Once again the September kick-off meeting for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter will be an exciting event - well-stocked with information, networking, art-exposure, a great location, and excellent fare! Our top-notch discussion panel of academicians and practitioners from regional institutions, led by moderator Tom Fisher, Dean of the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, will tackle a very real and pressing concern for the industry: Construction Education: Present Condition and Future Directions. We will open our meeting schedule at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, on the East Bank Campus of the University of Minnesota.

Our panel includes: Steven Weeks, Associate Professor and Co-head of UMN-CALA; Suzanne Nordblom, Team Leader, Architectural Drafting and Estimating Technology, Dunwoody College of Technology; Hans Timper, Head of the Construction Management Program, University of Wisconsin - Stout; Alana Sunness Griffith, FCSI, VP, Empirehouse, CSI instructor and Institute past-president; and Rebecca Foss, past president of our chapter, sustainable design and specifications consultant, and CSI and U of M instructor.

What are the benefits of a "technical-focus" versus a "design-oriented" program for architects, engineers, and designers? Can you get both? These questions, along with concerns for mentoring, apprenticeship programs, and on-going professional education, are at the forefront of discussions among today's practitioners and students. These and many more questions should spark some lively discussion among panel members and the audience and we encourage you to bring your concerns and comments to this presentation.

Coincidentally, in celebration of the Weisman Art Museum's 10th anniversary, the museum will feature a collection of drawings and models of Frank Gehry's museum and gallery work. The galleries will be open during the registration/social hour.

We will also take this opportunity to applaud long-time member and friend Bob Saumur, who was awarded Fellowship in CSI this past spring. Come join in a toast to Bob's accomplishments. To register, call 763-744-1424, or e-mail sharon@synergy-resource.com. No charge for chapter members, $35 for others; no-shows and cancellations made later than 48 hours in advance will be billed $25.

Registration/Social Hour - 4:30-5:30
Panel Discussion - 5:45-7:15
Dinner - 7:30-8:45
Toast for Robert Saumur, FCSI - 8:45-9:00

Directions to the Weisman: http://onestop.umn.edu/Maps/WeismanArt/

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If you attended the North Central Region Conference in Duluth last month, you know that we had a great time. If you didn't, you can see pictures from the conference on our chapter's home page at www.CSI-MSP.org. There are two sets of pictures there now, plus a bonus feature about a special event we had for Gary Betts, CSI President-Elect.

The Certification Committee brings back the CertCom Challenge this month, with a question about stopping the work. Be sure to enter soon; winners will be announced at the September chapter meeting. And remember - the only place you can enter is on-line!

09/15 - Construction Education
10/13 - County Concrete Prestressed Concrete Plant Tour
11/10 - Fire/Life Safety Code Seminar; Gail Manning, City of Minneapolis
12/08 - Retail Marketing, at new Target headquarters
01/12 - Pantages Theater Tour
02/09 - Construction and Facility Showcase
03/08 - Cutting Edge Technology and Building Design
04/12 - Hands-On Masonry, St. Paul Technical Center
05/10 - Awards Banquet
06/07 - Golf Outing

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One of my favorite comic interludes is a PDQ Bach (Prof. Peter Schickele) episode in which a pair of play-by-play broadcasters announce the contest between an orchestra performing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and the guest conductor. The bit starts with the premise that the orchestra is a professional team opposing the efforts of the conductor - - - after all, they face opposite directions. There is plenty of humor in casting the conductor, not in the role of quarterback, or even coach, but, as the opposition. As I recall the conductor wins, too many errors in the brass section.

Speaking of teams, a few years back, CSI began using team analogy when talking about the roles and types of members in our association, but I'm not entertained. For like Prof. Schickele the Institute has not cast us as players on the same team but, rather as separate teams in the same game! They set up Owner-, Constructor-, Vendor- and Design-teams; each category as its own team - playing on the same field. The analogy feels more like a double-elimination tournament than a collaboration.

A team is a collection of players, each skilled in their own specialty of the game, working together towards a common goal. If you play out the logic of the team analogy as invoked by CSI, when the Owner team meets one of the other teams on the playing field (the Project Site) the meeting is by definition a contest. A contest implies that there's a winner and there's a loser. With four (maybe more) teams on the Site, the project isn't a team goal but rather - - - a construction version of the Final Four - a tournament where second place is just the last loser.

I've had the opportunity this year to attend the CSI/TFM Construction Showcase in Chicago, the AIA National Convention in San Diego and CSI University in Philadelphia. There is evidence that CSI is breaking us up again. Now, for many Chapter leaders, there's a choice to be made (continuing the sports analogy) - whether to play with the rank-and-file at the convention and trade show or to play in the big-leagues at the U.

The damage to what we once knew as Convention was evident on the trade show floor. Vendors that I saw at both the Construction Showcase and the AIA Convention indicated that they usually expect a lot more quality leads at the CSI show than at AIA. But, this year the tables were turned. Traffic at the Construction Showcase was disappointing, while the AIA show was spectacular. I know the economy's weak, and there are probably a lot of reasons that may factor into a person's decision choose San Diego in May rather than Chicago in April. But, its my opinion CSI is not going to fulfill its mission by pitting Designers, Owners, Constructors and Vendors against each other in a four-way contest, and segregating the organization's leaders from the rank and file.

To realize our potential, we'll have to return to the fundamentals that founded this organization - collaboration in a neutral venue. When the Owners, Designers, Constructors and Vendors are specialty positions within a team, each adding their expertise to the effort - then, time and the elements become the opposition. Working together, though, we'll have the knowledge and skills to plan, schedule, and erect the project so that we all benefit.

Harold Dean Kiewel, CSI, CCS, AIA, NCARB
President, Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter, CSI
Harold_Kiewel@ellerbebecket.com 

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In the recently compiled Chapter Survey sponsored by your Membership Committee, the Survey addressed the value of mentoring. The results of that Survey relative to the subject of mentoring were published in the June issue of your Chapter newsletter Specifics.

Our concern for new Chapter members and current Chapter members is that you experience a positive feeling about your membership, that you feel that your construction knowledge base is growing, and that you feel welcome in our Chapter.

This can be accomplished by establishing current members as mentors and by determining who desires a mentor. CSI is a volunteer organization and as such we encourage current members to join us in this activity, and we expect that new members would welcome this additional service. For the time being, this will remain an informal process. For those of you who take advantage of this service, the Membership Committee would benefit from any feedback you could provide, and we thank you in advance for your response.

We will provide a form at the Chapter sign-in table for individuals seeking a mentor and a form for those current members who are willing to become a mentor for someone looking for a way to improve their membership. We will try to connect interested individuals prior to the end of each Chapter Meeting, time permitting, but in any event within a few days.

Thank you for your interest and your help.
Douglas C. Lingren, CSI, CCS
Membership Committee
612.336.9608
dlingren@kke.com

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We’ve all heard that growth is painful, but necessary to the health of an organism. But being aware of just when that growth should most advantageously occur can alleviate some of the pain. In the best case one would even be able to plan for and forecast growth, in some manner taking control of it.

Well, like I said “In the best case…” As editor these past two years, I’ve seen our publications continue in their high-quality production, but knew that we were heading for some kind of major change, and that it would probably mean we’d have to expand our efforts. Yes, you can continue to do a good thing over and over, for a long time and still provide an excellent product. But in most cases that product will change and evolve right along with the customers it serves. And our customers, the members of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter and organizations and industry groups that rely on us for information, have changed considerably over the past years.

Many have gone from traditional forms of doing business (phone calls, letters, and meetings) to the next stage (voicemail, email, and video-conferencing.) Right along with changes in the way we interact with one another on a daily basis, we’ve also begun to change the way we access knowledge: From reading magazines and newsletters, researching in books, and attending classes, to on-line list serves, e-zines and computer-based courses and databases. For some the evolution has been relatively easy, even exciting; for others, it will continue to be very painful (Remember:  No pain, no gain!)

This lengthy introduction is leading up to the following point: The Communications Committee has looked at what we’ve been doing over the past years with our newsletter, specifics, and decided there are better ways to get that basic information out to members; and that there’s a great opportunity to improve the quality and content of information we can produce within our organization and share with the greater construction community. And so, we’ve decided to develop our communication tools into two different vehicles: One, an on-line newsletter, will deliver the essential, time-specific information members need to make decisions about meetings, educational and certification classes, and to keep in touch with the day-to-day issues of the Chapter. The second vehicle, however, will be a quarterly magazine with a greater emphasis on articles of quality about topics of interest to members and the greater construction community.

This is a transition month: We'll have both the normal hardcopy newsletter and e-mail. And the first magazine, due to be printed in October, will be somewhat experimental. Over time, we intend to increase the content of the magazine. The new format will give us the opportunity to address topics in greater depth, and to use high-quality pictures.

With five hundred members, it seems like we should be able to get more articles than we could use, without going to outside sources. But, as any editor will tell you, it's difficult to get people to contribute. We have several commitments for articles for our first magazine. But after that we'll need more. If you have a favorite project that never appeared in print, or valuable information about construction, or suggestions on how to do a better job, please - don't be bashful! Call us and we'll get you started on the road to fame and fortune. Well, at least we can get you published!

Rebecca Foss, Sheldon Wolfe

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The Minneapolis St. Paul Chapter is proud to announce the following people have achieved a new certification status based on last spring’s national examination:

Jay L. Allen, CSI, CDT; Jerry Asmus, CDT; Sarah B. Atkins, CSI, CDT
Steve Bennett, CSI-S, CDT; Matthew Alan Bergerson, CSI-S, CDT
Casey E. Black, CSI-S, CDT; Tiona L. Brandt, CSI, CDT;
Jared Broghamer, CSI-S, CDT; Bret A. Brunner, CSI-S, CDT
Richard A. Hoglund, CSI, CDT; Beth Jensen, CSI, CDT;
David Jones, CSI, CDT; Krista L. Koutsis, CSI, CDT
Spencer W. Kubat, CSI, CDT; Nick Kukowski, CSI-S, CDT;
Philip J. Leonard, CSI, CDT; Bruce M Loerzel, Jr., CDT; Mr. Michael Madsen, CDT
Kathy Markwell, CSI, CDT; Steve McIntosh, CSI-S, CDT;
Ryan McLinn, CSI-S, CDT; Jason Meier, CDT; Kristen Mikkelson, CSI-S, CDT
Douglas Minor, CDT; Bill Noonan, CSI, CDT; Jennifer Olson, CSI-S, CDT
Amy Randy, CSI, CDT; Bruce Saline, CSI, CDT; Kevin Spencer, CSI-S, CDT
Michael Toftley, CSI-S, CDT; Mr. Jacob S. Viebahn, CSI-S, CDT
Laura E. Walz, CDT; Chad Wanka, CDT; Jim Weiler, CSI, CDT
Larry M. Weinzetl, RA, CSI, CDT; Justin Wendroth, CSI-S, CDT 

James A. Goblirsch, RA, CSI, CCS

Steven T. Schmidgall, CSI, CCCA

These people now join a group of professionals throughout the country that provide quality leadership and skills within the construction industry. Passing this national examination is considered a milestone in an individual's professional development, providing recognition for a commitment to the continuous improvement within the construction industry.

Interested in how you can become certified? Look for the upcoming registration and examination dates in our next newsletter or visit the national CSI website at www.csinet.org.

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The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.
Mark Twain.

Despite many dire warnings and predictions, it appears to me that CSI is not on its deathbed. It may have caught a cold, and there may have been a few complications, but it seems that the organization is doing quite well at fighting off its troubles.

In June I had the pleasure of seeing some of the activities at the first CSI-University. Given the bad press this event had received, and having a few misgivings of my own, I was prepared to see a small number of the old farts just hanging around and complaining about the good old days. Much to my delight, when I walked into the hotel lobby I thought I was at the annual convention!

Hoping for two hundred, the staff had their hands full with half again as many attendees. Yes, many elder, diehard members were there, but there were lots of fresh new faces, as well. And the excitement and energy were fantastic! Intense discussion, camaraderie, smiling faces, and even a few arguments - again, it was just like the annual convention.

At the change of leadership ceremony outgoing President McDade, in his engaging good-ol'-boy style, recalled the events of the last year. Going in, he had hoped for the most peaceful, uneventful term of office in history. Instead, he walked into an inferno - a year that saw the loss of an executive director, Institute officers resigning in mid-term, and a variety of other not-so-peaceful incidents. Phil has my unqualified admiration for the way he got us through a rough year. I sincerely believe he was the right man in office at the right time; others might well have lost control.

As Phil said his farewell, he introduced Edith Washington, now President of the Institute. Entering to the fanfare from the Rocky films, she filled the room with her usual energy (where does she get it?). I was later fortunate to find some time in Edith's busy schedule to drag her into one of the late-night bull sessions, where a small group asked rather pointed questions, and discussed a variety of issues. During our brief encounter, Edith made it clear that she is going to everything possible to revive our organization and get it moving forward again.

All in all, I'd have to say that CSI-U was a success. The real test will be in how much of the zeal and excitement makes it home to the regions and the chapters, but there was enough there that it couldn't all have been lost on the way home.

A few weeks later I attended the North Central Region Conference, sponsored by the Twin Ports Chapter in Duluth, Minnesota. Again I was impressed by the enthusiasm, and the mix of old and new faces. I also had an opportunity to talk with Michael Owen, Institute Vice President, and Gary Betts, President-Elect, and to listen to Karl Borgstrom, our new Executive Director. All of them are well aware of the problems we face, and all are intent on not just surviving, but moving forward. And the members - the lifeblood of any organization - are alive and well, with no plans to give up the ghost.

© 2003 Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA
on the web at www.CSI-MSP.org 

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Grant funding is now available to encourage sustainable building design in Minnesota. To overcome the barrier of first-cost concerns such as added design fees, the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA) is offering grant funds for:

• Design modeling to identify effective daylighting strategies that will contribute to occupant productivity, reduce the need for artificial lighting, avoid glare, and eliminate heat buildup except where solar gain specifically is desired.
• Analyses and modeling of environmentally preferable materials to identify opportunities for increasing the building's longevity, durability and flexibility, reducing maintenance, using less toxic supplies and materials, and improving air quality.
• Modeling of integrated energy-efficient design alternatives that reduce building energy use by at least 30 percent compared to state building code.
• At the conclusion of the project, effectiveness must be demonstrated by itemizing the anticipated savings/benefits related to energy consumption, materials use, resource conservation, toxicity reduction, and indoor environmental quality.

Design costs (as described above) for new and remodeled commercial buildings (which includes business, institutional and public, but not state and federal government) are eligible, but these costs may not be incurred until the grant agreement is executed. The maximum grant award per project is $25,000. Matching funds, equal to the amount of the grant, are required. Xcel's Custom Consulting (Energy Assets), or similar energy design assistance offered by utilities, may be used as matching funds.

The grant application deadline is 2:30 p.m. CDT on October 31, 2003, with decisions on awards to be announced by November 21st. All projects awarded in this grant round must be completed no later than June 30, 2006.

The Request For Proposals (RFP) for 2004 OEA Environmental Assistance Grants, with application form, can be downloaded at www.moea.state.mn.us/grants. The application form may be filled out and submitted as an attachment in Word or Word Perfect format via email to linda.countryman@state.mn.us. (Paper copies are also acceptable, mailed to the address in the RFP). If you have questions or need an RFP mailed directly, call Linda Countryman or Sally Peterson at 651-296-3417 or 800-657-3843.

The application form is geared to a wide range of priority areas and applicants should respond as relevant for the particular type of project being proposed. For more information about the sustainable design priority, contact Erin Barnes-Driscoll at 651-215-0211 or Laura Millberg at 651-215-0219.

The OEA helps Minnesotans make informed decisions and take actions that conserve resources and prevent pollution and waste to benefit the environment, economy and society. The grant program is one of the tools that help accomplish the goals and strategies established under this OEA mission. There is $200,000 available in total to fund the specific projects that are listed in the grants RFP.For more information, contact:

Laura Millberg
Senior Green Building Specialist
MN Office of Environmental Assistance
520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155-4100
(651) 215-0219
(800) 657-3843
laura.millberg@state.mn.us
www.moea.state.mn.us/greenbuilding