Pocket Full of Pebbles

Back in 2005, WWP was held in Philadelphia (near my hometown). Shortly before WWP, I had moved to the Sacramento market and switched membership from San Francisco to the Sacramento Valley Chapter. I had yet to meet anyone from the chapter except Christine Flanders, our uber-administrator from that time period. I walked into the welcome reception in search of my new chapter family. After I had looked around for some time, IFMA Powerhouse, Kathryn Lopez found me and said that there was a group of people that I had to meet, whereupon she took me straight to the Sacramento team. No sooner did I reach out my hand for a polite shake did Cyndi Smith (then the incoming Prez) reach out with wide open arms and gave me a big hug. In an instant, there was a real sense of family and belonging to this chapter. I instantly felt at home among them. But more than that, I knew I had begun a friendship with Cyndi that was real from micro-second one. All throughout the following year, I worked alongside Cyndi, Chris and a group of folks determined to take the Sacramento chapter to new heights of acheivement.

The following year, at San Diego WWP 2006, Cyndi and I sat next to each other at one of our chapter tables in the back of the room. During the Chapter of the Year Awards, she looked over at me with a look I have now become too familiar with. It's part hypnosis, part childlike wonder, and a LOT of estrogen. You know when that look pops up you are about to be spot-welded to her coat-tails and taken on yet another journey. This time, sitting at that table, she turned and said simply, "We are going to win that award." That was it. No discussion, no talk about how difficult. Just a statement that this WILL happen. My normal reaction to her bold moves is white-knuckles and mild hyperventilation (you get used to it). Think Woody Allen on a roller coaster. However, as with so much we have accomplished under Cyndi's leadership, I have some very, very good news to report. My friends...my IFMA Sacramento Family, I am filled with pride to tell you that you are all the well-deserving recipients of the 2008 International Small Chapter of Year Award. I wish all of you could have been there to share in the celebration with us. I shot the following two movie clips so you could experience the results of all your hard work to reach this milestone.



Makes ya misty don't it?

Obviously, if you have been following my live blog from WWP this year, you know I have had many "moments" that will stay with me from this week. In thinking about the conversations I had this trip, I realized that this has been the WWP of the IFMA Super-Woman. Between Cyndi, Laurie Gilmer, Serena Pancoast, Chris Costi, Kathleen Smith, and Kim Dilbeck, I realize that I am surrounded by some of the most talented and dedicated professionals I know of. And, if I dare be politically incorrect, they are as beautiful on the outside as they are inside. Let's face it, Cyndi and Laurie are the Guardians of Green. Chris Costi is the ultimate ambassador for membership in our chapter - and runs a New Member Breakfast with flair and grace. Kathleen took our rag-tag website by the boo-yah and turned it into something we can be proud of. It was Kim Dilbeck's graphic inspiration and lightening fast artistic guidance that brought us the Mayday collateral. Serena - holy moly, what can I say about Serena except that I have zero doubt that she will be running this chapter one day. She is passionate about FM and a model of disciplined professionalism. She will make an excellent leader when the time comes.

Now, it is important to note, that THIS will be the year of the IFMA Gentleman here in Sacramento given the masculine make-up of our current board of directors. Here we are reclining in "dudeness" at the Gala as we ponder all we survey. By the way, I am 5'11" and the average height of our board without me is 6'4". Don't worry, they're "gentle giants."
After the award ceremony, there was dinner and dancing. The emcee was particularly good this year - he reminded me of Dana Carvey.
After the Gala, IFMA Sacramento hosted our Third Annual Gala After Party at a trendy club called "Fuse." It was a great time with many great guests sponsored by Andersen Audio Visual, Corporate Care and SBM Site Services. Chris and Cyndi gave two "from the heart" toasts that, as usual, left me misty once again. Chris Flanders is an IFMA Veteran and his toast left no doubt that he cares for the chapter members in a way that is far more like family than business associates. He makes it clear that without the support of our husbands, wives and families, that putting the volunteer time into IFMA would be impossible. My wife has been a huge support for me by taking up the slack when I am at IFMA meetings. My IFMA participation would be impossible without her. It is an honor to work with an IFMA veteran like Chris. I am proud to be Riker to his Picard. Also, one of the side effects of being a man and working with Cyndi is getting in touch with your ability to cry at the drop of a hat when talking about IFMA, Chapter Members, puppies, sad clowns and golf tournaments. It's a kind of phenomenon that might interest a clinical psychologist. Chris' toast was definitely classic Flanders waterworks for all of us. I am going to start calling him the "Pipe Wrench."
We all had a great time at the after party just enjoying each other's company and the close of another WWP.
Lastly, I would like to say a "Thank You" to someone that comes not only from me, but the entire Sacramento Valley Chapter. There is a person in our chapter who has been our chapter father and mentor to many of us. He is clear-headed in chaos and a comedian under stress. Just knowing he is there if you need him is enough to walk the wire. Chapter of the Year would not have been possible without him. After watching the videos at bestowment of the IFMA Fellow designation at the Gala this year, it was made crystal clear how IFMA Fellows are chosen. They are people who are always there to help with their expertise and guidance for nothing but the love of FM and the organization that supports it. Our resident Fellow is no different. Kit, thank you for everything. We are very, very fortunate to be the cats in your herd.

So, where does this leave us? I can't help but think that this week has given me memories and knowledge that has simply made me a better person in many ways. I am left thinking about something Steve Greenwood said at the Gala after Mr. McGee's presentation. Steve said, "We have to get the whole chapter to feel the same pride for IFMA we all feel right now!" Steve wasn't phoning it in my friends. Like so many FM's that are passionate about their vocation, Steve believes we can make a difference. I am sure by now, if you have been reading this week's blog, you can obviously deduce that I am an emotional guy. I cry at Hallmark card commercials. Hopefully between the laughs, tears and wisecracks, you can see that I truly believe that IFMA is an organization that can make a difference through the many exciting, interesting and dedicated people in its ranks. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask: what will you do today to make a difference? I have a pocket full of pebbles to throw in each of your ponds at the next monthly program. Bring a raincoat.

-WW

Key "Notes"

Today, we assembled in the main expo area to attend the keynote speech. The speaker, Chip Heath was excellent. We are bringing back his book, "Made to Stick" for the Chapter library. Without going into detail, the message was simply, be simple in your communication. Drop the buzzwords and communicate in concrete ways that make people remember your "story." He also defined FM's in a way that really rang true. Given all the layers and business units with which Facilities Managers interact with and influence, he nicknamed them "The Decatheletes of The Buisness World."

Speaking of stories, tonight is installment number two of "WWWP" (Wayne's World Workplace). After my first WWP at Kansas City in 2001 (see next blog), I went Northward to Toronto for 2002. The city was immaculate and the locals were friendly and helpful. The WWP itself was just good ol' Classic WWP. Attendance was a little higher than the previous year and Toronto was an execellent venue. While there, I started a new tradition where I bring my guitar with me to different cities when I travel. Since I play blues, I am usually able to find a blues band or jam where I can go and sit in. While in Toronto, I hopped in a cab to the other side of town and played at a little club called the Silver Dollar.

Now, most blues musicians love the music and the magic that happens when the band locks in to a groove together. There is nothing on earth like it. Like our FM partners, we have to work with different personalities and temperments among our band members. Some musicians are generally easy-going while others can be, well....drummers. However, even those "difficult" folks can make a sum greater than the parts when headed toward the same groove. When our FMers are conducting their teams to get into a groove and lock in with one another, they are making music of sorts. Even though a coordinator on your team may be an anal-retentive pain, he can still contribute and add value to a team if the team has a concrete goal that everyone believes they are working toward. Our Keynote speaker challenged us by saying we could even get the accountants to get excited about goals which are simply communicated and concrete in nature.

Later in the evening, we all went to Gilley's for the Welcome Reception. Though it wasn't the same place where "Urban Cowboy" was filmed, it was still as big as Texas inside replete with line dancing and good vittles. There was something for everyone: Country music, Pop/rock music, billiards and bullriding (not at the same time), casino-style gambling, and lots of food. It was a good time. However, yours truly had to sceedaddle to a place about 30 minutes away in Grapevine. You see, one of my associates in Texas owns a bar where a SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughan) tribute band was playing. Coincidentally, Stevie himself played there before (see picture inset). I must explain that I am more than a fan of SRV - I am more like a disciple. Rarely does a day go by where I don't either listen to or play one of his songs.
I showed up a the bar and heard - hands down - the best SRV guitarist I have ever heard. This wasn't your average tribute band, this guitarist was someone who had studied the music to the point where it poured out of him in such a way that even the most diehard SRV follower could close their eyes and believe Stevie was in the room.

I was able to sit in with his band and it was a wonderful experience. But it was after his set when I found out that the guitarist, Tommy, has been here in Texas for only a year. He is from Hungary and ever since he saw Stevie Ray when he was five, he wanted nothing else but to play Stevie's music in Texas. I must tell you, the kid was one of the most humble and beautiful people I have met in this business. We got to talking about Stevie and both got a little misty as we talked about our hero. I am so happy to see his music carried on by this young man who is living his dream in a way that few can ever do. Knowing that he is playing in Stevie's home state with the uttmost respect for the music brings him a joy that few will ever experience. I am so happy to have met him and played Stevie's music with him while here in Dallas. It will definitely be the high point of this trip for me.
Until tomorrow....

Lucky Number 7

Yes, that's right. This is WWP number seven for your humble correspondent and fearless Chapter VP. Chris (Pres) and Mark (past Treasurer) were on the flight with me. This is actually number two for Dallas. On the flight I got to thinking about past WWP's and I'd like to share a little about what I remember from previous WWP's throughout this week.


My first WWP was in Kansas City 2001. This was about one month after the September 11th attacks. It was an eerie flight from San Francisco because there were a total of seven people on the plane. As you can imagine, turnout was very low. The "art cows" exhibited on the city streets and the theme that year "Oz" seemed all the more surreal given all that we had just gone through and what this would mean for facilities around the world. But, what I remember is a West Coast dinner we put together; bolstered by a few straggler chapters we invited from around the western US to join us. There was a pride that we all made it there and defied those trying to frighten us. We were all laughing and eating the best corn fed beef I had ever had. Shortly after dinner, there was an almost sudden quiet across this room of about seventy people. At what seemed to be an awkward moment I heard someone to my right begin to sing "America the Beautiful" in a soft and tender voice. It was Britta from Monster Cable. As her voice grew more brave we all chimed in through smiles and tears. There were no political affiliations, no CNN, no Fox News, no polling. Just a group of people who huddled together for a brief moment of unity and comfort. I'll never forget that moment as long as I live.


Anyhoo, we are here now and I am going to bunk down for the night, but I'll report tomorrow about the day’s activities and another of my "Tales from WWP's Past." I just took this picture outside my hotel room window. I wish all of you in the chapter could be here with us. Because of the great, hardworking people in our industry WWP is truly a magical experience that I wish all of you were here to share. I'll do my best to give you the "virtual experience" this week.


Wayne Whitzell - IFMA Sacramento Chapter, Vice President