Advocacy
IFMA Advocacy Day
GTC of IFMA members Cris Karasek and Mike Schley attended IFMA Advocacy Day 2017 in Washington DC on September 12th and 13th. What exactly is Advocacy Day? The following article was featured in FMJ and gives the basics. It’s written by Jeff Johnson, IFMA’s Director of Global Affairs, and Jed Link, IFMA’s Director of Public Relations.
Each year, FM Advocates travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in IFMA’s free Advocacy Day and Public Policy Forum. It’s an energizing two-day experience that takes participants behind-the-scenes of the U.S. capital, not only to rub elbows with key decisions-makers who craft policy that impacts the built environment but also to see the how facilities meet the unique needs of the federal government.
In national, state and local governments across the globe public policy decisions have a dramatic impact on FM. In everything from energy policy, sustainability, tax policy, disaster preparation and recovery, emergency response, work safety policy, facility management standardization, education and training, smart buildings, worker access and mobility and more, FM has a stake.
Formulating sound public policy requires lawmakers, subject matter experts, and advocacy groups working together to find common ground and meaningful solutions to real problems. To ensure that FM has a place at the table (and not, as the popular saying goes, on the menu), IFMA’s government affairs program is robust and global.
In Washington, D.C., IFMA helps lead a coalition of built environment groups in the administration of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus – a group of like-minded members of the U.S. House of Representatives who work together in pursuit of sound policy relating to the built environment.
That IFMA is a powerful voice of the FM industry among policy makers is a fulfillment of a critical mission. A 2016 survey of FM professionals found that 83 percent perceive this advocacy role is an important or very important part of the service provided by a professional association.
IFMA Advocacy Front
After many years of effort and your support, the President signed into law in December legislation that is a direct result of our advocacy efforts and your support.
Both Tom Carper and Jeff Denham have been strong proponents for the improvement of management of federal property. At one of our advocacy days they were both preparing to speak to our group and they decided to align on this issue and now it is law.
The Federal Property Management Reform Act of 2016 requires agencies to maintain up-to-date inventory of the property it owns, provides for increased co-location opportunities for federal agencies with the Postal Service and establishes a Federal Real Property Council to develop uniform guidance for agency property managers to follow and share best practices in property management among agencies.
Further actions will include property disposition as well as training opportunities which are both areas IFMA would like to assist with.
Carper Legislation to Improve Management of Federal Property Becomes Law
For further question or interest, please reach out to:
Michael D. O’Brien, CFM
Office: (919) 998-2938