The highlight of this last month was the Great Lakes Region Conference held 31 July through 2 August in the NCAA headquarters 2012 addition designed by local firm RATIO Architects.  It was an opportunity for GLR leaders to gather and share insights into successful chapter practices and share building the next generation of leadership.  Sincere thanks to Glen Baines and his committee for pulling off such an outstanding event.  We were honored to have both Bob Simmons, Institute President, and Lane Beougher, Institute President Elect, at our conference.

Our chapter meeting was moved to the Fifth Thursday from the longstanding traditional Third Thursday.  I wonder if anyone will fess up to showing up at the Willows on the usual day.  I know of at least one who was on his way!  Jeff Milliken and Jake Plummer of RATIO gave an impressive and informative presentation on the NCAA design and construction challenges.

The conference locations rotate annually, and it has been 2001 since we were host last.  Indy members hold a controlling interest in the officers of GLR, and it was nice to have the meeting on our turf - and to show off our city, amenities, and hospitality.  Next year's will be a bi-region meeting with North Central Region, and will be held in Chicago.

Praise was heaped on Indianapolis Chapter from both the regional and institute levels.  Among other awards we won a Special Publication Award for those slick business cards designed by Joel Young that I keep handing out.  Congratulations to all who were recognized!

One of the things that came together for me at the conference was the idea that the CSI organization is like a family.  We have our nuclear family, the Indianapolis Chapter, and our extended relatives, the Great Lakes Region, and the whole family tree - the Institute.

I have shared a number of times that it took years for me to reach the point where I looked forward to every meeting because I anticipated getting together with friends - family so to speak.

Part of being a family is bringing the next generation along.  This is a favorite picture of our two granddaughters, Genevieve who is now almost 3 and Louisa who turned 1 this last weekend.

"Lo, children are a heritage from the LORD, . . ."   Psalms 127:3

They are special and precious to us, and we all have people in our lives who mean a lot to us.  I am constantly amazed at the way our longstanding and new members continue to give back to the chapter, and I have to think that much of it is because we are like a family.  It is why we are such a great chapter!

On a different tack, but still following this analogy of our group being family, I am working with various members and committees to make our chapter more family friendly.  On a personal level I want everyone to meet my wife, Carin, at a meeting or social event.  I hope to encourage others to do the same.  We are planning a duck pin bowling event in October at Atomic Bowling in Fountain Square.  More to follow.  The stated goals are to promote fraternity, meet potential members, and just plain have fun.  Again, we have realized that we are the fun group among professional organizations in the City, and we intend to promote that.  If you have any ideas for social events or if you have fond memories of things we used to do, please run them by me or Ariel Su.

Construct 2014, our national conference, is being held in Baltimore from 9 - 12 September.  For many of our members this is a massive family reunion with friends and compatriots from around the country.  Your president, president elect, and many others will be representing Indianapolis.

Let's change gears now:

Many know that I am kind of a gearhead, and I have been driving old BMW's since 1983.  My current ride, which I have had for more than a decade is a special model that I searched nationwide for, a 535is, because I previously had one like it that was not a keeper, but I really liked it.  This car wears its original paint, which is getting pretty sad looking, but underneath it looks only a couple of years old, and there is not too much that has not been modified in some way, from the headlights (Euro) to the exhaust (stainless and loud).  I would say bumper to bumper, but the Euro bumpers are still in the basement.  The August President's Question:   What model year is my pride and joy (within a year)?  Be the first to email me at davidyoung327@gmail.com with the correct answer with the subject heading "BMW" and you will receive a $20 Lowe's gift card.  We are CSI - we are all building something, right?  The correct answer and winner will be revealed at the chapter meeting, and you must be present to win.  Hint:  Google it - they made this model for only two years.

Get excited about our upcoming Chapter Meeting back at our traditional time and location:  Third Thursday 21 August at The Willows on Westfield.  The program will be a presentation on the Downtown Transit Center by our own Joe Fischer of URS.  More information at www.csiindy.org.  This year all meetings will include a member spotlight and the release of our next video.

Save the date!  Get the Trade Show on your calendar:  18 September, #designindy, once again at The Crane Bay and also again a joint venture with AIA and USGBC.  Guest speakers, learning units, and your favorite vendors.  The Trade Show is like a family reunion for me.

Remember:  I am here to serve, and my door is open - well, my phone is on anyway.  davidyoung327@gmail.com  317.777.0855 cell

Please contact me at either or just grab me to share any suggestions, complaints, or needs regarding our chapter - or especially if you wish to volunteer for any of our committees.  Or if you saw a vintage BMW somewhere.  I already owe thanks to so many for their advice, guidance, and contributions. 

CSI Indianapolis Chapter . . .          UNITING, CONNECTING, BUILDING . . .