Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2011 - 08:46 am: |    |
110907
WELL, NOW, WE’VE DONE IT AGAIN!
by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT, Cincinnati, OH
Came the new academic year, and once again CSI has no new program, in its educational toolbox, to initiate instruction regarding the knew for knowledge and education prior to CSI membership and CDT.
Of course, you can join and take part, but what this reference means something brand new that will both enhance and expand CSI, but also will change its overall profile, its image within the construction community, and bridges a nasty gap where information is still vitally needed, but excessively rapid changes in the delivery systems have muddled the waters, confused good practice or improved the understanding, and production of quality specifications.
Many members [at all levels and with differing status] will disregard the idea that CSI start something other than revision and expansion of documents and programs it already has. Not sure how to move that train, or really how to define it, but status quo is hurtful to some employer/members and members seeking assistance now-- or in the future. The problem we see is that the absence of fundamental specifications instruction [included with construction and graphic documentation] is gradually impairing what the architectural, engineering and the marketing and product representations should be. If not remedied a huge amount of information will be perverted, will disappear, or will be “guessed at” by others. This effects value to owner, faithful construction of project desired, and proper control of several essential project features [safety, cost, product selection, product certification and installation, compatibility, etc.]
For some reason we are asking or hearing from enough people [members] because more and more you get replies that agree that we need do something. We are too enamored with gadgets, wizardry of electronics and updating that we seem to lose our will or understanding that as an organization, CSI has perhaps the singular educational impact of post-collegiate construction education!!
We need, ladies and gentlemen to get with it, quickly—and tough as it is we need to allow some clinks in our armor and slight opening of our trap-like minds. We need to think ahead and quit doing all the things we do with the rather modest results we get. Little is even spoken about the topic, but expanded education, in the CSI “tool bag” is really an obvious and positive and perhaps lucrative venture-- it is the place for CSI to go. It will produce added influence of CSI in the construction industry and give CSI a voice and standing it has not ever had.
Things-- many things—have changed and foresight is required. We must look to the far future and 1[see where could go, where further it has an opportunity to go, 3] an opportunity to be a true, helpful and most influential voice in the industry. No one else has the ability to do this as well as CSI! [and its varied membership voices] We need ideas, conversations, common brainstorming and the will to overcome our organizational inertia, Let’s GO-------SOON!!!!!
Excuses are too late! The necessary is growing and becoming more imposing and eating away at ventures, organizations and professions for mere lack of objective, and thoughtful road-mapping to the future. We need conversations between the long-time members, shorter term members, emerging professionals and those at all levels of age and expertise to develop a “war plan” for new programs. These new fresh leadership to ensure that contributing voices carry equal weights and one “era” does not out-vote another, It is not about now; not about did; not about years back; but rather about what will be, and how can we do more, fill in some blank spaces and produce a new better effort where one barely lives and more is vitally needed for later. Not getting into this-- once again-- is unforgivable and shamefully unprofessional ! |
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