You can't help but notice something's different - Portland Chapter CSI is getting a branding makeover!

At the national level, CSI developed a new logo and branding program last spring. In keeping with that effort, the Board felt some rebranding of our local chapter was also needed. Consistent formats and graphics help people recognize that the communication is from Portland CSI. They also emphasize the professional nature of our organization and provide an opportunity to promote our events more clearly.

The Chapter commissioned local graphic artist Kelly Perso to help develop a Portland Chapter version of the CSI logo. Combining roses and Mt. Hood, two strong graphic images that people relate to Portland, Kelly artfully blended them with the shield and CSI letters to put a Portland spin on the national brand. You'll begin seeing the new logo on all materials from us.

We've also refreshed the look of The Predicator, as you can see here. It's more graphic than before, and is organized to help you quickly find what's meaningful to you. This new format will also allow short summaries for quick reading, with a link to a longer version if you want to learn more. Over the next few weeks, our website will also adopt some of these graphic updates.

CSI offers several web-based practice groups focused on issues in construction industry communication. Most practice groups meet monthly by webinar and encourage group discussion. Group members often make presentations...
 JOIN NOW > 

I was fortunate enough to go to Construct in Nashville and I have to say that it blew my mind!  Everything from the venue to the speakers was amazing. We were in the Music City Center, Nashville's newest convention center completed in May of this year on an impressive 16 acre site. I was in a group that toured the facility and was amazed by so many positive attributes including its four-acre green roof... READ MORE >  

Top Ramen? Kraft Mac-n-Cheese? Gas for the car vs. paying the phone bill? We know money is tight while going to school, and we want to help. CSI supports the next generation of AEC professionals by offering a limited number reduced rate student seats for chapter meetings and education events. 

We also offer the opportunity for our established community members to help a starving student by sponsoring them. A donation of just $10 allows a student to attend.  And who knows; they could be working on your project someday. If you are interested in sponsoring a student, please be sure to check the "donate" box in the online event registration forms or email portlandcsi@gmail.com.

CSI is proud to present our second annual silent auction.  Join us Tuesday December 10, 2013 at the Courtyard by Marriott for this festive fundraising event.

Where will the funds go? 

Proceeds will go to ReFit, a local nonprofit volunteer organization providing home modification services for physically and financially challenged individuals who wish to remain in their homes.  

In addition to supporting ReFit, proceeds will also go to the CSI Scholarship program, which assists students and emerging professionals' pursuit of CSI certification.

Help us make the 2013 Silent Auction a success and make a donation today. Download the donation form, or email christineirwin@comcast.net... LEARN MORE > 

The construction industry is beginning to show stronger signs of recovery, but challenges still cloud the picture.  Are we in the midst of a strong upturn or we will continue to muddle along?  McGraw-Hill Construction is in a unique position to provide a knowledgeable perspective on the economy and the construction industry.  Please join Cliff Brewis, McGraw-Hill Construction's Senior Director of Editorial Operations, as he reviews the construction outlook at the January Chapter Meeting...  
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May 8-10, 2014 | Portland Hilton

Each month, leading up to the NWRC in May, we will profile three of our scheduled speakers and the topics they will cover--teasers to get you excited about the upcoming event! Meet three more speakers this month... READ MORE > 

REGISTER EARLY FOR SAVINGS > 

CSI professional credentials are evidence of proven knowledge, education, and experience with construction documents. Holding a certification demonstrates professional commitment, credibility and reliability to employers, colleagues, and clients.

The Portland CDT Prep Class will be taught at the offices of Ankrom Moisan Architects at 6720 SW Macadam Ave #100 Portland, OR 97219, on Thursday evenings from 6-8 PM beginning January 23^rd, 2014... LEARN MORE > 

Are you receiving requests to "connect" with people you know but don't know what to do with them? Are you not sure what a "twit" or "tweep" is and if you should be complaining to HR? Do you have a LinkedIn profile, but you don't know how to actually use it or why you should bother? Are you simply interested in social media and ready to see how you can actively engage and benefit from this phenomenon that is changing how the world does business?

If you answered yes to any of the above, this class is for you! Join Jaci Amend and Cherise Schacter on December 4th and get on board with these amazing new business tools... READ MORE > 

The list below is a suggestion of industry blogs and social media sites of note.  Do you have a suggestion or addition for this list? We'd love to hear it. Email cherises@interfaceeng.com. 

• Sheldon Wolfe, CSI Chief Curmudgeon - Constructive Thoughts, Above and Beyond
   http://swconstructivethoughts.blogspot.com/2013/09/above-and-beyond.html
• Eric D. Lussier, CSI, CDT, Indoor Sports Flooring Trusted Advisor http://ericdlussier.wordpress.com/
• The Gaines Group - Design Matters
   http://harrisonburgarchitect.wordpress.com/
• Randy Nishimura, SW Oregon Architect -http://sworegonarchitect.blogspot.com/
• Conspectus Inc. - SpecWords http://conspectusinc.com/swblog/
• John Danes - Opening Doors with Locks & SoMe http://paper.li/johndanes/1337832812
• Bob Borson, Texas Architect - Life of an Architect http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/
• Liz O'Sullivan, Independent Specifications Consultant -  Comments from a Spec Writer http://lizosullivanaia.wordpress.com/
• Vivian Volz Architectural Specifications, Independent Specifications Consultant - VVAS http://www.vvarchspecs.com/ 
• Mark R. LePage, Inspiring Success in Architecture for Small Firms and Sole Proprietor Architects - Entrepreneur Architect http://www.entrearchitect.com/about-entrepreneur-architect/
• Jody Brown - Coffee with an Architect http://www.coffeewithanarchitect.com/
• Tara Imani, Texas Architect - Indigo Architect http://www.indigoarchitect.com/
• YouTube Library of past CSI Presentations http://www.youtube.com/user/CSIConstruction

  Article from Cherise 

We want to open the lines of communication more between the region and our membership.  Part of this initiative will include frequent notes and announcements "From your Region Leaders". 

We want to inspire leadership aspirations from our CSI members and to demonstrate that there is a lot more to be involved in and benefit from at the region level.  

We would like to share the successes of other chapters while tackling some of the challenges that we all face.  In the process, we hope to initiate more inter-chapter communication and collaboration.  

Most important, we want to provide a larger forum for communicating events and programs that interest the entire region, such as our conferences and leadership training program that may otherwise warrant announcement only when the event is about to happen.  

Respectfully,

Brian Keil CSI CCPR | brian.keil@sherwin.com   

Construction Specifications Canada (CSC)

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP) 

AIA Portland http://aiaportland.org/

ASPE (American Society of Plumbing Engineers)http://www.aspe.org/2013techsessiondescriptions

Architectural Foundation of Oregon http://www.af-oregon.org

International Facilities Management Association http://ifmaoregon.org/calendar.cfm/

Society for Marketing Professional Services, Oregon Chapter

http://www.smpsoregon.org/about/

Associated General Contractors - Oregon Columbia Chapter
 http://www.agc-oregon.org/events/

Portland SDA http://sda-portland.org/Home.php