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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.