After hosting its annual trade show attended by “some 900” building service professionals and suppliers in March, the Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) emerged from Chapter 11 reorganization, as approved by the U.S. Federal Court of Northern Illinois.

“Coming off a successful event, BSCAI is poised for growth once again. Having rid ourselves of onerous contracts, we can continue to focus on the needs of our members,” said BSCAI Executive Vice President Moe Desmarais.

In 2009, BSCAI will continue to build alliances with industry organizations and suppliers that benefit members.

Effective with its 2010 convention BSCAI will co-locate its annual convention with ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America 2010, which takes place Tuesday-Friday, November 9-12 in Orlando, FL.

BSCAI’s annual convention will be held from Thursday-Sunday (November 11-14) at the same location. The tradeshow floor exhibition dates fall in the middle of both events—Wednesday-Friday—and BSCAI members will be eligible to attend the ISSA/INTERCLEAN event at member rates.

“BSCAI and ISSA formed this alliance in order to capitalize on the strengths of our respective organizations. Our leadership and staff have met in the recent weeks and months to formalize an agreement and develop a working model that will enhance the networking, educational, and professional services provided to our respective membership and business partners,” said Stan Doobin, BSCAI president.

Although BSCAI will no longer sponsor an independent tradeshow, sponsorship opportunities and vendor partner programs will continue.

BSCAI will continue to host webinars and CEO and executive seminars. It also will continue to provide educational materials and offer certifications for members and nonmembers, building on a solid foundation of quality education in the years to come.

“BSCAI is well aware of its strengths, and we will continue to service the industry with quality educational products and services,” Desmarais said. “We look forward to driving growth in the industry.”

Founded in 1965, BSCAI has more than 2,000 member companies from across the United States and 30 other countries.

Don’t Forget Ozone Generation for Odor Elimination

To the Editor: Thank you for the article “Many Sources: Fundamental Principals of Deodorization After Smoke or Fire” in your April 2009 issue. The process required to professionally eradicate smoke and other odors after fires and other disasters is one that should be addressed more often in jan-san trade magazines.

It is a problem more frequently encountered by cleaning professionals and facility managers than many realize.

Although oxidation—when a substance can combine with oxygen to help eliminate odors—was mentioned, the article did not directly reference electronic deodorization, otherwise known as ozone generation. For many years, ozone generation has been used successfully and safely to eliminate odors, especially the smoke odors that can permeate walls, carpets, upholstery and other areas after a fire.

In fact, ozone-generating systems were among the many tools used to help eliminate odors after the November 1980 MGM Hotel fire in Las Vegas, which is recognized as the second-worst hotel fire in U.S. history. Many hotels turn to ozone-generating systems today to eliminate smoke odors from “non-smoking” rooms, mainly because the systems are so quick and easy to use.

The method is also used by carpet cleaning professionals in both residential and commercial facilities to get rid of smoke and other odors, and auto detailers use it in automobiles for the same reason.

Because ozone generation is widely used in our industry, I would just like to make sure your readers know this tool is another option they should consider when dealing with smoke and many other odor-related problems.

Thank you.

Steven Hanig, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for U.S. Products

IFMA Forms Council for City and Country Clubs

The International Facility Management Association has formed a new council for city and country club facility managers and solutions providers.

The City & Country Clubs Council of IFMA gives facility professionals from public and private clubs offering recreational activities, event hosting and gourmet dining a network to share resources, connect with other professionals and benefit from continuing education courses.

City & Country Clubs Council members can connect with each other through IFMA’s online community server to share best practices and recommendations using discussion forums and an electronic document and media library. Members may also participate in regularly scheduled webinars, roundtable discussions and face-to-face meetings on issues impacting the industry.

“It’s our hope that this council will bring together facility professionals from city and country clubs around the world to interact with one another in a formal, professional environment,” said Steven Ballard, project manager at The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, Mass., and president of the new council. “Professionals in our industry now have a common network that offers administrative, problem solving and educational benefits that correspond with their own missions and goals for the future.”

The City & Country Clubs Council held its first official event March 22-24 in Charlottesville, VA. Membership in the new council is open to any IFMA member with an interest or background in city and country clubs, whether public or private. To learn more, contact IFMA Council Development Specialist Kari Stein at kari.stein@ifma.org or 713-623-4362. Complete details about the new council can also be found at www.ifma-clubs.org.

SDA Recognizes Custodians with CLEAN Award

The critical role that custodians play in improving school health through cleaning is now in the spotlight as custodians from five schools across the country are being recognized with the first-ever National CLEAN Award, from The Soap and Detergent Association, the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The top recipient, Pat Nicholson of Washington State’s Brownsville Elementary School, is receiving a prize package that includes a $5,000 cash award, products and supplies for his school, and a school celebration on National CLEAN Day.

CLEAN — Custodial Leaders for Environmental Advocacy Nationwide — recognizes the contributions that custodians make to public health in their schools, communities, and their profession.

“These professionals work every day to properly and safely use cleaning products that help keep our schools healthy,” said Nancy Bock, SDA vice-president of Education. “Their passion and commitment to improving their school environment - for students, teachers and all of their colleagues - showcase how important they are to communities around the nation.”

Applicants for the CLEAN Award provided information on their worksite, cleaning responsibilities, how they have demonstrated leadership for school cleanliness achievements, evidence of collaboration and how their work has enhanced the image of the custodian. Applications were evaluated on originality, creativity, ability to sustain results, evidence of teamwork and program impact.

Cleaning for Health

“The greatest challenge that I see for school custodians today is to make the paradigm shift from cleaning for appearance to cleaning for health,” said Pat Nicholson, the top award recipient. “Custodians that effectively clean for health create and maintain clean schools, healthier students, and higher rates of student achievement. Custodians are vital partners in successful public schools.”

Added NEA President Dennis Van Roekel: “Custodians are critical partners in creating healthy, clean and safe schools for our students. They take so much pride in their work and know that what they do every day fosters an environment where students can learn more effectively.”

At Brownsville Elementary School in Bremerton, Washington, Pat Nicholson wrote much of the custodial training material for the local school district. His “cleaning for health” practices contributed to lower absentee rates at Brownsville than at neighboring schools, especially during flu season.

Custodians: Making Hygiene a Priority

The other award honorees put forth great ideas in their schools as well.

Briana Rivera at Saks Elementary School (Anniston, Alabama) presents a “clean classroom certificate” to the teacher and students who keep their classroom the neatest. At Round Top Elementary School (Blythewood, South Carolina), Felicia Palmer created a Golden Spatula Award to recognize classes that keep their cafeteria table and surrounding areas clean.

Emmons Elementary School (Mishawaka, Indiana) has a Custodial Cadet Program, developed by Rick Johnson, which is a voluntary apprentice program that provides students with daily practical cleaning experience. Rick also started the school’s recycling program.

At Hanover-Horton Middle/High School (Horton, Michigan), the team of Cindy Fisher, Angela Guisinger and John Smith use innovative solutions to involve students in maintaining clean surroundings, teaching them responsibility and instilling a sense of pride in their own school. The previous cleaning program was completely restructured to emphasize cleanliness and sanitization rather than merely focusing on the appearance of classrooms.

You can read more details about the custodians’ innovative cleaning efforts on SDA’s website, at http://www.cleaning101.com/awards/ clean-award.cfm.

Cleaning Franchiser Targets Vets

On-Target Maintenance, which launched its commercial cleaning and maintenance franchise at The International Franchise Expo in Washington DC in March, is offering a franchise program specifically for U.S. military veterans.

The program is intended to help them make the transition back into the work force by giving them a $10,000 discount on the initial buy-in rate.

On-Target is a full service commercial cleaning company that performs a complete range of janitorial and maintenance services for the retail, supermarket, medical, hospitality and commercial property industries.

“The men and women who served in our military know how to follow direction and know how to work within a proven system. That’s why a franchising opportunity like On-Target is perfect for them,” said Mike Pappas, manager of sales and marketing for On-Target. “They know how to work hard and they know how to get results. We want to offer something extra to the men and women who have served our great nation. They deserve it!”

According to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, there are over 23 million veterans in the United States today and over 200,000 rotate out into civilian life every year. President Obama also recently announced his plans to start a phased withdrawal of the 142,000 troops serving in Iraq, bringing the bulk of them home by the summer of 2010. And according to a study by the SBA Office of Advocacy, American veterans have a strong entrepreneurial spirit with 22 percent of veterans that are either purchasing or starting new businesses.

The skills and strengths that are learned while serving apply directly to success in business ownership. The SBA also has incentive loan programs for veterans retiring from military of service so the timing of this program couldn’t be better.

Serving the retail, supermarket, medical, hospitality and commercial property industries, On-Target was started in 1990 by president, Eric Lawton. Headquartered in Haverstraw, NY, just north of New York City. Information about On-Target Maintenance and franchising opportunities can be found at http://franchising.ontarget. com or www.on-target.com.

CFLs, Too, Require Proper Disposal

With the increased use of compact fluorescent light bulbs also comes an increased concern about their disposal since mercury is a key component of them.

Between 2001 and 2007, production of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) — which use up to 75 percent less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs — tripled from approximately 750 million units to more than 2.5 billion units, according to Worldwatch Institute, an independent research organization encouraging the evolution of a more ecologically sustainable society.

These bulbs, which also last up to 10 times longer than a standard light bulb, have become increasingly popular, as their price tag has been reduced. CFLs are now used extensively in schools, homes, hotels, offices, and other facilities.

However, some users and environmentalists have concerns about CFLs because mercury, which allows the bulb to be an efficient light source, is a key component. Users should know that no mercury is released from the bulb as long it stays intact or in use.

If the CFL breaks, Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, a green cleaning consultant and Founder and Executive Director of the Green Cleaning Network, says there is still minimal danger, along as it is just one bulb.

However some clean-up precautions are called for. Among Ashkin’s precautionary suggestions are the following:

• Open the nearest window and leave the room for about 15 minutes;

• Do not use a vacuum to pick up the glass fragments; this could send mercury airborne. Instead, wear gloves and with a piece of cardboard, scoop up the fragments and discard in a sealed container, such as a glass jar;

• Use sticky tape to pick up smaller fragments and powder; place used tape in the jar as well;

 • Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth; and

• Take the clean up materials and sealed container to a CFL recycling center.

• Once the area is clear of CFL debris, it can be vacuumed. However, Ashkin advises, vacuum bags should be replaced after vacuuming the area. Used vacuum bags should be placed in a sealed bag and then disposed of in a trash can.

CFLs should be recycled at the end of their lifespan. Several major retailers, such as Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and others, provide recycling services for CFLs.

For more information, visit www.earth911.org for the locations of local disposal facilities.