CSI Pays

The following is a newsletter article I penned in October 2006.  I wrote the article about midday.  Before the day was out, as it turned out, I spoke with four non-local CSI contacts and my membership more than paid for itself.  The article is just as pertinent today as it was the day I wrote it.

 

My membership paid for itself twice today.

 I received a call this morning from a project manager friend who had a question about a detail on a project he is working on.  He frequently calls me with such questions.  Specifically, he wanted to know how to put together a rainscreen siding system.  I eventually gave him the name and e-mail address of a product rep who is a member of the Atlanta Chapter who can shed some light on the appropriateness (or lack thereof) of his product for the application at hand.

 Later on, while discussing a different project, I was asked about a detail that a contractor is proposing to use which will again be critical to keeping rain out of the building.  Immediately, I sent an e-mail to another friend, this time a member of the New Hampshire Chapter.  This individual is an expert in his field and has presented at the CSI Show on this particular topic.

 I expect to hear from both within twenty-four hours.  Additionally, before the morning was out, I forwarded contact information for a member on the West Coast to another member in the Pittsburgh area who needed to contact her on region business.

 The lesson here is this:  membership in CSI pays.  Additionally, I would not know these folks but for my CSI activities beyond the chapter level.  All of these people are individuals I’ve met by attending the convention and serving on committees.  So, it follows that service to CSI pays.  I’ve lost track of the number of folks I’ve gotten to know through this organization.  I will say that because of my CSI membership, I now have friends and colleagues all over the United States that I can call or e-mail with questions and can expect a straight answer or a referrral to someone who can provide it.

 Since this sort of networking starts at our local chapter meetings, I would strongly encourage you to attend and check us out.