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THE WINNER'S CIRCLE

Indianapolis Chapter CSI Newsletter

January 2012

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Greetings!

Welcome to 2012!  Be sure to date all your checks 2012, make a few resolutions, have some bubbly....and then back to work we go!  Trying to make our industry better is always a good new year resolution.

As always, please send comments, articles and suggestions to me as they may come up.

 

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 Indianapolis Chapter CSI Newsletter Editor

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Upcoming Events
Programs Committee
 
View from the Tower
Pete Kerfoot, CSI, CDT 
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2012.  Can you believe it?  Welcome to the New Year; I hope you are adjusting to placing the new date on your documents.  You are allowed only 3 date errors using 2011 before you are relegated to the sidelines.  It usually takes me the whole month of January to get accustomed to using the new number.  Good luck to us all.

 

The CSI Indy December Holiday Party was exceptional.  The clear night air created an extraordinary view from atop the One America Building.  Combine the outstanding view with camaraderie, great food, service and the ever-enjoyable singing of the Indianapolis Children's Choir and you can't help but have a smashing success.  Thanks to Pete Baker and Terri Truitt for their hard work in pulling the whole event together. 

 

CSI Indy will be back at the River Walk Banquet Center in Broad Ripple for our next Chapter Meeting.  January 19th is the third Thursday and the social hour begins at 5:30.  The meal starts at 6:30 while the evening's presentation will begin around 7:30 after a few minutes of Chapter Business.  The presentation will be a Construction Economic Outlook and Forecast for 2012 and beyond.

 

Speaking of economic outlooks I will take the opportunity I am given with this article to impart some significant information to all Chapter Members.  When I accepted my current office as President I had no real agenda to make any changes in Indy CSI; the current system was, and probably always has been, in good working order.  My main goal was to keep the ship afloat during these trying economic times. Tight purse strings, and all that.  I am pleased to say with half of the fiscal year completed, Indianapolis CSI is holding its own in this economy.  And why is that?  I'll tell you why.  The current Board asked every Committee Chair not only to hold to their reduced budgets but also look for any means of supplying revenue for their committee that was 'outside the box' from past practice.  In essence they were asked to do more, with less.  There definitely has been concern, but not one complaint, and everyone has been doing an amazing job.  This office is included in e-discussion among committee members and I am constantly amazed at the ingenuity that occurs when spirited individuals put their minds to it.  I am very proud of this organization.  I have often heard CSI Members outside our Chapter tout the 'get it done' attitude of the Indianapolis Chapter and how we have always ranked high in the nation with our volunteer spirit and effectiveness.  I can tell you with all sincerity, I have become a firm believer in that view.  Thank you Indianapolis CSI.  Your hard work and resourcefulness will keep this organization running through the worst of times.  Have we seen the worst and made the turn towards better times?  You'll have to come to this month's presentation to know for sure.  See you there.

 

As always, I end my article with the Starbuck's Gift Card offer.  The first person to send an email to [email protected] with the subject heading "New Year" will receive the coveted $10 gift certificate.  It's going to be a fun year.

 

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Public Relations

by Tom Frank

 

One often overlooked outlet for marketing your construction related company is by using the media.  It is very important to develop a relationship with local and trade media.  This is a symbiotic relationship with great benefits for both parties.  Your company is able to stay in the spotlight and the media is able to have solid and interesting materials for their audience.  While each of your events or press releases may not be newsworthy in the national sense, find trade organizations that are pertinent to your business.  They may have journalists hungry for a story in your industry.

 

When entering the world of public relations it is important to formulate a media plan.  This plan should include the message or image that you would like seen by your public.  This message could be as simple as safety consciousness, homegrown company, industry leader, flagship product or service etc.  The media plan should also include policies and procedures for press releases, special events, ongoing letters to editors and feature articles.  Creating a procedure for these events will help organize them in a way that is media friendly and limit any unwanted surprises.  There are many professional sources to assist you in the world public relations.  The most important thing to remember is that you can take steps to control your company image.

Continuing Education thru Certification with CSI

by Certification Committee

 

CSI is the construction community's authority on communication and construction documentation. Through CSI's Certification Program, you can develop a conceptual understanding of the entire construction process, and concrete skills in: 

  • Construction documentation development and administration
  • Specification writing and enforcement
  • Product research and sourcing
  • Communication with the design and contracting teams

CSI's Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) program is prerequisite to CSI's advanced Certifications: Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA); Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) and Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR). 

Exams will be offered April 2 - April 28, 2012, in the U.S. & Canada.

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Early registration deadline: February 2, 2012
Final registration deadline: March 2, 2012

Questions? Contact CSI Member Services at [email protected] or 800-689-2900.

CDT 101

by Certification Committee

 

The CDT 101 webinar is an opportunity for individuals to learn about the benefits of CSI's Construction Documents Technologist certificate. The webinar helps advise CDT Exam candidates about the requirements and resources for successful exam preparation and study..


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Certification Study Classes

by Certification Committee

 

 

The Indianapolis Chapter CSI will offer study classes for the various exams. The CDT and CCS study classes will tentatively take place the five Saturdays prior to the exam week. CCCA and CCPR classes will be determined based upon need, meaning if there are students, how many, and when we can coordinate teachers and students. Please watch the chapter website for further details.


CDT & CCS Study Classes: Each Saturday from March 3 through March 31. CDT 9:00 am to 11:45 am and CCS 12 noon to 3:00 pm. There will be a one-time $30 fee for the five classes and these classes will take place at Schmidt Assocs., 320 East Vermont Street, Indianapolis, Indiana; contact Chuck Thompson, 317-263-6226 for more information.   

Table Tops

Ralph R Pitman, Jr., CSI, CDT

Indianapolis Chapter CSI

 

The Indianapolis Chapter of CSI is accepting reservations for Table Tops for upcoming Chapter meetings.  The list of programs for upcoming Chapter meetings is published in this newsletter, the web site, or contact Program chairman Andy McIntyre, so if you would like to target a particular meeting, make sure to get your reservation in early.  We do have a limit of four spaces available for Table Tops in a standard meeting room and 10 if we have a double room.

 

Table Tops are an opportunity to promote your company, products, or services to all attendees of our regular chapter meeting during the social hour.  There is a maximum of 20 minutes for Table Top presentation at a regular Chapter meeting.  You have the floor for maximum of five minutes during the dinner to communicate to the entire group if there are four presenters. If there is a greater demand, the 20 minutes will be divided by the number of presenters and rounded down to the nearest 30 seconds.

 

The Table Top presentations are FREE, one time, to new members, and cost current Indianapolis Chapter members only $75.  Non-members get the same opportunity for $125.  A 30 by 60 table with a cover and skit will be included.  All proceeds go to support the Chapter.

 

Another opportunity for a Table Top is during an Education Seminar.  The cost is if you combine it with the Chapter meeting and Education Seminar the cost would be $100 for current members and $150 for non-members.

 

If you would like to schedule a Table Top for a future meeting or seminar, contact:

 

Ralph Pitman - Sebree Architects, Inc

[email protected]  or (317) 272-7800

 

or 

 

Matt Maier - Edgewood Building Supply

[email protected] or (317) 846-6060

make sure to put 'Table Top Request' in the subject line  

Certification Quiz
Jack Morgan - Quizmaster
 

1. The decision whether single or multiple prime contracts should be used on a Project should be made:

 

a. On bid day

b. When contracts are signed

c. In the early stages of Project development

d. When the budget is determined for the Project

 

2. Owners familiar with the construction process who desire to be active in the selection of material and systems are likely candidates for:

 

a. Multiple prime contract delivery system

b. Design-Build delivery system

c. Competitive bid delivery system

d. Negotiated contract delivery system

 

3. In the Design-Build delivery system the A/E:

 

a. Is the agent of the Owner

b. Is a member of the Design-Build entity

c. Is responsible for the programming of the Project

d. Is responsible for the budget on the Project

 

4. The specification type document prepared during the Design Development phase is called the:

      

a. Outline Specifications

b. Rough Draft Specifications

c. UniFormat Elements

d. Preliminary Project Descriptions

 

5. Whose responsibility is the maintenance of the revised Uniformat?

 

a. The General Services Administration and AIA

b. The CSC

c. The CSI

d. All of the above

e. b and c only

 

Answers located at the end of this newsletter....

The Pro Expo

Press Release

  

 

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Chapter Photos
January 2012

 







 

We hope you have enjoyed seeing these previews of the latest images from our events.  To view more, visit our online photo album.
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Scholarships
Education Foundation  

 

Scholarship applications for this year's Education Foundation Scholarship are now available.  If you or someone you know are a student in a construction related college program, please consider this opportunity!

 

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Charitable Donation

Education Foundation 

 

The Indianapolis Chapter CSI Education Foundation is nearing the opening of the Scholarship "season" and will be sending out applications to students across the state.  This is a great benefit for the students in the construction industry.

 

For the first time, you have the opportunity to donate directly to the foundation in a secure way.  The donations to this foundation are tax deductable.  If you are considering this good deed and have any questions about the tax aspect, please don't hesitate to contact the Foundation.

 

 

notebookBoard of Directors' Minutes
Online Archive 

 

Minutes of the Indianapolis Chapter CSI Board of Directors can be read here.  Please contact the president with any comments or questions.
In This Issue
Tower
IDP Seminar
Study Classes
Table Tops
Quiz
Photos
Meeting Innformation

Date: 
January 19, 2012

Location:
Riverwalk Banquet Center

Fee:
Members: Free
Guests $20
Students: $5
Retired: $5

Time:
5:30 Social Hour
6:30 Dinner
7:15 Mtg/Program 
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