Top Five Reasons to Join an IFMA Chapter

1. Local networking with professional peers
IFMA chapters add special value to your membership experience. A unique forum for FM professionals to network locally with their peers, chapters provide many avenues for professional and personal development through monthly meetings, educational courses, social functions and facility tours.

2. Chapter-specific member resources
In addition to information and tools available through your IFMA membership, chapters offer resources specific to your local interests. Many chapters maintain their own Web sites, publish newsletters and local membership directories, and provide employment referral services. Chapter resources are important to your career growth, industry knowledge and networking.

3. Best practice sharing with local peers
Through chapter Web sites, meetings and events, you have the opportunity to talk with peers about workplace challenges and pose industry-related questions, receiving timely answers. Chapters bring IFMA resources directly to you, making your membership experience more personal.

4. Local professional development programs
Chapters sponsor IFMA educational seminars, offer round table and panel discussions, and present "hot topic" speakers to members. Chapters also organize certification study groups designed for members planning to take IFMA's CFM exam. Peer support and knowledge sharing contribute to enhancing your professional development.

5. Leadership opportunities
Chapter committees and leadership positions allow members to contribute in areas such as program and event planning, marketing, Web development and member recruitment. As a source of personal development, participation as a chapter leader or organizer is highly rewarding. Chapter involvement is a source of pride, accomplishment and honor.

Top Five Reasons to Join an IFMA Council

1. Focused Networking
Your facility is unique. You have a unique set of skills reflecting the special needs of your work environment. You possess specialized knowledge about the business you support. When you have a facility-related question, you want to confer with a peer who has shared experiences in that particular work environment.

IFMA councils unite members who have similar responsibilities and working situations. Councils direct their own programs, which are structured to meet the needs of their membership.

2. Targeted Information
Council participation is the ideal solution for facility professionals seeking highly targeted information in particular areas of expertise. Councils allow you to share work experiences and case studies with industry peers. Truly global in nature, councils are not limited by location. You are able to communicate with colleagues worldwide about issues, concerns and best practices specific to your area of facility management.

3. Community of Interest
You are a part of a community with common concerns.

4. Information Sharing
Sharing information is a necessity in today's global business community. IFMA formed councils in order to meet the industry-specific networking and information needs of its members. Councils provide opportunities for interaction that transcend chapter and regional boundaries, enabling members to meet other professionals who share an interest in a particular FM practice or who work in the same business sector. Helping each other resolve traditional as well as new day-to-day challenges.

5. Heightens your marketability
Validates importance of position. Services offered by IFMA councils may include: newsletters, directories and other publications; listservs-electronic discussion groups; teleconference meetings and discussions; benchmarking and best practices studies; council-specific Web sites; industry-specific seminars and conferences.

Council benefits may include:
Newsletters: Covering current council news and articles by members on "hot topics."
Directories: Membership rosters are available to all council members.
Listservs: An e-mail network providing instant access to the entire council membership.
Teleconference meetings: A venue for discussing benchmarking and best practices.
Web sites: Updated frequently to keep council members up to date on discussions and activities.
Seminars and conferences: At a minimum, each council meets at IFMA's annual conference and expo, World Workplace. Many councils host spring meetings as well.