We just concluded our first E-Series for 2008 on designing classrooms based on individual learning styles. Susan M. Rundle, president of Performance Concepts International (PCI) elaborated on designing classrooms that out-perform conventionally designed classrooms.  Learner-centered classrooms blend planning and design skills with teaching skills, each focused on how each individual child learns best. These classrooms are also quick to adapt to change and can be used for adult learning, after-hour community use and new ...<< MORE >>

We are what you are
Membership is Our Strength...So Shouldn't We All be Members?

I’m sure we have all heard in one variation or another that an association is only as strong as its membership.  In my experience, that is a true statement.  You can have a strong dedicated staff, a long list of programs and services, a great website, a nice headquarters building, etc.  However, without dedicated members, an association is no more than another business where you can purchase something to help ...

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John K. Ramsey, CAE
Executive Director/CEO

The Case for a Washington DC Office
CEO Blog (Vol. II)

Upon arriving at my new post as the Executive Director/CEO of CEFPI, I was struck by the fact that we were essentially operating in an environment centered around Scottsdale, AZ.   Don’t get me wrong; Scottsdale is a paradise with great golf, seven months of great weather, D-Backs, Suns, Cardinals and much more.

However, a location like Scottsdale, AZ has its challenges for an association like CEFPI that is primarily vested in education and the school building sector. As our US members get ready for a new administration in their capital, I believe it is imperative for us to have a solid presence in DC.
How many times are we called upon by the mainstream media, Congress, private foundations, and international NGO’s to help solve critical problems relating to school facilities? Are we in front of key policy makers? How often do we interact with staff who frame policies relevant to your daily business?  Sadly, the answer is very little. The primary reason? We are not connected as well as we should be in the proper circles, channels, and networks.  

To make your voices heard, CEFPI needs to have a presence in front of key people and daily education meetings happening in Washington DC. Sometimes, sitting in far away Scottsdale I’ve thought…"If we were in that meeting; or why weren’t we invited to participate?" A presence in DC will also help us develop relationships with our partner organizations, offering us easy access to world leadership bodies such as Embassy Row and the North American EU headquarters, and many private development agencies such as the Pew Foundation. Take a look at where  most of our sister associations are located and you’ll find that most of them have a presence in DC or in its periphery.
It is heartening to note that CEFPI President Kirkley and the executive committee have realized that CEFPI may need to reassess its physical location and start building the vital relationships – most of which are headquartered in Washington DC. 

With that realization, we have visited with many of you out there and the overwhelming response to this notion has been, at least to me, why are we not in Washington DC already? The issue isn’t entirely simple but I will throw out some factors that may contribute to the conversation. Our current operation is fully staffed with people who reside in the Phoenix area, so a complete move would be extremely expensive, not to mention we would stand to loose some staff. Office space in DC is expensive, but it is comparable to Scottsdale – presently CEFPI owns it’s building. Those are the negatives to the prospect of having a DC office.
Now, the good news.  It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.  Technology allows us to instantly communicate to almost anyone in the world in real time in a seamless environment.  If you are reading this blog, you already know that.  I believe the answer is that we establish a DC presence immediately – not with an office of staff at first, but we find ways to use our assets that we already have (i.e. consultants in the DC area) and show up when we need to. The step after that involves placing a key staff member in DC then ultimately one or two more. The bulk of our operation can remain in Scottsdale with the essential elements, yet to be determined, being located in DC.  I’ve actually achieved this very scenario in a prior association that had the same dilemma and after 6 years, they are thriving with a dual operation. 
This is the solution I've been giving some CEFPI members, now I'd like to know what you think.

 

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John K. Ramsey, CAE
Executive Director/CEO

During my recent travels to region conferences, I've been asked by members why we haven’t been active in the policy-making arena in Washington, D.C. The passage of HR 3021, the 21^st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act by a vote of 250-164 on June 4, 2008 marks our entry into this important area. The Bill authorizes $6.4 billion to assist state and local communities with federal grants for energy efficient school modernization and construction projects, and has now moved to the Senate for consideration. This is the first time that we have actively engaged in bi-partisan political activity.

The CEFPI Board of Directors, through the Executive Committee, approved the support of this Bill.  After it was learned that attempts were made to make the “green” language in the Bill pertinent to only meeting LEED certification to be eligible to receive the funds, President Kirkley visited with committee staff who authored the bill and voiced concern about the issue. The language now states that "LEED, CHPS, or any state designated equivalent standard" may be used to qualify for federal funding assistance for these programs. We were in good company as AASA, NSBA, PTA, and other allied associations officially signed on to support this initiative. Details about this Bill can be found by inserting the bill number HR 3021 at http://thomas.loc.gov/

Thoughts on the May 12th 2008 Earthquake...
By Ray Bordwell, Perkins Eastman
Shanghai, June 2, 2008

I've been working on projects in China for 13 years and am writing this sitting in our Shanghai office where I’ve been listening to stories about the 8.0-magnitude earthquake that on May 12^th devastated Sichuan province in southwestern China.  Fortunately, to the best of our knowledge, all of our employees and their families are fine—despite getting quite a scare in ...<< MORE >>

Over 10,000 Chinese school children perished under the rubble of shoddily built schools that couldn't resist the impact of the recent earthquake. Poorly built schools, official neglect and corruption have been blamed as primary reasons for these tragic deaths. Widespread inequality in Chinese society was evident as in some provinces schools for the elite withstood the quake while public schools fell under the rubble. Over 7,000 classrooms were destroyed, most of them taking their occupants along with them. What harm did innocent children do? A detailed story  was published in the International Herald Tribune on May 25, 2008, available at: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/25/asia/school.php

Arizona lawmakers on Wednesday (May 21) voted to dissolve the Arizona School Facilities Board that oversees funding for K-12 public school facilities, citing a variety of concerns including the panel's handling of ventilation problems at a local high school, according to The Arizona Republic. What do you think of this measure? Have you seen this lately in other states and what were the repercussions, if any? 

The 2009 Edition of the CHPS criteria will soon be out for public review and CHPS is seeking public comment on the updated criteria. The drafts for public comment will be available at: http://www.chps.net/review/2009edition in early June.  The comment period is 45 days. Some of the exciting developments for the 2009 Criteria include new credits for designing for deconstruction and adaptability; siting for school gardens; net-zero energy schools; providing safe routes to schools; innovative water management strategies; limits on mercury and other health hazards; and life cycle assessment of building materials.  

Our Northeast region just concluded an outstanding conference focusing on state facility regulations and school facility design. We know some of these regulations are helpful to us while some are cumbersome and unnecessary. School planning and design regulations, sustainable design initiatives and school funding and equity issues were key topics that were discussed. If you attended these discussions, please share your thoughts. 

School District Members Get Half Off!
For the first time ever we are offering special rates to school district members who want to attend our annual conference. School district employees will get a 50% off registration fees! Below are the special rates for school district members:

Basic:
Early
Member $325
*Non-member $425 (includes one year free CEFPI membership)
Late (After Aug. 29)
Member $365
*Non-member $465 (includes one year free CEFPI membership)

Full:
Early
Member $365
*Non-member $465 (includes one year free CEFPI membership)
Late (after Aug 29th)
Member $415
*Non-member $515 (includes one year free CEFPI membership)
Register now at: www.cefpi.org/sandiego2008

Education Guru Stephen Heppell to Keynote Annual Conference
This year, we are offering some of the best learning and networking opportunities for you. Our keynote speaker is Stephen Heppell, Europe's foremost education guru.

Listen to Stephen Heppell here:




Or, go to Heppell's blog: http://www.heppell.net/weblog/stephen/