New Meeting Location
The renovation of the Holiday Inn in Tempe has prompted the Chapter to seek another meeting
location, which may be permanent or temporary. We’ve worked out arrangements with the Hilton
Phoenix Airport for the first three months. Based on the feedback from the attendees at September’s
meeting, the new location is a great improvement. We’ll continue to evaluate service and cost to
determine if we’ll continue to hold meetings at the Hilton beyond the three-month trial period.
The Programs Committee is continuing its search for a possible meeting location in the central Phoenix
area. But like the Holiday Inn, the light rail construction is creating some problems for access. Any
specific suggestions for meeting locations are greatly appreciated. Hopefully, we’ll have another location
to try out for the meetings after the first of the year.
Southwest Region Conference
As some of you are already aware, the Chapter has agreed to relieve the Las Vegas Chapter of its
obligation to host the Southwest Region (SWR) Conference in 2008. The conference is scheduled for
late April (most likely the 24th through the 26th). There are two reasons for doing this: 1) the national
convention will be in Las Vegas in early June and the Las Vegas Chapter will have much on its hands
getting ready, and 2) nobody wants to go to Las Vegas for conferences twice within two months of each
other. In return, the Las Vegas will take our spot for hosting the conference in 2009.
The SWR Conference can be a big boost for the Chapter and CSI. For those familiar with the conference,
we plan to deviate from the traditional format by opening up the conference to nonmembers through a
variety of educational sessions in multiple tracks, similar to that at the national convention. The original
intent of the conference will remain (president training, committee workshops, and the region general
meeting). Other suggestions include incorporating the Chapter golf tournament into the conference.
But, in order to accomplish such a task, we need volunteers to handles the numerous tasks, both big and small, to make the SWR Conference a success. Some of the assistance we need includes:
• Finding and establishing the venue and accommodations
• Organizing educational sessions
• Speaking for educational sessions
• Designing a conference logo
• Handling publicity and registration
• Planning and coordinating the trade show
• Planning and coordinating the hospitality suite
• Planning and coordinating spouse/family activities
As you can see, the job is big, but with a lot of assistance, this work can be very manageable. If you’re
interested in lending a hand, please call (602-569-9645) or email (ron@specsandcodes.com) me.
The Return of “Maynard’s Corner”
The September meeting also saw the return of “Maynard’s Corner” to the Chapter. H. Maynard Blumer,
FCSI, FAIA, was elevated to Fellow in CSI in 1973 and in AIA in 1993. You can read about Maynard’s
background at http://www.fcsinet.org/bios/BlumerH.pdf. Maynard has returned from retirement to
facilitate his old discussion group.
“Maynard’s Corner” is an open forum held from 5:30 to 6:30 PM just before the regular Chapter
meeting. And where do you find the forum’s location you ask? Well, in the corner, of course. The
forum, unlike the online types found on today’s internet, is a face-to-face discussion where members
and guests can introduce things they have learned and would like to share with others, or they can bring
a problem they’ve encountered to seek solutions. We’re glad to have Maynard’s experience at our
disposal, and it would be beneficial to everyone to participate in this unique Chapter benefit.
A Student Chapter in the Works
Through the tireless efforts of the Chapter’s Academic Affairs Chair, a new CSI Student Chapter is in the
early planning stages. Andrea Stephan, CSI, CDT, a project engineer with Sundt Construction, has been
working with students enrolled in ITT Technical Institute’s new construction management program to
establish a student chapter at the school.
Also, the Chapter’s Professional and Industry Directors have been charged with the task to research and
propose to the Chapter a new membership fee for students (as well as for retired members). Currently,
students pay the student membership fee of $27 at the Institute level, but must also pay the full Chapter
fee like any other Chapter member to be affiliated with the Chapter. A reduced fee would encourage
more young people to get involved in CSI earlier in their careers.
Ronald L. Geren, CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA, SCIP
RLGA Technical Services
Phoenix Chapter President