Happy New Year folks and welcome to 2023!

Hoping everyone in the CSINext family had a safe and joyous Holiday season!

Taking a quick look back at 2022, what a great year it was here at CSINext.  Our membership grew to over 120 members from within the United States and around the world, we had several members achieve their CSI professional certifications, we collaborated with Columbus State Community College to present the CSI CDT Bootcamp, Margaret Fischer of the Architectural Woodwork Institute knocked it out of the park with the AWI Casework Storage Standard presentation in December to finish out the year, and our Chapter sponsors continue to grow and support us in making CSINext one of the most unique and noted Chapters within CSI.

With all that, you are probably wondering if 2023 can top it right? The answer is a resounding YES. 

Let’s look at some of what is in store for 2023: The CDT Bootcamp in collaboration with Columbus State Community College & Dean Bortz will again be held for the Spring 2023 testing window.  And there will be an added session for the CSI CCCA Certification as well so be on the lookout real soon for information on how to sign up and participate.  The 2022 session was an extraordinary success and CSINext is looking forward to continuing this wonderful opportunity to support you the member with certification preparation opportunities and help support educational scholarship opportunities for future AECO Industry professionals.

As I am sure have seen on the website, the CSINext LinkedIn Group, or the CSIResources.org Calendar of Events, our first Chapter meeting of 2023 will be held on Thursday January 12th, 2023, at 12Noon EST.  This month we will be joined by Heidi Lohmann of Sun Controls of Minnesota who will be presenting to us on “3M Architectural Finishes.”

Staci Seyer, one of our Chapter Directors, has been hard at work the last few months on lining up what will be the first ever CSINext virtual plant tour.  That’s right folks – the virtual chapter is going to have a “virtual tour” of an industry manufacturer’s plant for an upcoming monthly Chapter Meeting.  And it is coming up “very very soon” …so keep an eye out for the sign-up link!

In February, our own Thad Goodman (FCSI, CDT, CCPR, LEED Green Associate), will be representing CSINext in collaboration with the Southwest Region at The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 6 & 7 competition.  ASC is the professional association for the development and advancement of construction education and Universities from all over the country attend this 3-Day event.  This is a tremendous opportunity for CSINext to promote the value of CSI within the AECO industry and the professional growth opportunities it can provide. Safe travels Thad and we expect a full report on your return!

So those are just a few of things on the CSINext radar for the next few months…we don’t want to spill the beans on everything just yet so stay tuned!!

Looking at the larger picture for 2023, CSINext will have (2) Chapter Board of Directors positions open for the 2023/2024 fiscal year starting on July 1, 2023.  Both Chapter Secretary and Chapter Director positions will be open. If you would be interested in learning more about joining the Chapter Board and help shape the future of CSINext – let us know and we would be happy to speak with you.

And if a Board of Directors position maybe isn’t your thing but you would like to be involved more with the Chapter – we are always looking for people to help with the Nominations, Awards, Programs, and Membership Committees as well.

Well folks, that gets us up to date and off and running for 2023…once again thank you for your continued patronage to CSI and CSINext.  Looking forward to another great year!!!!

Till next time, Mark