|
◄Back
Friendship, Warmth…and Home Grown
Tomatoes!
Making the case for joining and getting
involved with CEFPI
Written by Trina Bazarte
Over the past 4 years, I’ve worked at
The Facility Group as the Director of
Business Development of the firm’s
Government niche market, until recently
when I was asked to take over our
Pre/K-12 Business Development efforts. I
was very excited to take on this
challenge, but I had one major hurdle…I
did not know a soul in the K12 arena.
After researching the Department of
Education’s website, I found that there
are 182 public school systems, and I
thought to myself, "how in the world am
I going to meet and get to know these
school systems on an individual basis?"
The answer was a simple one.
Several of my co-workers have been very
involved with CEFPI for many years, and
they urged me to start attending the
monthly meetings. In February, I
attended my first meeting, which took
place at Oconee County’s new high
school. I enjoyed the program and liked
having the opportunity to tour the
school. I met several people, from a
variety of school systems throughout the
state, to other architects and
construction firms providing these
systems with professional services.
Everyone I encountered was incredibly
hospitable, and I felt a good connection
to the organization immediately. I left
that day with a big smile on my face,
looking forward to the next one, and was
curious in becoming more involved with
the chapter.
A few months ago, I attended the
Regional CEFPI Conference in Hilton
Head, SC. I was not exactly sure what to
expect from the conference, or who would
even attend. For those of you who were
unable to attend this conference, I urge
you to try again next year. The theme of
the conference was "What Really Works".
There were about 235 people that came
from all over the southern states to as
far as Canada, and the Georgia chapter
was nicely represented. I was promptly
greeted by my fellow chapter mates, and
began getting to know many of them and
their spouses on a personal level. The
conference allowed for a positive
learning environment in a relaxed
atmosphere, and allowed the attendees to
really learn from each other. Attendees
from various architecture and
construction companies were able to of
offer their professional expertise and
knowledge throughout each session, while
the school officials / facilitators
guided the professional firms through
their opinions of how to work
successfully together. It was this kind
of camaraderie that contributed to the
success of the conference.
The April Spring Social was quite an
event in which a smaller and more
intimate group of individuals attended.
It took place at the Cobb Galleria and
everything from the food to the
presentations was just wonderful. The
feeling amongst the group was one of
relaxation and friendship –
conversations of families and upcoming
vacation plans dominated the evening. A
heart felt greeting from our Chapter’s
President Larry Ragsdale kicked off the
first of two speakers, Ms. Gena Abraham
with the Georgia State Financing and
Investment Commission, and funny man
turned motivational speaker, Vinnie
Verelli. As we were served our meal’s
final course of coffee and cake, we were
treated to a surprise when our fellow
Chapter Member, Bruce Lea of Gilbane
Construction, treated everyone to a
hysterical sing-a-long as he played his
guitar and led the group with his own
songs, including one called "Home Grown
Tomatoes". In a world where we all take
ourselves so seriously, it was
refreshing to see a room full of
professionals, including myself, singing
about tomatoes and laughing like
children. We all had a fantastic time!
So here I am, six months after my
initial CEFPI meeting, where I did not
know anyone. I have taken the
appropriate steps to become involved
with what our fellow school systems and
professional firms throughout the State
of Georgia have to offer. I have created
some new friends and have a better
understanding of the K-12 arena. I have
started to volunteer my time to CEFPI
because I think that it has already
proven to me that it is worth my time. I
am definitely looking forward to seeing
everyone again at the next monthly, and
helping to plan for the remainder of the
year.
In a world where we are all extremely
busy, it is comforting to know that
there are organizations like CEFPI that
can make out lives easier. But you have
to make the commitment to take advantage
of it and give back. If you are a
Facilitator of a school system with
questions about things pertaining to
your line of work, then come to CEFPI
and meet your peers who have answers for
you. If you are a member of the
Architecture, Construction or related
K-12 private sector/vendor industry
looking to better understand the K-12
community, then come to CEFPI and meet
the K-12 individuals yourself.
Whatever your reason may be, remember
that we are all in this together, and we
should rely on each other’s experience
and knowledge to help us through it.
This is why I joined CEFPI, and why I
will continue to become more active as
the year progresses.
|
