Well, as much as I enjoyed the jaunt to Arlington, I am so glad to be back in the 'burg. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit from my "little" brother, Chief Master Sergeant Dennis Beougher, and his wife, Elma. They relocated from Vandenberg Air Base in California to Andrews over the Christmas holiday, and are living near Mount Vernon south of Alexandria.
They were able to join us after dinner as we socialized for a while in the hotel watering hole. It's always a good way to conclude the day's work with friends in a comfortable setting. There are some who say the real business happens there and not in the boardroom. In any case it's good to learn more about our comrades that cannot be done during the meetings.
I am pleased with my assignments, and really can't discuss as they aren't final until the sitting Board ratifies them in June. We also have a bit more to discuss regarding the standing committee and task team assignments, and have a webinar scheduled for next Monday.
The flight back was on time and uneventful, except for a little jostling during the landing. Temperature was a bit cooler than when I left on Friday, and my sport coat was woefully inadequate. Hit the house by ten, unpacked and in bed on the regular schedule to make my normal 8:30 a.m. senior staff meeting.
I empathize with my fellow Board-elect members who live much farther away and particularly with Sheryl Dodd-Hansen, who told me that she spent most of her flight to California sick in the lavatory. I've been there before and it's not much fun (being sick that is, not California). I hope everyone else arrived home safely and look forward to seeing them again in Indy.
Speaking of which, I hope to see a great turn-out from my Great Lakes Region. This is a fantastic opportunity for those of you who may not have been to a convention before. Indianapolis is a great city with a phenomenal CSI chapter. I know they've spent a great deal of time planning a number of special events for us. See you soon.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
History in the making
As I sit here in a hotel meeting room in Arlington, Virginia with the members of the FY2010 CSI Board, I am excited by the historic nature of this first ever Board-elect meeting. Last year, as in prior years, the Executive Committee performed the tasks we are undertaking. This year, as we move from a 29-member Board to a horizontal 21-member Board without an ExCom, the entire Board will participate in this process. We'll continue reducing our number to 18 in FY2012.
We started right on schedule as promised by President-elect Mike Davis. Mike has a very direct style of leadership and I expect we're going to accomplish great things. Yesterday, we received a very detailed orientation, as well as an update on the Strategic Planning process that will be presented to the members at the convention in Indianapolis.
Today, Walt Marlowe is giving us a presentation on his priorities for programs and projects for the coming year. After that, we'll begin to assemble the standing committees and task teams for the coming year. We'll also try to find a place for all of the members of the Board on the Committees of the Board and as liaisons to the committees and task teams.
This may be one of the more challenging activities of the weekend. Prior to the email that featured Mike Davis as Uncle Sam, there were only 19 members that requested appointment to committees. After the email was distributed, we now have close to 80 applications. Discerning the talents of each of the applicants from a spreadsheet will be a difficult assignment. My hope is that someone on the Board-elect will be able to champion each member and we can assign the most qualified members for each committee.
Well, I need to focus on the tasks at hand and will do my best to represent the interest of all CSI members as I move from an Institute DIrector to Vice President. See you soon.
We started right on schedule as promised by President-elect Mike Davis. Mike has a very direct style of leadership and I expect we're going to accomplish great things. Yesterday, we received a very detailed orientation, as well as an update on the Strategic Planning process that will be presented to the members at the convention in Indianapolis.
Today, Walt Marlowe is giving us a presentation on his priorities for programs and projects for the coming year. After that, we'll begin to assemble the standing committees and task teams for the coming year. We'll also try to find a place for all of the members of the Board on the Committees of the Board and as liaisons to the committees and task teams.
This may be one of the more challenging activities of the weekend. Prior to the email that featured Mike Davis as Uncle Sam, there were only 19 members that requested appointment to committees. After the email was distributed, we now have close to 80 applications. Discerning the talents of each of the applicants from a spreadsheet will be a difficult assignment. My hope is that someone on the Board-elect will be able to champion each member and we can assign the most qualified members for each committee.
Well, I need to focus on the tasks at hand and will do my best to represent the interest of all CSI members as I move from an Institute DIrector to Vice President. See you soon.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
YESSSSS!!!!!!! 2.0
Well, I received my second phone call from John Patrick McCaffrey within the space of a week with great news. He told me I've been elected Vice President - Professional of the Construction Specifications Institute!
I want to congratulate Bob Dye on his excellently run campaign. Bob called me yesterday and offered his best wishes and assistance. We had a good chat and I encouraged him to stay involved and leverage what we've both learned during the election. I also told him his CSI 2.0 label made me wish I'd thought of it. Perhaps we can work that into the branding of CSI in our developing new strategic plan.
Bob's assertive tactics had me hearing footsteps and I wasn't sure if they were in front or behind me, so I just ran as hard as I could. One positive result of the increased campaign activity was that voter turnout increased from less than 20 percent of eligible voters to 24.8 percent. So for me, the big winner is CSI and its members.
I look forward to working with FY2010 President Mike Davis and serving as the first officer of CSI elected from the Columbus Chapter in its 51 year history. As we transition to a smaller board, it is critically important that we change the way we operate as well as our physical size. Since Sheryl and I have been thinking and talking about this for over a year on GRITT, we are well positioned to provide the benefit of our discussions to the new Board.
I've booked my flight to the Board-elect meeting at the end of March and look forward to serving on the first Board without an executive committee. There is much work to do.
I also want to thank everyone who supported my candidacy and those 62 percent of you that gave me your vote. Thank you for all that you do for CSI. See you soon.
I want to congratulate Bob Dye on his excellently run campaign. Bob called me yesterday and offered his best wishes and assistance. We had a good chat and I encouraged him to stay involved and leverage what we've both learned during the election. I also told him his CSI 2.0 label made me wish I'd thought of it. Perhaps we can work that into the branding of CSI in our developing new strategic plan.
Bob's assertive tactics had me hearing footsteps and I wasn't sure if they were in front or behind me, so I just ran as hard as I could. One positive result of the increased campaign activity was that voter turnout increased from less than 20 percent of eligible voters to 24.8 percent. So for me, the big winner is CSI and its members.
I look forward to working with FY2010 President Mike Davis and serving as the first officer of CSI elected from the Columbus Chapter in its 51 year history. As we transition to a smaller board, it is critically important that we change the way we operate as well as our physical size. Since Sheryl and I have been thinking and talking about this for over a year on GRITT, we are well positioned to provide the benefit of our discussions to the new Board.
I've booked my flight to the Board-elect meeting at the end of March and look forward to serving on the first Board without an executive committee. There is much work to do.
I also want to thank everyone who supported my candidacy and those 62 percent of you that gave me your vote. Thank you for all that you do for CSI. See you soon.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
YESSSSS!!!!!!!
Well, it's been nearly 24 hours (have to deduct one for DST) since I received a phone call from Institute Secretary John Patrick McCaffrey at 1:28 p.m., to let me know I'd been elected a Fellow in CSI.
My first call was to my wife within 10 minutes to let her know. I also called Sheryl Dodd-Hansen, my number one cheerleader in this effort. She was at the West Region mid-year meeting with Paulette Salisbury, my official mentor and good friend. I spoke to her after the meeting later that evening. After that, I tried to keep working for a while (in the office on a beautiful Saturday afternoon - what's wrong with me?), but I kept losing my concentration. I have no idea why.
When two hours had passed, I started calling my 15 endorsers and the chapter leaders who had helped me. This is not a one man endeavor, even for an overly independent contrarian like me. I got in touch with most of the folks for whom I had a personal number. I'll try to call the rest on Monday.
But let me just enthusiastically say; "THANKS!!!"
I also talked to my Mom and Dad and let them know the good news. Told them to pack their bags, 'cause they're going to Indianapolis in June. One of the reasons I really wanted to submit this year is that the convention is in my backyard. It's about three hours from Columbus and an hour more from Zanesville, where they live. They're in good health, but Dad will be 71 in June and I'm not sure how many more long trips he's up for.
Saturday night I called Sheryl again to say that I couldn't really remember the call from John. I do remember that my first response was a chuckle, or perhaps a giggle. I'm still tickled by seeing Mike Davis as Uncle Sam...
Anyway, I've been trying to figure out if I could tell anyone, when I noticed Sheryl posted a congratulatory message on my Facebook wall. So much for keeping it a secret - just kidding.
I don't know all the members of the Class of 2009, but I can't wait to see the announcement from CSI. I know of several friends who submitted and I wish them nothing but the best.
I'm still floating a little bit, but am starting to feel it sink in. I'm going to need new business cards in June. I'd better start handing out a few more in the meantime. The waiting reminds me of my brother's plight. He made Chief Master Sergeant last February, but couldn't "sew on" his new stripe until August.
Well, this has been fun, but it's back to reality. My wife's car died on Friday, and I have to go play mechanic. See you soon!
My first call was to my wife within 10 minutes to let her know. I also called Sheryl Dodd-Hansen, my number one cheerleader in this effort. She was at the West Region mid-year meeting with Paulette Salisbury, my official mentor and good friend. I spoke to her after the meeting later that evening. After that, I tried to keep working for a while (in the office on a beautiful Saturday afternoon - what's wrong with me?), but I kept losing my concentration. I have no idea why.
When two hours had passed, I started calling my 15 endorsers and the chapter leaders who had helped me. This is not a one man endeavor, even for an overly independent contrarian like me. I got in touch with most of the folks for whom I had a personal number. I'll try to call the rest on Monday.
But let me just enthusiastically say; "THANKS!!!"
I also talked to my Mom and Dad and let them know the good news. Told them to pack their bags, 'cause they're going to Indianapolis in June. One of the reasons I really wanted to submit this year is that the convention is in my backyard. It's about three hours from Columbus and an hour more from Zanesville, where they live. They're in good health, but Dad will be 71 in June and I'm not sure how many more long trips he's up for.
Saturday night I called Sheryl again to say that I couldn't really remember the call from John. I do remember that my first response was a chuckle, or perhaps a giggle. I'm still tickled by seeing Mike Davis as Uncle Sam...
Anyway, I've been trying to figure out if I could tell anyone, when I noticed Sheryl posted a congratulatory message on my Facebook wall. So much for keeping it a secret - just kidding.
I don't know all the members of the Class of 2009, but I can't wait to see the announcement from CSI. I know of several friends who submitted and I wish them nothing but the best.
I'm still floating a little bit, but am starting to feel it sink in. I'm going to need new business cards in June. I'd better start handing out a few more in the meantime. The waiting reminds me of my brother's plight. He made Chief Master Sergeant last February, but couldn't "sew on" his new stripe until August.
Well, this has been fun, but it's back to reality. My wife's car died on Friday, and I have to go play mechanic. See you soon!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Glad it's finally over!
By the clock on my computer, it is now 12:22 p.m. EST and the election has officially closed. We won't know the results for about another week, but I want to congratulate all the candidates for a good, clean, and fun race.
I think everyone showed that they are willing to work for the opportunity to serve and that should bring us some comfort that no matter who wins, we all want to be there.
And for those of who were annoyed by our communication, I do apologize for the intrusion. I think we all have a little fatigue related to elections after a two year presidential contest.
One of the results I'm interested in almost as much as who won, is who voted. We have seen a lackluster 20 percent or less in the last few years even with controversial issues on the ballot. Perhaps the excitement of the candidates transferred to the voters.
I did learn quite a bit. There are a few new tools in my communication portfolio and I'm not afraid to use them. I did learn that 5:00 a.m. may not be the best time of day to send a message. To those of you with Blackberrys, I am sorry I woke you up. Once I became aware of the issue, I scheduled my message much later in the day.
In any case, I'm glad it's over and all that's left is the counting. Thanks for everything you do for CSI! See you soon.
Lane
I think everyone showed that they are willing to work for the opportunity to serve and that should bring us some comfort that no matter who wins, we all want to be there.
And for those of who were annoyed by our communication, I do apologize for the intrusion. I think we all have a little fatigue related to elections after a two year presidential contest.
One of the results I'm interested in almost as much as who won, is who voted. We have seen a lackluster 20 percent or less in the last few years even with controversial issues on the ballot. Perhaps the excitement of the candidates transferred to the voters.
I did learn quite a bit. There are a few new tools in my communication portfolio and I'm not afraid to use them. I did learn that 5:00 a.m. may not be the best time of day to send a message. To those of you with Blackberrys, I am sorry I woke you up. Once I became aware of the issue, I scheduled my message much later in the day.
In any case, I'm glad it's over and all that's left is the counting. Thanks for everything you do for CSI! See you soon.
Lane
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