NYS Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds

Nurturing the resources available to us is critical to sustaining a strong, successful organization. SBGA Officers, State Directors, Chapter Presidents and SFMI Board Members spent the weekend discussing everything from Chapter team building to strategies for energizing members at all levels of the Association.

"As leaders of the Association, we're responsible for examining and strengthening the resources available to us," stated Chris Ouderkirk, CDF, SBGA 1st Vice President (Sandy Creek CSD). "One of my goals for the weekend was to explore all of the issues we face today as individual chapters and their impact on the Association as a whole."

State and Chapter leaders left Alexandria Bay with examples of best practices and tools and strategies for implementation and Chapter model that works for the Association today.

"We may have varied difficulties throughout the state, but we all have one common goal - to sustain a strong, successful association," remarked Stan Polmateer, SFMI Co-Chair (Rush Henrietta CSD). "Hearing all of the best practices from our colleagues enables us to bring these ideas back home and improve our own Chapter, and ultimately become better at our jobs."

Participants also had an opportunity to hear from Carl Thurnau, PE, Coordinator for the New York State Education Department Office of Facilities Planning. "Having Carl join leaders from throughout the state on a regular basis is crucial to the success of the organization, our chapters, and all of the school districts we represent," said Fred Koelbel, SFMI Co-Chair (Port Jefferson UFSD). "The knowledge and information he shares with us allows us to maintain safe, healthy, clean, efficient learning environments."