I am also pleased to announce that Portland CSI will be receiving an Outstanding Chapter Commendation for FY2014 at #CONSTRUCT.  There are many requirements to qualify for this award and we are proud and honored that Portland meets these high standards.

This year, Portland CSI will be collecting toys and other items for the Randall Childrens Hospital as our annual December community outreach.  Our goal is to collect 500 items. Please donate and consider helping brighten the day of a sick child.
 

At this writing, CONSTRUCT is in 15 days in Baltimore. I hope that I will see many of you there. The schedule is cram packed with education, a products show, networking events and fun. Besides the regularly scheduled programming, I will personally be involved on a Bloggers Panel, volunteering at the Baltimore Chapter Booth, participating in Tweet-ups and advising members who are interested in joining an Institute Committee. 

CONSTRUCT is a great place to see all of the different things CSI has to offer, network with members from other Chapters and discover ways to step up your game. Like anything else, what you get out of your involvement is up to you. CSI is a dynamic organization with a lot of opportunities if you take the time to explore what they are. If you are joining us in Baltimore, consider stepping outside your comfort zone and meeting some new members from other places and exploring additional opportunities for both personal and career growth within CSI. 

While it has been a fun summer, it is time to get back to work.  Please join us in September for our Oregon Zoo: Elephant Lands Chapter Meeting, our first 2014 lecture series event which will be a Mock Bid Day and our Specifier Share Group on the topic of Galvanizing.  We have many great events in the coming months.  Please join us and bring a friend! I look forward to seeing you in September.

Comments, questions, suggestions, good jokes: c[email protected]

Follow me on Twitter: @CheriseSchacter - #CSIKraken

Connect with me on LinkedIn: Cherise Schacter

My Blog - The Voices in My Head: https://www.cheriseschacter.com

Tuesday, Sept. 9th

4:30 - 8:30 PM

The Oregon Zoo, Skyline Room

The Oregon Zoo is embarking on an extensive effort to expand and renovate facilities, increase sustainability, and improve conservation education after it passed a signature $125 Million bond in 2008. One of the key projects as part of this expansion and renovation is the $46 Million Elephant Lands exhibit. See the current progress of the bond work at the zoo and how modern design and construction tools are used to create a highly sustainable and enriching habitat that provides choices for the animals.

Andrew Dykeman, Senior Project Manager, Lease Crutcher Lewis

This was a banner year for summer participation and fun events at Portland CSI.   Our summer events kicked off in June with our Chili Cook-Off & Awards followed by the July Architectural Scavenger Hunt, both of which were well attended and a good time. 

In August, we doubled up on the fun with a Chapter Timbers Tailgate Party and attendance at the Timbers game vs. Chivas on August 9th.   We hung out in a local parking lot (thank you Melvin Mark) and enjoyed a BBQ dinner and catching up with friends and then walked over to enjoy the game.  

On August 21st, 140 of our favorite golfers converged on Lewis River Golf Course for a sold out shotgun start event.  Honestly, I am not a golfer and this was my first attendance at the CSI Golf Tournament.  Why didn't someone tell me it was so much fun?  Our golfers started off the day with a hot dog stand lunch and then hit the course to see what they could do.  After a long day goofing around (oh, I mean playing golf), we all came together for dinner, libations, raffle prizes and awards on the outdoor patio overlooking the beautiful Lewis River. Our wonderful sponsors made this a banner event that I will be sure not to miss in the future, even if I never learn to play golf.

For those of you who may have fallen victim to the CSI Kraken golf cart drive by super soaker attacks, I apologize. It was Erica's idea, I cannot be held responsible for my actions.

Speaking of Erica Bitterman-Ryon . . . seriously, this woman is an unstoppable dynamo.  Erica, your hard work and dedication to this Chapter is unparalleled. The golf tournament was an amazing event that was clearly enjoyed by all (some more than others)! Your leadership, drive and passion are what make it better every year and, on behalf of our entire chapter, I thank you for always giving 150% to everything you do. Thank you!

Thursday, Sept. 11th

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Hennebery Eddy Architects

921 SW Washington Street, Suite 250

The Education Committee has been busy and is kicking off Season 2 of the Portland CSI Lecture Series with a hands on Mock Bid Day.  See details below. $10 gets you beer, pizza, networking and a chance to take a crack at what really goes into preparing and submitting a bid.  Fun, educational, collaborative and you will not leave hungry.  Please join us!

Keep your eyes peeled here for great upcoming events.

Thursday, Sept. 30th

5:30 - 7:30 PM

Columbia Square

111 SW Columbia, Floor 8 conference room

Kathy Hempel, CSI, CCCA, Board Director, Certification Chair

Certification exams are under way at the end of this month.  Registration opened June 2nd and exams will be offered September 29 to October 25, 2014 in the U.S. & Canada.

   

CDT Exam

The Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) exam promotes an understanding of contractual agreements, roles, responsibilities, drawings and specifications, construction delivery systems, and how to develop organized, effective construction documents. Candidates are encouraged to obtain and thoroughly review the following:

• Project Delivery and Practice Guide
• CDT Handbook & CDT Workbook available at the CSI-Institute webpage
• CDT-Source-Materials 
• CDT exam requirements

Beyond CDT

Advanced exams are also available for those who have already received their CDT accreditation:  

• Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA)
• Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) 
• Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR)

DOWNLOAD MORE INFORMATION HERE >

CDT Scholarships are available to emerging professionals with the following guidelines:

1. Must either be a CSI member or willing to become a member
2. Must be an emerging professional with less than ten years of experience
3. Must make a one-year commitment to a CSI committee of your choice 

Compensation in the scholarship: (savings up to $585.00)

• CSI Membership Fee reimbursed minus the first $100 (up to $140)     
• Cost of PDX Chapter CDT Class ($110)
• Cost of Project Delivery Practice Guide and Study Workbook ($95.0)
• Exam cost reimbursed upon passing (up to $240.00)

How to Apply

Apply for this scholarship by sending an email to [email protected] with your name, address, company, discipline, description of your years in the construction industry and why you are interested in becoming CDT Certified. All applications must be received by December 31, 2014.

Please contact Kathy Hempel at [email protected] with questions about getting your study materials, scheduling your exam or get a class together.