessions the week of this year's World Workplace in San Antonio.
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AI in FM Boot Camp: A Practical Hands-on Workshop
October 7, 8 am -12 pm CST
Join Jake Smithwick, PhD and Kenneth Sullivan, PhD for an immersive and interactive 4-hour workshop at IFMA’s World Workplace in San Antonio, tailored specifically for facility managers wanting to learn how they can use the power of Artificial Intelligence in their facility operations. We’ll spend some time introducing AI platforms like ChatGPT, and similar technologies, but will focus most of our time on offering practical, hands-on tools.
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Mastering Facility Metrics: The FM’s Guide to O&M Benchmarking
October 7, 1 - 5 pm CST
This intensive, 4-hour course will provide practical, hands-on guidance for starting down the path of effective benchmarking. Jake Smithwick, PhD and Kenneth Sullivan, PhD will discuss how to capture data, present information in a way that tells a story (and convince people to buy off on an idea!) and ultimately, operate your facility more efficiently. Additionally, all attendees will receive a FREE copy of IFMA’s North America O&M Benchmarking Report. You will walk out with a business case template that can be used on your next project request. Bring your own data for analysis as part of this hands-on workshop.
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EGSA Fall Conference
EGSA is holding their Fall Conference in Bellevue, September 15-17. The conference will include two days of learning and networking. In conjunction with the conference, we are offering a free Engineering Symposium. For any Facilities Managers who would like to attend, it is FREE and provides CEUs/PDHs for attendees. https://conference.egsa.org/general-4
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Invitation from Seattle 2030 District
Focus Group on Stormwater Management in Affordable Housing - October 10th
We are excited to invite you to a special focus group on stormwater management in affordable housing, hosted by the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts with support from the King County WaterWorks Program.
Event Details:
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Date: October 10th
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Time: 11 AM - 1 PM
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Location: University of Washington, Architecture Hall 250
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Address: 3943 West Stevens Way Northeast #250 Seattle, WA 98195
This focus group is a unique opportunity for affordable housing owners, operators, and managers to discuss strategies, limitations, and opportunities for improving stormwater management. Your insights and experiences are invaluable to this important conversation.
Lunch will be provided, and attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to tour the Seattle Housing Authority’s Willis House, showcasing innovative stormwater infrastructure in action.
Register to join us: https://bit.ly/2030DistrictxWaterWorks. We look forward to your participation in this crucial discussion.
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Clean Buildings Incentive Program – Bellevue & Issaquah
The Cities of Bellevue and Issaquah are helping large buildings (20,000+ sf) to reduce energy use, save on costs, and comply with WA State Clean Buildings Law. Free building energy services include energy benchmarking, scoping assessments, incentive navigation, and compliance reporting support – an estimated $18,000 value.
Sign-up today: Bellevue | Issaquah
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SBX Conference: Registration Open! | |
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Registration for the FREE Smart Buildings Exchange conference is open now! https://www.sbxconference.org/register/
Throughout the built environment, new technologies are connecting building systems and occupants in ways that generate new and exciting opportunities. From enabling buildings to perform for occupants and owners in previously unimaginable ways, to leveraging buildings to accelerate smart cities and the clean energy transition for a cleaner and healthier planet, the opportunities are countless and inspiring. The Smart Buildings Exchange brings together the key audiences to challenge the hype, bear witness to the innovation, and explore the business case for accelerating the adoption and commercialization of smart buildings technologies and practices.
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FREE, ONLINE DEMAND FLEXIBILITY LEARNING WITH AESP & The U.S.D.O.E. | |
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Brought to you by AESP and the U.S. Department of Energy, Demand flexibility is the heartbeat of our future grid. It is the coordinated manipulation of energy consumption and production across grid devices on a massive scale while maintaining livability and comfort standards. AESP is now offering free, online courses that are convenient, and designed for tomorrow's energy efficiency leaders.
Elevate your expertise with FLEX's accredited online courses! Dive into demand flexibility, exploring water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, battery storage, and EVSE. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, FLEX FLEX's 3-course series offers flexible learning modules, and equips tomorrow's workforce with skills for grid-interactive energy technologies. Whether designing customer offerings or engaging with these resources as grid assets, FLEX is your gateway to mastering the future of energy. Ideal for Energy Efficiency and DER Professionals, Electric Utilities Staff, and more. Seize the opportunity to maximize the value of flexible loads as both a grid asset and a customer asset. Enroll now for a brighter, sustainable future! Register here: Login.aesp.org
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Seattle Building Emission Performance Standard (BEPS) News | |
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Since the passage of Seattle Building Emission Performance Standard (BEPS) in December, OSE staff have been preparing for the next phase of policy implementation – rulemaking, program design and reporting tool evaluation. OSE is kicking off rulemaking this month while we concurrently revamp the Accelerator coaching program to better support BEPS and WA Clean Buildings (CBPS) compliance.
BEPS Rulemaking
Stakeholder Engagement
The BEPS policy includes many flexible options for compliance and OSE values opportunities for stakeholder participation to help the City further shape and clarify these options. To facilitate this OSE will enable:
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A facilitated Technical Rulemaking Workgroup with subject matter experts from multiple sectors to weigh in on options to inform the draft.
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Facilitated topic-specific focus groups (e.g., affordable housing, decarbonization plans, private building portfolios, and others TBD).*
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Public webinars for feedback on key elements of the draft rule.
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Continuous opportunities to share written comments.
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A three-week formal public comment period after the draft rule is released.
Timeline
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This month we are kicking off the workgroup and will convene focused topical meetings starting in the fall. Summaries of and slides from these meetings will be posted on the new BEPS Rulemaking webpage.
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Public webinars summarizing the input and key draft rules will follow later this year and into early 2025. (Dates TBD)
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A draft rule for public comment will follow by mid-2025.
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Visit the website for a detailed timeline that will be updated periodically.
* Please contact us at cleanbuildings@seattle.gov if you have a technical expertise and a strong interest in participating.
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Accelerator Coaching Program is Getting a Makeover
OSE is gathering input from stakeholders to help reshape the Seattle Clean Building Accelerator’s coaching cohort approach. To date, six cohorts of building owners and operators, representing more than 40 entities, have completed four-month “sprints” of monthly workshops and one-on-one coaching calls and virtual site visits to help them understand and comply with the State of Washington’s Clean Building Standard (CBPS). As CBPS Tier 2 buildings (smaller commercial and multifamily) begin to prepare for upcoming compliance dates and as the City prepares to embark on rulemaking for its BEPS, OSE is revamping the Accelerator to ensure it meets the needs of under-resourced owners of the buildings subject to these new rules. New cohorts are currently paused while the program redesign is underway, but building owners and operators can access the self-led, online content of the Accelerator at any time here. Stay informed about the revamped Accelerator by signing up for updates here.
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Got a question or comment?
Email us at cleanbuildings@seattle.gov or check the website for additional resources like:
ENERGY BENCHMARKING
(Non-residential and Multifamily Buildings > 20,000 SF)
Benchmarking Enforcement Grace Period Ends September 1st
Congratulations to the 87% of required properties that have attained compliance with Seattle’s benchmarking law. The deadline for submitting reporting year 2023 benchmarking data was June 1st. Property owners who are out of compliance have until September 1st, 2024, to submit an accurate benchmarking report. After that date, Notices of Violation and fines will be issued. Per updates to the benchmarking law made in December 2023, the City will now impose a single comprehensive fine for each violation, rather than quarterly accruing fines. Non-compliance after the end of the grace period will result in a $2,000 fine for properties between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet and a $4,000 fine for properties larger than 50,000 square feet. Please visit the Benchmarking Instructions page for detailed guidance on how to ensure compliance.
Review the Compliance Status of Your Building(s)
Property owners can check their compliance status in the 2023 Benchmarking Compliance Portal by searching the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) Building ID, property name, or ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® username. The Compliance Portal will continue to be updated three times per week through October 2024. If you need help finding your building’s OSE Building ID, search the Energy Benchmarking Map for your property. Additionally, a list of all non-compliant properties as of 7/19/2024 can be downloaded here.
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International Facility Management Association
5727 Baker Way NW Suite 200 | Gig Harbor, WA 98332
(253) 265-3042
https://www.ifma.org/
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