During my time as a volunteer for the Las Vegas chapter the same question came up year over year.  How do we engage the students of today to ensure their involvement in the chapter well into their careers?  The Las Vegas chapter, like many others, has a Foundation set up for awarding scholarship money to students in a curriculum related to our field.  The process was well advertised and yet there were years where not one student would apply.  Free money people!  

Anyway, one of my goals for this year is to try to help the chapters get connected with local educational institutions.  Develop ways to bridge the gap between the construction professionals, educators and students. In the month of February 2016 there will be an annual event held by the Associated Schools of Construction for Region's 6 & 7.  This event is mainly a competition.  However, it is also a great networking opportunity that could prove to be a door opener for the local chapters.  36 Universities from 13 states will be represented.  The SW Region voted to send Mike Young, CSI CCCA from the Denver chapter as our representative.  He will help support the event with help from the West and Northwest Regions.  After last year's event we learned that the educators are just as enthusiastic as we are about getting the students connected with the local chapters. 

This year the Region will help connect the chapters with local universities that show interest.  Our charge is to make sure we capitalize on any and all leads that are obtained from the event.  With the help of the other two Regions that have participated in the past we will learn how they have been successful and see if we can't deliver a formula for success.  As always volunteers are welcome.  So if you would like to be involved in this effort I encourage you to reach out to your chapters Education Chair or Chapter President.      

 Our chapter's luncheon meeting this month included a program titled "Trainwrecks and Teachable Moments", during which our members shared the most confusing, surprising, scariest, happiest or disappointing moments in our careers.  It's not always easy to tell another professional, particularly one that generally sits on the other side of the table, about those things that have really derailed one of your projects.  This is even more difficult now that the procurement process is often "best value" based.  We tend to feel as though imperfections and mistakes must be heavily guarded secrets.

However, I believe that sharing with one another the lessons we've learned is the very core of CSI's mission.  We all know that learning is better when reinforced with true-life examples.  Plus, confession is good for the soul.

A supplier related the story of an entire truck-load of metal roof panels that arrived on a single pallet - because they were 37 inches long, instead of 37 feet long.  A general contractor's story related to the chaos and losses that ensue when the construction drawing sets for a multi-building project are separated into volumes, but not clearly marked as such. A government agency's tale of a $500,000 change order encouraged us to actually read and act upon the geotechnical reports -not just procure them and then toss them into a drawer.  A manufacturer's rep related the story of a building that was burned down after the architect issued a directive requiring temporary heating for the stucco application. (Ouch!)  

The strength of CSI's membership diversity has been an ongoing theme in my messages for a few years.  It is what makes us different, and what makes us strong.  When we share the gifts of our knowledge and experience with our peers, we strengthen our industry.

 Training, inspiration, education and connections, all in beautiful Salt Lake City!