There are two excellent opportunities in the coming week for construction industry members to network and learn in virtual meetings. Check them out below and register to get the zoom link.
CVCSI Chapter February Monthly Virtual Learning
“New challenges in 2021 for Employers as they continue returning to work after COVID-19”
The CDC and OSHA continuously issue new guidance relating to reopening your business, and state governors and local officials make individual, different determinations about how to relax return-to-work and business closure orders. Business guidance and legal requirements are changing rapidly. This webinar will discuss changes implemented that employers must be ready for as states reopen for business. This webinar session will cover:
Handling Employees that Refuse to Work
Assessing the Workplace for PPE, including face coverings
What potential legal claims employers could face, including OSHA claims
Handling suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases in the workplace
Recording and reporting COVID-19 cases to OSHA
Vaccines in the workplace
Travis Vance, Partner, Fisher Phillips is a member of the firm’s COVID-19 Taskforce, a cross-disciplinary team of attorneys dedicated to advising employers on the many workplace law aspects of the global coronavirus pandemic. Travis has assisted over 500 companies during the pandemic and remains committed to serving companies to protect the safety and health of their employees.
CVCSI Chapter February Monthly Young Professionals Virtual Meeting
“Goal setting skills for personal and professional growth”
Ray asked me to get this information posted – I just have not had time to get the CVCSI Chapter website back in shape so here it is on my blog for now.
Please join CVCSI for our September 1, 2015 meeting:
Effective use of point cloud data in the Construction Industry
Topic: Effective use of Point Cloud Data in the Construction Industry
4 Points of Emphasis
1. Attendees will be given a background in laser scanning technology and point cloud deliverables as they are commonly used in the construction industry.
2. Attendees will learn how to import point clouds and use them efficiently within Autodesk design software (AutoCAD & Revit) – topics covered will be relevant to other software platforms as well.
3. Attendees will learn some common mistakes and pitfalls to watch out for when working with point clouds.
4. Attendees will learn the basics of contracting with a scanning professional to ensure the deliverable satisfies the specific project needs.
Speaker: Phil Lutz with Stratiscan
Bio: Phil is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in Civil Engineering. For the last 15 years, he’s been employed with a general contractor providing design-build construction services ranging from multi-story office buildings to small industrial structures. Since 2009, Phil has also been providing independent structural engineering services and in 2014 began providing High Definition Survey Laser Scanning as a service.
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.
