by Charles Hendricks | May 27, 2013 | architecture, Construction Specifications Institute, Harrisonburg Architect
The same conversation seems to happen in every organization in the construction industry. How do we get more people involved and active in the organization? How do we get emerging professionals to join? The same ideas are discussed – start a blog, social media, fun events at a local bar, or maybe try a lunch meeting instead of dinner. So what is the answer, why are you involved in professional organizations? What value do you see in giving your time to the industry?
My favorite industry organization is CSI. I will always renew my dues with this organization and know that investing my time in it delivers huge benefits back to me. CSI brings me the most value of any of my other organizations through professional contacts, technical articles, and most important, they make me feel included, valuable, and accepted. To me this is the key to getting more people involved – make them feel needed, wanted, and equal. I look forward to CSI events because I know they are going to be interesting, but also because I know the other people attending want me there and will treat me as an equal. At one of the first CSI meetings I attended out-of-town years ago, I was asked by Mitch Miller to express my opinion to the entire group about the organization – me, one of the youngest people in the room. They wanted to know my thoughts and wanted to include me. That is added value for anyone in any organization.
At a meeting last night of the local AIA chapter, the discussion centered around the future of the chapter and the organization. AIA brings a huge value to the industry for architects and I believe to our clients. However, not all architects join and those that do join, many don’t get involved. The dues are high, the meetings are not held in my town, and I have been reminded that I am not equal many times. So why pay the dues (highest of all the other organizations I belong)? Last night one experienced architect in the room said the most important thing is having the initials behind your name – it helped her advance a career through the public sector. Another idea was you get to participate in the design awards (these awards seem to go to the same firms every year so they have little value to me). Another architect said it is your duty to belong to your industry association: “As a member of this profession you must join, get involved, and advance the profession.” I think these are all great reasons to belong to the AIA. However, that is not a reason to join and be active when there are many other ways to give to your community, advance your career, and be recognized for your work as an equal.
The reason I join a professional organization is to advance my skills. Yes, it is that simple and selfish.
So why did I join AIA (not paid for by my firm, I paid my own membership until I became a partner): it provides me with connections to peers who want to compare notes, teach best practices, and discuss the future. I miss having monthly meetings where I could meet the best and brightest in the industry now that I don’t have local meetings to attend. Getting to know Patricia Jessee, Jim Boyd, Mark Humbertson, Jeff Sties, Kurt Keesecker, Jimmy Grigg, Bill Daggett, Steve Davis, and Candy Smith has allowed me to grow as an architect and better serve my clients. Even if I have not had deep conversations with all of these architects, I know their work, personality, and styles and learn from observation and even emulation. I joined AIA to be a better architect.
What I want more of from AIA is help with being a better architect. I should not have to do all the work to find the experts to learn from, that information should be shared to every member and every member should feel included, valuable, and equal. AIA staff on the national and state level should know my name, know what I do, and know what I need from the organization. They should reach out in a personal way, not in a blind email sent to all members. In our profession, it is very easy to focus on the flashy, expensive design solutions, and the firms with project photography budgets bigger than most of my total design budgets. I need an AIA that promotes the value of all scale of firms and projects and treats me and my small firm as an equal.
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 22, 2011 | architecture, citizen architect, Construction Specifications Institute, Local Leaders, team
The Backbone of the Construction Industry
I was struck the other day at a Central Virginia CSI meeting when our current President, Tracie Skipper, clearly at the end of her rope, needed help. For every task she listed, there was a member ready to step in to give their time, efforts, and talents. For every need, she found a willing person to step in to work towards the goal with no pay. Her spirits were lifted, her mood shifted, and it was clear that she found energy from the willingness of others to lift her up and give. It was clear that CVCSI is the backbone of the construction industry in Charlottesville.
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” Elizabeth Andrew
While I have been involved in many organizations over the years, I have never seen one so close to the edge, bounce back so quickly only by the simple request for support. In an industry that has seen some of the worst economic conditions since the great depression, this organization is thriving. While the membership has slipped this organization is rebounding. There is new energy, new ideas, there is hope that the future is bright for those in the organization and for the industry as a whole.
“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” ~ Tom Brokaw
It is interesting that this organization, Central Virginia Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute is not about any one person. The goals are not about building business, although I have seen that happen. The motivation is not for personal benefit, although those involved will tell you there is some gained. This organization, the members that serve, the effort that is given, is directly to benefit all the members of the construction industry, to provide education, connections, and best practices. This organization is focused on creating a greater good for all those in the industry, not just those at the meetings. This organization, working together, brings the latest knowledge, trends, and ideas to the table for all members to equally discuss, learn, and broaden their base. This organization strengthens the construction industry as a whole and the CSI members doing the work deserve our gratitude.
No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you. ~Author Unknown
I am in awe of the work that is done by Tracie Skipper of Pella Windows to benefit everyone in our industry. She could be at home simply relaxing, but instead, she is working towards helping all of us have better opportunities. I am struck by the energy and passion that Duncan Macfarlane, Laura Fiori, Sarah Heid, Meghan Johnston, and David Groff have in their work with CVCSI, with no desire for personal gain, simply doing it to make our industry stronger. I am blown away by the years of service that Mitch Miller, Raymond Gaines, Sal Verrastro, Ron Keeney, Henry Zirkle, Mike Davis, Gilman Hu, Dennis Hall (west and east coast), Margaret Chewning, Joy Davis, Josh Spiler, Kathy Proctor, Brent Williams, and Charlie Beauduy have given to CSI in their respective geographic areas, giving up weekends, week nights, and family time to help this industry grow and prosper through the sharing of knowledge. I am inspired by the emerging leaders, Kris Benton, Nida DeBusk, Brok Howard, Blake Wagner, Robert Huserik, Leslie Schlesinger, and Sarah Caldwell that have shown this organization will carry forward and grow in this recovering economy and continue to be the one organization that brings all members of the construction industry to the same table as equals to discuss best practices, lessons learned, and mistakes to avoid.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 18, 2010 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, Construction Specifications Institute, Local Leaders, Office Culture, team
Clay Nelson gave a presentation on Leaders Growing Leaders at Construct 2009 CSI Show in Indianapolis. His position is you have to train your employees to do what you do. This give you the ability to stay on the cutting edge and continue to be the visionary.
So this concept, of growing leaders to advance your vision, grows the diversity and depth of your business. If you constantly answer questions and tell people what to do, you will have no time to do visioning. Clay says as a leader your job is to know what you don’t know. So if you set your goal to be right all the time then you have stopped learning.
Hence you should look for things you don’t know and focus on learning those things. Let your employees do all the things you already know. If they can’t, then you have not done your job of giving them the power. This is the only way to be one of the leaders growing leaders. Your staff will do what you let them do through your actions. If you always give them the answer, or if you tell them they are wrong when they bring you an answer, then you have given them no power to learn and grow themselves. Therefore, as a leader you have to stop telling and start asking questions.
Write down all the things you do for two weeks. As a result this will give you a job description of what you do now. What on the list can you have someone else do? Figure this out and you can start doing things you don’t already know how to do and you can grow.
A leader is only as great as the weakest part of his team. Don’t worry about making mistakes, mistakes = growth. Set an example, be what you want other to be. This will give you the leaders that you need in your firm.
This was a great seminar with a tremendous speaker.
