Chapter Certification Disdain

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Author Message Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 52 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 09:39 am:    I have been a CSI memeber since 2003, and my local chapter is Fort Lauderdale. The Fort Lauderdale area (a.k.a. Broward County) has over 1.75 million population, this chapter is the second largest chapter, in the fifth largest state, in the greatest amd most powerful nation in the world! However, for the 3rd year in a row the Fort Lauderdale chapter has failed to hold the CSI Certification Exams, each year canceling the exams at the last minute. When pestered, the reasons offered are varied and usually murky. Perhaps the Fort Lauderdale Board feels it's dues would better be spent on it's yearly golf tournament? I suppose I should offer, that with only a few exceptions, the Fort Lauderdale chapter Board members are product reps. and none certified themselves. I ask you, what other function does a chapter serve if not to promote the career advancement of it's members? And how better to promote career advancement than by the CSI Certification program? I don't recall my bosses ever asking me to go to the chapter golf tournament, but I sure do recall the day my bosses told me to become CSI Certified! Do other chapters hold the certification program in the same regard? Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 354 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 09:48 am:    Milwaukee Chapter: Absolutely not! We hold classes and the exams every year. We advertise both. Classes run for approximatly 7 weeks prior to the spring exams and are taught by chapter members. We will hold classes and exams for whatever test a candidate wishes to sit for. We've had one-on-one classes in years that we've had only one candidate for an exam (typically for CCCA or CCPR). You're right - knowledge, information, education - for what other reason does CSI exist? Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 334 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 12:09 pm:    well, first of all, the word is "disdain". The Puget Sound chapter has typically had 15-20 attendees for our certification class every year, with a few of them actually taking the test. our classes run about 10 weeks, taught by chapter members, at 2 hours per session. I think the marketing of this test is both a local chapter issue and also an Institute issue, and that has been covered in other discussion threads. I think the emphasis on "professionalism" for both the professional and industry/associate members is probably the best selling point. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 01:44 pm:    Disdain, yes I saw the typo as soon as posted, my typing was fast and poor and I hoped you'd all be forgiving. David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 137 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 02:43 pm:    Dallas Chapter: In the same regard? NO! We have two 6-week Certification classes: One for Construction Contract Administration in the fall (usually end of September to mid-November), and one for Written Construction Documents in the early winter (usually end of January to early March). We have been doing these on a regular basis since 1995 (off and on prior to that). One thing that has helped attendance: We do not promote them as "study sessions" for the certification exams. We promote them as Education Programs, OPEN TO ALL. Architects, engineers, contractors, developers, etc.; members and non-members alike. And we provide the necessary AIA learning unit reporting (all CSI Chapters are registered providers). Oh, and - by the way - if you just so happen to be taking one of the certification exams, it'll help you, too. Attendance varies. We've had as few as 10 or 12, and as many as 50+. Average is about 20 or so per class per year. We charge a nominal fee to cover expenses, and don't look at it as a money making venture (and the FY budget is set up accordingly). If we make a few bucks, all the better. David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 138 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 02:51 pm:    Russell: Did I miss something? How can the chapter cancel the EXAMS? The exams are administered by Institute. The chapter just furnishes the test location and proctor. And part of the expense is reimbused by Institute (at least it used to be). By cancelling the exams, did you mean the Chapter withdrew as a test site? Were there not enough exam registrants (in Institute's mind) to warrant the expense? Is it possible the Chapter dropped the ball in arranging the test site? Or finding a qualified proctor? Are you able to ellaborate? Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 54 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 04:01 pm:    Elaboration: In 2004 I was going for my CCS Certification, so I had first hand experience. I had pre-registered for the exam and paid CSI institute months in advance. About a month before the exam I received my exam confirmation notice from Institute, but the exam site location only said Florida. After a few days passed with no further clarification, I contacted CSI institute asking for confirmation of the site location. In the meantime I attended our monthly CSI chapter meeting and told the chapter President and other Board members that I was scheduled to sit for my CCS certification exam in 2 weeks and asked the Pres. "where will the exams take place?" The Pres. said he thought about 10+ people were scheduled to take the exam in the Fort Lauderdale chapter site, with no mention beyond S.O.P. was made by the Pres. The next day CSI institute got back to inform me that the Fort Lauderdale chapter had informed institute that the chapter would not give the exams that year. The problem I had to learn on my own was the Fort Lauderdale chapter had failed to secure a site and a proctor. I was advised to try to contact the Orlando chapter (some 210 miles away) to take my exam there (not acceptable). It was only through my own extreme persistance, the grace of God, the fabulous help of LaTonya at Institute and the good will of one of our chapter members that I was finally able to take the exam in Brwoard County after all. LaTonya and myself called every member in the Fort Lauderdale chapter until we found a CCCA certified member who volunteered his office and time (grattis) on a Saturday for the exams. Please note, the chapter didn't raise a finger to help us (the 10 +). In the following 2 years it is my understanding from others who hoped to take their exams through the Fort Lauderdale chapter, that similar occurences took place. Stephan Reppert CSI, CDT, assoc. AIA Advanced Member Username: steprepp Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 08:13 am:    I was due to take the CCCA this year but Fort Lauderdale site was terminated. Apparantly no one in my chapter knew anything about it. I got a partial refund on the exam cost. I was due to take the CCCA exam last year but no one in the Fort Luaderdale chapter seemed to know until very late in the game. Unfortunatly my mother died on March 24th and I had to cancel. CSI kept the exam fee. That is OK. I just got my renewal notice in the mail. $390.00 and it is now in color on really nice paper. I've been a professional member since 1991 and I am bewildered at the apparent confusion going on down here in Fort Lauderdale ( I was originally in the Washington DC Chapter) I am not going to renew my membership as it is way too much for way too little. Anonymous   Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 09:16 am:    Stephan, sorry you feel this way, but you may have a point. I did a quick survey of local chapters dues around the country. Fort Lauderdale was the highest I found at $180/yr....for this amount they should serve dinner on solid gold plates and the server should be Pam Anderson. The chapter dues I found for major US cities are as follows: Miami=$45 Seattle=$60 New York City=$75 Orlando=$77 Dallas=$100 Chicago=$110 DC=$125 LA=$145 Fort Lauderdale=$180 $180/yr dues and they don't even give the yearly certification exams, where does the money go? Come to think of it, pretty weak Fort Lauderdale! Anonymous   Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 09:38 am:    Sorry, we forgot Boston=$99. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 362 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 10:41 am:    Anonymous - I object to Pam Anderson serving anything, including food or as an example. Come to think of it, I'd imagine all people of that ilk would be too self-centered to serve anyone anything! Milwaukee, while obviously (2 in one post!) not a "major" US city, has dues of $45 per year with the option of purchasing meals in a package for an additional $120. Do the higher level dues include meals? I'm pretty sure at least some of them do (LA, Chicago). Your point of higher dues and no exams is a good one, though. Have we gotten any feed-back from someone on the board in Fort Lauderdale? John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 517 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 11:34 am:    In Boston, the membership dues include meals at our meetings which are held ten months of the year. (Always the second Wednesday of the month--if anyone is travelling and would like to come, please do!) We have a CDT study group every year and those not planning to take the exam are encouraged to attend. There are about ten classes held weekly. I think we charge about $50, but this is really to cover the pizza we serve since they're held right after work and there'd be no time to have dinner. For CCCA and CCS, we have a less formal structure since there are far fewer candidates. We have a self-study approach with a couple of get-togethers to "compare notes" and talk about the reading--no formal instruction. Anonymous   Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 11:56 am:    Lynn No slight was intended to the great city of Milwaukee or it's wonderful people. My wife is from Milwaukee so we absolutely love the Pfister Hotel, bratwurst, cream puffs, frozen custard, the Brewers, State Fair, and Whitefish Bay. I used to work for a national arch. firm based in Milwaukee named Miller-Waltz-Deidrich, but I'm sure your not old enough to remember this firm. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 364 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:11 pm:    Anonymous - not a problem; I just had to twist your tail a little. And you're right, I'm not old enough, at least professionally, to remember that firm. I entered the architectural profession in 1985 after a 4 year program at UWM for a masters. I didn't even live in Milwaukee until 1980. George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 155 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 01:13 pm:    From another "not major" US city, but with better beer than Milwaukee, we just raised our chapter dues from $40 to $50 in St. Louis. We offer a "free to all" series of study sessions for all four of the certification tests, including donuts served on gold dishes by instructors who are much cuter than Pam Anderson. Well, the above is mostly true. In all seriousness, the certification classes here are one of our chapter's shining lights, as they probably should be in every chapter, and as it sounds from previous posts like they are in many chapters. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 378 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 01:20 pm:    OK, George, you're on the hook now. Explain the apparent [by innuendo] correlation between "better beer", and "much cuter than Pam Anderson" [cute wouldn't be my choice of words there] . I mean "really"!!!!!! Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 160 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 01:42 pm:    I am on the Board of the Orange County (CA)Chapter - dues are $40.00/yr and we charge $30.00 for dinner meetings.($40.00 at the door). We also hold CDT Classes every year. We have also administered the certification exams the last two years. Last I knew, Phoenix dues were around $140.00/yr, and like LA, includes meals. Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, MAI Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 258 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 01:49 pm:    Phoenix is $165 and includes meals for 10 meetings. Sometimes, additional charges are required for meals at the awards banquet in June or holiday party in December, but we try to avoid this as much as possible. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 365 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 01:50 pm:    George - Does St. Louis have Sprecher? Does it have Halle Berry...? George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 156 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 03:10 pm:    Ralph - I suppose a sufficient quantity of beer could cause one to form a correlation between cute and Pam Anderson, but I was implying that our classes are taught by cute instructors who bring donuts (although beer might be a better choice). Lynn – If we did have Halle Berry, rest assured she would be teaching one of our CDT certification sessions. Okay, maybe our volunteer instructors and exam proctors aren’t all cute, but all are qualified and dedicated CSI members who are eager to share their experience with others. And really, those are the qualities that make chapters worthwhile, regardless of the dues. P.S. It's Friday afternoon. In a few hours, join me for a beer? Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 366 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 03:44 pm:    You're on! And you're right...it's all about sharing knowledge, whether it's "book learning" or experience, the purpose of and joy of CSI is the exchange of knowledge and information in an effort to make what we do better and easier. If chapters don't believe that and do that, why would they exist at all? Why would they continue to take the name of CSI if they are not going to operate under the guiding principle? It's not simple to offer educational opportunities, but the chapters dedicated to the CSI mission are the ones who get my vote for Outstanding Chapter. Hans W. Meier, FCSI, Honorary Member of CSI Senior Member Username: hans_w_meier Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2005 Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 08:14 pm:    I know, I know; how soon they forget. But back in the early 1970's, when we were setting up CSI's certification programs, we polled many of the Institute's leaders as to the best method for furthering the mission of CSI. There was consensus that providing continuing education, and some method of measuring it, was essential. And that's where certification began. It's not difficult to wander off a given path, especially if one's interests lie in another direction. But that path is as essential in CSI today as it was 30 years ago. CSI provides two things to the construction community: 1) an opportunity for all facets of the community to get together and discuss mutual problems; and 2) continuing education in construction contracts and specs. If a chapter is not living up to its mandate, you or someone else should kick a few shins. Hans Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 11:26 am:    Lynn Regarding feedback here from the Fort Lauderdale board, we have none....perhaps showing a perfunctory nature to this issue by their silence. However,the more likely scenario is, most of the board are not spec writers, so they are probably not aware of 4specs. In fairness, several days after posting this thread, one of the board members emailed this to me "Your concerns on certification is one that I have and will continue to address with the new incoming Fort Lauderdale President. So you know, we had discussions at the National Convention in Las Vegas of bringing back the Fort Lauderdale Chapter Certification Study Course and consequently the exam." Subsequently, I emailed the entire board some how-to data from Institute and other chapters re: the certification exams, but I have not received a response back from anyone. As I said in my email to the board, "I commend the efforts of the Fort Lauderdale Chapter to re-instate offering the CSI Certification exams through our chapter." But as Ron Geron said recently in a posting: There are two groups, those that have accomplishments, and those that talk about accomplishments, with the first being the smaller group. Let's hope Fort Lauderdale can make it to the small group! Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 368 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:32 pm:    Russell, Thank you for being involved enough to want to help facilitate change - and for using your gifts for good! I've sent this discussion as a link to the Institute Membership Committee, and, consequently, to Carol Schafmeister. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 58 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 02:30 pm:    Lynn Your words of encouragement are greatly appreciated. Carol Schafmeister is one of our members (in good standing) in the Fort Lauderdale chapter. Carol has devoted many years of service to CSI and the Fort Lauderdale chapter and we are happy to offer her our support whenever possible. Carol is directly responsible for me being a CSI member. Carol was the new member solicitor general in the Fort Lauderdale chapter a few years back and she recruited me by sending me a unsolicited, no strings attached invitation to attend a Fort Lauderdale chapter meeting/diner. The meeting I attended had 30+ people and I thought I could learn a lot from this group. I was so impressed I joined a month or two later. After all this was the chapter that brought Ross Spiegel to national attention. But alas, a mere 3 years later the Fort Lauderdale chapter is lucky to get 14-16 to attend it's meetings and quite often I'm the only professional/specifier in attendance (alone in a sea of industry reps). Jennifer Young, CSI, CDT, MAI Junior Member Username: jenn Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 02:36 pm:    Those product reps should take some initiative and bring their architectural clients to a meeting - what a shame. I hope they are not using CSI as an expensive networking group amongst themselves, because that's what it sounds like. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 03:10 pm:    Dinner, diner....at least I spelled perfunctory correct. Now I'll press #2 and hang up. Anonymous   Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 08:58 am:    A new product rep. stops in to see me the other day. He tells me he's a new CSI member and just joined the Fort Lauderdale chapter. He says after attending just one Fort Lauderdale chapter meeting, the current board has tapped him to sit on next year's board. That's quite a scrutiny process they've got going there. But seriously, I'm sure he'll make an excellent addition to that particular organization. However, upon showing him this thread, he left my office saying he had no idea, and he's having second thought about the Fort Lauderdale chapter. Pity, let the buyer beware.... Jose A. Guaty, CSI, CDT (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 09:13 am:    Dear Fort Lauderdale chapter Grumblers! It is unfortunate to sit at my desk and read this list of unwarranted complaints from people that should be attending meetings and voicing their opinions directly to the chapter leaders and finding a way to help solve the problems and not just writing about it in a chat room. Russell, I like to clear a few things up for you and the group. The response you received regarding discussions of bringing back the certification study course and exam to Fort Lauderdale was not from the board of the Fort Lauderdale Chapter, but from me, the Southeast Region and chapter Communication chair, the incoming Institute Director for the Southeast Region and a member of the Fort Lauderdale chapter since 1996. What you conveniently left out in your discussion with the group was my request for your help in getting back the certification and serving on the board of Fort Lauderdale as a professional member! Here is the complete e-mail for the group to read: "I received a notice from one of the region members alerting me to your posting of May 4th on 4Specs.com regarding certification. As the incoming Southeast Region Director it is my job to assist all of the chapters and members with problems and questions. Even thought my term does not officially start till July 1st of this year, I have been active trying to assist wherever I can. Your concerns on certification is one that I have and will continue to address with the new incoming Fort Lauderdale President (Richard E. Guttentag). So you know, we had discussions at the National Convention in Las Vegas of bringing back the Fort Lauderdale Chapter Certification Study Course and consequently the exam. Sheldon McCartney, CSI, CCCA and Guillermo Echezabal, CSI, CDT are very much in agreement that we need to initiate a plan to bring certification back to the Fort Lauderdale chapter. However, this will not help with this years exam or study courses. As to the exam, the region will be conducting the certification exams at the Region Conference in September www.csi-building-diplomacy2006.org. Fort Lauderdale along with allot of other southern chapters are having a hard time finding professional as yourself to serve on the board and assist in things such as the certification classes and exam. This maybe a great opportunity for you to make a difference and help us by serving on the board of the Fort Lauderdale Chapter. I know that Richard could use your knowledge and foresight." I received and e-mail back from you declining my request for your help due to time retrains and personal commitments, however, you find plenty of time to air your discontent and displeasure here on this forum? My father always told me "You are either the problem or the solution" I served as president of the Fort Lauderdale chapter from 2000 to 2002 and during my two year term we had as you mentioned 25 to 30 people at our general meetings and we also had a standing certification class and served as a testing site. Unfortunately things change and sometimes not for the better I may add. Fort Lauderdale has had a few bad years of retaining members at the same rate as the rest of CSI. Professional membership is down across the board, and the Industry members have kept it going. Lets clear that up right now, Industry members are not all REPS as you continually mention as if being an industry member is a bad thing. Industry members are also contractor and subcontractor and we do play a vital role in this organization specially during critical times when professional members do not participate as they should. OH, as to your complaint about Fort Lauderdale canceling the exam! your recollection of events are not all quite accurate! Fort Lauderdale abstaining from being a test site in 2004 after two years of only having one or two people sign up for our study course and exam. During the years of 2002, 2003 Paul Just ran the study course and ended up canceling the classes due to a lack of interest. Maybe we just over achieved during 1999, 2000, and 2001 when we had over 200 people take our course and exam. I kwon you are upset about the exam site not being in Fort Lauderdale in 2004 when you wanted to take the exam, however at the time that Fort Lauderdale abstained the Miami chapter (15 mile from Fort Lauderdale) was also a CSI test site, little did they know that Miami would also end up abstaining that year. These things happen and sometimes they get one or two people like you very up set. I think the problem is that you did not realize that Fort Lauderdale was not a test site and did not like what other options you had. Many members travel to convention or region conferences to take their exams, you just wanted it to be convenient for you. I cannot recall the last time I seen you at a Fort Lauderdale meeting, please go to the Fort Lauderdale website at www.csifortlauderdale.org and see how hard they work at keeping the chapter on the cutting edge with what little help they have. It's time to get involve! Mario J. Ibanez New member Username: mariojibanez Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 07:42 pm:    Things can always be better and I will certainly work towards that end this year. Those involved on the Board and the ones attending meetings are being of service to their CSI community. I am very often guilty of criticizing my team mates/others involved in the battle, comfortably from the sidelines, so do not take anything I say as being judgmental. I would like to respond to some of the unanswered questions. Our Golf Tournament pays for itself and generates monies for our Scholarship Program, hence the name Scholarship – Golf Tournament, which has been successful over the previous years and is expected to be this year as well. The $180 dues include dinner for the ten yearly meetings, unfortunately not on gold plates and fortunately Pam Anderson has never been sighted at Tropical Acres. That is a $120 savings for someone that attends every meeeting. Anonymous – I understand Russell’s disappointment over the Certification Exam issue but I do not understand your negativity extending even to the turning off the new CSI member you mentioned. Thanks to you folks that posted some very useful and constructive comments. We as a chapter will be getting back to the basics of education and certifications program even so my hats off to the Ft Laud Chapter that have served and are serving with distinction. Anonymous   Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 08:04 pm:    "To sit home, read one's favorite paper, and scoff at the misdeeds of the men who do things is easy, but it is markedly ineffective. It is what evil men count upon the good men's doing." —Theodore Roosevelt Stephan Reppert CSI, CDT, assoc. AIA Senior Member Username: steprepp Post Number: 6 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 09:48 am:    Mario, can you give me an approximate time line on when "we as a chapter will be getting back to the basics of education and certifications program(s)" so I can kwon how to plan my future with CSI? I would really like to stay involve but I would like some reassurance that education programs and certification are toward the top of the hierarchy of CSI related topics and not somewhere after a good game of golf and a great dinner (hold the sauce)at Tropical Acres. By the way, how much do we save if we dont take the dinner? Lynde West (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:07 am:    As the current President of the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter, I would also like to add information to the above discussion. Someone was kind enough to send this to me, knowing that this was a project that I was very close to this year. Jose' provided the previous year's history, but I think he left this year for me to explain. In September and October I identified a site for the exams, and recruited a proctor, although I was still looking for someone else to volunteer, after being turned down by Mr. Wood who was my first choice. I thought 6 months notice and my offer to do all of the work would entice him based on his past experiences and commitment to CSI. In November we started promoting the exams at the meetings. After that it was in my presidents message on the website and sent by mail in our newsletter. By the January board meeting I had received no response's regarding interest in the exams, not one! (It was on the agenda every month.) I contacted all of the other chapters in South Florida to ascertain their status regarding the exams; only Miami intended to administer them. I contacted the Institiute to find out what they knew; they said there were 4 people who had signed up with Ft. Lauderdale as there first choice and Miami as their second - remember our test sites are very close. Three of the people were unknown to me, the 4th was Steve R. I called Steve and discussed this with him. He said he had decided not to go to Miami afterall. Under these circumstances, the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter did not sign up to be a test site for 2006. And as Jose' said, it is already on the planning agenda for the incoming President. I hope there will be people interested in taking the exams and they will make their intentions know in advance. Afterall, this is not something that you do on the spur of the moment. Many of you mentioned publicizing your exam study courses and the location, etc. I would be interested in hearing what you did beyond what we did; discussion at meetings, the newsletter, e-mails to members and the website. Contrary to some postings, we take this very seriously in Ft. Lauderdale and have worked very hard to increase attendance, particularly among professionals, and participation. As to the cost or our membership, I must correct Mario - the $180 dollars cover 12 dinners over 10 months. The additional 2 dinners are so we can easily bring architects and other potential members to meetings. It covers our special meetings as well, without additional cost. It also allows us to not require RSVP's so people can attend if they become available at the last minute. This has worked well, with the exception of a recent meeting in which 40 people showed up and the room was set for only 30! Luckily the resturant was able to accomodate very quickly. But you must attend meetings to know this... As several people said, and I agree, CSI is about education, knowledge and information. But if you only take a test and pay your dues, are you really getting much out of it? If you don't like the programs, suggest others, as has be illicited many times. And, I hope you will pardon me one snipe; anonymous - you aren't. It's time to get involved. Mario J. Ibanez, CSI, CDT Junior Member Username: mariojibanez Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:25 am:    You are right if you do not take dinner then you are over paying and it has been brought up at Board Meetings, I think we need to re-visit the membership dues. The way the Milwaukee Chapter does it, with a seperate meal package, might be the way to go. As far as getting back to the basics our planning meeting will be on June 16th and we will also put it on the agend at the next board meeting June 13th. Give me a little time to get back to you on this. Jose A. Guaty, CSI, CDT (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:52 am:    Stephan: You could have planned your CSI future back in July of 2005 and attended all of the great educational programs we have had all year. Lets start by planning your attendance to or August 19, 2006 Fort Lauderdale chapter "Day of learning" - 2004 Building Code (8 credits) see our web site for information www.fortlauderdale.org Chapter events this past year have included: 1. Code enforcement round table with a representative from State of Florida, Miami-Dade County, Broward, and Palm Beach Building Officials. 2. Applications and misconceptions of Impact Glass 3. County Hurricane Emergency Management official - effects of hurricanes and construction. 4. Two Part series on Master Format 04. 5. Broward County Aviation Public Information officer on airport expansion. 6. DOT Information officer on the I-595 expansion. 7. The Law and your professional Liability. 8. Broward County Fire Marshall - New codes and fire assessments for the county. Please do not make it sound like Fort Lauderdale does not do any education or informational programs. Golf is only one event, and a very important charity event at that. Hope to see you and Russell at the July meeting. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 61 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Friday, June 09, 2006 - 10:56 am:    You go on holiday for a couple weeks and the fans still call and write. First let me thank Hans Meier for participating in this discussion. For our industry rep friends who may not be familiar, Hans Meier is one of the founding fathers of CSI who has truly earned the distinction of being known as a Master Specifier! Mr. Meier your participation here is greatly appreciated! Upon checking the Ft Laud chapter board of directors roster for FY 06, we find the following: Of the 11 people listed, only 5 are certified. That’s less than 50% that are certified. Those not certified include the current President, Secretary, 1st VP & Treasurer, Meeting Chair, Member Chair, and President Elect. Out of curiosity, is this about the average in other chapters around the country? Doesn’t CSI have a requirement that certain members like Pres. & VP be certified or a certain percent of board members be certified? If not, shouldn’t it? I know the Pres. of the Ft Laud. A.I.A is certainly an R.A. Shouldn't CSI have similar standards? Mario J. Ibanez, CSI, CDT Advanced Member Username: mariojibanez Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, June 09, 2006 - 11:07 am:    Correction; As the current Treasurer and incoming V.P. I have been CDT Certifed for about 7 years. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 180 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 08:43 am:    The Institute rejected a proposed bylaw requiring Institute board members to hold a CDT as a minimum - this occurred approximately 5 years ago. A quick look at the Member Directory shows that only 2 of the current Institute board members do not have their CDT. Only a handful do not have one or more certifications beyond the CDT. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 381 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:02 pm:    Registration for architects is more of a requirement to practice their profession than is a certification for a specification writer, with exceptions in a few locations. For a volunteer organization like CSI to require a level of certification before a member can hold an office would severly limit the number of volunteers. As one progresses up in the ranks of volunteerism in CSI, however, the value of certification is emphasized and becomes clearer. Thus the higher percentages of certifications in the leadership of most chapters, regions, and at the Institute level. Serving in leadership positions AND being certified are both purely volunteer decisions (again, with some exceptions - there are companies that require some staff to obtain CDTs). The value of each of these is a personal perception and it is incumbent upon certified members to point out these values. Stephan Reppert CSI, CDT, assoc. AIA Senior Member Username: steprepp Post Number: 9 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:12 pm:    As one progresses up in the ranks of volunteerism? Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 383 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:28 pm:    Sure! you start out as a committee member, move up to vice-chair then chair; move up again to board member, culminating in chapter presidency. Then you move up in rank to Region positions...and so on...progressing up in the ranks of volunteerism! What else would you call it? I'm open to suggestions... Stephan Reppert CSI, CDT, assoc. AIA Senior Member Username: steprepp Post Number: 10 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:32 pm:    Lynn, your point is well taken Alina Garcia (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:10 pm:    I have been following this discussion with keen interest. I’m a product rep. for a national supplier who used to work the Fort Lauderdale area. For business purposes, I used to attend some chapter meetings in Fort Lauderdale (and some A.I.A. too). Fellas, you seem be right. I don’t remember much talk or promotion about certifications at their chapter meetings. But I do remember there were plenty of updates by the board at the meetings about their golf tournament. I have now moved and work the Orlando area, and I can tell you that the Orlando chapter has a good balance and is firmly committed to the certification process and they give the exams each spring. I’ll be going for my CDT then, so wish me luck. Also, as was said above, the dues in Orlando are a lot less than Ft Laud., plus we get a good turn-out, so I’m just enjoying the experience. Richard M. Smith, CSI, CCS (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:14 pm:    Russell, You seem to be making some very good points. It’s too bad your board doesn’t seem to care much about your constructive suggestions as one of their members. Maybe your board is more interested in proving themselves rather than improving the chapter. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 62 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 04:38 pm:    Alina and Richard: Thanks for your nice comments and your support here is appreciated! Alina, what products do you rep? Maybe I'll put them in my specs. Ann N (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 05:59 pm:    I too have been reading this post and as a former member of the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter which I might add.... was an active member that participated on several committees and functions for several years and just recently, I have been considering rejoining CSI but after reading this board I'm having second thoughts..... I would think that a chapter or board would try to embrace it's members ( aka grumblers)and not chase them away as I read above regarding Russell and Stephen's constructive suggestions. I think you'll all agree that it's easier to pacify and keep current members than it is to recruit new ones.......Years ago the certification exams where offered and the certification programs were respected by the members and the board alike. Nevertheless, it sounds like things have certainly changed. Mario J. Ibanez, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: mariojibanez Post Number: 6 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 08:47 am:    Hey folks, their is a new board starting July 1st the installation dinner meeting is tonight at Tropical Acres at 6:30 PM we will also have a speaker; Carl Fowler with Broward County Emergency Services on Hurricane Preparedness. I beg to differ with Richard; those serving on the board care, we do not do it for the money. Our incoming President still has two openings available, chairperson of committees (i.e. Golf Tournament and Certification Committee). Any takers? It appears we have chased off our Golf Chair for the previous 2 years, who by the way has done an excellent job, Evasio Casanas. Actually he is going back to school and does not have the time. Regarding the Golf Tournament we (Ft Laud. Ch.) made about $1,900.00 for the benefit of an architectural student from each school specifically and the recognition of CSI in general. CSI Fort Lauderdale Scholarships are awarded to students of Broward Community College, (BCC) Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Florida International University (FIU) Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (AIFL) The Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a career in Architecture, Construction, Engineering or Interior Design, with qualifying criteria such as financial need and other thing. I will be glad to send a copy of our Scholarship Program to whoever emails me requests: MIbanez@SeamanCorp.com Matteo Branchi, RA (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 01:43 pm:    Dear Ft Laud Board (at least that’s who I think has commented above), I just don’t think you’re getting it. Let me see if I can sort this out for you. It sounds like your members are saying here they feel your chapter places too much importance on your golf tournament and not enough on the CSI Certification Program. The evidence offered by one of your members (and confirmed by you above), is that your chapter doesn’t even give the certification exams anymore, so your not a full-service chapter. Then you try to dispute this claim by just talking about the virtues of your golf tournament. However admirable your golf thing may be by benefiting a few students ($1,900 is not a generous endowment), how does it benefit career advancement of your members as certifications do? It seems you’ve done nothing here but confirm your members points. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 02:02 pm:    Hey Y’all: Russell, Stephan, and Mr. Anonymous you sure are giving the spec writers and Architects here in Ft Lauderdale land a good chuckle by your comments here. Many of us CSI members don’t really bother to attend the meetings anymore….sometimes because of our busy schedules, but mostly just plain out of disinterest. That Ft Laud chapter just doesn’t provide much for it’s professional members and in particular spec writers. Then you toss in steep dues in Ft Laud and that’s why no one shows up anymore. Not because of some national trend like that guy above said. You know, I can’t even tell you how many of us have just dropped the Ft Laud chapter and it’s dues and only keep the National membership. And guys, a word to the wise, that chapter isn’t going to be changing any time soon. As I recall, most of the board are the same folks year to year, but just changing hats. Keep fight’in the good fight boys! (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 06:23 pm:    Matteo, I have not been active with the Chapter or on the Board long enough to know the reason for not hosting Certification Exams or courses except that the demand has not been there. I ask one of the members who knows to give the reason. The Scholarship Fund is not the only thing this Chapter does. CSI is not anybody's mother but a vehicle for career advancement and one part of my career advancement is the reason why I decided to get involved by serving on the board. In other words members need to be members in order for it to be a vehicle for career advancement. It was Russell who said “Perhaps the Fort Lauderdale Board feels it's dues would better be spent on it's yearly golf tournament?” I was only trying to make the point that the Golf Tournament is there to make money for a scholarship fund and not subsidized by dues. And I do not believe we can place too much importance on it; anything worth doing is worth doing successfully. To the unregistered guest; you sort of kind of need to come around sometimes to know what is being offered. As far as the Chapter dues, we went from $35 dues plus $30.00 meals (that’s $335 per year if you attend the ten meetings and $215 if you attend six), to $180 dues including the 10 meeting meals plus 2 free guests, that is a $395.00 value (again before my time). The idea was that it would be an incentive to boost attendance. So all of the talk about it being to expensive only holds true to those who do not want to go the meetings otherwise you can say we are giving away the store. With nine board positions, I would say that yes as it rotates through you tend to have some of the same people at least for a few years. But again you only show that you are inactive by not knowing who the board members are for the 2006 / 2007 Fiscal Year compared to say 4 years ago. Scholarship fund is not the only thing this Chapter does. CSI is not anybody's mother but a vehicle for career advancement and one part of my career advancement is the reason why I decided to get involved by serving on the board. The good fight would be on behalf of Fort Lauderdale Chapter CSI not against it. This is Mario Ibanez, incoming VP in Ft. Laud. I edited my Profile last time and apparently cannot remmember my login info. José A. Guaty, CSI, CDT (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 03:07 pm:    Dear: Russell Wood, Matteo Branchi, Stephan Reppert, Alina Garcis, Ann N., Richard Smith: I do not think that anyone is denying that mistakes or misdirection's have occurred with the Fort Lauderdale chapter! I do think that everyone gets it! But what we all seem to be missing is why? Why are we having this discussion in a forum and not face to face in a setting that we all can benefit from this discussion? I like to bring a few members of the new FY-07 Fort Lauderdale Board and all of you together for a two (2) hour session to see how we can improve the chapter and the certification classes with your input and help! Are you guys up for the challenge? As the new Southeast Region Institute Director, it's my task to solve these types of issues, and as a businessmen I only know one way to get issues solved. Get the parties together and find a amicable solution or compromise that we can all live with. Your help is needed, I do not know how many ways I can express this to you guys! We are not adversaries, we all want the same thing. We just need to find a way there! Are you guys willing to put down your battle worn key boards and call a trust to this insane ever ending defamation of the Fort Lauderdale chapter. Here is my e-mail: jaguaty@acousticalproductscompany.com contact me and lets set a date! Remember that for every action there is a counter reaction that follows, therefore, for every entry, there will be another entry that may or may not be correct or accurate and that will cause a chain reaction that will involuntary destroy a chapter board that has just started and has all the good intentions in fulfilling their obligations if you gave them a change and a helping hand. Non of you have replied or commented on my posting of May 23, 2006 @ 9:13 am, or Thursday, May 25, 2006 @ 10:52 am - WHY? Give me the chance to bring your concerns to the people that will make the change! Ball is in your court! It has always been there José A. Guaty, CSI, CDT Gerry Blandina, CDT (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 03:27 pm:    I've read with interest the on-going discussions. I agree that the main purpose of any trade organization, not just CSI, is both for on-going education and as a net-working vehicle. We learn as much from each other as we do from structured training sessions. I achieved my CDT certification when it was first offered by Fort Lauderdale. A good friend of mine, Ruth Goebell, encourged me (a product rep) to take the test. The group at that time was a good mix of architects, spec writers, and product reps. Since that time, time constraints and costs influenced my decision to drop my membership. The mix also changed and because my territory is extensive, many chapters wanted me to joing their chapter. I took the easy way out and didn't renew my membership. Has anyone thought, locally, that 10 meetings a year may be too much? We are all busy, work too many hours, and have little time to spare. Another possibility may be the combining of the chapers from the tri-county area and that would allievate some of the testing problems since that could be done on an alternating year basis. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 192 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 - 08:26 pm:    There has been a lot written in various discussion threads about the strength of CSI lying in the strength of its chapters. Individual members tend to be straws in the wind; it is chapters that can make a difference in a community. From my involvement in 2 chapters (Houston and Honolulu), I think that I can observe that the strength of the chapter is reflected in a number of categories, but one of the key areas is the regular meetings (usually 9 to 11 each year). The key to good attendance (which I would suggest relates to the perception that the chapter is serving members) is good programs. For a number of years now, the Houston Chapter meetings are pretty consistently attended by between 50 and 60 people. It isn't always the same people; there are about 20 to 30 who come no matter what. The rest of the people are attracted by the program. Our programs have tended to be strong on educational content for our professional members and interesting to the industry people, even those whose activities are not directly related to the program topic. Most of the spec writers attend the meetings, and the industry people know that they can hobnob with 60 to 80 percent of the really informed decision makers in large firms by attending those meetings. You might think we are overrun with "peddlers;" however, professional members almost never make up less than 40 percent of the attendees and sometimes significantly more than half! (I can just hear the reps' lament that they can't get in to see the spec writer, but they are too busy to attend 3 to 4 meetings a year to try to establish a relationship.) My recollection of the Honolulu Chapter is that there were similar dynamics at work. Once you get some people coming to 4 or 5 meetings a year, you have a basis to suck them into more involvement at a committee member or leader role. In Honolulu around 1980, Bob Hockaday, FCSI, had a very interesting strategy. He would almost never ask someone to take on a big task, he would ask them to do something that would take 15 or 20 minutes to do one week and something else of that magnitude a week or two later. The people he approached were those who had been attending the meetings. Good programs will attract professional members and potential members; and good programs will attract industry members who want to see the big picture and those who are interested in getting to know professional members. It is my view that a professional member should be in charge of the programs; they tend to have a more global view of the industry. Some industry members are as capable, but someone who is narrowly focused on waterproofing or wall covering or masonry is going to have to work a lot harder to bring a variety of programs in the door. After serving as Program Chair for 3 years, I recruited another architect to take my place. One of my "selling points" was that he could use the programs as an opportunity to learn more about topics in which he he was interested. If people say the chapter isn't serving its members (or the local construction industry in general), I would ask if that chapter has a good program chair that can consistently arrange good programs. Chances are that is not happening; once program quality increases, there will be more opportunities for growth in other areas as well. Mario J. Ibanez, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: mariojibanez Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 - 03:31 pm:    When was the last time someone on this thread has told a business aquaintance (associated to the building industry) about CSI and why he or she should seek to get certified or get involved in CSI? How many have you gotten to join FY '06? Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 68 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 02:50 pm:    As specification writers, we yield a great deal of influence. We influence the products that go in the project, and we also influence the vendors that make it into the project. We also have somewhat of an indirect influence on the vendors themselves. Once a vendor sees CSI on my business card, it’s not unusual for a vendor to ask my opinions about CSI and the Fort Lauderdale chapter. Many vendors are asking because they have interest in becoming new CSI members or getting involved again after a period of inactivity. When asked, I always speak quite highly about CSI National and do the same for the Ft Laud Chapter. I suppose in any given day I’m probably contacted by at least 1 vendor (that’s = 5/week, 20/month, 240/year). So it’s conceivable, that I might speak to more potential candidates for CSI membership in a month than a chapter board member does their entire term. That’s a lot of folks asking li’l ole me for my opinion! Sometimes the vendor has interest in becoming certified and will ask me about the certification program in Ft Laud. They might ask, how does it work….are the exams hard….where are the exams given. Since Ft Laud has not been an exam site for 3 years, you must tell the interested party they’ll have to go to either Miami or Orlando….you then see the look of enthusiasm and hope leave their faces and a look of disappointment sets in. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this happen, if the board members could only see their faces. As chapter membership declines and chapter participation drops, we can only guess how many potential new members and participants have been lost this way? If you so desire, have the chapter President contact me, as it would be my pleasure to hear from him on this issue. Virginia Stol (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:18 pm:    CSI 101: When members are happy, they pay dues, chapter prospers (this is good). When members are unhappy, they drop out, no more dues, and chapter attendance goes down (this is bad). Someone above said your attendance has dropped….ergo members must not be happy (this is bad). Sounds like a tweak or overhaul is needed and members will be happy again (this is good)! Joseph Elmo (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, July 03, 2006 - 01:24 pm:    I’ve never posted before, but feel compelled. Russell, do you and Stephan feel like cause celebres? You’ve touched on so many important and valid topics. But doesn’t it all boil down to chapters, their behavior, and should we scrutinize them. It sounds like your board does not want scrutiny or would prefer chapter scrutiny only behind closed doors. They’ve said repeatedly above this is not the proper forum, this is not the proper forum. But if a chapter has humility and nothing to hide, then shouldn’t any forum be OK? On the eve of our great nation’s birthday, isn’t it the American way to examine our leaders. After all we give the chapter leaders our dues and our trust to do right by us in the chapter and the CSI community. Haven’t you ever wondered where the chapter dues money goes? For instance, does the board pay their own way to the convention or do we pay for them? If your chapter dues are as high as you’ve said, then I think it’s your right and even your obligation to ask your chapter leaders where, why, and how much. Leaders come and go, but the people remain. Boards everywhere need to know they are there to serve the members, not the other way around. Remember, Scrutiny Is Not a 4-Letter Word! Merv Lunsford Sr. former CSI (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 12:15 pm:    CSI in the year 2525: In the future, we all wear shiny silver suits. There are no actual CSI chapter meetings, we attend psychically, and attendance is almost 100%. In the future there are no local CSI chapter boards anymore either, because we all can read minds, and things are done automatically. In the future there are still CSI certifications, but they are no longer earned academically, instead they are bestowed at birth, based on the child’s height. Twins of course receive multiple certifications. And golfing units still exist in the future. It’s actually amazing how many of them actually walk among us! Harold S. Woolard Senior Member Username: harold_woolard Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, October 13, 2006 - 02:03 pm:    Merv, glad you are not a current CSI member because we would probably have you committed. The only thing you left out about 2525 year was the CHICAGO CUBS make it back to World Series only to lose to TEXAS RANGERS, playing in their only WS appearance. Discussing about current chapter rates, Denver's $160.00 is the only one I can not figure out. Albuquerque and Amarillo's $175.00 are easy, Amarillo has turkey shoots for fund raisers (keeps their eye sharp, and gun control laws in Texas are, how steady you hold your gun)and the Chapter Dues help pay for scholarships. Have you ever driven through Albuquerque, they need ALL the money they can get. But we should be asking about Monterey Bay, South Jersey, and Central Illinois get by with charging "0", are the Clint Eastwoods, Soprano's and Al Capone's grandkids, taking care of these chapters. And finally how did Reno $24.00 and Richmond VA $42.00 come up with its due structure, wouldn't $25.00 or $45.00 seem better, and let's let Fort Lauderdale measly little $180.00 off the hook, because it doesn't hold a candle to Las Vegas $200.00 dues, but we know you lose a lot of money out there and it takes money to make money. Have a great weekend everybody! Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 84 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - 10:39 am:    THE BIG GOOD NEWS! Apparently despite the Fort Lauderdale Chapter board members contentions above saying "demand has not been there", "only one or two people sign up", and "no responses regarding interest in the exams, not one!", there must be someone alive and well in Fort Lauderdale with interest to become CSI Certified. Rumor has it that the Fort Lauderdale Chapter held the exams last Saturday and lo and behold, about 10 people showed up and took the exams. The decision by the Fort Lauderdale Chapter to reinstate giving the exams after several years without, was the decent, humane, and RIGHT move to make all along. But the current Board Members should still be commended for having the foresight to see this and for standing up and making it happen. (also if this discussion helped in any way to influence their the decision to reinstate the exams, all the better) WELL DONE...and THREE CHEERS to the FORT LAUDERDALE CHAPTER! Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 540 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - 10:53 am:    Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! They're on their way! Stephan Reppert CSI, CDT, assoc. AIA Senior Member Username: steprepp Post Number: 11 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - 01:36 pm:    Thank you Lynn; perfect King's English