“Happy Spring” CSI Phoenix Chapter members!
Well, can you believe it?......Spring is here and we are in the home stretch of ending the first quarter of the new year…..WOW how time flies!!!
This past week, CSI Phoenix Chapter held its annual “member” appreciation event/dinner. Attendees enjoyed an evening of conversation and some of the best BBQ Phoenix has to offer. We reviewed the “benefits” of CSI membership and shared our current business operational goals for the remainder of the year. Networking, Academics / Scholarships-Professional Development / Publicity and Technical programming are the focal points of our chapter this year and I wanted to share where we currently stand towards achieving our goals set for each targeted plan. We are off to a strong start and must say how pleased I am to see such passion for our chapter and our growth plan. We cannot do this alone…..As they say…..”It takes an army to move a mountain!” Our “army” of professionals make all the difference.
Regarding our “Scholarship” focus for the chapter, special “thanks” goes to our Academics/Education/Student Advisor chair “Jaime Garrido.” Jaime, along with our “President Elect” Byron Bargas are working hard to identify two students to offer our scholarship awards. Candidate criteria is currently being crafted and the board will vote on implanting the program specifics as well as start identifying recipients. Our chapter scholarship has changed names from “The Ken Lockhart Foundation” to “The CSI Phoenix Chapter scholarship Program.” This will now target fund distribution from this new program account without any confusion going forward. My thanks to all the committee members helping craft the “next steps” to this program. Our goal is to identify & award the yet to be identified students by the end of our operating year (June).
Keeping on topic of education, the CDT exam window is May 2 through June 8. We urge those planning to take the exam to note the dates, register for test and start to prep for the exam. Our chapter has solicited the help of our past President and CDT course “master” Barbara Faulwetter (SmithGroup) to offer “virtual” assistance in studying for the exam. Barbara has graciously accepted this request and is offering her assistance in answering questions students my have regarding the preparation for the exam. Please reach-out to one of our CSI board members for contact request with Barbara.
I would like to round out this month’s communication with a special “recognition” we, as a chapter, have presented to the Reference Library in memorial to one of our Chapter stars, Paul Simonsen, who recently passed away last April. Paul was instrumental in helping pave the path of continued education for our chapter. For the 35 years that he was a member of CSI, Paul spent nearly all that time involved in educating construction industry professionals on various aspects of construction documents and construction contract administration. For Paul’s continuous and exceptional involvement in education, he was awarded CSI’s J. Norman Hunter Award for Construction Document Education in 2012. Our friend and chapter mentor, Neil Davison, surmised Paul’s many years of accomplishments by stating……”Paul’s impact on the growth of CSI and its influence in the construction industry extends beyond the areas of his physical involvement. It would be a challenge for anyone to find a CSI program with which Paul had neither direct involvement nor some indirect influence.” The Phoenix Chapter presented a memorial “wind chime” dedicated to Paul’s memory. The inscription on the chime reads…”Every chime reminds us of your service to the design community…..In Memorial – Paul Simonsen” The chime will be “displayed/hanging from one of the entrance rafters” at the Reference Library. For those of you who visit Louise and the Reference Library team, if you hear the bell “ring” in the courtyard, let that remind you of Paul’s extraordinary talents, achievements and dedication to our CSI mission. Paul will be greatly missed!
REMINDER……SAVE THE DATE – Thursday, April 7th marks the date for this year’s annual CSI golf event! Event flyers, sponsorship opportunities and event day logistical communications have been sent to all active members. As a reminder, we are actively seeking event sponsors! The annual golf event is our #1 fund raising opportunity for the year and we need your help to ensure the event is communicated to all those you encounter.
Once again, welcome to Spring and let’s enter the season with a positive outlook for a continued return to “work” normal!
Jay Harris
President
CSI Phoenix Chapter 2021/2022
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