I am so honored and humbled to serve as president for the next year. It has just begun, but I already owe thanks to so many for their advice and contributions. There is probably no other organization where past leaders remain so engaged and members stay so active with their contributions and giving of their time. It is why we are such a great chapter!
I have always wondered about title of this article "View from the Tower." I have long held a more scriptural view of leadership -
". . . let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves." Luke 22:26
- and my recent predecessors have led with servant-like attitudes. So I checked with Blake Wagner, and he thinks it comes from the racing theme for our chapter. The title of this newsletter, "The Winner's Circle" has been in use since 1975, and "the Tower" must be in reference to the timing pagoda at the Speedway. I have a soft spot for cars and racing, so I am pretty cool with that.
In any case I had my own tower experience, having just gotten back from two weeks in Sweden. The primary purpose of the trip was to celebrate my father-in-laws ninetieth birthday, and we stayed at the 17th century castle, Börstorp, where he grew up. You can see from the picture that there is a tower, and I can assure you that there is a view from up there.
We had an outstanding Awards Banquet last month at the Columbia Club. Ed Brown completed an exemplary year and presided over his last meeting.
A highlight was Joe McGuire receiving his pin for 53 years of Perfect Attendance.
Fran E. Schroeder Memorial Award for Professional Member of the Year went to Ralph Pitman.
J. Warren Hoy Award for Industry Member of the Year went to Joyce White.
Member of the Year is Ariel Su!
Congratulations to these and to all others recognized.
Indianapolis Chapter is long on tradition, and it is a delicate balance to maintain the traditions while embracing technological changes and the future of the construction industry. You will notice professional videos being shot at a number of our meetings, including last month's Awards Banquet and this month's Region Conference. Our newly formed Marketing Committee has grabbed social media by the horns, and we are demonstrating that not only are we a fun bunch to hang around with, but we are cutting edge as well.
Pete Kerfoot began the gimmick of hiding a giveaway in his newsletter, and Ed Brown developed it into the "president's question." It seems we have another tradition brewing, and I will continue it. July's President's Question: I took my first job after graduation as a designer at: a. James Associates. b. Everett I. Brown Company. c. Browning Day Pollak Associates. For our younger members, the first two were power houses and the largest firms in the state in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. They both disappeared in the early 90's. The latter survives as Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf. Be the first to email me at davidyoung327@gmail.com with the correct answer with the subject heading "Coffee," and you will receive a $10 Starbucks gift card. The correct answer and winner will be revealed at the chapter meeting, and you must be present to win.
Remember to register for the Great Lakes Region Conference, which we have the honor of sponsoring this year at the NCAA Headquarters from 31 July through 2 August. It is an opportunity for GLR leaders to gather and share insights into successful chapter practices and share building the next generation of leadership. We are starting this event off with a bang with our monthly chapter meeting on Thursday 31 July. 5:30 to 6:30 PM Social Hour with Cash Bar, Dinner at 6:30 followed by the program, which features RATIO Architects describing their design process for the most recent NCAA addition. Note the date change - we meet on the Fifth Thursday to augment the conference program. Note that the standing reservation list does not apply to this meeting. To attend you must register either as part of the conference or through the normal channel on our website at www.csiindy.org.
Save the date! Get the Trade Show on your calendar: 18 September, #designindy, once again at The Crane Bay.
Look for future announcements about family-friendly social events. We want to encourage the social aspect of our organization and promote fraternity. We are the fun group!
Remember: I am here to serve, and the buck stops here. davidyoung327@gmail.com 317.777.0855 cell
Please contact me at either or just grab me with any suggestions, complaints, or needs regarding our chapter - or especially if you wish to volunteer for any of our committees, or as Ariel Su just did - start your own committee.
CSI Indianapolis Chapter . . . UNITING, CONNECTING, BUILDING . . .
