If I Hadn't Joined CSI

by Marvin Kemp, CSI, CDT, AIA

• I might not recognize there are three ways to do something: the right way, the wrong way and the CSI Way.
• 
  

  Every day at work, I would not know that each person brings something different to the table and that's okay.
• And I would not know how to use what each person brings to the table to solve problems. 
• I wouldn't have these 6 cool initials behind my name.
• I wouldn't have seen Vegas, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Chicago.
• I wouldn't have seen Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Richmond, Raleigh or Bear Creek.
• I wouldn't have seen Centerpoint, the Hilton or Healthcare for the Homeless before those buildings opened.
• I might not have helped fix up an elderly person's home and looked into their eyes while they shook my hand and then hugged me, but couldn't say "thank you" because of the tears in their eyes and lump in their throat.
• And I wouldn't have needed the "thank you" at all.
• I would not have that pewter shield to wear on my lapel.
• And the hard earned gavel chained to it.
• I would not have met my best friends Scott, Liz, Steve and Sarah.
• And I would not have met Lynn, Jonnie, Billy and Anne Marie.
• I would not have worked side by side with Nina, Leslie, Mike, Mitch and Sal.
• I probably would not have mentored as many fine leaders as I have.
• And I would not have wept when we lost two great leaders, Bill and Rob.
• I would not have walked up to a booth last year in Chicago and gotten the answer to my question, immediately, on the spot, and known it was the right answer.
• And that wouldn't have happened in Philadelphia the year before, or Indianapolis the year before that or Vegas the year before that.
• I might not have the fat list of contacts that I have which I can also use to get the answers I need, when I need them.
• I would not know more than any architect should about intumescent paint, polished concrete, fire prevention, insurance, the perils and excitement of bid day or any of the other roughly 120 presentations I've seen at monthly membership meetings across the last 12 years.
• And I wouldn't know the thrill of planning one of those programs, promoting it, seeing a big crowd at the event and hearing the applause when the program was a success.
• I wouldn't know what it means to be elected to office to serve a chapter of 200 members.
• I wouldn't have stood in front of a room filled with 2,000 people and welcomed you to Baltimore.
• I would not have had the opportunity to impart the knowledge I've gained to others in my profession on cold winters nights for the past 8 winters.
• And then learn that many of them passed the CDT exam!
• I wouldn't know what it was like to stand up in front of a room full of strangers and tell them what I think and have them even ask me the hardest questions I ever had to answer, but have them tell me later that they liked what I said and enjoyed my presentation.
• And I might not know what it's like to be a trusted resource to the younger architects in our office.

I have been a proud member of the Baltimore Chapter of The Construction Specifications Institute since August 2000 and I could not be happier with the investment I've made: no amount of money, time or effort can make up for what CSI has given me.

I went to my first meeting sometime in the winter of 2001 at the invitation of a local product rep who had stopped by the office. She introduced me to several folks about my age during the happy hour and on my own I met some of the smartest people I've ever met, including a past Institute President! The program was good, the Q and A was great and I've missed only a small handful of meetings in the 11 years since then.

Since that first meeting, I earned my CDT, worked with Rebuilding Together, Baltimore and taught in our chapter's CDT prep Winter Seminars. As a chapter leader, I've served as Technical Committee Chair, Awards Committee Chair, Webmaster, Secretary, 2nd Vice-president and Chapter President. I've served as a Region Committee Chair, on an Institute Task Team and on an Institute Committee.

In the past 12 years, I've learned more about construction technology and building science than some architects learn in a life time. I've met and worked with some of the nicest, funniest, most hard working and smartest people in the world. I've become an advocate for doing things the right way in our office and become a resource to the next generation of architects. My bosses have noticed, and have moved me up the ladder into a position of leadership in our firm. All of this thanks to a decision I made long ago to join CSI.

You can make the same decision, too! Join CSI online between Wednesday, June 13, and Wednesday, June 20, and pay only $192 -- a 20% savings -- for your membership. Use promo code “12spring20” when you join at www.csinet.org/joincsi. This promotion is only available to new members joining at the professional level. Chapter dues are not included in this promotion.

To join:

Visit www.csinet.org/join

Select "Join Now", and then click "Sign Up as a New Member"

Enter Promotion Code 12spring20 when prompted

Click the "Add Discount" button

If you like what you read above, join CSI and learn and grow in your career. If you have any questions, please ask me! I can be reached at mkemp@designcollective.com

Even though chapter dues are not included, I strongly encourage you to join your local chapter, even if it isn't the Baltimore Chapter! Our chapters need your help and support. We have been a grass roots organization from the start, so designate a home chapter and get involved!

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