From the President, September 1999
Good Things in Store

Jun 1999

Oct 1999

all of Rebecca's messages

I’m sure that every new Chapter president has looked at this first specifics article as a major milestone in his or her year. Even though I have been president in name since July 1, I really haven’t had a chance to communicate directly with the chapter membership in a way that reaches most of you, and this issue of specifics does just that.

I want to take this opportunity to let you all know how much I appreciate the opportunity to serve as chapter president, and I hope I can pass on to each of you a little of the excitement I feel going into this new year, 1999-2000. I’m not even talking about the millennium hype! I’m talking about CSI - on the international/national, region/chapter levels, and, finally, on the individual level. We have so much going for us in this hectic and wonderful year— some of the “good old standbys”: the tried-and-true activities and tools that have served us well in the past, as well as many new and interesting ideas that are just waiting in the wings to enrich our experience!

Let me tell you about a few of them:

• Our monthly chapter meetings have been a strong opportunity to interact with other members, exchange and gain knowledge pertinent to our daily practice within the construction industry, and tap into resources we might otherwise miss. This year see in the inception of meals paid in advance through chapter membership dues, enabling us to provide the highest level presentations; we will hold some meetings in new venues, at different times, offering members the opportunity to invite others from our offices or organizations along to experience the benefits of CSI.

• Our Membership Committee will focus on retaining our current members, re-discovering what made people join in the first place, and what we can do individually and as an organization to keep our members and keep them active. And Membership will also reach out to other organizations, inviting them to participate in our programs for mutual benefit.

• Our Programs Committee is working hard to develop programs and presenters that address the variety of issues facing the construction industry—from technical developments to professional practice.

• Our Education Committee will continue its series of programs focusing on the different “team” members: the “Owner, Designer, Supplier, and Constructor,” and we will move forward with initiatives to reach those just entering the field in the various universities and technical colleges in our area.

• Certification Committee has ambitious plans to inaugurate our own style of SWAT teams—professional and industry members who will visit local architectural, engineering, contracting, and related firms to explain the benefits of our education and certification programs, and introduce all levels of employees and owners to CSI. And both Education and Certification will offer training to our instructors to improve our presentation skills as we compete in the broader market.

• Our Awards Committee has some exciting ideas to make recognition for service more immediate and visible and, in the administrative area, our Communications Committee has its work cut out to facilitate these programs and publicize our activities.

Every year the Board of Directors asks the president for his or her personal goals, and I didn’t have to think long or hard about mine. There is nothing exceptional about any of them, and they all point to one thing: Doing what we do better—much better! That means improving the quality of everything we do now, creating value-added products:

• Exciting meetings, enriching educational experiences, electric and productive networking opportunities.

• Reaching out to other organizations, not just for new members, but for new participants in our own growing process will bring in new ideas and new information we can all use.

• Reaching out to individuals on a meeting by meeting basis, letting them judge for themselves over time whether CSI is a value, we will create new and rewarding relationships.

We need to rekindle the mentality of mentoring within our membership, which has served us so well in the past, and is sorely needed by a good share of the industry today. I would ask that each of you identify one individual you think will benefit from some CSI program, and invite them to come to a meeting or educational seminar. No pressure; no “You have to join so I can win a Membership competition!” Just, “Come and learn” or “Come and meet some great people!”

And then, take a minute to introduce yourself and the visitor to me at the meeting or seminar. It's another part of my personal commitment this year to meet and visit with as many members and visitors as possible.

I’m afraid that to many of you, this may all sound like a lot of hard work. It’s difficult enough for those with a real commitment to the organization to make it to every meeting. For those not convinced enough of the benefits to be involved in committee work or even to attend meetings regularly, it is even more difficult to justify continued membership and active participation.

There are so many demands on our time, besides the overtime workload most of us are carrying in this booming market. Family and social activities, community and religious commitments all make claims on us. CSI, in order to justify the time commitment of one Monday evening a month for 10 months, has to provide a value-added service and a sense of fulfillment. But I believe that if we attack this on a personal level, with only immediate and “bite-sized” goals in mind, we will be amazed at the amount we will have accomplished in the next year! Remember, as part of your membership dues, you are now paying for at least 10 opportunities for continuing education credits at monthly meetings (a savings of $140 over previous years!): Plan on taking advantage, and bring along a guest!

As part of my commitment this year to improving the quality of what we do, I am asking you as members to give me a call and talk over your interests and concerns with the organization. Let me know what you would like to see for programs and educational seminars, besides those already scheduled. What are your hot-buttons; what will make it easier to do your job, improve your service? Let’ s discuss the areas you see where we can take a lead or fill a gap, areas where we as an organization can do what we do best—bring quality to construction technology through communication, education, research, and service.

At our September meeting we'll continue the tradition of installing Board members, introducing Committee chairs and their programs, and we'll have an opportunity to hear from the Institute President, Alana Sunness-Griffith, and our Region President, Wendel Chamberlin. It will be an exciting kick-off to what I believe will be an interesting and rewarding year. Please plan on attending! Together we can make this a great year!

Rebecca Foss, President
Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter, CSI

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