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From the President

SBGA Leaders Meet with Commissioner Steiner

Educational Professionals in Albany for 2010 Critical Issues Summit

SFMI Fall Conference Materials Available!

SFMI News

2010 Leadership Weekend

Visiting Strong Partners, Good Friends

Legislator Profile

Schoolfacilitiesjob.com
Have You Checked it?

Congratulations Mid-State Chapter

EPA Recognizes NYSERDA with 2010 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award

Managers’ Corner

Quote of the Month

April
15-SBGA Legislative Committee Conference Call @ 2:30pm

30-May 1-SBGA/SFMI Leadership Weekend – Newburgh

May
13- SBGA Legislative Committee Conference Call @ 2:30pm

19-SFMI Webinar: Maintaining Your Buildings for a Healthier Tomorrow
31-3rd Vice President Nominations Due

SBGA 2010-11 Dues Notices Distributed

June
6-9 - NYSASBO Conference, Saratoga

July
Regional Training: Keeping Your Grass Green in the Lean Years

NYS Association for Superintendents of School Buildings & Grounds, Inc.
119 Washington Avenue, Suite 300
Albany, NY 12210

800.359.SBGA toll free
518.465.0563 ph
518.465.0579 fax
info@sbga.org
www.sbga.org

From the President
Happy Spring! We’ve all been fortunate to experience warm, sunny weather recently and I hope you’ve all been able to get out there and enjoy it.

The past few months have been incredibly busy for SBGA, SFMI and all of our members. In early March we held another successful Advocacy Day and met with more than 100 New York State legislators. Then, on March 25 SFMI, SBGA, SED and NYSERDA joined forces to offer the 2010 Critical Issues Summit at historic Chancellor’s Hall at the SED Building in Albany. During this program we examined best practices; explored new funding opportunities and provided the tools for participants to walk away with practical techniques for sustaining excellent learning environments for school districts around the state.

The exciting thing that happened last month, however, is SBGA leaders had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Steiner prior to the Summit program. My colleagues and I met with the Commissioner in the prestigious Regents Room where we introduced him to our organizations and reinforced the fact that school facilities are crucial to the creation, operation and maintenance of clean, safe, healthy learning environments. I truly thank our friend Carl Thurnau, PE for helping coordinate and facilitate this very important and productive meeting. We also appreciate Commissioner Steiner for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with us.

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SBGA Leaders Meet with Commissioner Steiner

Last month SBGA leaders met with David Steiner, Ph.D., Commissioner of the New York State Education Department, prior to the 2010 Critical Issues Summit. This was the first time the Commissioner has met with the Association, and provided a great opportunity to introduce him to SBGA and SFMI, our commitment to New York State’s schools and students, and establish the organization as a resource and partner for the Commissioner and his office.

Educational Professionals in Albany for 2010 Critical Issues Summit
Each and every day educational professionals strive to provide New York State's school children a strong education. School facilities professionals work to sustain these campuses, ensuring safe, clean, healthy learning environments for students and communities. With today's rocky economic climate, school districts must look to additional resources to continue providing safe, clean, healthy learning environments for our students.

Nearly 250 educational professionals ventured to historic Chancellor's Hall at the NYSED building in Albany on March 25 for the 2010 School Facilities Critical Issues One-Day Training Summit. This program was offered by the School Facilities Management Institute (SFMI) and the New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings & Grounds, Inc. (SBGA) in collaboration with the New York State Education Department. Visit www.sbga.org view photos from the program.

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SFMI Fall Conference Materials Available!

This year’s Professional Development Conference and Exhibit Show programs are set and materials are available online. Register now and save a combined total of $150 on your conference tuition and hotel package!

Our theme this year is Creating, Operating & Maintaining Sustainable Learning Environments, so join us this year as we explore best practices to effectively and efficiently utilize the latest technological innovations in the design, construction and maintenance of our school buildings. Again this year we bring back experts on energy and sustainability, facilities planning, building and classroom layout, indoor air quality, and more. Plus, learn about industry vendors’ latest and greatest products and services at the exhibit show as you travel through our 2010 School Facilities Greener Tomorrow Expo on the trade show floor, beginning Sunday evening. Click here for Expo Registration Materials.

Thank You Sponsors!
(As of April 1, 2010)
Diamond
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) – Energy & Sustainability Showcase
Platinum
C&S Companies/QueCentre – Expo Grand Opening
Silver
Day Automation Systems, Inc. – Monday Morning Coffee Break
Bronze
AccuScan
Arris Contracting Company

SFMI NEWS

Register for SFMI’s next Lunch & Learn webinar, Maintaining Your Buildings for a Healthier Tomorrow scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 with Dr. Robert Isreal from Diversey Inc.

This webinar will provide the latest information about cleaning and maintaining buildings in these turbulent times of H1N1, MRSA or the next major epidemic. As you know, facility managers are pressured by parents and administrators to use the latest, greatest potent disinfectant even when a simpler, common sense solution will do. Participants will walk away with clear, concise action plans to better maintain our schools and how to best communicate these plans to parents, school officials and the media. Click here to register.

July Regional Training Seminars - Coming to a School Near You!
This July SFMI will hit the road with Keeping Your Grass Green in the Lean Years, a program with Dr. Jennifer Grant of the Cornell IPM program. The session will give our members a real perspective on learning how to continue maintaining their fields in these challenging times. We are in the process of finalizing the locations and dates. The week of July 12 we are looking at schools in the Mid-Hudson and Long Island areas. The following week we will be at Rush-Henrietta on Tuesday, July 20 and Liverpool on Wednesday, July 21. Mark your calendar for the seminar closest to you, and watch your mailbox and email for registration information.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Interested in sponsoring one of these upcoming SFMI training events? Contact Mike Cocca in Association headquarters at (518) 465-0563, ext. 115 or sfmi@sbga.org for more information. Sponsoring an SFMI event is a great way to increase your exposure, show your support for school facilities professionals and network with Association members and leaders.

2010 Leadership Weekend
Service, Leadership, Legacy

Later this month, SBGA and SFMI leaders will be gathering in Newburgh for our annual Leadership Weekend, Service, Leadership, Legacy. As leaders in the industry, we’ve committed our profession to serving our districts, taken leadership roles within our communities, and now are carrying out the legacy of our predecessors. This year’s program will focus on best practices for communicating the value of the profession at all levels.

Visiting Strong Partners, Good Friends

Last month SBGA President Chris Ouderkirk, CDF, 1st Vice President Bill Blosser, CDF and Executive Director Joe Van De Loo traveled to New Jersey for their annual conference and expo. We were NJSBGA’s guests for their annual banquet and had the opportunity to share ideas, best practices and network with business partners from across the country.

Legislator Profile
Senator Suzi Oppenheimer

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer has earned a reputation in the Legislature as an energetic and vocal advocate for education, environmental protection, child care, health care, fiscal reform and the arts. Her record of community service, local government experience, and leadership on statewide issues has enabled her to work in a bipartisan manner to address the concerns of her constituents and all New Yorkers.

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Schoolfacilitiesjob.com
Have You Checked It?

Looking to advance your career? Need to hire an experienced, dedicated facilities professional? Visit SBGA’s Job Bank, specifically designed for school facility professionals to find employment as well as seek experienced, qualified employees. Simply log in and begin your search – for FREE. This is a tremendous benefit for any of you looking to fill positions, or make a move.

This site allows you to register as a job seeker or employer, and then search job listings and post your resume, or view qualified employees’ profiles. Other features include:

• job descriptions,
• sample interview questions
• how to become a director of facilities.

Visit the site today, and keep your career moving!

Congratulations Mid-State Chapter
Annual Trade Show Beats Attendance Record, Provides Networking and Education for Members

Each winter the Mid-State Chapter holds their trade show, and this year’s focus was green cleaning and the latest in custodial services. All 27 Chapter districts were represented at the event, which drew nearly 500 participants for the trade show and educational sessions, held at Skaneateles CSD.
Congratulations to the Trade Show Committee, led by Mike Aiken, CDF (Cincinnatus CSD) on a successful event.

Click here to view local articles and photos.

Share Your Story With Us!

Email Meg at Association headquarters with your district or chapter news for inclusion in our next e-newsletter!

EPA Recognizes NYSERDA with 2010 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award
NYSERDA earns award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. NYSERDA’s accomplishments were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.

One of the highlights leading to this recognition is the fact that the Focus on K-12 Schools Program has benchmarked more than 925 K-12 schools in over 200 districts, with the average school reducing energy consumption by 22 % and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 18 percent.

“I thank EPA for this award and its recognition of the sustained excellence that NYSERDA staff and our contractors have demonstrated in achieving greater energy efficiency through ENERGY STAR,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA.

(Read more)

Managers’ Corner
Cultivate the Right Environment for Employee Engagement

Employee engagement doesn’t just happen – but you can’t force it into existence, either. You can create an environment where is has a chance to flourish if you incorporate these essential elements in your workplace:

• Meaning: Give employees a reason to care about what they do, a chance to apply their passions to something important. A strong positive vision and an understanding of how their activities help others will deepen their commitment to doing their best.
• Competence: Your employees want to do a good job. Give them the training and information they need to feel competent and confident. That includes positive feedback for learning new skills and recognition of what they already know. Assignments that challenge their skills will also feed their self-confidence.
• Responsibility: Delegate real decision-making authority to your people, and show confidence in their judgment. Monitor their performance so you can help them out when it’s necessary, but don’t micromanage. Assure your associates that you won’t punish honest mistakes as long as they’re honest with you.
• Impact: Where are they going? What have they achieved? Give employees a clear view of the opportunities available to them in your organization or district and industry. Let them communicate with customers so they can see the effects of their work. Don’t forget to celebrate their successes, at work and outside it.

~ Adapted from the Human Resource Executive Online website

Quote of the Month

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

~John Quincy Adams

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