Speaking the Language of FM

Yesterday I received an invite from Councils of IFMA to "Learn the Language of FM". I already speak this language, although with varying degree of advancement and correctness, so it is fortunate that the Councils have put together this wonderful item called the FMpedia which properly defines and explains the words of the FM language. This got me thinking about other languages I have learned and how my experience of learning those languages is not so different as my experience in learning the language of FM. Let me explain. I took Spanish for two years and after the 2nd year, despite passing grades and hours of verb conjugation and noun memorization, I could not hold a basic conversation. My hindrance was that outside of class I did not practice or use my Spanish and very soon I was reduced to only recognizing an occasional word or two. When I studied Italian some years later, the experience and the results were remarkably different. I studied Italian while living in Tuscany and therefore had the daily opportunity to practice what I was learning. Granted, there were many mistakes. I had a tendency to mix up the verbs for hearing; I would say "I'm not listening to you" when I really meant "I can't hear you". I also used the more aggressive verbs whereas Italians use the passive. So while I meant "will you do this for me?" what I actually said was "you will do this for me now." Fortunately, Italians are cooperative in sharing their language and I was gently correctly and instructed. I knew progress was being made when the corner shops sold me espresso and cigarettes (yes, shameful past Euro-habits) at the lower "native price". My foreign language experience is thus similar to my IFMA experience. I've been an IFMA Member since 1999 yet it's only since the fall of 2007 that I have been an Active IFMA Member and it has been a remarkable difference indeed. While we all speak the language of FM, I believe it is through active participation in IFMA that one becomes fluent. Outside of our work, how often is there the opportunity to converse about the necessity of a jockey pump, the importance of good switch gear or the difference between predictive and preventative maintenance? Like Italian, the language of FM has regional differences and not all IFMA Members will completely understand. In my own job I perform ergonomic evaluations yet blindly asking other Members "do you experience much ulnar deviation at your site?" might bring about blank stares or unintended offense. But like the citizens of Italy, the members of IFMA are cooperative and understanding when FM is spoken. Similar to learning new and different words, the nouns and acronyms of FM may be chosen and spoken, then retracted and corrected, and spoken anew in a supportive environment. "Did I say gross area? Sorry, I meant usable area." "What is Ashray? Oh! You must mean ASHRAE..." "You're not familiar with AB 32? Let me explain..." As a formerly passive IFMA Member, I averaged a few programs per year and only spoke FM at work. But the language of FM is global, not local, and the more exposure you have, and the more network you do, the more you will learn. My own advance from passive to active member was brought about by earning my CFM and attending my first World Workplace in New Orleans. Since then, I've become the Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Membership Committee. I attend as many monthly programs as I am able and I'm exciting to be to presenting the first program offering from Education in September with my fellow committee members. And I'm also exciting about the new FMpedia...that's how I recently learned that "bake-out" (in FM) means "the process by which a building is heated in an attempt to accelerate VOC emissions from furniture and materials." And that VOC acronym? A quick click in FMpedia will tell you "volatile organic compound." That one I already new from my AQI permitting. What's AQI? Well, that's not in the FMpedia but if you want to know, call me, or look for me at a Program and we'll speak some FM. That's one of the many treasures of active membership; you're always learning something that's new and different and relevant. So...I hope to see you soon! Or as they say in Italian, "spero di incontrarlo presto!"

Serena from IFMA